RSPCA backs reptile sector policy tackling harmful genetic traits
Animal welfare charity supports reptile sector’s Deleterious Genes Policy
The RSPCA and the Reptile and Exotic Pet Trade Association (REPTA) are joining forces to raise awareness of welfare concerns associated with harmful genetic traits in reptiles, following the RSPCA’s endorsement of REPTA’s Deleterious Genes Policy (DGP).
The policy was developed by REPTA, drawing on its specialist knowledge and extensive experience within the reptile sector and in consultation with the reptile community, which includes specialist keepers, breeders and retailers. The policy provides a framework for identifying and addressing genetic traits associated with significant health and welfare problems.
The RSPCA’s endorsement of the policy reflects the charity’s ongoing work to address the welfare consequences of extreme conformation and selective breeding across companion animals, including reptiles. It also brings together the RSPCA’s animal welfare expertise with REPTA’s sector-led approach to tackling harmful genetic traits.
The DGP was developed in response to concerns raised within the reptile community about a number of selectively bred genetic traits, known as morphs, which are associated with significant and predictable welfare problems.
The policy draws on the accumulated experience of reptile specialists, with extensive practical knowledge of the animals concerned, alongside the available evidence within the reptile community, to determine the specific genetic traits that have a meaningful impact on an animal’s health or welfare.
Where a trait is included within the DGP, REPTA member businesses are asked not to deliberately breed, purchase or sell animals carrying that trait. Rescued animals can still be rehomed, with appropriate support and guidance provided to the adopter who would need to commit to not breeding or selling their animal.
One example included within the DGP is the Spider morph in royal pythons. Spider Royal Pythons can experience an inner-ear abnormality resulting in vestibular dysfunction, commonly known as the ‘spider wobble’. This can affect their balance and coordination and consequently their ability to move normally, navigate their environment and feed.
Another example is the Silk Back bearded dragon, a selectively bred trait that means bearded dragons hatch without their normal scales and suffer from extremely fragile skin which becomes injured and infected easily. They can’t manage their temperature or light exposure, so it’s common for them to become dehydrated or for their skin to be burnt.
The policy remains under review as knowledge and experience continue to develop, allowing new information to be considered as it becomes available.
Dr Jim Collins, Chairman of REPTA, said: “Responsible reptile keeping means being prepared to look critically at our own practices. Many selectively bred reptiles are healthy animals, but where the evidence and accumulated experience of our community show that a particular genetic trait causes significant and unavoidable welfare problems, we believe the responsible thing is to act.”
Charles Thompson, General Secretary of REPTA, added: “The DGP was developed from within the reptile sector to recognise welfare concerns and put measures in place to address them. It represents the sector identifying an issue within our own community and taking practical steps to address it.
“Having the RSPCA independently consider that work and formally endorse it is enormously valuable. Their standing and reach will help bring much greater attention to an initiative developed within a specialist community.“
Evie Button, Senior Scientific and Policy Officer for Exotics at the RSPCA, said: “Genetic health issues resulting from selective breeding are a serious welfare concern across the landscape of companion animals, and we welcome this proactive step by REPTA to address harmful genetic traits in reptiles.
“While the RSPCA continues to advise prospective owners that reptiles and other exotic species have complex needs that can be difficult to meet in a home environment, improving animal welfare requires action from across the animal-keeping community. Endorsing this policy is part of the RSPCA’s approach to raising standards and addressing specific welfare concerns affecting reptiles.
“We welcome the vital work REPTA has undertaken to identify genetic traits in reptiles that are associated with significant health and welfare concerns, and their efforts to address these through sector-led action. Our strategy The Shape of Suffering, highlights the welfare consequences of extreme conformation and the importance of working collaboratively to improve animal welfare. By endorsing the DGP, we hope to help raise awareness of these welfare concerns and encourage further action to protect animal welfare.”
More information on the Deleterious Gene Policy can be found on REPTA’s website.
The RSPCA’s report The Shape of Suffering can be read on the RSPCA’s website.
More information about the RSPCA’s work to improve the welfare of reptiles and other exotic pets can be found on the RSPCA’s website