Thinking outside the furry box? Cats and dogs are wonderful companions, but the exotic pet world offers a surprising variety ...

People love cats because they are friendly and among the cleanest animals in the world. Many exotic cat breeds exist worldwide, but not all can be adopted because some can be dangerous.

Numerous cases have been reported globally of imported rare animals being kept as exotic pets. Japan is seen as a particularly large market, but the realities of illegal trade remain unclear.