Is it ludicrous to want a pet monkey?

[handbaghoarderr]

Hi all,
I have watched the video of the monkey being reunited with the individuals who saved it, and it was so cute, and now I love monkeys and want one. Am I being absurd? The sensible part of my brain would never get one, but the (bigger) reckless part of my brain would. I know it's not feasible, but my heart has been stolen by monkeys. What do I do?

This can't be for real? Surely no-one would think it ethical in this day and age to keep a monkey? There are those who don't think they should even be in zoos, let alone a house.

It's not at all ludicrous to want a pet monkey, to make it a reality would just be ridiculous.

@Sissy79 I don't want it for entertainment, I want it so I can have something to nurture, I don't want children, but I still want something to look after.

A random monkey who should be with its own mother, living it’s own money life, is not your baby. Can you not see that’s the height of selfishness?

Remember Ross and Marcel.

That is cruel and selfish. They are not pets. They are wild animals and need their own kind.

Not unreasonable to want one. I have a long list of animals I would love to share my life with if I could offer the conditions that were most beneficial to them.

Sadly the list of animals it is beneficial to is stupidly short - so no elephants, otters, sloths, horses, donkeys, Scottish wildcats for me

Instead just one adored dog who frankly is so good looking she could easily find another slave.

@Sissy79 I want something to look after, not a monkey, the monkey was just a frivolous idea. I want something to look after.

Can't you look after a big loveable dopey dog? Or a haughty moggy?

I had a Facebook “friend” who bought a pet monkey- one of the little tiny tamarin kind that can fit in the palm of your hand.

Why the fuck she thought it was a good idea was beyond me. An animal that was used to acres and acres of trees to jump between is hardly going to be fulfilled living in a cage in a 3 bed semi.

The poor wee thing died after a few months, and she replaced it with another play thing immediately.

Have a read of this article which refers to a primate expert's opinion of those who keep monkeys as pets:

canoe.com/entertainment/celebrity/justin-bieber-a-super-moron-for-having-pet-monkey-primate-expert

@Quintella oh yes, I love dogs!

Watch Monkey Life and see all of the harm done to these animals by not living in their natural groups. Cruel and childish.

@soontobe60, well, the noise level's pretty much identical during the 3.30am reenactment of a Wall of Death fairground attraction, but at least you've got slightly fewer issues when emptying the litter tray.

There was a spate of people buying monkeys in the 60s/70s .This didnt work out well, as they were swinging from the curtains ,pooing everywhere and ripping things up!.They are wild animals after all.Why not look into a domestic pet cat/dog.Monkey World in Dorset is really good to visit with lots to see and I think you can join them and sponsor your own primate!.

Look at finger monkeys, might actually tip you over the edge though!

On a serious note if you love animals then you should show that by at least doing some minimal research into them.

The daft question indicates you don't love animals you just love the cuteness. If you loved them you'd spend time learning about any animal you'd consider for a pet.

FFS, DH won’t even agree to me getting a Rottweiler. I feel cheated.

OP, if you really love monkeys and would seriously like to own one consider all the costs, thousands of pounds to buy one, exotic animal licence fees, suitable food and enrichment and then see if you could seriously afford it.

If you could, take even a fraction of that money and donate it to a charity that works to better the lives of monkeys in the wild. Don’t buy a monkey, anyone who loves them would not keep them captive like this.

You can love animals without hurting them and funding the horrible exotic pet trade.

Ask yourself where Bubbles is now and see if it’s a good idea
Where is Bubbles now?

Refuge?

I would recommend a visit to Monkey World in Dorset where they would be more than happy for you to purchase one of their 'adoption' packages to help fund their work. If you pay enough you can have your name set into a brick on their path. You would have truly done something wonderful to help save a monkey.

I once watched a programme (think it was about Hugh Hefner) where some brainless woman was choosing a pet monkey. The level of distress the mummy monkey showed at having her baby ripped from her was very upsetting.

When I was a teenager my first boyfriend had a pet monkey. There was a pet shop near us that often had them in stock. If we drove by and the "monkeys in stock" sign was up we used to make mum stop so we could go and see the monkeys. Mum never would let us have one. I'm so glad now that you can't buy them.

Have to say though, while a pet monkey is at the extreme end of the spectrum, I think all pets are to some extent nothing more than living toys living unnatural lives.

I really like animals, watching birds and wildlife. I don’t really agree with keeping pets though.