In mid-October 2010, the story of a wallaby who was released onto a nightclub dance floor in Dublin, and possibly died as a result of it, made the news around the world. This incident of animal cruelty highlighted a gap in Ireland's animal protection laws: Dogs and cats require licenses, but there is no registration system or ban on owning exotic animals like wallabies, alligators and other wildlife.

A registration system is included in the new Animal Health and Welfare Bill, which has been repeatedly put on hold by the government. The current legislation dates back to 1911 -- before exotic animals were easily acquired via the internet. In the past hundred years, many more species have reached endangered status, and Ireland's lack of exotic pet regulations aids global wildlife trafficking.

Tell Ireland to stop delaying the Animal Health and Welfare Bill.

Photo credit: diana_dee_sophie