# What pets should not be kept at home?

> Animals that should not be kept in ordinary homes include primates, big cats, bears, most wild carnivores, venomous species without licensed facilities, slow lorises and other species whose welfare, safety or legal needs cannot realistically be met. ” traffic from the other side: helping people rule out species whose welfare needs ordinary homes cannot meet.

**Category:** Trafficking  ·  **Updated:** 2026-07-07

## Key takeaways
- Primates and big cats are not suitable household pets.
- Slow lorises and many wild-caught exotics are trafficking-risk species.
- Adult size, lifespan and behaviour matter more than baby appearance.
- Sanctuary-level needs belong in sanctuary-level care.

## Answer
The issue is not whether an animal is cute or young; it is whether adult needs can be met for the animal’s lifetime.

Some species also pose public-safety risks or disease risks, while others suffer from social isolation or restricted movement.

If a species needs a sanctuary, specialist licence or expert enclosure to thrive, it should not be treated as a household pet.

## Why this question matters
Search demand for unusual pets can encourage sellers to market animals before buyers understand adult reality.

## The welfare-first answer
Unsuitable pets are not “bad” animals. They are animals with needs that require wild habitat, social groups, specialist facilities or licensed expert care.

## What to do next
Choose species whose needs you can meet fully, and avoid content that normalises wild animals as accessories.

## FAQ
### Are monkeys good pets?
No. Their social, cognitive and space needs make ordinary homes poor welfare.

### Can big cats be tame?
Habituation is not domestication. Adult big cats remain dangerous and highly specialised.

### What should I do if I already own an unsuitable animal?
Contact a qualified vet, local authority and reputable rescue for legal welfare advice.

## Sources
- [GOV.UK — primate keeping licensing](https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/primates-keeping-licence)
- [CITES — wildlife trade rules](https://cites.org/eng/disc/what.php)

Human-readable page: https://worldanimalrescuenetwork.org/answers/what-pets-should-not-be-kept-at-home