CATS and dogs have been popular pets for years. Other animals have also been long domesticated for companionship purposes. Among them are guinea pigs, hamsters and rabbits.

But many pets soon lose their charm – as in, people get bored of them. “She is so old, lah, so many health problems. I can’t look after her anymore”. Or “I just got this new job with long hours, so I don’t have the time or energy to keep him”. And “We decided it was time to have a Golden Retriever, so we don’t have the space for him ( a local cross-breed) too”. And the best one ye, “The kids want a Playstation instead”.

These are the kind of “reasons” given to animal shelters that receive unwanted animals.

The SPCA for instance, receives 1,200 abandoned cats and dogs every month.

And now, animal shelters face an added challenge of dealing with more exotic pets, as the pet industry increasingly focuses on exotic animals.

The British Federation of Herpetologists recently conducted a study which revealed that reptiles have become such popular pets that by 2006, they will outnumber dogs in Britain.

Among the most sought after reptiles are snakes, iguanas and other lizards.

Judging by the way things look in most pet stores in Malaysia, this may soon be the scenario here as well.

What’s the problem, you as?

For one, most people know very little about caring for exotic animals.

Information on cats, dogs and rabbits are easily available, but not for exotic species. Reptiles require very specific care, and their needs differ in each species.

Some, for instance, may only feed at night. Others may only eat mice. Some snakes may only feed on other snakes. Some turtles may spend all the time in the water, others, not at all.

Also, many exotic animals are illegally sourced from the wild. Harvesting them for the pet trade severely damages wild populations, and leads to the extinction of the species.

The study discovered that five million reptiles are kept as pets, and if the trend continued, their numbers would outstrip the dog population of six million by 2006. This could also shake the supremacy of cats, of which there are 7.5 million.

Chris Newman, the chairman of the association, was quoted by the Daily Telegraph as saying that the number of lizards and snakes had doubled about every five years since 1995, when there were 1.5 million.

Many pet stores in Malaysia sell reptiles. Some may be legal, many may be not.

Because of misinformation, many pet owners end up dumping the reptiles once they are full grown. A 10cm-long Green Iguana, with its spindly limbs, will one day grow into a hefty lizard capable of a fairly nasty bite.

It is rude realizations such as this that lead to the animals ending up in shelters.

Soon, you will probably see turtles and iguanas next to furry dogs and cats when you visit the SPCA.

An animal shelter in Britain reported that the number of abandoned reptiles had increased by 161 per cent since 1998.

Less than 10 per cent of the animals at our local SPCA are successfully rehomed. What do you think the chances are for a less-pretty iguana finding a second home?