Captive Breeding Programs are a SMALL Part of a GOOD Rescue

Captive Breeding programs are departments within zoos, rescues, sanctuaries and so on in which animals are kept in enclosures and are bred to produce future generations of their species.

There is great debate over whether these types of programs should exist.

It is true that zoos and educational facilities are some of the biggest funders of animal conservation projects and research. Where does that money come from?

Most come from the general public who pay to visit these establishments each year, multiple times a year, and those who feel compelled to donate. Some of the special draws that brings these people coming to the zoos are the possibility of seeing new exotic and special baby animals.

Extinction rates are going up and it is predicted that 20-50% of the world’s species will become extinct in the next couple of decades. So zoos can act as somewhat of an “arc” by holding the world’s species in captivity and saving their genetic material from total elimination.

Some of these captive breeding programs also have goals for the reintroduction of these animals back into a natural or wild environment. These reintroductions can help in conservation efforts by keeping population numbers up and decreasing inbreeding and genetic drift.

Also, captive breeding programs have a high cost to support and properly care for each animal so they consist of few animals that can’t sustain a proper breeding population. Another major con to captive breeding programs comes in on the animal behavior side.

Even though caretakers try their very best to make captive enclosures as natural and stimulating as possible, they fall short of a wild/natural environment.

I Lay My Heart On The Line In Episode 1!

Click to watch me explain why I am proud of what we do…

Are these captive breeding programs a good a bad thing? Isn’t it important to have some individuals of a species still existing somewhere rather than go extinct completely? Or is it better to try and just support the wild populations as they are and use other conservation techniques to keep the endangered species going even though that risks complete extinction?

There are people who find it appealing to keep a wild animal trapped in a small enclosure as a pet. What they often fail to realize, however, is that all wild animals, big or small, demand a significant amount of time, energy, and money from their human caretakers.

Others take excellent care as far as health but do not prepare for the size or age the animal can get. Despite the common misconception among many exotic pet enthusiasts, these wild animals cannot be domesticated and certainly cannot be cared for properly by the average person.

There are several “sanctuaries” across the U.S. that exploit the animals much like a zoo or circus. Their goal is to make money, and not the animal’s happiness.

A sanctuary is a “place of refuge or safety” that provides lifetime care for the animals it has rescued.

Because the term “sanctuary” is not regulated by any governing body, any facility can call itself a sanctuary. 

Adopt ~ Breed ~ Rescue ~ Transport ~ Rehabilitate

Crazy Critters Inc. was established to provide non-domestic, non-releasable animals with a safe and permanent home. The sanctuary has adopted animals including reptiles, birds, and assorted wildlife.

Once brought to the facility, these exotic animals are housed in naturalistic settings. Allowing propagation that is used for conservation.

Currently, this facility houses species of animals listed on CITES. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora is an international treaty to prevent species from becoming endangered or extinct because of international trade.

Adding, the Crazy Critters organization has produced offspring from species currently found on the IUCN’s Red List. Established in 1964, the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has evolved to become the world’s most comprehensive information source on the global conservation status of animal, fungi and plant species.

Crazy Critters Inc. is a self-funded organization that depends on the greenhouse nursery to pay for the cost of housing exotic animals. The facility grows and sells species of plants such as succulent and cactus to support the care of the animals. Many too are listed on the IUCN’s Redlist.

Located in Eustis, Florida, the facility is not open for public visits. Instead, hosting private educational events and using social media to share the facility build and news.

What’s the difference between a sanctuary and a zoo?

Sanctuaries promise to take in and care for any animals that have been abused, neglected, or abandoned and to keep them for life. Sanctuaries occupy a “gray area,” says Tanya Espinosa, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Federal law regulates the ones that, much like zoos, exhibit animals to the public.

Zoos are created specifically to exhibit animals to the public. They collect animals, taking into consideration conservation needs, the potential for scientific research, and which species the public likes best. Zoos buy, sell, trade, borrow, loan out, and breed animals.

“Sanctuaries should be a place for animals to retire. The animals should be respected, and not treated as a prop or an object.” says Tim Harrison, who runs a rescue operation called Outreach for Animals.

Accrediting bodies like the GFAS and the ASA recommend that enclosures be roomy, with plenty of species-suitable objects for the animals to interact with. Behind the scenes, several vets should be on call, and there should be enough financial stability to ensure lifetime care for the animals. The public should not be allowed to wander freely through the property as if it were a zoo.

What Do You Think?

Tell us in the comments below!

Many animal welfare advocates believe that zoos, even those with scientific and educational aims, exploit animals by keeping them in captivity and exhibiting them to the public.

According to Peta…Zoos teach humans that it’s acceptable to interfere with animals and keep them locked in tiny enclosures—often far from their natural homes—where they’re denied all control over their lives and often become depressed and frustrated. Many animals in captivity exhibit self-destructive, repetitive behavior because of the inherent stress—symptoms of a condition known as “zoochosis.”

To Home Or Not To Rehome?

That is the question for you to anser!

When you can no longer care for a pet for any reason, rehoming is a good idea. Many people feel that it’s unethical to charge an adoption fee for an animal that’s homeless (or soon to be homeless). The fee implies that the person is “in it for the money”, rather than being concerned that his pet goes to the best possible home.

“That’s not an adoption fee, you’re selling your pet!”

And that is okay with us… lets just be honest with each other!!!!

Another common concern is a “high” adoption fee. Some people believe that a small fee of $20 or $50 is more acceptable than one that’s $200, for example. The higher the fee, the more likely readers are to believe that the person re-homing the pet is trying to make a profit. This is something that is often frowned upon, especially when it appears to be at the expense of the animal’s true well-being.

We even have to turn animals away on a daily basis! If we wanted to use animals to MAKE money, we would take in any animals and rehome them for a fee to anyone who could fill out an application and pay the expenses.

If you do not agree with the fact that we allow animals to live naturally while being successful with propagating species of turtles, that is fine! Let us know below in the comments.

Animal charities protect, defend and provide needed services to domestic and wild animals. These organizations preserve wildlife habitats and protect endangered species, and seek ways to sustain and promote those habitats and species over time. 

The value of American wildlife spans economic, ecological, and spiritual realms. Wildlife creates jobs through outdoor recreation, sustain food and water supplies, and help us develop meaningful bonds with our natural world.

Unfortunately, over the last century, many of our wildlife species have seriously declined due to rapid and large-scale changes to their habitats and ecosystems. We’re working to grow wildlife populations by transforming the way we approach wildlife conservation.

Stay Tuned For Episode 2. Why We Do Not Require Adoption Fees and Why We Do Not Rehome