It is illegal to keep any primate, including pygmy marmosets or bushbabies, as pets in B.C. They are listed as a Controlled Alien Species under provincial legislation.
Primates are very social and live in groups with their families. Removing babies or adults from this group is distressing for all the individuals.
The BC SPCA does not support keeping or breeding exotic animals as pets due to their unique physical and emotional needs. These animals often suffer in care because of their specialized needs. Exotic pets are often taken from the wild, and may suffer or die during capture or transport. When people capture animals from the wild, they also disturb fragile ecosystems and threaten species’ survival.
Read our position on wild and exotic animals kept as pets.
Read more about the BC Government’s Controlled Alien Species Regulations.
