Can you imagine keeping your dog in a small fishbowl or keeping a person in a cage? How do you feel if you see rare animals that you might expect to see in wildlife, but instead see them in someone's backyard? This is similar to what people do when keeping exotic animals as pets. First, exotic animals are rare or unusual animals that are not native to the country, but kept in captivity within human households. These animals are generally considered a wild species and are not generally kept as pets. According to Born Free USA, a nonprofit organization dedicated to animal welfare, only thirteen states prohibit private ownership of exotic animals. Millions of them can still be held privately in the United States without restriction, highlighting how poorly these regulations are enforced. Several government organizations have also opposed individual ownership of exotic animals (“The Dangers of Keeping Exotic Animals”). Although the owner may take great care of their welfare, people should not be allowed to own exotic animals because it causes the animals to suffer, is dangerous to public safety, and harms public health. Those who accept private ownership of exotic animals argue that it should be legal as long as they are responsible and can take good care of the animals. As Dr. Bousfield stated in his Veterinary Bulletin, the Saunders Comprehensive Veterinary Dictionary describes animal welfare as avoiding the abuse and exploitation of animals by humans by maintaining adequate housing, food, proper general care, prevention and treatment of disease and assurance of being free from unnecessary harassment, discomfort and pain (2). In fact, a Royal Society investigation... middle of paper ... they are not pets. Society for the Protection of Captive Animals. Captive Animal Protection Society, nd Web. March 30, 2014. “Exotic animals as pets.” » PETA People for the ethical treatment of animals. PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), nd Web. March 30, 2014. “Exotic Animal Incidents.” Born in the free United States. Born Free USA, nd Web. March 30, 2014. Kukol, Zuzana. “Let people own exotic animals.” USA Today October 21, 2011: 10A. Opposing viewpoints in context. Internet. April 3, 2014. “Reptiles that suffer and die in captivity. » RSPCA. RSPCA (Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals), nd Web. April 2, 2014. “The dangers of keeping exotic animals.” » Born in the free United States. Born Free USA, nd Web. March 30, 2014. “Ten Quick Facts About Exotic Pets.” » Born in the free United States. Born Free USA, nd Web. March 30, 2014. “Wild animals are not pets. » USA Today nd: Academic research completed. Web. 2014.