The Deadly Wildlife Trade and the Pet Industry
The wildlife trade causes severe animal suffering, threatens biodiversity, and leaves us vulnerable to the next pandemic. Many Americans think that the commercial exploitation of wild animals is someone else’s problem—in reality, the US is one of the biggest importers of wild animals in the world, and the sale of wild animals as pets is a major reason.
Blocking Animal Protection Legislation
Not only are pet stores complicit in the wildlife trade, pet industry lobbyists are actively blocking legislation that would protect both animals and public health.
As COVID-19, which most likely emerged as a zoonotic event (meaning an infectious disease transferred from an animal to human), spread across the globe and killed millions the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC), one of the most powerful lobbying arms of the pet industry, worked to prevent legislation that would shut down the live wildlife trade.
Profits Before Animals
Lobbying against regulations that would limit or regulate businesses’ ability to sell animals—whether dogs bred in puppy mills or wild animal importations—is business as usual for PIJAC.
- In the 90s, the pet industry blocked Fish and Wildlife Service regulations regarding the well-being of reptiles and amphibians during transport. The regulations would have addressed, in part:
- Air temperature
- Enclosures
- Adequate air exchange
- Dampened bedding for species who need moisture
- PIJAC routinely opposes local and state retail pet sale bans, often called “puppy mill bills,” that would ban pet stores from selling puppies and kittens sourced from mills.
PIJAC didn’t want regulations because the importers didn’t want them, and the importers didn’t want them because it would raise the cost of shipping the animals.
– Bruce Weissgold, an independent consultant on wildlife who advised on the Fish and Wildlife regulations
- You can lose up to 50 or 60 ball pythons a day. It’s going to happen. Nothing you can do about it.– North Carolina reptile dealer speaking about the high mortality rate in the reptile trade
- PIJAC didn’t want regulations because the importers didn’t want them, and the importers didn’t want them because it would raise the cost of shipping the animals.– Bruce Weissgold, an independent consultant on wildlife who advised on the Fish and Wildlife regulations
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human-animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar’s habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- So, our animals can’t turn around for the 2.5 years that they are in the stalls producing piglets. I don’t know who asked the sow if she wanted to turn around…– Dave Werner
- 大量动物被关在卫生条件恶劣的环境中，在狭小的笼子中，它们忍受着巨大压力和痛苦。 恶劣的卫生条件加上与人类的直接接触为病毒的滋生和传播创造了温床。– “野生动物并非宠物”项目全球负责人 Cassandra Koenen
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- “Investigaciones han mostrado que los pangolines podrían haber transmitido el COVID-19 a los humanos, pero nadie lo sabe con certeza. Otros mamíferos como los murciélagos, los camellos y las civetas tienen la capacidad de albergar y transmitir coronavirus como el COVID-19”.– Gilbert Sape, Director global de campaña: Silvestres. No Medicina.
- “Los mercados de medicina tradicional de Benín son como escenas de una película de terror. Vimos las cabezas de monos, serpientes, tortugas, civetas, perros, gatos y muchos animales más. Miles de animales, entre cientos de especies, están sobre mesas como en una macabra exhibición. El director Will Foster-Grundy y yo hemos cubierto historias sobre el conflicto humano animal por años, sin embargo, estos mercados siguen siendo impactantes para el sistema”.– Aaron Gekoski, fotoperiodista ambiental galardonado.
- “Los jaguares ya enfrentan desafíos por la destrucción de su hábitat y el conflicto con los humanos por su territorio. Ahora son asesinados cruelmente o heridos y abandonados para morir. Existen reportes de que los cazadores han disparado hasta siete veces contra un jaguar, provocándole una muerte prolongada y dolorosa. Con la apertura del hábitat de los jaguares, se incrementan los encuentros entre los animales y los mineros, los agricultores y los madereros, quienes les disparan de manera oportunista”.– Nicholas Bruschi, Asesor de Investigaciones
- “Existe una gran cantidad de animales que son mantenidos en condiciones pobres de higiene, confinados en pequeñas jaulas, donde probablemente sus sistemas inmunes se debilitan a causa del estrés. La falta de higiene, combinada con el contacto directo con humanos, crea condiciones ideales para el desarrollo y la propagación de virus”.– Cassandra Koenen, Directora global de campañas de vida silvestre: Silvestres. No mascotas.
- 科学研究表明，穿山甲、蝙蝠、果子狸等野生动物是一些人兽共患病病毒的携带者。–
- 贝宁的传统医药市场如同野生动物的地狱，这里有猴子、蛇、乌龟、麝香猫、犬、猫等很多动物的头部，数百种、成千上万只动物，被摆放在桌子上售卖，令人毛骨悚然。我和Will Foster-Grundy导演多年来一直在报道人兽冲突议题，但这个市场对于我们来说仍是一个巨大冲击。– 环境摄影记者 Aaron Gekoski
- 美洲豹面临着栖息地破坏以及人兽冲突的挑战。现在它们被猎杀。曾报道过一只美洲豹被猎人射击了七次，导致其漫长而痛苦地死亡。 随着美洲豹栖息地的开发，它们与矿工、农民和伐木工的接触也逐渐增加，而这些人会趁机射杀它们。– 调查顾问 Nicholas Bruschi
- Des recherches ont démontré que les pangolins pourraient potentiellement avoir transmis la COVID-19 aux humains, mais personne n’en a la certitude. D’autres mammifères, comme les chauves-souris, les chameaux et les civettes sont capables d’être des hôtes et de transmettre des coronavirus comme la COVID-19.– Gilbert Sape, chef de la campagne de protection de la faune Faune, au lieu de médicament
- Les marchés de médecine traditionnelle au Bénin ressemblaient à des scènes d’un film d’horreur. Nous avons vu des têtes de singes, de serpents, de tortues, de civettes, de chiens, de chats, et même plus; des milliers d’animaux et des centaines d’espèces étendus sur des tables dans des présentations macabres. Le réalisateur Will Foster-Grundy et moi avons longtemps couvert les conflits entre humains et animaux, et malgré cela, ces marchés ont provoqué chez nous un choc immense.– Aaron Gekoski, photojournaliste environnemental primé
- Lorsque de grands nombres d’animaux sont maintenus dans de piètres conditions d’hygiène — les animaux sont entassés dans des cages, où ils sont susceptibles de fragiliser leur système immunitaire en raison du stress —, ce manque d’hygiène, combiné à un contact humain direct, crée un terrain fertile pour l’émergence et la propagation de virus.– Cassandra Koenen, chef de la campagne de protection de la faune Faune, au lieu de compagnon
- Les jaguars sont déjà confrontés à la destruction de leur habitat et à des conflits avec les humains. Ils sont maintenant tués cruellement, ou blessés et laissés pour morts. Des rapports révèlent que des jaguars ont été tirés jusqu’à sept fois par des chasseurs, entraînant ainsi une mort prolongée et douloureuse. L’empiètement sur l’habitat des jaguars augmente également les rencontres entre les jaguars et des mineurs, des fermiers et des bûcherons, qui les prennent opportunément pour cible.– Nicholas Bruschi, conseiller aux enquêtes
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- "Pesquisas mostraram que os pangolins podem ter transmitido a COVID-19 para humanos, mas ninguém sabe ao certo. Outros mamíferos, como morcegos, camelos e civetas, são reservatórios ou fontes de infecção de patógenos como o coronavírus".– Gilbert Sape, Gerente Global de Vida Silvestre da Proteção Animal Mundial
- "Os mercados de medicina tradicional são verdadeiros filmes de terror. Vimos cabeças de macacos, cobras, tartarugas, civetas, cães, gatos e muito mais; milhares de animais, de centenas de espécies, dispostos sobre as mesas como uma exposição macabra. Eu e o diretor Will Foster-Grundy cobrimos conflitos entre humanos e animais por anos, mas esses mercados ainda são um choque para o sistema."– Aaron Gekoski, Fotojornalista Ambiental Premiado
- "As onças já enfrentam desafios com a destruição de seus habitats, além de conflitos frequentes com humanos. Elas são cruelmente caçadas e feridas, muitas vezes deixadas para morrer depois de mutiladas. Há relatos de onças sendo baleadas por até sete vezes pelos caçadores, encarando uma morte prolongada e extremamente dolorosa. Com a crescente exploração de seu habitat natural, aumentam-se os encontros entre esses animais e mineradores, agricultores e madeireiros – que atiram nelas de forma oportunista"– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigador.
- "Com uma enorme quantidade de animais mantidos em condições precárias de higiene – a maioria amontoada em gaiolas apertadas, aumenta-se a probabilidade de enfraquecimento da imunidade devido ao estresse. Essa falta de higiene combinada ao contato direto com humanos é a condição ideal para que os vírus surjam e se espalhem."– Cassandra Koenen, Chefe Global da Campanha Animal Silvetsre Não É Pet da Proteção Animal Mundial
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Jaguars already face the challenges of habitat destruction and human animal conflicts. They are now cruelly killed,or injured and left to die. There are reports of jaguars being shot up to seven times by hunters, leading to a protracted and painful death. With the jaguar's habitat being opened, this also increases encounters between jaguars and miners, farmers and loggers, who shoot them opportunistically.– Nicholas Bruschi, Investigations Advisor
- With large numbers of animals kept in poor hygiene conditions the animals are kept in cramped cages, where they will eventually develop weakened immunities due to stress. This lack of hygiene combined with direct human contact creates a hot bed for viruses to mutate and develop.– Cassandra Koenen, Global Head of Wildlife Campaigns, Wildlife Not Pets
- Research has shown that pangolins could potentially have spread COVID-19 to humans, but nobody knows for certain. Other mammals such as bats, camels and civets are capable or hosting and transmitting coronaviruses such as COVID-19– Gilbert Sape, Global Head of Wildlife Campaign, Bears and Traditional Medicine
- The traditional medicine markets in Benin were like scenes from a horror movie. We saw the heads of monkeys, snakes, turtles, civets, dogs, cats, and more; thousands of animals, across hundreds of species laid out on tables in macabre displays. Director Will Foster-Grundy and I have covered stories of human-animal conflict for years, yet the markets were still a shock to the system.– Award Winning Environmental Photojournalist Aaron Gekoski
Keeping Secrets
Stopping the imminent extinction of the most vulnerable species requires data, and the pet industry is infamously difficult to monitor. PIJAC works to prevent critical information about the wildlife trade in the US from reaching the public.
Recently, PIJAC has twice issued alerts asking supporters to contact Fish and Wildlife Service and oppose releasing information about the wildlife trade—including species under extreme threat in the wild.
The pet industry wants this information secret because it knows the lack of data undercuts advocates’ and governments’ ability to enact animal protection and wildlife trade laws that may impact pet companies.
How Can You Help
Tell PetSmart that animals aren’t products and don’t belong on store shelves. Urge PetSmart to take the first step to end the wildlife trade by phasing out the sale of reptiles and amphibians.
