Before You Buy

Every exotic pet has some specialized care needs. Even common small pets may require more care than thought. Before buying any new pet, know what sort of committment you are making. To do this, learn all you can first. Otherwise, it'll be impossible for you to to make a responsible decision and and you won't be able to honestly answer these three questions:

Will this new pet and you make a good match?
Animals have habits and behaviors based on that critter's own uniqueness. Examples include sleep cycles, activity levels, need for affection and many other factors. A strong human/pet bond will only develop if these are compatable. Knowing an animal's habits and behaviors is important.
Are you are willing and able to provide the best possible care?
Some animals have simple care needs, but others - especially exotics - require a lot of time, effort, space and money. Knowing what an animal will need - and being honest with yourself about your ability to provide the necessary care - is extremely important.
Do you really want this critter?
You may think an animal is extremely cute, appealing and desireable. But, all critters have less appealing traits. Without knowing what the "bad stuff" is, you cannot truthfully decide if you want to share your home with any animal.

Do Your Homework

The following suggestions will help before you buy:

Talk to owners and breeders
Most breeders and pet owners love to talk about their critters, but always consult more than one person. You may find the advice you get is very different. The more information you have, the better you can judge its value.
Read everything you can find
There are a variety of web sites, books and other sources for information on almost any animal kept as a pet. Don't read just one book or article. Like talking to breeders and owners, you're likely to find information which is conflicting, outdated or simply wrong.
Never let someone pressure you into a purchase
Pressure to purchase an animal is always a good sign to walk away. If the critter is as great as a high pressure sales pitch suggests, why is the seller so desperate for you to buy?
Be cautious of bargains
There may be a good reason for a great deal. But, if the animal is unhealthy or not what you really want, then you haven't saved anything.
Never buy from someone that makes you feel uncomfortable
The seller should want the animal to go to a good home and should take the time to answer all your questions. The seller should also be available for after-care support. If not, find another source for your new pet.
Never buy from someone who isn't knowledgeable about the animal
In talking with new pet owners, this is the most common mistake made. If the seller isn't knowledgeable, the animal is unlikely to have received adequate care. If a lack of adequate care isn't bad enough,the animal could have serious health problems. At the very least, your purchase from this unknowledgeable seller helps guarantee the cycle of poor care will continue. Doing some research first will help you know the questions to ask - and the answers.
Find out about the animal's history
Many unusual pets have specific care needs. It is extremely important that the right food, environment and handling have been provided. This is true not only for the animal you're considering, but for the parents of that animal. When buying any pet - but especially exotics - find out all you can about the animal's history. If this information isn't available, don't get the animal.

Consider The Source

When you decide you're ready to purchase a pet, there are basically three choices: a private breeder, a pet store or a hobbyist. Under the Animal Welfare Act anyone who sells, trades or gives away any exotic or wild mammal - even on a small scale - is required to be licensed by the USDA.

A Tip From Toby

The USDA defines exotic mammal as an animal which is not native to North America and is not considered to be domesticated.

This includes hedgehogs, sugar gliders, short tailed opossums, degus and nearly all rare rodents. Also included under this definition are wallabies, Fennec foxes and many more animals available as pets.

The USDA defines wild mammal as an animal which is native to North America but is not considered domesticated.

This includes prairie dogs, southern pygmy flying squirrels, raccoons, skunks and many more animals available as pets.

As the purchaser, you don't have a responsibility to know if the seller is licensed, but we strongly recommend you do so. This will help assure the seller is reputable and your new pet has received appropriate care and handling.

Here at PAWPRINT, we don't believe that pet stores are an ideal environment for most exotic animals. Even under the best possible conditions, it can be difficult to overcome certain givens of a pet store - people coming and going, excessive noise from customers, phones and other sources, exposure to temperature variations, strange smells, possible illnesses and sleep deprivation.

It is important to note that some private breeders are also guilty of poor care, lack of knowledge and simply wanting to make money. Again, the more you know about your chosen new pet beforehand, the easier it will be to avoid this type of seller - be it a private breeder or a pet store.

Find a seller who cares as much about your new pet as you will. A good indication of this - especially with unusual animals - is someone who asks you questions about the environment you'll provide, why you want that specific critter as a pet, and how much you know about the animal's care needs. Remember, a responsible breeder will want the animal to go to a good home.

If at all possible, we recommend visiting the breeding facility. Look for animals which appear healthy and are active - unless, of course, you visit when they should be asleep.

Enclosures should be clean, roomy and uncrowded. The breeder should be happy to have you handle available critters. Also take the opportunity to observe animals which aren't for sale - but don't expect to be shown newborns or pregnant females.

Unhealthy Critters

It is honorable to want to "save" animals which are being poorly cared for, housed in dirty cages or sick. However, remember the pet industry is a business. Buying these animals rewards the seller for bad care practices. The animal you buy will also be replaced, resulting in more animals suffering from the same conditions. And, you are likely to end up with expensive vet bills and heartache. As difficult as it may be, do not buy animals which are sick or receiving poor care.

Add It Up

A pet is not a one-time expense. The future costs of food, supplies and vet care will add up over time. This can be particularly true with more unusual pets and is a realistic consideration when deciding to share your home with an animal.

For a pet prairie dog who lives to be 10 years old, the following example illustrates this well:

Purchase price of the prairie dog	$150.00
Cost of cage	$150.00
Cost of original toys, cage furnishings & other basics	$75.00
Cost of additional or replacement toys & furnishings	$100.00
Annual food cost ($150 x 10 years)	$1,5000.00
Initial vet visit	$50.00
Vet visit for altering	$75.00
Annual vet check-ups ($50.00 x 10 years)	$500.00
Total Cost of this Pet	$2600.00

This total is, if anything, on the low side and is based on no unusual health problems, the cost of food not increasing, and locating an inexpensive source of quality hay.

Here at PAWPRINT, we consider this a small price to pay for the joy and companionship a special pet will bring into your life. However, if you are unable or unwilling to provide what will be needed - for the entire life of a pet - then make the responsible choice. Do not get that animal.