Wild among us: an exotic pet webinar series
Practical information, tools and solutions for addressing current and emerging issues
Practical information, tools and solutions for addressing current and emerging issues
In October 2020, World Animal Protection partnered with Zoocheck Canada to deliver a webinar series on the animal welfare, public health and safety and environmental risks associated with the exotic pet trade and solutions for addressing them. On this page you will find the presentations that were delivered and links to other research and resources.
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Watch videos of the workshop presentations
Watch videos of the workshop presentations

An introduction to Exotic Pets: What You Need to Know
Inspection and Assessment of Exotic Pets: Residential, Commercial and Institutional
Developing Frameworks to Control and Protect Exotic Pets
On the Ground, In the Field: Solving Exotic Pet Problems in the Real World
Legal Aspects of the Exotic Pet Trade with Lesli Bisgould
2018 archive
Click here to view all of the 2018 workshop videos in a YouTube playlist.
Webinar presentations for viewing or download

*Please note that some of the files are quite large which can lead to a slower load time to view them. Files are also available to download.
An introduction to Exotic Pets: What You Need to Know
- An Introduction to exotic pet issues in Canada by Michèle Hamers, World Animal Protection
- What is good animal welfare and how do you recognize it: An introduction by Rob Laidlaw, Zoocheck
- The legal and regulatory landscape in Canada: challenges of using the law as a vehicle to addressing animal issues by Lesli Bisgould, LLB
Inspection and Assessment of Exotic Pets: Residential, Commercial and Institutional
- Welfare and Care of Exotic Animals in a Shelter Environment by Dr. Alix Wilson, DVM
- Retail Cruelty – Ace Ventura meets the mall by Dr. Adrian Walton, DVM
- Assessing Animal Welfare at Exotic Pet Expos – Ball Pythons as a Case Study by Dr. Neil D’Cruze, World Animal Protection
- Stop undermining yourself: avoiding common mistakes in exotic animal bylaws by Rob Laidlaw, Zoocheck
- It’s all about the criteria: Positive list regulation of exotic animals by Michèle Hamers, World Animal Protection
- Animal Ambassadors: The Politics of Policy and Regulation by Captain Cindy Machado, Marin Humane Society
- Hidden Risks: Zoonotic Diseases and Exotic Animals by Dr. Scott Weese, University of Guelph Centre for Public Health and Zoonoses
Developing Frameworks to Control and Protect Exotic Pets
- Gaps in Controlled Alien Species Regulations in BC: Seizure case study of serval cats by Dr. Sara Dubois and Meghann Cant, BC SPCA
- Changing minds about exotics by Leland Gordon, Winnipeg Animal Services Agency
- Lions and Tigers and Nimby’s Oh My! by Jason Dykstra, municipal official
- The Problems with Turtles: Stopping the Cycle Before the Shelter by Amélie Martel, Montreal SPCA
- Pet Establishments and Enforcement in New Brunswick by Carolyn Carter and Olivia Justason, New Brunswick SPCA
- Animal Welfare Assessment Frameworks by Michele Hamers (PDF 5.8MB)
- Avian Welfare by Dr. Alexandra Wilson (PDF 11.5MB)
- Avian Welfare by Dr. Anthony Pilny (PDF 2.7MB)
- Exotic Animals and the Law (British Columbia) by Rebeka Breder (PDF 1.1MB)
- Exotic Animals and the Law (New Brunswick & Ontario) by Camille Labchuk & Lesli Bisgould (PDF 700KB)
- Exotic Pets in Canada - issues, challenges & realities by Rob Laidlaw (PDF 2.4MB)
- Global Exotic Pet Trade by World Animal Protection (PDF 1.1MB)
- Guidelines for husbandry & inspection - EMODE by Clifford Warwick (PDF 6.2MB)
- Health Risks - Zoonoses by Clifford Warwick (PDF 3.1MB)
- Introduction to basic animal welfare principles by Rob Laidlaw (PDF 154KB)
- Regulating Exotic Pets - Positive List by Michele Hamers (PDF 1.8MB)
- Reptile Pets - sourcing, stress & sociobiology by Clifford Warwick (PDF 7.2MB)
- Reptile Trade, Welfare and Inspection Tools by Dr. Adrian Walton (PDF 18.4MB)
Webinar toolkit materials

*Files are also available to download.
Webinar toolkit materials
- Positive List Q&A: For the regulation of domesticated and non-domesticated animals (World Animal Protection/Zoocheck
- Sample positive list vetting checklist for exotic (wild) animals (World Animal Protection/Zoocheck)
- Why positive lists are more effective than negative lists (World Animal Protection/Zoocheck)
- Q&A: Mobile Live Animal Programs (MLAPs) in Canada (World Animal Protection/Zoocheck)
- MLAP Inspection checklist (World Animal Protection/Zoocheck)
- Q&A: Reptile Expos (World Animal Protection/Zoocheck)
- Exotic Pet Welfare Needs (World Animal Protection/Zoocheck)
- Challenges & Realities of Exotic Pet Legislation (World Animal Protection/Zoocheck)
- EMODE brochure – pets easy or difficult to keep (Warwick et al)
- Assessing Degrees of Ease or Difficulty for Pets (Warwick et al)
- Exotic Pets – Reducing the risk of human infection (Warwick et al)
- Assessing Welfare of Captive Exotic Birds (Avian Welfare Coalition)
- Evaluating Neglect, Abuse, Illness in Captive Exotic Birds (Avian Welfare Coalition)
Please also see Zoocheck’s website for more information.
We look forward to working with you to protect wildlife. If you have any questions or recommendations, please contact us!