x-kuntra:

vampireapologist-archive-deacti:

my unpopular “cute exotic animal videos” opinion is that even if turns out that the owner is a licensed rehabilitator, rescuer, zookeeper, etc. they still have a responsibility to avoid advertising their animals as attractive pets.

The number of times I see cutsey videos of a lion cub, otter, wolf pup, monkey, etc. playing in someone’s living room and people are concerned until, after digging, someone confirm the person making the video runs a rescue or something has started to really bother me.

Yes, public outreach and education is crucial to fundraising for most wildlife causes, but it’s possible to engage viewers while making it clear that wild animals do not make appropriate pets (and most people aren’t capable keepers!).

If you’re a wildlife rehabber sharing videos with no disclaimers etc. of a cute wild animal playing in your kitchen and every third comment is “omg I want one!!! 😍😍😍” chances are you need to rethink your content.

Fucking hate these videos. Wild animals do not want to be your pet, get a dog.

Not to mention videos where a person finds injured/orphaned baby wildlife and decide to raise it themselves, illegally, and then make a “cute” video about how the animal lives with them now because it didn’t want to leave. Yeah no shit because you habituated it you ass hat, you didn’t do that animal any favors. And don’t even get me started about MBD.

These people that think those videos are so damn cute are then encouraged to do the same if they find an orphaned animal. These are the people that “take care of” wildlife without a permit or any knowledge/training on the species and what care it requires, and then finally find a licensed rehabber when the animal stops thriving, when it’s too late. They’re the same people who yell at and shame rehabbers for having to make the compassionate decision to euthanize the animal that THEY FUCKED UP. But still never come to grasp the reality of what they did is actually wrong.

I have some pent up rage over this, clearly. In short, don’t be an ass hat. Don’t encourage this type of behavior, it’s such a huge problem.