A young marmoset, named Steve, was rescued from a home in East Lothian after being kept in unsuitable conditions as a so-called "novelty" pet. The Scottish SPCA reported that concerned neighbours alerted animal welfare officers upon spotting the small primate confined to a large bird cage near a living room window.
Upon their arrival, SSPCA inspectors discovered that Steve, who is four years old, was in a poor state of health. He was underweight and appeared stressed, having been subjected to constant handling. Additionally, his diet consisted primarily of sugary marshmallows, which had resulted in an unhealthy dependency. After being rescued, he was nursed back to health at one of the SSPCA's rescue centres and subsequently transferred to a monkey sanctuary in England.
The incident involving Steve highlights a broader issue in Scotland, where exotic animals are increasingly kept in private households. To address this growing concern, the SSPCA, in collaboration with charities OneKind and Born Free, launched a campaign on 1 May titled "Don't Pet Me." This initiative urges the Scottish Government to revise existing legislation on wild animal ownership, which has been labelled as "inappropriate and outdated."
Gilly Mendes Ferreira, the SSPCA's Director of Strategic Communications and Partnership Engagement, noted the lack of public awareness regarding the extent of wild animal ownership in Scotland and its associated welfare challenges. “Many people are unaware of the scale of wild animal keeping in Scotland or the challenges it presents for animal welfare," she stated. Meanwhile, Kirsty Jenkins, Director of Policy at OneKind, expressed concerns over the treatment of exotic species, describing a troubling trend in which these animals are often viewed as mere commodities. Research commissioned by the charity indicated that hundreds of exotic species—including snakes, tortoises, birds, and fish—are available for private sale without adequate oversight.
Statistics reveal that approximately 300 different species could be purchased online in Scotland over a 16-week period, raising alarm over the ease of acquiring such animals without any checks or guidance on animal welfare. Jenkins described the resulting conditions for many of these animals as dire, citing instances of social isolation, poor diet, and accidental injuries, which reflects a troubling perception that some species are “thought of as stupid and unfeeling."
The call for updated legislation resonates amid recent incidents involving illegal releases of wild animals. Earlier in January, four lynxes were reportedly abandoned in the Cairngorms National Park, with one failing to survive due to starvation. They were later captured and transferred to Edinburgh Zoo for quarantine and rehoming. A month later, a herd of eight feral pigs was spotted in the Kingussie area, resulting in their capture and humane culling after it was determined they posed a risk to both animal and public welfare.
As the SSPCA and associated organisations continue to advocate for changes in animal welfare legislation, they underscore the complexity of wild animal care—emphasising that familiarity does not equate to suitability for domestic life. The Scottish Government has yet to issue a comment regarding the campaign or the current legislative framework governing wild animal ownership.
Source: Noah Wire Services