Is it possible to own my own pet monkey ?

Question

Hi all ...again
i've always wanted to have my own pet monkey ......where could i buy one and is there certain laws that forbid owning them in Canada as a pet ? Share your thoughts and/or knowledge ...thanks guys!!

Answer 1

Hi Sarah...there are many places in Canada whichs forbids ownership of primates and exotic animals. People who sell exotics have to notify the appropriate governing heads so they know you purchased the exotic--no other way around this as breeder risk losing their licences. The areas that do allow exotics require permits/licencing and it's very expensive to maintain because in order to maintain the permits you are subject to drop inspections throughout the year annually to ensure the proper care of your exotic. You have to produce annual veterinarian health and vaccination records, dietary maintenance and care records, training, etc.

Monkeys are so wild and so difficult to truly domesticate no matter how much time, effort, and love you devote, they're still wild. They also have wild strength and the slightest slip, or it may even be spontaneous, could leave you bruised and battered, and probably very, very confused.

It's just not worth the risk to take monkeys out of their habitats to stick them in our houses where little to nothing is safe to climb the way monkeys do, where there are so many dangers to them, where they just don't belong. Many people have made the mistake of trying to get monkeys, and they end up really regretting it - not totally because of their behaviour, rambunctiousness, and difficulty of care and needs, but because they ended up being so heartbroken having to give up this "pet" they loved so much because so much as one event occurred that this monkey had to be taken and/or put to sleep.

Also, some people will go to horrible measures to try and "domesticate" their monkey. Some have all of their teeth removed and I think most of the monkeys that are pets are spayed/neutered.
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"Baby monkeys and apes destined for the 'pet' trade are literally "pulled" away from their protective mothers when they are only hours or days old. Remember, commercial gain (not compassion) is the breeder's motivation.

The infant monkeys/apes and their biological mothers typically suffer depression from the forced separation. "Breeder" females are often purposely impregnated at a frequency which can be 4-6 times higher than the species would breed in natural circumstances, leading to serious and often fatal/crippling maladies like hemorrhaging and severe bone mass depletion.

"Breeder" females are often purposely impregnated at a frequency which can be 4-6 times higher than the species would breed in natural circumstances

Purchasing an infant primate is always consumerism supporting an unscrupulous (and sometimes illegal) trade.

Raised by humans, the baby monkeys/apes never have the chance to develop as they should, thus they become psychologically maladjusted. They have little or no chance of leading life in accordance with their instincts as nature intended." (Testimonials page)
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http://www.petmonkey.info/ is a very useful site and presents very well why pet monkeys are definitely not the cute, cuddly pets people always presume. They are, indeed, very cute, but will likely never be domestic pets.

Answer 2

I don't know about Canada but they are considered exotic here in the US most places, you have to have a license to own one. They are usually NOT like the ones that are all cute and tame on tv, those have been trained for a long time. I don't think they would make a good pet.

Answer 3

I don't know about the laws in Canada - I'm pretty sure that you'd have to get some sort of wild animal permit or something. That's what you'd have to do in the US.
They DON'T make good pets though!
I grew up in Costa Rica and some people did catch them in the jungle & keep them for pets & eventually, no matter what, they turned into biting little @$$holes! They are pretty awful once they get mature.
So you'd better have a backup plan for what to do with him once he gets to the point where you can't tolerate him anymore - and trust me - it WILL happen!
:)

Answer 4

If they are illegal to own in your city don't get one.

Many people think oh I will just hide it. Several years down the line. You either get caught. This animal is confiscated and euthanized or now has to be placed in an already over crowded sanctuary because you want to be selfish. Or you decide I don't really want a monkey. Now your trying to find anyone to take it off your hands.

And if he bites someone this will bring many more problems. Make sure you have lots of home owners insurance. You will need it if your sued.

Answer 5

It is against the law to own wild or exotic pets in your home. A person can't properly care for a wild animal and it's not fair to the animal to have to adapt to a human lifestyle.
jw

Answer 6

not sure about in Canada in Ireland definitely not

Answer 7

You can in asia but I dont think you can in canada...it's for health reasons...