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Is Buying Pet Insurance Really Worth It?

Pet insurance is there to protect you from such disasters and also provide a lifeline to your pet as you may not necessarily be able to afford the best treatment at the time.

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Dangerous Pets

dog_insurance_photo.jpg There has always been a desire amongst some to own an exotic pet. However some exotics can be dangerous and many will require special licences.

The Dangerous Wild Animals Act of 1976 was originally introduced in response to public concern about the keeping of dangerous pets, especially big cats.  It aims to ensure that where private individuals keep dangerous wild animals they do so in circumstances which create no risk to the public and, to a lesser extent, safeguard the welfare of the animals. That welfare is now covered by the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

Licences are required for any animal which appears on a Schedule to the 1976 Act. These are issued by the relevant local authority, and will only be granted when the authority is satisfied that it would not be contrary to public interest on the grounds of safety or nuisance; that the applicant is a suitable person; and the animal's accommodation is adequate and secure.
Where the local authority grant a licence it shall impose conditions on the licence covering issues such as:

  • a requirement that the animal be kept only by a person or persons named on the licence;
  • restrictions on the movement of the animal from the premises as specified on the licence; and
  • a requirement that the licence holder has a current insurance policy which ensures both licence holders and others against any liability caused by the animal.

The Act does not apply to any dangerous wild animal kept in a zoo; circus; pet shop; or registered scientific establishment which are regulated separately.

Recently (2007) the Schedule to the 1976 Act was changed and some 33 species were taken off it. The new Schedule can be found at:-

http://www.defra.gov.uk/wildlife-countryside/gwd/animallist.pdf

Given the changes, the RSPCA is concerned that more people could buy exotic pets without knowing how to look after them properly and put the animal or themselves at risk. Animals such as raccoons, emus, sloths and squirrel monkeys have been taken off the list. Emus and raccoons for example have special requirements and can inflict serious injury.

Extreme caution should therefore be exercised if considering an exotic, much better to stick with cats and dogs!

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