Over the last decade or so, Yorkshire has witnessed numerous large-scale reptile and amphibian markets – also termed ‘breeders’ meetings’ or ‘shows’ – at which thousands of animals have been subjected to what many scientific studies have shown to be inhumane treatment. Reptiles, including lizards and snakes, along with amphibians such as frogs and salamanders, are commodified and sold in small, plastic, takeaway-style boxes. A longstanding, notorious reptile market at Doncaster Racecourse finally came to an end in 2022 and, after briefly moving to Manchester and then Milton Keynes, has now seemingly found a new home at the Magna Science Adventure Centre in Rotherham.
Pet markets cause suffering for reptiles and amphibians
The conditions for wild animals at pet markets cause inevitable suffering. Unlike domesticated animals, such as cats and dogs, who share our lives and can easily adapt to new situations or environments, wild or exotic pets have an inherent need for nature and are easily stressed by captivity.
Captive reptiles and amphibians require spacious and naturalistic settings with a variety of temperature and humidity regimes. Such carefully controlled conditions cannot be provided whilst the animals are displayed on makeshift stalls at markets – to say nothing of animals barely being able to stretch or turn around in their plastic tubs, a fundamental requirement for their welfare.
At these events, reptiles typically have no access to water, adequate substrate or hiding places and are subjected to the stresses of repeated handling, noise, vibration, and invasive light. Illegal animal selling is blatant. The Animal Protection Agency and Freedom for Animals, who conduct undercover investigations, routinely amass sufficient evidence for multiple prosecutions at each event.
Market trading banned – but selling persists
Trading in pet animals over market stalls was banned in 1983. Event organisers go to lengths to represent these events as benign meetings of hobbyists. Stallholders are advised not to take card payments for animals or display business logos.
However, a quick YouTube search for “UK reptile shows” reveals that these events are clearly animal markets, and the volume and prices of animals for sale makes laughable the claim that these are private individuals selling off a few surplus pets.
Events are usually well-attended, attracting thousands of people from all over the country. Animals are treated like merchandise with the latest captive-bred genetic variations (‘morphs’) or unusual species attracting the highest prices.
Councils taking action – but Defra must step in
Last year, Doncaster City Council issued a formal caution to ‘Urban Constrictors’, a York-based snake dealer, posing as a private hobbyist stallholder at a reptile market held at Doncaster Racecourse in 2021. The trader, with an annual turnover of around £100K, admitted to selling animals unlawfully. This was far from an isolated example. The Animal Protection Agency claims that many animal sellers at these events have sizeable breeding facilities and export to several countries. Animals often sell for hundreds or thousands of pounds each.
All over the country, reptile market organisers have been turned away or moved on by local councils and venues. Last month, an attempt to stage a large reptile market at an Equestrian Centre in Leighton Buzzard was thwarted by Buckinghamshire Council.
Whilst the ‘whack-a-mole’ strategy adopted by animal protection groups has prevented a widespread proliferation of reptile markets in England, action needs to be taken by Defra to end illegal pet market trading for good. Greater efforts are needed to forearm local authorities faced for the first time with a ‘breeders’ meeting’ (reptile market), so that they can do more to prevent both animal abuse and unlawful trading.
A reptile market that took place at the Magna Science Adventure Centre on 17 September 2023 is still subject to an ongoing investigation by Rotherham Council whilst further events are planned for June and September this year.
Public and experts agree: pet markets should be consigned to history
The shocking conditions witnessed at reptile markets have understandably led to public outcry, especially when traders are not prosecuted at recurring events.
In 2020, 75,000 people signed a World Animal Protection petition asking Doncaster Racecourse to stop hosting reptile markets and many thousands wrote to the mayor of Doncaster asking for action to be taken to stop the events. Urgent action is needed if Rotherham Council and the Magna Science Adventure Centre are to deflect the reputational harm that can be associated with these events.
Scientific studies of UK reptile markets by experts from the fields of veterinary and medical science have drawn similarities to wildlife markets in Far Eastern nations – not only in terms of the substandard conditions but also the public health risks.
The latest and most comprehensive review of reptile markets in Europe and North America by Warwick et al concluded that major animal welfare and public health issues, and potential pandemic threats, are endemic to these events. According to the study, no amount of regulation can safeguard the welfare of animals in temporary, makeshift conditions and existing bans should be robustly enforced.
Pet markets hark back to a time before pet shops existed and their consignment to history is long overdue.
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