Nearly half of pet reptiles being given away or resold on classified websites could be avoided with improved knowledge about the animals, according to an academic at Hartpury University.
Helen Tedds, lecturer in animal welfare and programme manager for the MSc course in Animal Welfare, Policy and Legislation at Hartpury University, is currently researching the pet reptile trade across England as part of her PhD at the University of Northampton. Part of her research has involved sifting through tens of thousands of classified adverts selling reptiles to better understand the reasons behind giving up a pet.
Over the last three years, of the 20,908 reptiles advertised by their owners with a reason for sale or rehoming, 44.6% cited reasons that could have potentially been avoided by better education about topics such as the correct feeding and environment, she has concluded.
The investigation is part of Tedds’ wider research into the pet reptile trade, identifying what kind of advice is available to potential owners when buying a reptile as well as acquiring a better picture of how many species are available to buy in England – numbering over 500 different species so far.
She has been invited to the House of Lords next week for a discussion hosted by the Companion Animal Sector Council to hear about the launch of its new initiative ‘Pet Know How’ which aims to help educate prospective owners before they buy reptiles.
“Reptiles, like so many other pets, can be extremely rewarding for their owners. However, they often have specialist needs when it comes to things like housing, nutrition, and enrichment,” said Tedds. “Rehoming reptiles can be unsettling for the animal and is often upsetting for the owner, who with the right guidance and support, may feel more confident and empowered to keep the pet and provide a good home.
“Given the findings from my research, I believe that education is a key aspect of protecting wider reptile welfare and I’m very much in support of this new initiative from the Companion Animal Sector Council.”
Hartpury is home to an animal collection with over 70 species, research laboratories, access to a commercial farm and an equine centre, providing students with a chance to gain work experience and a better understanding of animal welfare, behaviour and management.
