OTHER ANIMALS

Occasionally, we receive animals that would make great pets, but are neither a cat or a dog.  We will post their details on this page, so if you are interested in adopting a companion animal other than a cat or dog, such as a rabbit, then check this page from time to time.

Wildlife as pets:

The Victorian Government recently closed a period of public consultation on new wildlife regulations. The regulations address the keeping of native wildlife for private purposes, e.g. by enthusiasts and as 'household pets'.

Since 1992, Victorian regulations have allowed a great range of native wildlife to be kept privately including many reptiles and amphibians, and a number of mammal species. Proposed regulations (Wildlife Regulations 2002) would simplify acquisition and record keeping, to allow (for example) easier purchase of sensitive marsupial species by private individuals, including children.

The needs of inherently wild animals differ from, are more complex and less understood than those of domestic animals and thus wild species are more likely to suffer in inexperienced hands. Some will die due to extreme stress in captivity. They also have a tendency to revert to wild habits. A cute, cuddly Joey is very appealing, but not so when, as a captive adult it becomes aggressive, even to a devoted carer. And even a small nocturnal Sugar Glider, that in captivity will rarely have the space it needs to 'glide' through the air as it would in its natural habitat, will bite and scratch, especially when called upon to be social when it should sleep.

Our more common companion animals have taken thousands of years to develop to the stage of friendly familiarity in a household, where their needs are easily met. Yet many are ill- treated and unwanted, and end up in pounds and shelters, often due to neglect and ignorance. Captive native animals stress far more easily, and may die as a result. Let's protect their habitat and help them to live safely in it, leaving valuable resources to ensure that our current domestic pets have the loving homes they deserve.

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