Why You Should Never Buy Pets On Vacations

Browse through any tourist shops in nearly any beach town in the United States and you’ll see the same things over and over again. The same t-shirts, toys, tacky home décor and bumper stickers everywhere. Another frequently seen item? Live animals. For families or individuals traveling home via automobile, picking up a small turtle or hermit crab can seem fun and harmless. However, the potential hazards to both the buyers and the animals are hardly worth it.

The miniature turtles sold in gift shops are particularly appealing to children due to their small size. Unfortunately, small reptiles and amphibians are often the perfect carriers for infectious diseases, including salmonella. It’s estimated that about 100,000 salmonella cases occur each year in the United States due to these small turtles being sold not only in tourist and gift shops, but also at outdoor markets, carnivals, etc. In addition, many of these animals are “released” soon after the purchasing traveler returns home.

If you’re thinking of adopting or buying a larger animal, such as a dog or a cat from abroad, you encounter an entirely new set of obstacles. Not every breeder or shelter in other countries follows the same restrictions expected in the United States. As a member of PETS (the Pet Travel Scheme), the U.S. requires all animals being imported into the country have both a microchip implant and proof of rabies vaccination. While many reputable breeders can offer this with no issue, others cannot, and it’s important to thoroughly research both the animal and the breeder before making any sort of monetary commitment, to avoid bringing unhealthy animals into a situation where it can potentially harm both other animals and humans alike.