People often want to own an animal that is rare or especially charismatic. But exotic pet owners support an industry that causes the unnecessary suffering of countless animals while speeding the extinction of many endangered species.

It's easy to see why owning a chimpanzee, cheetah, or lion, would be a problem. But many people don't realize that keeping pygmy hedgehogs, Fischer's lovebirds, and bush babies can be just as detrimental to these fragile species.

To supply the exotic pet trade, many of these animals are poached from their natural habitat and transported in deplorable conditions. Live animals that make it to their final destination can represent more deaths from others of their kind. For example, capturing infant chimpanzees often means killing their mother and other community members. Breeding in captivity produces only slightly less suffering and promotes the wholly untrue perception that these wild species are domesticated animals.

When these "pets" grow from baby to adult, they often become too much to handle. Sanctuaries and zoos can take in only a tiny percentage of these unwanted animals. The rest are euthanized or "set free" to become invasive species or starve.

Please pledge to never buy or own an exotic pet. Then ask another friend to do the same! You can help African Wildlife Foundation stop the demand for exotic pets!