Historically, animal welfare focused on the "Five Freedoms" (freedom from hunger, discomfort, pain, fear, and the freedom to express normal behavior). In 2020, scientists updated this to the Five Domains Model, which focuses on quality of life rather than just the absence of suffering.
The reptile and bird trades are rife with welfare failures. A parrot is a wild intelligence trapped in a cage. A bearded dragon requires specific UVB lighting and thermal gradients. Most pet stores do not provide adequate setup advice, leading to "failure to thrive" (slow death). If you cannot replicate a near-natural habitat, you cannot ethically keep the animal. petlust com farm videos tested
Animal welfare is at its worst in the exotic pet trade. Reptiles, amphibians, small mammals, and birds are often viewed as "decorations." Historically, animal welfare focused on the "Five Freedoms"