Glasgow Zoo - Now Closed

Glasgowzoo has now closed these pages are for information only

Monkeys as Pets

We have had a number of enquiries on the keeping of monkeys as pets.

I'm not convinced monkeys make good pets.

They are

social animals and should be kept in groups rather than singly, preferably breeding groups;

they are very strong,

intelligent and

destructive so cannot be kept in the home because they will rip it to bits;

they cannot really be house-trained;

they are prone to catching human diseases;

compared with many pets they are expensive in terms of feeding, heating and veterinary bills.

All monkeys are covered by the 'Dangerous Wild Animals Act' because with their long teeth they can inflict a serious bite. If you are keeping an animal covered by this Act, your premises must be inspected and licensed by your local authority, so it's probably a good idea to contact them first, and also the Northern Ireland equivalent of our SSPCA (Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) who will be able to advise you about suitable accommodation and husbandry.

I'm afraid I don't have any information about where you can purchase monkeys.

Roger Edwards, Special Projects Officer, Glasgow Zoopark, Calderpark, GLASGOW, G71 7RZ, Scotland