Assigning Degrees of Ease or Difficulty for Pet Animal Maintenance: The EMODE System Concept

Warwick, Clifford; Steedman, Catrina; Jessop, Mike; Toland, Elaine; Lindley, Samantha

doi:10.1007/s10806-013-9455-x

Cited by 30 publications

(22 citation statements)

References 26 publications

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“…Almost all videos (regardless of original language or country of origin) portrayed a picture of an affectionate "easy to handle" animal in the house. The increasing numbers of these types of videos create the (erroneous) perception that otters are suitable animals to be kept as pets (see Ross et al 2011) but complex habitat and dietary requirements of otters, combined with the potential to cause harm to people (by biting), mean that otters are actually extremely difficult to keep as pets (Warwick et al 2014). Recent reports by local animal welfare groups of abandoned or rescued otters in poor states of health, having suffered weight loss and malnutrition (see e.g.…”

Section: Welfare Concerns For Pet Ottersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Popularity of pet otters on YouTube: evidence of an emerging trade threat

Harrington¹,

Macdonald²,

D’Cruze³

2019

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In response to growing reports of otters in the pet trade, and suggestions that the popularity of pet otters on social media may be driving demand, we collated YouTube videos of pet otters to test for trends in the number of videos published, their exposure (number of views) and popularity. We used English-language search terms to provide a global overview, as well as local language search terms for four South East Asian countries identified as being of potential importance in the pet otter trade (Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam), and Japan. We found that not only had the number of videos depicting pet otters increased in the last two to three years (2016–2018), but that their popularity and/or engagement had also increased. Notwithstanding some country-level differences in the details of effects observed, the greatest increases in both the number of videos produced and their popularity occurred in Indonesia and Japan. At a global-level, commercial “viral” video sites appeared to be influential in terms of posting highly popular pet otter videos. At a national level, potentially influential videos tended to be produced by four or five individual otter owners. The appearance of phrases such as “I want one” in the comments section of the English-language videos, although not necessarily a statement of actual intent, suggests that these videos may be driving demand amongst their viewers and followers; similar analyses of video comments in each local language are warranted. Our results show an increase in social media activity that may not only be driving the apparent increase in popularity, but also amplifying awareness of the availability of these animals as pets, as well as creating and perpetuating the (erroneous) perception of otters as a suitable companion animal. At a global level, there are welfare concerns associated with otters in the pet trade, and, in South East Asia specifically, there are serious conservation concerns. We recommend increased regulation of these activities on social media, increased public awareness of the negative impacts of the pet trade on otters, and increased international protection. Specifically, we suggest the need to uplist both small-clawed and smooth-coated otters (Aonyxcinereus and Lutrogaleperspicillata, respectively) to CITES Appendix 1.

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Section: Welfare Concerns For Pet Ottersmentioning

confidence: 99%

Popularity of pet otters on YouTube: evidence of an emerging trade threat

Harrington¹,

Macdonald²,

D’Cruze³

2019

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“…According to a 2016 survey, 10 per cent of reptile owners reported that they obtained a reptile pet because they believed it to be a lower maintenance animal than other types of pets,1 and reptiles are sometimes advertised as such 3 4. However, a study of lizard owners suggests that not all keepers are aware of the best practices towards meeting their lizard’s needs;5 thus, the substantial amount of care actually required6 is likely not understood by these owners. Moreover, a recent conference presentation reported that veterinarians are concerned about a lack of awareness of basic reptile husbandry among many owners,7 and some key reviews of reptile husbandry guidance and practices indicate that even for commonly kept snake species, information is often not evidence-based or is incorrect 8–11…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Self‐reported snake management practices among owners in Victoria, Australia

Howell

Warwick²,

Bennett

2020

Veterinary Record

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BackgroundA large number of snakes are kept as pets in Western societies. Few studies have been undertaken to assess keeping practices of snakes by private owners in Australia. Therefore, there is concern that some owners may not understand even basic husbandry requirements. The aim of this preliminary study was to identify the most common practices used by snake owners in Victoria, Australia.MethodAn online survey asked 251 snake owners to describe ways in which they attempt to meet their snake’s environmental, behavioural, dietary, social and health needs.ResultsFewer than half of participants had an enclosure large enough for the snake to fully stretch out, and just over half had an enclosure large enough to meet the requirements in the Victorian Code of Practice. Only 60 per cent of owners correctly identified their snake’s activity patterns based on information about wild snakes of the same species.ConclusionEducational campaigns may help improve outcomes for snakes in the future, but more research is needed about captive snake husbandry, to provide an evidence base for informing snake management recommendations.

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“…Relatedly, scientific reviews and allied provision of tools for assessing the suitability of species are also available ( 32 – 35 ). Nonetheless, generalized, internationally relevant, combined husbandry with inspection guidance that includes assessment tools is lacking.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Guidelines for Inspection of Companion and Commercial Animal Establishments

Warwick¹,

Jessop

Arena

et al. 2018

Front. Vet. Sci.

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Various establishments exist in which animals are held for a variety of reasons. Historically, the management and inspection of animals in commerce and in private keeping have involved a considerable degree of arbitrary evaluation based on the personal experience of the vendor, keeper, advisor, or inspector. Accordingly, relevant protocols and standards are subject to considerable variation. Relatedly, diversity of traded and privately kept species generates significant challenges for those responsible for facility management and inspection alike. Animal welfare and public health and safety are constant and major concerns that require objective methodologies to monitor and control. This report focuses on establishments concerned with the boarding, breeding, storage, vending or handover of animals intended for human “companions” or “pets”, and aims to provide universal objective information for essential husbandry, inspection protocols and an allied inspection assessment tool for scoring establishments.

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Assigning Degrees of Ease or Difficulty for Pet Animal Maintenance: The EMODE System Concept

Cited by 30 publications

References 26 publications

Popularity of pet otters on YouTube: evidence of an emerging trade threat

Popularity of pet otters on YouTube: evidence of an emerging trade threat

Self‐reported snake management practices among owners in Victoria, Australia

Guidelines for Inspection of Companion and Commercial Animal Establishments

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