![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_ADKq_NbyTdjHxL2TxiAvAx5chNwHi-B2.jpg\")
Steve, a young marmoset, was found to be underweight and in a state of stress.(Image: Scottish SPCA)<\/p>\nThe SSPCA has launched a new campaign to tackle rules around owning wild animals.<\/p>\n
14:53, 01 May 2025Updated 17:34, 01 May 2025<\/p>\n
Steve, a young marmoset, was found to be underweight and in a state of stress.(Image: Scottish SPCA)<\/p>\n
A monkey was rescued from a home in East Lothian after being kept in a cage as a “novelty” pet<\/a>.<\/p>\n The young marmoset, named Steve, was discovered after concerned neighbours called in animal welfare officers.<\/p>\n They had spotted the tiny primate being kept in a large bird cage near the living room window.<\/p>\n Scottish SPCA<\/a> inspectors found the four-year-old animal in a poor condition. He was underweight, stressed out from constant handling and had developed an addiction to sugary marshmallows after being constantly fed them as a treat.<\/p>\n He was taken into the care of the SSPCA, and was nursed back to health at one of its rescue centres<\/a> before being transferred to a monkey sanctuary in England.<\/p>\n Steve is one of many exotic creatures that are being kept in households across Scotland.<\/p>\n On May 1, the SSPCA in partnership with charities OneKind and Born Free, launched a new campaign “Don’t Pet Me”, calling on the Scottish Government<\/a> to tighten its legislation, which has been criticised as “inappropriate and outdated”, on wild animals.<\/p>\n The animal charities aim to raise awareness of the widespread trade in keeping wild animals as pets<\/a> and have called on the introduction of a permitted list of animals which can legally be kept.<\/p>\n They say a lack of restrictions around how wild animals can be acquired has led to the suffering<\/a> of many being kept in unsuitable conditions, with breeding practices, and owners having a lack of understanding of their complex needs.<\/p>\n Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Scottish SPCA Director of Strategic Communications and Partnership Engagement said: \u201cMany people are unaware of the scale of wild animal keeping in Scotland or the challenges it presents for animal welfare. \u2018Don\u2019t Pet Me\u2019 aims to highlight the issue and encourage a more responsible approach to exotic pet ownership<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s a growing and worrying trend: animals like Steve being bought and sold as novelty pets, often on impulse, with little understanding of the complex care<\/a> they require.<\/p>\n \u201cBut while these creatures<\/a> might look cute, they are anything but easy to look after. Marmosets are highly intelligent, social primates that need space, stimulation, and the companionship of their own kind.<\/p>\n \u201cNo domestic setting\u2014no matter how well-meaning\u2014can truly meet those needs. Thankfully Steve\u2019s story has a happy ending but not every animal<\/a> will be so lucky.\u201d<\/p>\n Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today.<\/p>\n You’ll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland.<\/p>\n No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team.<\/p>\n All you have to do is click here if you’re on mobile<\/strong><\/a>, select ‘Join Community’ and you’re in!<\/p>\n If you’re on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click ‘Join Community’.<\/p>\n We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don\u2019t like our community, you can check out any time you like.<\/p>\n To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘exit group’.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.<\/a><\/p>\n The charities’ research revealed that hundreds of exotic species \u2013 including snakes, tortoises, birds, and exotic fish \u2013 are being bought and sold<\/a> for private keeping, often with little oversight or regulation.<\/p>\n An estimated 300 different species<\/a> were available to purchase online in Scotland over a 16-week period, highlighting concerns with the ease of which animals can be acquired, often with no checks or guidance on welfare.<\/p>\n Kirsty Jenkins, OneKind\u2019s Director of Policy, said: \u201cThe research we commissioned painted a deeply worrying picture of how species commonly referred to as \u2018exotic pets\u2019<\/a> are thought of and treated – often as commodities or collections.<\/p>\n \u201cSuch sad stories emerged, of animals being kept in tiny boxes<\/a>, poor diets, social isolation, forced handling, accidents and deaths. Some species, particularly of reptiles, are thought to be stupid and unfeeling, and treated accordingly.<\/p>\n The launch of the campaign follows incidents of wild animals being illegally released<\/a> in the Cairngorms National Park earlier this year.<\/p>\n In January, four lynx<\/a> were “deliberately abandoned” on two separate days in the Dell of Killiehuntly area, and roamed free before being humanely caught. However, one of the big cats, which no longer exist in the wild, did not survive.<\/p>\n They were said to be starving when they were discovered, and were later transferred into the care of Edinburgh Zoo<\/a> to undergo quarantine before being rehomed.<\/p>\n On February 10, a herd of eight feral pigs<\/a> were spotted in the Kingussie area. The non-native species were said to have been released in a “selfish and thoughtless act” that put the welfare of animals and people at risk.<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_1000001300.jpg\")
Concerns were raised after Steve was spotted living in a bird cage.(Image: Scottish SPCA)<\/p>\n![\"An](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_ADKq_NaJqSLn_ISiWsors4IJd1EMMOqR.jpg\")
The Scottish SPCA is one of only a handful of rescue centres in Scotland who will admit wild animals that have been kept as pets by individuals into its care.(Image: Scottish SPCA)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/04\/1744442896_526_0_WACOMMUNITYQR2.png\")
Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community!<\/p>\n![\"One](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/0_Lynx-captured-in-the-Highlands.jpg\")
One of the four lynx(Image: PA)![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/1746128233_807_0_Lynx-captured-in-the-Highlands.jpg\")
The lynx were illegally released into the Highlands(Image: PA)<\/p>\n