Should an exotic pet have free range or be caged? After having a rabbit in the dryer, a raccoon that called 911, or a rat on the roof. Rats shouldn't fly and there is a rumor that skunks don't climb. Enjoy the light hearted humor about a serious subject.

Animal Stories - Free Range or Caged - Exotic Pets

Your opinion?

I have known quite a few people that use to let their birds have run of the house. Even though they knew of safety concerns you aren't always on top of your ball game as they say and they had horrible things happen.

I had playpens for my birds either on top of the cage or separate. I'd let them out when we got up, they could stay out as long as someone was around to supervise them. I always kept wings clipped. Too dangerous, to cold of a climate too everything not to clip wings.

To Diana,
You have just touched a subjest that i am totally against is the clipping of wings.
If the Universe ,did not want the birds to fly,he would have made them so that they would not fly.Like a chicken ,or something an emu ,ostrich.

You say that you are an animal lover ,you speak against poachers,
Yet you mutilate animals so that they suit your own personnal needs.That like using a choker on a dog. ToTal cruelty.

I will stop here ,by saying there should not be pets ,all animals ,birds snakes whatever should be allowed to live their lives in freedom even if they get killed.That is the law of the Universe.

loong

At one time I had been totally against the cutting of wings. I have had a bird rescue for 20-30 years now. How many birds I have found in the cold outside, birds meant for tropical weather freezing their little ears off. Some just freeze never to fly again. Or maimed birds that have come to me badly hurt, been hit by a ceiling fan or other household accident. I'd prefer to keep my bird's wings unclipped. But, after seeing these avoidable accidents I now lean toward the clipping the wings. Both wings so that they do not become unbalanced and get injured. The feather, once it is grown in has an empty shaft and the feathers are much like hair.

I would prefer to let my children run naked and free. Every time my granddaughter gets her diaper off she shakes her little fanny in freedom. But it wouldn't be safe.

By taming an animal we have the responsibility to take care the animal the best we can. None of the birds in the aviary are clipped. It is completely bird safe. But the household isn't. The injured birds must stay in the household because they have special needs. When humankind choose to tame animals we took on a huge responsibility. Right or wrong, its done and we do the very best we can.

�You become responsible, forever, for what you have tamed.�
― Antoine de Saint-Exup�ry

To Diana,
I sincerely want to apologise, for my post # 758448.

As you could have read ,I do not beleive in having pets.To me
it is a moral thing.However you mention ,that you have a sanctuary for hurt animal ,birds. etc.Love cannot bring anything else than love .
The fault rests on humans, some for bad fame walking with 2 Rothweilers,or a tiger or whatever,the other group the lonely
persons,needing companionship,again ,I hope giving love ,having love in return.

What ,I am sorry the most about was Saying that you used total cruelty.

This planet being a man's world, we are stuck with man things.

Again I apologise ,and even want to thank you for taking care of my brothers and sisters,that hurt.

If we could meet face to face ,you could understand my stand on animals.

With Respect
loong

Dear loong, There is never any need to apologize to me for stating what you believe in. I respect your beliefs. I would enjoy conversing with you in person. I feel I could learn a great deal from you. Maybe even solidifying my beliefs and understand where my complex love for everything alive came from. I have taken some pretty stupid risks to save the life of a spider or other life-form.

Besides, when stating your beliefs and opinions you begin to understand me better.

There can be a very invisible line drawn between protecting or harming. Even with children when does over protection and protection become not so black and white but gray?

I guess there will always be shades of gray. I think I'd rather over protect than under protect. Especially, when we put animals into a human environment.