How exactly do you obtain an exotic pet? (ie: a flying fox fruit bat)?

Question

I know you need permits and things, but I don't really know the specifics. Also, I'm not talking about something off of the black market or anything, I'm talking about one that needs to be rescued. For instance, where the bats are local, farmers that own plantations can sometimes harm them because they eat their crops. I realize some of the separate species are endangered, but I was just curious (here's a link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flying_fox ). My question can also apply to other animals too. I don't really want a lecture about how I shouldn't keep wild animals as pets because if it's injured to the point where it's quality of life is ruined, I'm not imprisoning it or keeping it from anything it would have in the wild besides death. I'm sorry if I'm coming off rude. Thanks for the help! XD

Answer 1

Aside form the permits & stuff you already have an idea that you'd need, you will also have to be able to prove that you can provide the proper habitat and give proper care. In some cases, this means being certified or licensed for a particular species or group of animals.

Often, wildlife organizations, rescue groups, etc. contact people they already have worked with. So the best advice I can give you (in general, not for any specific animals), is to find someone in your area who works with animal rescues. This could be a vet, a zoo, a wildlife rehabiliator, animal shelter, reptile/bird/environmental groups/clubs, or your state game office. They can let you know what they are doing and put you in contact with other people and organizations. You might consider volunteering your time, or working as an intern, or part time (whatever is mutually agreeable) to gain some of the skills and knowledge needed, and get your name "out there" in the network.

Answer 2

E Minor - Thumbs up for you. It looks like you left a couple of things out, but yeah, that was my basic thought. To answer the question: As an example of what you are talking about there are a couple of pet store in and around Chicago (big city where I live) that have foxes, monkeys, and other exotics, but they are for display only (not for sale). They use them to draw in customers to sell "exotic" reptiles, birds, etc. What you are talking about is not a "brick and mortar" store (real store someone can walk into). It's an online store. There are lots of those already where anyone can buy foxes, skunks, servals, opposum, and wolf hybrids. Asian leopard cats and pure wolves need a zoo/professional license almost everywhere, so you can only get them without license off of an international seller site like alibaba (and good luck importing them to the US or Europe after you already paid for them if you don't have a zoo license). I have never seen genets or capybara sold online, so that would be an interesting thing you could do (capybara would maybe be a good pet like a potbelly pig?). So really what you need to do first is decide if you want to be more of a dealer that sells to licensed zoos or more of a pet store that sells to the unlicensed public. You can do both, but most people would specialize and only do 1 or the other. ***The second thing you need to do is research local, state, and national laws to see which animals require a license to buy so you know which animals you can sell to which people.*** Then you need to start the company legally, get whatever licenses you need, and buy a bunch of inventory animals and supplies to care for them until they're sold (unless you become a broker and don't keep them with you). Honestly, the more I think about it, it's kind of a screwy business plan to have an actual store. You'll go broke caring for them properly before sale because there's little demand. If you cut corners you'll get shut down. I would do it as a broker and advertise heavily online (try Florida - they love exotics) or become a zookeeper instead if you like caring for them.

Answer 3

I'm not really sure. Try going thru the USDA maybe. Since your heart is set on obtaining an exotic, you should do a lot of research on it and make sure you can provide an environment that's suitable for it. Good luck.

Answer 4

At Petco and Petsmart, near the registers, there are magazines. Look for one called Critters. In the back are breeders of all sorts of exotic pets.
Cheers

Answer 5

get it from pet store? hehe