well, this is a very peculiar subject for me. I don't agree with the idea of having wild animals as pets for the most part, especially with foxes. I'm one myself, but I know that they make horrible pets. naturally shy, they're scared of their masters. they'll do anything to escape. they deserve to be wild and free, not locked up in a cage. I would MUCH rather live out in the wild than a tiny apartment in the middle of a large metropolis, and I'm quite sure that any other wild animal would feel the same way. one of the main things I fear is cages, and being locked up somewhere all day would be complete torture.
I remember once when I was at a zoo (twas when I was much younger, and I can't remember the place's name), and I saw this absolutely beautiful timberwolf in a dog run. I was amazed by his beauty, but I saw something in his eyes. he was scared. he was pacing his cage all day, and I could sense that he was in horrid mental pain. I went up as close as I was allowed to the cage and begun to raise my hand as if to try and reach him. just then, I did something I rarely did and still rarely do now, I fell to my knees and started to cry. his pain was mine for that moment, and as he saw me, he stopped and looked at me in particular. after a few moments of inconsolable bawling, I swore, out loud to the wolf in the cage, that I'd set him and his brethren free. this is the main reason I want to be a wildlife scientist and supporter. (true story, I'm not being a drama hog)
anyway, then there's the subject of keeping wild animals that have been injured or orphaned until health was restored. I very much agree with this idea. as long as the animal in question is kept within its natural area, and only stays until its wounds have 100% healed, I have absolutely no problem with this. one of the greatest gifts God gave life was the ability to feel pity and remorse towards other life, and I feel that it would be treason not to help another fellow animal in need.
finally, there's keeping wild animals as pets out in the middle of nowhere. as long as you live in the natural area of that animal, and it's given unlimited space to roam around, then I feel that, even though it would still be taking the freedom away from a living being, it would be acceptable. only on one condition though: at any time should that animal feel the need to return to its wild brothers and sisters, that it should be allowed to at any time.
I DO want a wild animal as a pet. however, to do so would be to deny our fellows their basic rights. there's nothing that I would like to do more than be one with my wild cousins. but, the only way that you can truly be one with an animal, IMO, is to live alongside it, in the wild, in its natural habitat, in an area where both of you can be happy and free.
oh dear lord I blabber on... this thread was prolly never meant for anything like this... sorry 'bout that.
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