If you couldn't have a dog, what pet would you have?

I'd probably get a hedgehog, ferret or llama.

Hedgie!!!!!  

haha well i've had hedgies and a lot of things, but i'd still love one day to have a bengal cat or racoon!

I'm a bit iffy on raccoons, tbh. I definitely don't think they should have revoked the license that was necessary to own one a few years back, as people have now gone out and bought them, only to realise how difficult and wild they are and let them loose in the UK. I suppose that falls under the usual though - people don't research before they buy animals, the same that happens with a lot of dogs.

same with everything, i don't think snakes should be as easy to come by as they are, especially the larger constrictors like burms and retics

Agreed! With great power comes great responsibility - it applies to powerful animals too. I know a lot of people think licenses are ridiculous, but it's something that I support with dangerous or (some) exotic animals. I hate that websites such as Gumtree are allowed to sell these animals as well.

exactly, i have no problem with licences if properly assessed and maintained, and think more animals should come under some sort of licence (or similar)

That's another problem - very often, somebody without a license can get away with owning a restricted animal. The initial check-up for somebody applying for a license may be fine as well, but that's not to say they'll maintain good standards.

Exactly my point, and IMO there are a lot that don't keep up good standards and health and safety because for one it's a ball ache and two it really isn't cheap!

Yep! Anybody with an ounce of sense should realise that there's a reason it isn't cheap to take care of an animal! They're living, breathing and sometimes dangerous.

Sadly, things can get bad when they introduce new licenses as well. Look at the Dangerous Wild Animals Act! They introduced that, so hundreds of people in the UK decided they didn't want to take responsibility and pay, and let dangerous animals loose on moorlands.

Love how the topic's evolved from hedgehogs to dangerous wild animal licensing!

Yep no matter what there will always be people who keep animals illegally as licences are to expensive or when laws get changed can't be arsed to pay more or change so the animals suffer or get turfed out!

Well you know what we are like

A Llama I'd love a few Sugar Gliders! I think they're mega cute, though they smell really bad

ella wrote:Yep no matter what there will always be people who keep animals illegally as licences are to expensive or when laws get changed can't be arsed to pay more or change so the animals suffer or get turfed out!

Well you know what we are like

The animals always seem to suffer in the end!

A bunch of crazies, we are!

CodlingKid wrote:A Llama :lol:I'd love a few Sugar Gliders! I think they're mega cute, though they smell really bad

I've loved llamas, ever since I worked with a particularly nasty one on my course!

Sugar Gliders are amazing! So weird, but really graceful!

I know!! The ones at my college were so bitey, and they pooed on everyone so I don't know why I like them really

Llamas are pretty cool though - have you seen Napoleon Dynamite?

Ours was seriously bad-tempered, bless her. I think she may have been abused before she arrived there. Extremely head-shy.

Did they ever spit at you? The alpacas didn't really spit at us, but the llama was always doing it!

I haven't - what's it about?

Oh I meant the Sugar Gliders were bitey and pooed on everyone!! we didn't have many large animals like that at our college, though they are sweet in petting zoos - I've never been pooed on or bitten by one anyway

It's just a really funny film, the guy has a pet Llama

Oh, right! Yeah, the Sugar Gliders at ours never really pooed on people, but they did nip! I've mainly been peed on, rather than pooed on.

I might look it up at some point!