Hi, Finley here! The other day, while I was making the rounds here at Cascade Kennels, I snuck into a part of the kennel I’m not allowed in: the critter room. I was told that’s where we keep the exotic pets. My curiosity got the best of me and I just had to know what an exotic pet was! So I went to investigate; I found birds, rabbits, rodents and DINOSAURS! Well, apparently they’re called reptiles, but I’m not convinced they’re not dinosaurs yet. Anyway, this discovery really sparked an interest in me to research these exotic pets and tell you all about them!
It turns out that an exotic pet is pretty much anything that isn’t a dog, cat or horse. They’re called exotic animals because they’re not a typical household pet. While caring for an exotic pet can be very different from owning a dog or cat, there are still plenty of similarities.
First of all, just like a dog or cat, even small pets are a big commitment. To find out what small pet is best for you, it’s important to do a lot of research. While the appeal of some exotics is that they don’t demand a lot of time and attention on a daily basis, it’s necessary to consider that many small creatures live for several years. For example, did you know that rabbits live for about 10 years? That’s a long time!
When you’ve done your research and know what kind of pet you want — consider rescuing. That’s right, there are rescues full of small pets, just like with dogs and cats. Here are a few rescues in our area: Rabbit Meadows, Pacific Northwest Herpatelogical Society, and Pacific Parrot Placement. If you decide to buy your critter from the local pet store, be sure to inquire about the breeder the animal came from. For example, Denny’s Pet World in Kirkland gets all of their critters from trusted local breeders. Like puppy mills there are also mills for exotic pets, many of which supply the bigger chain pet stores.
Finally, it’s imperative to have care lined up for your exotic pet while on vacations and extended outings. Here at Cascade Kennels, we have a separate area for exotic pets. We also work closely with The Center of Bird and Exotic Animal Medicine in Bothell to make sure we give your individual critter the best possible care for their unique needs. We even have care sheets for different types of exotic pets on our website for everyone’s benefit. If you do bring your exotic pet to Cascade Kennels, it’s best to bring your pet’s cage, food, and bedding. Cascade Kennels also has certain things they require of you, the owner, before boarding your exotic pet that you can learn about here.
I think, the most important thing to know about owning an exotic pet is that, just like us “regular pets,” exotic pets require love and commitment from their owner. If you do your homework and take good care of your exotic pet, you’ll enjoy them for many happy years.
Until next time,
Finley
Executive Canine Quality Control Officer
