SSPCA Rescues 'Stressed' Monkey, Launches Wild Animal Ownership Campaign

A young marmoset named Steve was rescued from a home in East Lothian, Scotland, after being kept in poor conditions as a novelty pet, including confinement in a bird cage and an unhealthy diet of marshmallows, which led to stress and health issues. After being nursed back to health by the Scottish SPCA, Steve was relocated to a monkey sanctuary in England. His case highlights a broader problem in Scotland, where many exotic animals are kept as pets under inadequate regulations. In response, the Scottish SPCA, alongside charities OneKind and Born Free, launched the 'Don't Pet Me' campaign to raise awareness about the wild animal pet trade and call for stricter legislation, including a permitted list of animals that can legally be kept as pets. Animal welfare experts emphasize that wild animals like marmosets have complex needs that cannot be met in domestic settings, and the current lack of restrictions leads to widespread animal suffering. The campaign is supported by research showing hundreds of exotic species are available for sale online in Scotland, underlining the urgent need for policy reform.