Readers' Comments
280 results
Avaelit
3 years ago
The fennec fox is not on the endangered species' list. If it were an endangered species, it would not be legally kept as a pet. Simply because it's considered an exotic pet does not automatically mean that they are rare and few, it simply means that they do no originate in the states. Do us all a favor and research what you're typing an article on before posting something that's going to give people false facts. The fennec is not, and I repeat, NOT on the endangered species list.
Dorothycookies
3 years ago
I do not have a pet fennec, but I have read extensively on them and found again and again that fennec foxes make wonderful pets. They are smarter and more agile and mischievous than a regular dog or cat. I also know that they are NOT ON THE ENDANGERED LIST and that in the US they are NOT TAKEN FROM THE WILD, as this article implies. Professional licensed breeders in the US have been breeding them years, just like your pedigree dog or cat. They require lots of attention, and many precautions have to be taken to ensure that they have a safe "home" enclosure that they cannot escape from. Ferret cages often work well. They eat a relatively easy mix of premium wet and dry dog and cat food, fresh vegetables, fruit, egg, mealworms, andcrickets. They are nocturnal in the wild, but often adapt to their owner's schedule in captivity. They can be litter trained, but not 100%, and sometimes they leave you little presents around the house. They also have a compulsion to hide and store food around the house, in case of famine. They are virtually odorless. Although they are legal in 26 states, in most of those states you need a special permit in order to have one. I also encourage people to do extensive research on this little guy before getting one, as small and simple things can hurt or kill them. For example, if you give them a litter box with catlitter, it sticks to the fur on their feet, and causes serious digestion complications. They need shots and medical care like dogs, and not all vets will cater to exotics. I am not suggesting that this is a good pet or not, as people/families differ in the time and care they are able to bestow upon a pet. I am simply supplying the information this article lacks, and saying to the author: If you are going to ask people a question, please provide them with accurate and complete information so that readers can make their own educated decisions.
For more extensive info on fennec foxes:
(www.livingdesert.org/animals/fennec_fox.asp)
Christy M.
4 years ago
These little guys should be left to the wild. And why would you want an escape artist as a pet?
Jodi S.
4 years ago
Fennecs require specialized housing and handling, so they're not pets for the average owner. When they become popularized like this, you have hoards of people buying them just because they're cute, which is a disaster in the making. Sorry, they're basically wild animals, and I really don't think they're pets.
Jessica T.
4 years ago
Well these little guys are cutter than sin, but I don't want them showing up in our shelter. People once again just want the coolest pet on the block, but these little guys are the genetics behind our domestic dogs, which does not mean that they are the same as domestic dogs. We need to learn to leave these creatures out of our homes.
Emily
5 years ago
Leave them where they are! Allowed as pets in some states?? This kind of thing only contributes to the problems we already face with large reptiles, parrots, etc. People want something unique as a living conversation piece, and by buying it, encourage the illegal trade of endangered or threatened animals. Additionally, I am sure most of these animals end up neglected or improperly cared for and probably live short, or at least unhappy, lives.
Fenrislorsrai
5 years ago
Ancestor of the chihuahua? WTF. This is a FOX. They're not even vaguely the same species as dogs. There is no way these are in any way related to chihuahuas, not to mention fennec foxes are native to Africa... not Mexico. That's some seriously bad reporting.
Sharon P.
5 years ago
Fennec fox - no endangered species should be allowed as a pet. Very good information at National Geographic: imagine trying to find a home for these little foxes, no other pets, no children, no cold climate, room dedicated to fox since they sleep during the day. What a nightmare trying to find a vet. The list goes on. animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/printable/fennec-fox.html
Jill6Johnson
5 years ago
Awww how cute! Not sure they would make a good pet. Some animals need to be left in their environment.
Kkliamovich71
5 years ago
Yes they are very cute but they are wild animals. Why do we always feel the need to tame them and make them pets? There are enough domesticated dogs sitting in shelters everywhere needing to be adopted that I don't think people need a fox as a pet!
Melissa7271
5 years ago
This info is all quite new to me. I also hope that people do their homework before considering something like this.
FruitLoopLucy
5 years ago
Very glad to learn about these little guys. How come they have started to become pets?? Whats wrong with going to the shelter there are lots of animals that need homes. They like home living.
Kirstin T.
5 years ago
Endangered species should not be pets. Lets protect them in their own environment.
penny m.
5 years ago
I haven't enough information about their disposition and how well they fare living as pets to reply. If the species is endangered will the upsurge cause them to be depleted further. If the breeding for pets helps save the species, then do it, but I feel that creating new pets is questionable since there seems to be not enough owners for the ones already here.
collyn f.
5 years ago
dogs or cats at shelters need homes. these animals are wild so please leave them that way!! leave these animals to particular breeders who will train them for the wild and increase their population just enough. pretty soon if these continues, we will be overrun with the fox
Wyoming County S.
5 years ago
what is happening to the world? if all these rich people want to do something different, sponsor a poor shelter just barely making it trying to make ends meet
FruitLoopLucy
5 years ago
These are not pets. Why isn't mankind satisfied with dogs, cats, pocket pets? What if one gets loose in a state with cold harsh winters...being a desert animal, that would be sure death.
Wesley
5 years ago
I have adopted a Fennec and they are as great as any puppy out there. Sure they are more responsibility and have more wild instincts, but since they are rare and NOT endangered, we would do well to re-populate them before they BECOME endangered. And breeders will breed them and sell them to anyone, so wouldn't you rather someone like me who is well educated and will give them love owns one?
Shirley B.
5 years ago
If they are rare, it is brazen for you to claim to be educated as to their care. Status seekers are unnecessary to an exotic animal.
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