In June 2021, the popular videogame Minecraft introduced a new mob: The axolotl. Axolotls are real creatures, native to Mexico, and following their introduction to Minecraft, they became very high-demand exotic pets. The trouble with exotic pets, however, is that the process of both obtaining and maintaining them can be quite damaging.
Having worked with axolotls myself, such as the adorable specimen to the left, I can personally attest to the fact that although they are amazing creatures, they are very hard work. They even had their own section in the department storage cupboard. Exotic pets in general tend to be harder to deal with than your standard cat or dog. Often, once taken from their natural environment, they require very special supplements to replace what they would naturally obtain for themselves in the wild. Long story short, axolotls, as with most exotic pets, are a huge responsibility that most children are simply not up to. They may think they want an axolotl because it looks cute when they're carrying a few pixels around in a virtual bucket, but the truth is, once you bring it home, you will be the one looking after it, which can cost thousands of pounds over the course of its 15 year life expectancy (which of course, you are expected to aim for).
A similar phenomenon occurred after the release of Finding Nemo. It seems strange that a movie in which a wild clownfish is taken into captivity, only to be released back into the wild where he belonged, would encourage children to want clownfish in their own home aquarium. Nevertheless, this is exactly what happened.
Once again, exotic pets have exotic needs, so already there is a problem keeping clownfish if you aren't fully capable of fulfilling its needs. But there was also a second problem. A very high portion of captive clownfish were not bred in captivity, but taken from the wild, using some very damaging techniques to both the environment, and the fish themselves. Many individual clownfish suffered unnecessarily, the wild clownfish population declined, and their environments suffered without them.
[Post-publication note: I have since learned that this phenomenon, the so-called "Nemo Effect", is actually a myth. As I believe the point still stands regardless, I have decided to leave it in the article, but want you to be aware of this.]
The Dominion Mandate brings with it a certain amount of responsibility. We are to fill and subdue the Earth, but destroying the planet with which we have been entrusted is a grave sin. There is no evil in owning exotic pets, and if you have both the knowledge and resources, you are quite within your rights to do so. However, there is a right and a wrong way to go about it. For one thing, it is far better to obtain pets from responsible and ethical breeders rather than any random goon who can hop in a boat, drop chemicals in a reef, and drag bags full of wild animals into a pet shop.
But all of that comes down to if you're going to seek out a pet. Pets are not toys, even your run of the mill cat or dog. These are living, breathing creatures with needs, and even rights. Therefore, exotic or not, it is important to stop and think before buying your child a pet. They must be fully aware of the responsibilities they are taking on. It may help, if pets are already present in the home, to transfer some responsibility for their care onto the child. If they cannot handle your pet, they're certainly not ready for their own.
This, of course, all comes down to knowing your own child. Children are all unique, having their own strengths and weaknesses. It is your job as a parent to encourage their strengths, teach them to overcome their weaknesses, and over all, teach them the Godly way they should go. Few things in life are more valuable than youth. As Scripture says, "Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it." (Proverbs 22:6). This, unfortunately, cuts both ways. A well raised child will be a wise adult, but a child who never hears the word "no" will become an irresponsible adult.
Pets are both a blessing and a curse to children. They may well bring much joy, including precious memories, and they are valuable for teaching life lessons. These lessons, however, must be learned. Therefore, the decision to buy or not buy them a pet must be made on the basis of its probable end result. Consider every likely factor. Can we afford to sustain this animal? Can we obtain it in an ethical way? Is my child up to the challenge? Will they be consistent in its upkeep, or will I be the one saddled with ensuring this living being is well fed and properly cleaned? Does it need to be trained, or will it just do its own thing? Above all, remember this: Pets are quite literally not just for Christmas. Your child will not suffer lack or loss if they are not given a pet they are not ready for. Therefore, when an animal turns up on their Christmas list, your job as a parent is to assess whether or not to grant that wish. "No" is a valid, and frankly very valuable answer.