155’000 Signatures Against Wild Animals as Pets
More than 155,000 voices are calling for stricter regulation of the trade and private keeping of wild animals as pets, through a positive list for pets, a pet fair regulation, and strict regulation of online trade.
Today, seven animal welfare organisations presented these signatures to members of the Bundestag.
Against an impressive backdrop of real animal transport crates, AAP, Deutscher Tierschutzbund, IFAW, PETA Deutschland, Pro Wildlife, Humane Society International (HSI) and VIER PFOTEN highlighted the urgency of a nationwide uniform regulation for the private keeping and trade of exotic pets.
“The broad support shows that not only animal welfare organisations see a need for action, but also voters,” explains biologist Katharina Lameter from Pro Wildlife. “The current draft of the new Animal Welfare Act is still not sufficient to truly protect wild animals. We therefore once again call on the Bundestag parties today to close the gaps and finally incorporate effective and uniform regulations into the Animal Welfare Act that truly do justice to the constitutional goal of animal protection.”In a joint statement with further animal and species protection organisations, the enshrining of a positive list for pets, a pet fair regulation and regulation of online trade are demanded.
Exotic Pets: Diverse Dangers for Humans and Animals
In Germany, there are currently no nationwide uniform regulations for exotic pets. As a result, the vast majority of trade and private keeping is entirely legal. Every year, at least 2’000 exotic animal species and over 100’000 individuals, from servals to ring-tailed lemurs, are traded here. In general, exotic animals are not suitable as pets. The demands on their husbandry, social interactions, diet, and veterinary care are far too complex. Even well-intentioned owners can quickly become overwhelmed. As a result, these animals typically lead a miserable existence until they die, escape, or are abandoned. But it is not only the animals themselves that suffer from the trade and keeping of exotic pets — public safety, health, and native biodiversity are also affected.
Despite these problems, the trade is barely regulated. Even protected species can easily be purchased at animal fairs or online. Many animals are caught directly from the wild and sold. In a representative survey in 2023, 90% of respondents stated that the keeping of wild animals in Germany must be more strictly regulated. 81% called for a ban on keeping exotic animals.
Positive list protects biodiversity and leaves no room for animal suffering
To address these grievances, the positive list offers an effective, preventive, and sustainable solution. As the result of a transparent, science-based process, this instrument defines which animal species are suitable for trade and private keeping. Unlike other instruments, the positive list addresses dangers before they even arise. That the positive list is workable and effective is illustrated by its success in other countries. Ten European states have already adopted or developed one for certain animal groups. Legal concerns can also be addressed: a legal opinion clearly demonstrates that a positive list is permissible under both German and European law and is, moreover, required by virtue of the precautionary principle and the constitutional objective of animal protection enshrined in Article 20a of the Basic Law.
The positive list is the pragmatic solution to a multitude of problems. Now is the opportunity to implement it. For more than 155,000 signatures once again demonstrate that policymakers can no longer look away when animals suffer in people's living rooms.
Background information:
>> Joint statement on the Animal Welfare Act
>> Legal opinion from 2022
>> Survey on wild animal keeping in Germany
>> WYLD Campaign
