Monkey found in East Lothian home was 'stressed' after being kept in bird cage
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A monkey was rescued from a home in East Lothian after being kept in a cage as a "novelty pet."
The young marmoset, named Steve, was discovered after a call was made to the Scottish SPCA by concerned neighbours. They spotted the monkey being kept in a large bird cage near the living room window.
Animal welfare experts discovered Steve, four, was in a poor condition. He was underweight, stressed from constant handling and had been fed marshmallows which he developed an addiction to.
As the Record reports, Steve was taken into the care of the SSPCA in March and nursed back to full health before being transferred to a monkey sanctuary in England.
Steve is one of many exotic creatures that are being kept in households across Scotland.
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Pet Me", calling on the Scottish Government to tighten its legislation, which has been criticised as "inappropriate and outdated", on wild animals.
The animal charities aim to raise awareness of the widespread trade in keeping wild animals as pets and have called on the introduction of a permitted list of animals which can legally be kept.
They say a lack of restrictions around how wild animals can be acquired has led to the suffering of many being kept in unsuitable conditions, with breeding practices, and owners having a lack of understanding of their complex needs.
Gilly Mendes Ferreira, Scottish SPCA Director of Strategic Communications and Partnership Engagement said: "Many people are unaware of the scale of wild animal keeping in Scotland or the challenges it presents for animal welfare. 'Don't Pet Me' aims to highlight the issue and encourage a more responsible approach to exotic pet ownership.
"It's 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 they require.
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"But while these creatures 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.
"No domestic setting--no matter how well-meaning--can truly meet those needs. Thankfully Steve's story has a happy ending but not every animal will be so lucky."
The charities' research revealed that hundreds of exotic species - including snakes, tortoises, birds, and exotic fish - are being bought and sold for private keeping, often with little oversight or regulation.
An estimated 300 different species 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.
A Scottish Government spokesperson said: "We are committed to the highest standards of animal welfare and understand public health and conservation concerns around the keeping of exotic pets. We welcome the work of groups in dealing with the welfare problems caused by irresponsible owners and the campaign for raising awareness of this important issue.
"The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission has explored the issues surrounding the keeping of exotic pets and we will continue to consider the steps that could be taken in this area."
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