It’S Easy To Purchase Exotic Animals

Sun., Sept. 24, 2000

By Carol MacPherson carolm@spokesman.com

While exotic animals may be illegal to own in many places, buying one is extremely easy.

In order to sell exotic pets, the dealer must be licensed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. But the buyer does not have to be licensed.

No pet stores in Spokane sell exotic animals, such as monkeys or big cats. But log on to the Internet and there are thousands of sites where you can order any animal you can think of, said Diane Venberg, campaign coordinator for the Progressive Animal Welfare Society.

Monkeys-N-More Exotics’ Web site advertises: “Animals purchased for breeding or pleasure, need no USDA license. Check your area zoning restrictions if applicable.”

Here’s an example of the inventory offered by Monkeys-N-More Exotics, which is in Raymondville, Mo. All the entries are followed with a “Call for details!”

Capuchins - Infants, $4,500+ All species available. Price includes transportation (delivery), health papers, formula, bottles, feeding instructions and more.

Spider Monkey - 3-1/2 year old tame male, silver. $2,500.

Sloth - baby, $2,500.

Cougar - semi-tame female, declawed. $250.

White tiger - female, 5 months old, $10,000.

Four-eyed possums - breeding pairs. $400.

Local journalism is essential.

Give directly to The Spokesman-Review's Northwest Passages community forums series -- which helps to offset the costs of several reporter and editor positions at the newspaper -- by using the easy options below. Gifts processed in this system are tax deductible.

Meet Our Journalists

Jesse Tinsley

Meet Jesse Tinsley. As a certified drone pilot, this veteran Spokesman-Review photographer often can be seen capturing beautiful aerial photographs of our region. Sometimes though, the job requires getting down with the dogs.
Jim Meehan

Jim Meehan is no stranger to Zag Nation. As the lead writer covering the Gonzaga men’s basketball team, he tells the stories behind the game and gets fans a bit closer to their favorite players.
Molly Quinn

There is no artist in Spokane like Molly Quinn. Her whimsical style is instantly recognizable to readers of The Spokesman-Review. She has painted gorgeous illustrations that instantly elevate the journalism accompanying it. She brings to life the stories that defy photography. She makes our pages better.
Rob Curley

Spokesman-Review editor Rob Curley loves to talk with people and learn about their lives, whether it's a best-selling author or a stranger he meets downtown on his walk to lunch. It's that inquisitive nature combined with a playful sense of storytelling that helps make our newspaper different than most.