RSPCA received more than 230 calls about exotic animals last year

The UK’s largest and oldest animal welfare charity has released its annual statistics today (Thursday), which reveal the plight of the more unusual animals.

Across England and Wales in 2018, the number of calls the RSPCA received to its 24-hour cruelty hotline increased by 13 per cent from 2017 to 1,175,193 calls.

The charity received almost 16,000 calls about exotic animals, which equates to more than 40 a day.

In July 2018, two live snakes were discovered in the Fraddon area of the county with burns all over their bodies.

RSPCA exotics officer Peter Ferris, who rescued the snakes, said: “A dog walker found one discarded in a pillowcase. The snake was taken to a vet, who was shocked by the state of the burns. A second snake was found in the same area a few days later in a similar condition.

“It is sickening, upsetting and frustrating that someone could do this. One snake sadly had to be put to sleep straight away to stop any more suffering. Thankfully the second snake survived and has since recovered.”

The RSPCA believes the reason behind some of the suffering of these exotics pets is that owners do not research their needs using expert sources and don’t understand the type and amount of care that they need, resulting in them escaping, being abandoned or neglected.

Scientifically-based expert care information for exotic animals can be hard to find and an inexperienced owner may not be able to tell the difference between quality and inaccurate care information.

In January 2018 the body of an eight-foot-long Boa constrictor with an injury to its head was found at the bottom of cliffs near a parking and picnic area in Portreath.

Peter added: “The snake had an awful gash to the head, which had left it almost completely severed. I suspect someone had thrown the snake from the top of the cliffs down to the beach.”

Stephanie Jayson, RSPCA’s senior scientific officer in exotics and qualified exotics vet, said: “Although their numbers are small compared to more common pets, we have real concerns about the welfare of reptiles and other exotic animals kept as pets in this country.

“Reptiles and other exotic pets are completely reliant on their owners to meet their welfare needs including requiring the correct levels of heat, light and humidity, plus an appropriate diet. Some species can grow very large, live for a long time or require a licence or paperwork to be legally kept or sold. Many of the animals we’re called to help are found stray outside, where they can very quickly suffer in the cold.

“These animals are commonly found for sale in pet shops and are advertised online.In the past, animals have often been handed over to buyers with little or no information about how to care for them properly, although new regulations in England should improve this. In some cases, we believe owners take them on simply because they believe they will be easier to care for than other pets, but it is essential that people research what is required in the care of their pet, including food, equipment, environment and vet care, before taking one on. We would also urge them to ask for help if they’re struggling to meet their needs.

“We believe that people may buy them with little idea of how difficult they can be to keep and the animals are sometimes neglected when the novelty wears off and the commitment hits home. This is why we would encourage anyone thinking of getting an exotic pet to find out as much as possible about the animal’s needs and whether they’re the right pet for them.”

The RSPCA, which has a team of specially trained exotics officers, rescued more than 4,000 exotic animals in 2018, including more than 500 snakes, more than 300 turtles, 145 bearded dragons, five raccoon dogs and even four marmosets and one wallaby.

Stephanie continued: “It is heartbreaking to see animals like this found injured or suffering as they are stray or abandoned outside in inappropriate temperatures. Some of the animals we see, like monkeys and raccoon dogs, have no place in the home and we would urge people not to take them on as pets. Others are still a long-term commitment and need specialist care and equipment so we urge anyone considering taking them on to fully research their needs using expert sources, only consider keeping one if they can ensure they are fully able to provide for these needs and consider rescuing rather than buying.”

The top rescued exotic animals in 2018 were fish (including aquarium and pond fish), followed by reptiles (including lizards, snakes, turtles and tortoises) and birds (including parrots, finches, birds of prey and others).

The RSPCA investigated 1,851 cases of animal cruelty - relating to all animals - in Cornwall alone last year.

For information about the exotic animals looking for a home at the RSPCA, visit www.rspca.org.uk/findapet and to learn more about how to care for these animals.