Is your exotic pet obsession fuelling illegal trade in these creatures? By Staff Reporter By Dominic Naidoo The exotic pet trade is a lucrative business but it needs a closer look at to find out what it is doing to these creatures, writes environmental activist Dominic Naidoo. Every year, millions of exotic animals are sold as pets destined to spend the rest of their lives behind a glass panel in a world too far from home. Although the term âexotic petâ does not have a defined description, it would normally refer to any pet that is not your typical dog or cat.