Is there any way you can own a monkey?

Question

how much responsibility would it be? how much money would it cost? what all needs to be done

Answer 1

First, you need to check if your state allows non-human primates (monkeys, apes and their kin) to be kept as pets, and if so, are there any special restrictions, like licenses and permits. You can check here: http://www.api4animals.org/b4a2_exotic_animals_summary.php

If you find that monkeys are legal in your state, you need to check with your county and municipality, because many individual counties and municipalities restrict the ownership of animals that are otherwise legal in the state.

If you are legally allowed to have a monkey as a pet, then consider the conditions under which monkeys are acquired from the wild, the conditions under which they are kept, their total unsuitability for a life of confinement, and the diseases they can contract and spread to humans. That, in addition to the fact that you would have the equivalent of a 3 year old baby in diapers throwing temper tantrums, hitting, biting, flinging excretement and ocupying your every minute 24/7 for the next 25-50 years.

Read these websites to get a better idea of what you are talking about when you discuss "pet monkeys":

http://www.monkeymatters.com/petmonkey.htm

http://www.honoluluzoo.org/pets.htm

http://monkeymaddness.com/articles/realitycheck.html

http://www.ippl.org/apr-03-23.html

http://exoticpets.about.com/cs/primates/a/primatesaspets.htm

Answer 2

A monkey is not a very good pet. They are like have a 2 year old with a 20 year old dexterity and a gymnasts physical skills.

They need all of the immunizations you would give pets, rabies, distemper etc, and the mmr, dpt etc, that we have to get. A relative of ours that had a monkey spent $600 on immunizations!
They remember if you did something to them that they didn't like and can get into just about anything. They bite and throw things(like feces) if they are mad.
They are cute, but really need to be somewhere other than a house.

Answer 3

Sure, but most of them are not very good pets, and are not worth the money and responsibility.

When I was in high school, I had a friend who owned a monkey. Whenever people came to the house, the monkey would pleasure itself, and throw its feces all over the place.

Answer 4

They're destructive, they have sharp teeth, their poopSTINKS to high heaven, they can't be potty trained, they're extremely susceptible to colds, require a vet trained in Exotics (of which there are few), are extremely high maintenance with food and cleanup, and need a huge cage that usually runs around $1,500.

If you can't keep it, no zoo will take it, and very few people will have the knowledge on how to keep that kind of pet. Some insurance companies won't cover your home insurance with 'dangerous' animals on the premises. You're going to have to do a LOT of research before laying down $$$. These are not cheap animals to buy or care for.

Answer 5

Yes, you can buy a monkey from a pet store. Owning a monkey is like taking care of a messy kid who bites. . . better to just get a cat or dog unless you got lots of time.

Answer 6

It's like having a 3 yr old kid.....that never grows up. Rebellious and trouble-making.

Costs about the same as a child, too. Plus, you need to live in a state/city that actually ALLOWS primates as pets (it's illegal in a lot of places). Those that do allow it, often require the owner to have a license.

Answer 7

It would be like having a small child. Y'know having a monkey is not like owning a dog. Unless you dedicated your whole life to it then there is no way you should own any animal.

Answer 8

Monkeys require a lot of care,they are very susceptible to many things humans get cold ect,you need large compounds for them.they need to be lose in a jungle not caged up.

Answer 9

a lot of responsibility. it's like having a toddler. but u need to get a special permit or something.

Answer 10

yep, you can buy capuchin monkeys in texas for $600 dollars.