What makes a “traditional” companion animal?

The British Veterinary Association have recently published their official policy on exotic animals, which they now refer to as “non-traditional companion animals” (NTCAs).

Royal python (Python regius)

The press release, which was circulated earlier this month outlines the BVA’s recent proposals in group forums concerning animal welfare.

New BVA Voice of the Veterinary Profession research has revealed eight in ten (81%) vets are concerned that the welfare needs of these animals are not being met, with most citing ‘irresponsible animal ownership’ (82%) as the main cause. Vets who treat NTCAs reported that more than half (58%) of the NTCAs they see do not have their five animal welfare needs met and 26% have seen a rise in the number brought in for treatment in the past year.

BVA Senior Vice President and top zoo veterinary surgeon Justine Shotton said: “Reptiles, birds and other less familiar pets are intriguing animals and we understand why so many people would love to have them as pets as they are often unusual and are a bit different to owning a cat or a dog. But it is so important not to buy exotic species on a whim as they have very complex needs and it can be both challenging and expensive to look after them properly. We know people who keep these animals have the right intentions to give them [the] best care they can, but their needs can be difficult to meet, particularly if they are a new pet and owners are not sure exactly what they require.”

The inference that exotics keepers maintain reptiles, amphibians and other taxa because they are “different” has caused upset amongst dedicated herpetoculturists, aviculturists and aquarists across the country who see the veterinarian body as failing to recognise the vast benefits of exotics keeping. Furthermore, the term “non-traditional companion animal” could be seen as a divisive means of separating species and their welfare requirements without evidential backing.

Chris Newman, Founder of the National Centre for Reptile Welfare, the largest reptile rehoming facility in the world commented: “Reading the long-awaited BVA policy position on so-called ‘Non-traditional Animals Kept as Companions,’ published January 2023, demonstrates just how out of touch with reality, not just the BVA, but the entire veterinary elite is in terms of the keeping of companion animals in the 21st century.”

Leopard gecko (Eublepharis macularius)

The PFMA and FBH Reptile and Amphibian Survey (2021) suggests there are over 8 million reptiles and amphibians kept as pets in the UK. By comparison, the PFMA Annual Report of 2022 found that there are around 12 million cats and 13 million dogs kept as companion animals. Reptiles have also been kept in the UK since the 1600s, albeit not in the numbers that they are today.

Chris continued: “The key issues raised in the BVA position paper apply to all companion animals, not just a single sector, so is it not time we get serious about companion animal welfare as a whole? The Animal Welfare Act and subsequent secondary legislation give us the tools we need to assess the status of companion animal welfare. The data needed is readily collatable, so rather than trying to bang square pegs into round holes, it would be much more constructive to gather empirical data on companion animal welfare across the UK to be used as a benchmark, thus allowing objective assessment and appropriate intervention, rather than subjective speculation.”

Dominic Whitmee, Chief Executive of the Ornamental Aquatic Trade Association and former Policy Advisor at DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) added: “This type of labelling is not helpful. I don’t believe it’s the way most owners would describe their pets. Pets are pets to them. However, it is a useful way for certain organisations to create division and a perception that certain types of pets come with ‘problems’. There are welfare issues with all pets and vets, by definition, will see more of that. Flat-faced dogs and cats, breeds with excessive skin folds, ear cropping and declawing, keeping rabbits singly and in inappropriate housing are common. [The BVA’s] #BreedtoBreathe campaign around brachycephalic dogs like pugs and French bulldogs centres on education and research despite the health issues vets see probably a lot more frequently than those affecting ‘non-traditional companion animals’. This seems to me a much more sensible and pragmatic way of addressing those welfare concerns.”

Cardinal tetra (Paracheirodon axelrodi)

A closer look at the BVA’s policy

Although the terminology used by the BVA has caused significant controversy, some points have already been supported by industry giants. For example, the BVA calls for “further regulation of online sales, and in particular advertising on third party sites” which follows a string of online retailers banning the sale of large snakes on their platforms. The BVA also call for “an end to the import of wild-caught reptiles and amphibians for non-conservation reasons” which a spokesperson for the institution described as being “connected to an authenticated conservation programme, which would usually be in formal association with a conservation-focused zoo”. In 2021, the UK’s largest reptile wholesaler, Peregrine Livefoods halted the importation of wild reptiles and amphibians in a progressive shift that has seen widespread praise from reptile traders across the UK. However, when asked for statistics on the extent of wild reptiles and amphibians still being imported into the UK pet trade, the BVA representative supplied a report outlining data from 2014-2018. This report was produced by World Animal Protection, who, in the same report call for “the UK government to champion a global wildlife trade ban and end the import and export of wild animals into the UK” amongst other anti-exotics keeping rhetoric.

The BVA policy continues: “Licensing conditions and statutory guidance for pet vending should be consistent across the UK with a single system of detailed minimum standards… The Dangerous Wild Animals Act is inadequate. Licence applicants/holders should be required to meet a set of minimum standards, mirroring those required for zoos… All commercial importers of NTCAs should be licensed and required to meet minimum welfare standards during transport. The industry should develop a transport kitemark to provide assurances that welfare standards have been met throughout the journey.”

When asked for data to support their stance, a representative of the BVA directed Exotics Keeper Magazine to materials produced by Born Free and World Animal Protection. Both organisations have been criticised for their perspectives on animal welfare, often being described as “animal rights” organisations with strong political agendas.

Bearded dragon (Pogona vitticeps)

Positive lists and their impact on welfare standards 

In other news, a new report published earlier this year by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission proposes total reform on which species of exotic animals can be kept as pets in the UK. The report analysed the potential benefits of the UK transitioning from the current “negative list” system which outlaws problematic species to a “positive list” system which outlaws all but government-approved species of exotic animals as pets. It states: “where a species has often complex dietary, environmental and social needs, the likelihood is that they will be more challenging to keep well, and welfare and disease issues will more frequently be seen.”

Currently, positive lists are used by several countries in Europe, with some minor disparities between each country’s approach. In some regions, such as Flanders in Belgium, the positive list system works well as it is broadly governed and maintained by experienced keepers and knowledgeable enthusiasts. Effectively, it is self-regulated. However, some countries allow government bodies that are detached from the hobby/industry to regulate the list and in nations such as Norway, this has led to a total collapse of the bill. 

Dominic Whitmee added: “I do believe this policy is politically driven – while masquerading as welfare driven – and that does concern me. It’s another example of influential organisations creating policies that are not based on good science and evidence. The policy calls for positive lists as the way to ‘solve’ the perceived issues with these pets – creating lists of permitted pets and banning those which don’t make it onto the list, with ‘non-traditional’ pets featuring heavily as the pets to ban. But, positive lists don’t bring any animal welfare benefits. There is no evidence there is more of an animal welfare issue with certain species over others. Positive lists won’t stop people from keeping certain pets, that’s clearly been demonstrated in other countries like Norway when it lifted a ban on reptile keeping. Positive lists will just drive ownership underground which means owners won’t feel able to seek veterinary help if something happens to their illegally held pet. That certainly won’t contribute to animal welfare. The key to happy and healthy pets is to educate people to pick the right pet for their lifestyle and care for it properly. Not every pet is right for everyone. Having a range of different kinds of pets, including reptiles and fish, makes it much more likely people will not get an inappropriate pet they then find they can’t look after and end up giving up for rescue or selling on.”

The evidence document created by the Scottish Animal Welfare Commission recognises that “The breadth of species included and their welfare issues (including variation in the quality of information available) is difficult to summarise”, however, this is largely based on veterinary reports, as opposed to survey respondents and thorough outreach projects. In response to this, several UK-based exotic pet businesses including Exotics Keeper Magazine, Peregrine Livefoods, ProRep and White Python, with support from the Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association are calling for exotic pet keepers in the UK to register their animals in an online survey. The collated data will be passed on to various councils that will use this information to present evidence to government officials.