Practicum
On the Forefront of Domestication
America's Obsession with Exotic Pets
PROJECT
What does Americans' fascination with exotic animals say about us?
Keeping unusual pets is nothing new. Many historical figures themselves are recorded as having kept animals far beyond the norm - President Martin Van Buren kept two tiger cubs in the White House, and Elvis Presley had wallabies. Both stories ended in a similar manner with the animals being relocated to zoos. Additionally, both cases had been the results of gifts, highlighting the historical treatment of pets as commodities and ornaments.
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(To the right: A catalogue of exotic species for sale from Stromberg's, which specializes in poultry)
Purpose
Investigate the ethics of keeping exotic animals, and what our urge to do so says about American society and culture.
What counts as an exotic animal?
Terms such as "domesticated" and "non-traditional" as they apply to animals have been subject to a significant amount of debate. For example, the idea of ferrets being domesticated animals varies across the United States, with different states and even cities taking opposing sides on the matter. For this project, our definitions will take input from both law and general cultural attitudes towards certain species.
Is "exotic" the right word?
The tag "exotic" is a charged one. It has always had a connotation with colorful animals from far off lands being brought into the homes of the wealthy, with no particular concern for the health of the ecosystem they were being taken from. Unfortunately, "exotic" has also been used to describe POC in the dating scene. Both of these instances seem to connect to colonialist attitudes and general lack of understanding of other cultures. Is it time to reconsider how we refer to strange and alternative pets?
Is it okay to own an exotic pet?
Even for those who do their research, there is a question of morality involved. Can exotic pets be kept ethically? If so, can this be achieved by everyday people, or are the necessary lengths only feasible for the wealthy? To answer this, we must examine the fundamental differences between keeping an exotic animal vs. a common domesticated species.
This Website
The information pages on this website make up the "before" portion of my practicum, which focuses on gathering knowledge about the exotic pet industry.
What can go wrong?
A lot, actually. When any animal is kept in an irresponsible or even neglectful manner, an element of danger arises for both the animal and the people around them. Improper care often results in volatile behaviors due to the stress it causes, which is often waved off without the proper education. This behavior can range from relative inconveniences to developing neurological issues. In the worst case, improper care can lead to the death of the animal and owner.
