The Monkey Dentist
My former dentist's office, officially named "Hamilton Dental," is popularly referred to as "The Monkey Dentist" because they have two monkeys caged in the office for the kids to gawk at while they await their appointment. The cages are pretty small. And the way they advertise it is pretty awful-- their business cards feature the logo of two monkeys in striped outfits brushing their teeth.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately, and the more I do, the more aggravated I become about it. They've had monkeys in the office for as long as I can remember and the people in this town are much more likely to think it's cute than an animal rights issue. They see it as an amenity and are MORE likely to give them their business because of it.
Anyone else ever heard of a situation like this? Do you think this is as wrong as I do? I'm also wondering how I might go about protesting the situation (besides not giving them my business), but as I said I don't think people here would really care.
That is really terrible! Are they even allowed to house exoctic animal in your area? Maybe you can contact your local humane society and see if they have any advice for you...that is really f*ed up! I hope you can help liberate them!!!
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/mperfectperfection/Monkey.gif
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v418/mperfectperfection/Monkey.gif
Ha ha, I love the little cartoon, it is so cute!
But anyway, that doesn't sound so good, but a lot of animals are kept in cages and do fine. Is the cage just was too small?
That is so weird! I have never heard of a dentist keeping any animals, let alone monkeys!
I would start off by asking the receptionist about them. How they got them, who they live with. That kind of thing. You may come to find out that they are treasured family members that come to work with their caretaker and that the small cage is simply a tiny portion of their lives.
At least that is my hope!
Except fish. Dentists are all about aquariums.
yeah, you're right. where're the fish?
it seems pretty strange to me - you don't go to the dentist to gawk at animals. that's what ZOOS and CIRCUSES are for - and you know how wonderful they are...
I would start off by asking the receptionist about them. How they got them, who they live with. That kind of thing. You may come to find out that they are treasured family members that come to work with their caretaker and that the small cage is simply a tiny portion of their lives.
At least that is my hope!
And after that, check with local animal control or legislators re: "exotic" pets. In some cities no exotic-type animals are allowed. Maybe no one's ever thought about it, including law enforcement, but if you bring it up they might have to do something about it.
Certainly 2 primates should have plenty of room, no matter what breed or size they are; tiny monkeys like to climb and play, too! Not to mention intellectual stimulation. And if they're spending every full workday cooped up, I wouldn't count that as a small part of their time.
i would be pretty upset about that too. talking to the receptionist is a good idea. i bet a lot of other people would get upset if you just talked to them about it too.
Thanks for the replies/suggestions (and adorable pic, Capture!). I'll definitely call and ask the receptionist about them. I'm not sure about the legality of the situation, so I'll look into that as well.
Though I'm sure they are looked after as well as they could be in a dentist's office, the cage they are in is most likely too small. It's by a wall and sort of comes out of it (I know that's a bad description). It's not a big wall by any means. I haven't been there in a while, but if memory serves, there's definitely no room to run around or really play. I had assumed that they stayed there all the time, but now that you guys mention it, maybe someone does take them at night. The office is open on Saturday, though, so they're there at least 6 days a week, all day.
And there are no fish as far as I know, just the monkeys! haha
They don't seem to have the best reviews. Wow. The Township of Hamilton really doesn't want you to access their ordinance/code through their website, but I finally found it. It only addresses farm animals, cats and dogs.
I think the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife might be the people to contact.
They don't seem to have the best reviews. Wow. The Township of Hamilton really doesn't want you to access their ordinance/code through their website, but I finally found it. It only addresses farm animals, cats and dogs.
I think the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife might be the people to contact.
Wow. You are quite the detective, HH.
I'd have given up.
Poor monkeys-- I hope someone does take them home at night, but still-- who is allowed to have monkeys as pets? Or am I naive and that is acceptable?
They don't seem to have the best reviews. Wow. The Township of Hamilton really doesn't want you to access their ordinance/code through their website, but I finally found it. It only addresses farm animals, cats and dogs.
I think the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection, Division of Fish & Wildlife might be the people to contact.
Wow. You are quite the detective, HH.
I'd have given up.
Poor monkeys-- I hope someone does take them home at night, but still-- who is allowed to have monkeys as pets? Or am I naive and that is acceptable?
people do have monkeys as pets.
i think it is AWFUL that this is happening, though, and something should definitely be done about it.
people do have monkeys as pets.
That makes me sad. I mean, I like the wildlife refuges/rescues that help them out, and give them tons of space to roam as if in the wild... but pets?
I don't know why that is so weird to me, I mean, why do we have dogs and cats as pets? You know?
Never mind.
people do have monkeys as pets.
That makes me sad. I mean, I like the wildlife refuges/rescues that help them out, and give them tons of space to roam as if in the wild... but pets?
I don't know why that is so weird to me, I mean, why do we have dogs and cats as pets? You know?
Never mind.
i personally don't think we should have them as pets. and before people start arguing with me... yes, we have domesticated them and need to live with what we have done, i know. in an ideal world.... all animals would be liberated.
Wow. You are quite the detective, HH.
Aww, shucks Meggs, 'taint nothin'. http://bestsmileys.com/blushing/5.gif Really. Looking this stuff up is part of what I do at work.
I think to have them as pets they'd need an exotic animal license. I'd hope the license would come with qualifications about confinement, but I don't know. I don't know anyone on the wildlife side of the Fish & Wildlife Service to ask.