News : Animal Protection Agency

A new independent scientific study published in the Journal of the Royal Society of Medicine has concluded that reptile and amphibian markets in the UK and elsewhere in Europe ‘constitute a significant and major public health concern’. The findings confirm the risks to visitors, but go further to state that there is no need to visit an exotic pet market in order to be contaminated and potentially infected!

Results of a European Commission survey* on invasive alien species (IAS) have been welcomed by the Animal Protection Agency, an organisation that campaigns against the trade in wild animals as pets. Of over 5,000 respondents to the survey (which ended in April 2012), more than 80% indicated they wanted restrictions on the sale of exotic species of animals and plants.
The online public consultation was carried...

A new scientific study of the exotic pet trade has found that at least 75% of pet snakes, lizards, tortoises and turtles die within one year in the home. It is thought that most of these newly purchased animals, whose natural longevities range from 8-120 years according to species, die from captivity stress-related causes.
In an article in the latest issue of The Biologist, published by the Society of Biology,...

Wyre Forest District Council has come under fire for yet again facilitating an exotic pet market this Sunday 29th July 2012 at the Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre. Trading in pet animals at market stalls was outlawed in 1983, but the Council, which has a duty to enforce the legislation and is also a landlord of the property, has turned a blind eye to illegal reptile and amphibian traders that now operate regularly...

Doncaster Council has reaffirmed its commitment to ‘vigorously enforce’ a no animal selling rule at a reptile market planned for tomorrow 17 June 2012 at the Dome, Doncaster. Following input from the Animal Protection Agency and the RSPCA, the Council stated that it would not allow sales of any animals whatsoever at a proposed animal market this Sunday, and that the Council would carry out its duties as enforcers...

A reptile market due to take place on Sunday 20th May 2012 at Walton Hall, Warrington has been cancelled. The Animal Protection Agency (APA) advised Warrington BC that the event, billed as a reptile ‘show’, would not be just a show but would involve illegal animal trading. Prompt and decisive action by Warrington Borough Council Officers has meant that the market will not now take place, sparing animals the inhumane...

A new independent scientific report, released today, has resulted in calls for an EU-wide ban on exotic pet markets to protect animal welfare, public health and biodiversity. The report, commissioned by the Animal Protection Agency, International Animal Rescue, Eurogroup for Animals and other European animal protection groups, was this week presented to Caroline Lucas MP and Keith Taylor MEP.