What’s the most exotic pet that you have ever had? The answer to that question, for most people, might be a ferret, or a snake, or perhaps a parrot of one kind or another. Those that are even more adventurous might have once owned a tarantula, or a small scorpion. A woman in Oklahoma has been keeping a pet kangaroo. This has lead to problems involving insurance for her very exotic pet.
The story of Irwin, the red kangaroo, and Christie Carr, his now owner, started in Safari’s Interactive Animal Sanctuary. Christie Carr was volunteering there when Irwin had a severe injury. He ran into a fence post when he was a joey. This unfortunate accident caused Irwin to become partially paralyzed, due to a brain injury and a broken neck. The injuries also stunted his growth, which means that Irwin is not expected to ever weigh more than 50 pounds. Irwin is currently 25 pounds, and is one years old.
Christie Carr took Irwin to her home, where he would have around the clock care, and be able to recover, as much as possible, from his injuries. She had Irwin neutered, as a typical pet owner would for a cat or dog, in order to prevent him from becoming aggressive. She takes Irwin to visit nursing homes, where he is a therapy animal.
Irwin the kangaroo, and his owner, Christie Carr, live in Broken Arrow, Oklahoma. The City Counsel of Broken Arrow required Ms. Carr to purchase a $50,000 insurance policy in case Irwin injures someone. Obviously, this was not something that Ms. Carr could afford on her own. She has a Facebook page for Irwin which has attracted a lot of fans. Those fans have been showing their support in emails, messages, and posts on Facebook and Twitter.
Earlier this week, the State Farm Insurance company contacted Ms.Carr, to say that anonymous person has purchased the insurance policy for her. The policy will be mailed to her very soon.
So, the problem with the insurance is resolved, but there are other complications to deal with. Broken Arrow has an ordinance that prohibits residents from keeping exotic animals as pets. This ordinance was originally written when someone was trying to keep not one, but two, lions as pets. The ordinance would apply to Irwin the kangaroo, even though he is not a lion, and is partially disabled.
In order to keep Irwin, Ms.Carr would need to do three things. One was to obtain the $50,000 insurance policy, which she now has, thanks to anonymous donor. She would also have to certification that says that Irwin has the adequate housing he would need for his health. State and Federal guidelines for licensing would need to be met as well.
Image by turtlemom4bacon on Flickr