LEONA VICARIO, Mexico (AP) — As the dangerous Hurricane Delta closed in on Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Ricardo Pimentel opened his home — to about 300 dogs.
There were plenty of other critters too: Dozens of cats were harbored in his son's room; his daughter's room served as a refuge for chicks, bunnies and even a hedgehog; a patio became a haven for a flock of sheep.
Not surprisingly, the house smelled terrible, he says. But it was worth it: All survived the storm.
We all talk about recycling and repurposing, but one young artist is walking the talk by transforming broken, discarded CDs and DVDs into gorgeous animal sculptures.Sean Avery is an art teacher in Western Australia who began experimenting with CD and DVD art while he was still at university. He has created dozens of the brightly colored, sparkling sculptures since then.
The big guide for small pet lovers and everyone who loves little nose twitches, big floppy ears, or soft furry feet. Small pet fun facts, a printable daily care checklist, and everything you need to know about how to love and care for: Rabbits, Guinea pig, Gerbil, Hamster, Rat, Mice Specialty Pets, like Chinchillas, Hedgehogs, and Ferrets To get your copy, click here:Big Guide For Small Pet Lovers
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Arlington, VA - Owners of snakes, panthers and crocodiles: If you already claim a wild and exotic species as a companion animal in this famously liberal suburb, you get to keep them. If you’ve dawdled over choosing between a skunk or a bobcat, however, you’re out of luck. The Arlington County Board Tuesday night banned the ownership of a whole variety of species — primates, raccoons, wolves or wolf hybrids, coyotes, squirrels, foxes, leopards, tigers, lions (even in Lyon Park), bears, wildcats, ratites (a diverse group of large, flightless birds), venomous snakes, and certain scorpions, centipedes and spiders. Hedgehogs are permitted, as are nonvenomous snakes. “What began as a seemingly straightforward effort to ban exotic pets in Arlington became much more complex and nuanced as the process evolved,” Arlington County Board Chair Jay Fisette said in a statement. “Ultimately, through a lot of conversation with the community, we were able to adopt a Code amendment that reaches a practical balance of the input received from all sides and is enforceable.” The county in February first proposed the ban, but it was delayed due to an outcry from pet owners and the state, which pointed out many of the creatures Arlington sought to ban or register were already prohibited. The change allows Arlington officials to enforce the ban, and require registration of existing exotic pets through the Arlington Animal Welfare League.
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Pet lions and crocodiles could soon become illegal in Arlington, Virginia. Surprised they aren't already? Turns out, many D.C.-area jurisdictions ban exotic or wild animals as pets -- but Arlington isn't one of them. Yet. Now the Arlington County Board is considering whether to hold a public hearing on whether to ban keeping these animals as pets. "Under current County Code, Arlington bars the keeping of pigs, fowl and poisonous reptiles. But there's nothing now on the books to prevent residents from raising a lion, monkey or even a crocodile," Arlington officials said in a press release Friday. The change would also prohibit the keeping of wolves, raccoons, lynxes, alligators, tarantulas, hedgehogs and sugar gliders. Non-poisonous snakes or other reptiles longer than four feet would also be banned. However, there would be an exception for some exotic pets already owned by residents. Those pet owners would be able to keep their animals if they register them with animal control, officials said. Officials said the ban would aim to prevent humans from getting hurt and animals from being mistreated. Arlington officials said in their release that D.C., Fairfax, Prince William and Montgomery counties all already have similar laws on the books. During a board meeting Saturday, Arlington County Board members will consider a request to advertise a March 18 public hearing on the issue. Arlington residents will also be able to comment several other ways: By using Arlington's online CiviComment tool. Mail or hand-deliver comments to: Arlington County Department of Human Services, Attn: Lyn Hainge, 2100 Washington Blvd., Second Floor, Arlington, VA 22204. Speak at the (proposed) public hearing, which would be held March 18 at 8:30 a.m. in the County Board Room (2100 Clarendon Blvd., third floor, Arlington). Email comments to animals@arlingtonva.us.
These quilly animals require less maintenance than cats and dogs. They're not smelly. They're hypoallergenic. And objectively, they're really, really cute.
Yet African pygmy hedgehogs—the species most commonly sought-after by pet owners—are illegal to keep as pets in Arizona, California, Georgia, Hawaii, Maine, Pennsylvania, Washington, D.C. and the five boroughs of New York City. That's because, while hedgehogs may look cuddly and unassuming indoors, the animals can wreak havoc on local ecosystems if they get out, experts say.
State fish and wildlife officials say the 17 different known species of hedgehog can disrupt native communities if they are released into the wild. A budding population of hedgehogs would compete for food and habitat with species naturally found in those areas. Other exotic pets, such as sugar gliders and Quaker parakeets, are banned in some states for the same reason.
Some hedgehog species can also carry foot-and-mouth disease, a highly contagious virus that affects cloven-hoofed animals, such as cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs. The most devastating outbreak of the disease in the U.S. came in 1914, when more than 170,000 farm animals became infected. There hasn't been an outbreak since 1929, and government officials want to keep it that way.
Exotic pet laws in the U.S. vary from state to state as do requirements for some pets' care, so be sure to look into local regulations before bringing home a new furry or scaly friend.
