Monkey found in Scots home being kept as 'novelty' pet in bird cage

Daily Record

01-05-2025

The SSPCA has launched a new campaign to tackle rules around owning wild animals.
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 concerned neighbours called in animal welfare officers.
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They had spotted the tiny primate being kept in a large bird cage near the living room window.
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Scottish SPCA 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.
He was taken into the care of the SSPCA, and was nursed back to health at one of its rescue centres 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Pet Me", calling on the Scottish Government to tighten its legislation, which has been criticised as "inappropriate and outdated", on wild animals.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.
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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.
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'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.
'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.'
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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.
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Kirsty Jenkins, OneKind's Director of Policy, said: 'The research we commissioned painted a deeply worrying picture of how species commonly referred to as 'exotic pets' are thought of and treated - often as commodities or collections.
'Such sad stories emerged, of animals being kept in tiny boxes, poor diets, social isolation, forced handling, accidents and deaths. Some species, particularly of reptiles, are thought to be stupid and unfeeling, and treated accordingly.
The launch of the campaign follows incidents of wild animals being illegally released in the Cairngorms National Park earlier this year.
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In January, four lynx 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.
They were said to be starving when they were discovered, and were later transferred into the care of Edinburgh Zoo to undergo quarantine before being rehomed.
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On February 10, a herd of eight feral pigs 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.
They were captured the following day, and humanely culled.