Readers' Comments
Article:
Mon, Apr 27 | By Kris O'Donnell | 129
ORLANDO, Fla. -- Whenever she's out on the town, 2-year-old Gehts causes quite a stir. The central Florida pet grabs attention from the mere fact she's a wallaby.
"She's like a little baby, I love her," said Gehts' mom, Suzie Charna.
102 results
Moroferret
3 years ago
ALL animals once came from wild stock. Even your beloved dogs and cats.
I know no one around here can seem to grasp this concept, but not everyone is a cat or dog person.
There is nothing wrong with having an "exotic" pet as long as it it properly cared for like any other animal should be.
Just because you don't understand it, and it's different from your Fluffy, Buddy, and Fido doesn't mean it should be illegal.
Ninaof2girls
3 years ago
I'm glad this girl did her homework but this animal is not a pet and shouldn't be allowed to be one. We need more laws to control what kind of pets people should be allowed to adopt. We have enough problems with cats and dogs being abondoned without wallaby's and so many other exotic animals being abandoned after their owners decide the thrill is gone and they don't want to deal with it anymore. This girl sounds responsible but there are too many others who are not. Why not go and volunteer in a shelter or at a zoo and take care of some of these animals that need care and help in your spare time and get your thrills that way and leave the exotics in the wild where they belong.
Swayloveswasabi34
3 years ago
Not sure the animal will be very happy, that just encourages people to get animals and then when it gets out of hand get rid of them.
Norrie
4 years ago
I hate to be such a grouch but I doubt if that "cute" pet stays with her for it's normal life expectancy. You buy a purse or dress or even a car because it's cute but not a live wild animal, you can't send it to a thrift store or used wallaby lot when you get tired of it or it no longer fits your life style.
Schnoll007
4 years ago
i agree some wild animals change to be mean as they age, you have to be very careful around wild animals.hmmm
Kavykeeper
4 years ago
I would have liked to have read more about where she keeps it and her daily routine with it. Somehow, I can't imagine she would be able to provide everything it needs...I hope I'm wrong.
Magicpaperclip
4 years ago
To anyone against owning exotic pets:
Some people don't like dogs or cats, have allergies, or can't accomodate one. Is it right to deny them the right to own a pet? I know many responsible people who are extremely knowledgeable about their pets'. The pets are very healthy. If people can provide for an animal's needs, they should be able to keep it as a pet. Many exotic pets live healthy and happy lives in captivity. It isn't fair to refuse responsible people's right to keep pets.
Also, people who keep exotics tend to be interested in the conservation of the species they keep. They're active in promoting the message that could potentially prevent species from going extinct.
All domestic animals had wild ancestors. Why let the domestication process end now? Many exotic species are bred in captivity and breeders select for traits, such as temperament and hardiness, that would make them good pets. There's no reason not to expand the species we consider 'domestic.'
Kathleen H.
4 years ago
I'm glad the human is so happy because I can't image that the animal is going to be happy over the longrun.
Alvin & Gretchen
4 years ago
I totally agree with you. Even thou she has done her reasearch and sound like a responsible person this is not a domestic animal.
diana f.
4 years ago
I think the love of an animal like that should be free not kept as a pet. This is why so many are given to rescues and other sort of places... when they get out of control or too big cant handle. they are just dumped off. by then it is too late to put them back in the wild. they should have enough respect for the animal to set it free now to be in the wild where it belongs.
Jnewman
4 years ago
Wild animals are meant to be in the wild. At some point where I live, pet shops were selling prairie dogs as pets, then soon a kid contracted some sort of disease from it and died. Case point in mind, animals that aren't meant to be pets, won't change to be domesticated over the course of one generation.
Mary G.
4 years ago
Gehts is obviously well loved and well taken care of, but a wallaby or any other wild or exotic animal most certainly does not belong in a townhouse or being lugged around town in a carrier. I noted that the young woman bought the animal from a Florida breeder, "one of many across the country". We need laws in all fifty states banning ownership of any wild or exotic animal. That will put the breeders out of business and animals like Gehts will be happily hopping around eastern Australia where they belong.
Dorothy H.
4 years ago
This is not right. There is just not enough open space for this animal to be in anything resembling a natural habitat.
Kaydee P.
4 years ago
I have mixed feelings, if the wild animal was hurt and needed help, then by all means we should adopt and take care of it. But, I do believe wild animals should really stay in the wild. Sorry, I'm glad you love him so much, and I would have hard time saying no to a face like that too.
Stevecat511
4 years ago
I don't know how to say this without sounding mean...Wild animals need to be in the wild! I agree they are adorable but unless they live in the wild where they belong, they will not thrive.
This story rings the bells of disaster and I am truly not a fan of reading disasterous animal stories. Especially, ones with wild animals being kept as household pets!
Doing your homework or not, wild animals are unpredictable!
Stevecat511
4 years ago
I feel the same way, Jennifer! There are plenty of adoptable shelter pets she could have chosen!
Heather M.
4 years ago
You want a pet that's more independent you can still love, try a cat. wild animals should be left in the wild.
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