Özdemir wants to ban private keeping of exotic animals

Positive list for pets

Federal Minister of Agriculture Cem Özdemir wants to ban the keeping of certain animal species.

“Why would anyone need to keep demanding exotic animals such as snakes or a chameleon at home?” said the Green politician. He could “imagine a positive list, meaning a listing of animals whose keeping is permitted”.

“Exotic wild animals generally belong in the wild, not within one’s own four walls”, said Özdemir. “For me, this is a question of species protection and animal welfare, but also of health for humans and animals alike.”

100 million exotic pets in Europe

It is estimated that more than 100 million animals in Europe that are not dogs or cats are kept privately, including small mammals, birds, reptiles, fish and amphibians. “Many of these species were captured in the wild, thereby decimating natural populations and causing biodiversity to be lost”, it is stated.

Özdemir receives support from the German Animal Welfare Federation. “Instead of a lengthy list of prohibitions, such a positive list would only include those animal species that can genuinely be kept without concern”, said spokesperson Hester Pommerening. “Wild animals, on the other hand, should in principle not be kept in private households from an animal welfare perspective.”

Criticism comes from the Association of Zoological Gardens (VdZ). “Positive lists can result in a greater number of animals being acquired illegally in the future and having to live in concealment without adequate veterinary care”, said VdZ director Volker Homes.

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