Black Market Pet Trade: A Special Photoshoot Championing Rescued Animals

Featuring residents of the Animal Tracks Sanctuary

ABOUT THE SHOOT

The purpose of this very special photoshoot is to raise awareness for animals that have been rescued from the black-market pet trade as well as raise awareness for sustainable alternatives to real fur. People often make unsuccessful attempts to domesticate exotic animals—removing these lovely creatures from their natural habitats, only to find that they don’t make for good household pets. Because they are in fact wild animals, it’s difficult to provide the proper diet and nutritional needs to keep them healthy. Not to mention, their natural behavior is often erratic and likely to end up damaging furniture or other prized possessions. Once owners realize these animals can’t be properly domesticated and are difficult to maintain, they often seek to either euthanize the animals or release them back into the wild; where they simply don’t know how to fend for themselves after being uprooted from their homes for most of their lives.

On November 6, 2019, Animal Tracks Inc. welcomed SpiritHoods to their animal sanctuary for a once in a lifetime opportunity to not only interact with their beloved animal residents but photograph them in the most loving and creative way. Everything was planned and organized to ensure proper accommodations were made for the animals—allowing us to shoot in the most humane way possible. A very special thank you to Animal Tracks Inc. for all that they do to help neglected animals as well as each and every one of their staff who stayed with their animals throughout the shoot to ensure their safety and comfort.

ABOUT ANIMAL TRACKS INC.

Animal Tracks strives to educate the public through outreach and up-close animal encounters while providing a safe and happy home for animals that can't be returned to their natural habitats. The Animal Tracks Sanctuary is home to over 30 animal residents—many of whom were illegally sold on the black market and kept as exotic pets by people who didn’t understand how to care for them, often causing devastating consequences to the animal’s wellbeing. Today, these lovely animals get to live in habitats created just for them with proper nutrition, excellent health care, loving interaction, and the ability to roam the grounds.

AND NOW, FOR SOME OF THE MOST BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS YOU'VE EVER SEEN...

ABOUT SPIRITHOODS

SpiritHoods is the original manufacturer and leading designer of animal-inspired fake fur apparel, headwear, and home goods. We’ve stayed committed to helping save endangered animals by donating 10% of net profits and working intimately with nonprofit partners like Animal Tracks Inc., Pandas International, Panthera, Polar Bears International, Predator Defense, and the Snow Leopard Conservancy on various giveback campaigns (e.g. raising awareness and funds via special charity auctions, exclusive releases with 100% of profits donated, etc.). 

Sanctuary residents we photographed:

Name: LITTLE BEAR
Species: Skunk
Rescue Date: N/A

Name: RAIDER
Species: Wolf
Rescue Date: N/A

Name: Télo 
Species: Lemur
Rescue Date: Sept. 3, 2018
Télo the Lemur was sold on the black market and was unfortunately paralyzed as a result of neglect and inadequate care. Thankfully, Animal Tracks Inc. was able to rescue Télo and welcomed him to the sanctuary in 2018. 

Name: MARLEY
Species: Capuchin Monkey
Rescue Date: May 19, 2016

Name: MACI
Species: Capuchin Monkey
Rescue Date: May 19, 2016

Name: HALEY
Species: Capuchin Monkey
Rescue Date: May 19, 2016 

Name: CHRISSY
Species: Baboon
Rescue Date: May 19, 2016 

Name: DOBBY
Species: Fennec Fox
Rescue Date: Jan. 3, 2017 

Name: MONZO
Species: Serval
Rescue Date: May 19, 2016
Monzo the Serval was sold on the black market pet trade and was declawed as a result. Declawing a Serval is an extremely cruel act as these felines need their claws to function in the wild (not to mention, declawing a Serval is like a human having their fingers cut in half). 

Name: BELLA
Species: Kangaroo
Rescue Date: May 19, 2016 

Name: Capuccino, Latte, Tomina, Wynona Glider
Species: Sugar Gliders
Rescue Date: N/A

Name: QUILLEMINA
Species: Porcupine
Rescue Date: Jan. 3, 2017 

Name: SNAGGLETOOTH
Species: Alligator
Rescue Date: Jan. 3, 2017 

See the full list of Animal Tracks Residents.

And special thanks to our models who did AMAZING with these lovely animals!

HERE’S HOW YOU CAN HELP:

Learn more about the Animal Tracks Sanctuary

Donate to Animal Tracks

PLENTY OF PEOPLE MADE THIS POSSIBLE, BUT SPECIAL THANKS TO:

@AnimalTracksInc

@SpiritHoods

@LatifHeart

@Warriorandthegypsy

@XOBloom