Regulations Governing the Importing of Wildlife from Foreign Countries as Pets

Abstract

Between 1st Sep. 2005 and 31st Aug. 2009, Nakatsu animal surgery in Osaka took in 20,987 animals. This included 3,800 dogs, 2332 cats, and 14,855 exotic animals. Exotic animals were 1,552 mammals, 7,504 birds and 96 reptiles. Hence, 9,152 animals could be assumed to be animals bred as pets. Remaining, 5,703(27.1％) could be assumed to be from the wild. To import into Japan those foreign wildlife not only changes the original fauna and flora but also threatens the existing wildlife. Therefore, if people of Japan would like to keep some birds or animal as their pets, they should choose more familiar pets such as dogs, cats, java finches, budgerigars and canaries. These animals have been kept for hundreds years and vet surgeons can keep them in a healthy condition easily, More ever because vet surgeons already have a lot of experience in taking care of them, the animals can be skillfully treated.