Animal rights act

[crazycraigee]

I'm new to this forum, but it is very quickly becoming aparent that some people are neglecting there animals. It seems to me these people are kids (at least under 16) Got me to thinking that the animal rights act should be updated. I know you can't buy animals unless you are over 16 or with parents but maybe it should be raised to 18 and should be the age to keep a pet, not just buy one. Wondered what everyone else thought? These 'kids' main problem is not having the money to pay for the needs (equip, vets etc) or the knowledge. they just come to a forum after buying the animal and only when they have a problem. also whats with coming on a forum and saying whats wrong with my pet. How about going to see a vet? Lost my train of though so I'll leave it there for now....

[lycanlord20]

I can see this thread causing arguments lol
I think it is fair to buy a poet at 16 as some ppl do leave home at 16
if they are mature enough to pay there own way then fair enough, i see what you mean though and I agree If you can pay for your animals food then dont get them, if you cant afford to send them to the vets on short notice then dont bother, there can always be problems lol

[freekygeeky]

there are many younger good keepers out there, for example me. i got my first rep at 10. she had to be put to sleep this year for kidney faliure 10 years later. my brother has started keepign herps too at the age of 15.
i Think the probelm is teh parents tbh.

[sparkle]

im on msn with 2 different under 16s right now whos parents wont LET them take the animals to the vets

its really tough knowing what to do .. all i can do is help advise and support them and hopefulyl the parents wil change their minds..

its a nightmare when a child WANTS an animal to go to a vet and th eparents wont let them,

[ReptileKid]

Originally Posted by crazycraigee

I'm new to this forum, but it is very quickly becoming aparent that some people are neglecting there animals. It seems to me these people are kids (at least under 16) Got me to thinking that the animal rights act should be updated. I know you can't buy animals unless you are over 16 or with parents but maybe it should be raised to 18 and should be the age to keep a pet, not just buy one. Wondered what everyone else thought? These 'kids' main problem is not having the money to pay for the needs (equip, vets etc) or the knowledge. they just come to a forum after buying the animal and only when they have a problem. also whats with coming on a forum and saying whats wrong with my pet. How about going to see a vet? Lost my train of though so I'll leave it there for now....

But its not just 'kids'.
theres alot of adult that treat reptile just as bad,
on here, most of the time a 30yr old with 2months expierence
are trusted more then a 15yr old with 2years expierience?
its not just kids its adults as well.
there are some kids that treat there animals very well, as i do,
but there are adults that dont take there reptile to the vet,
dont treat them right, and alot of other things.

[lycanlord20]

thats why I think unless the parents are really supportive animals probably souldnt be kept unless you can fund them by yourself, I grew up with reptiles so it was never an issue with my dad. But if a parent isnt going into this 100% with the Kid then it shuldnt be gone into, it can be unfair on all involved, animal kid and parent

[edgar1981]

few points:

a) pets have been neglected since pets were invented. not that that makes it acceptable of course.
b) adults can be just as bad as kids. even if a kid is neglecting their pet, the parents should know better.
c) vets cost money. or maybe sometimes people are going to take their pet to the vet but can't until the morning so they ask on here first. people on here seem quite knowledgeable about their reps, i know i'll be asking plenty of questions when i get my beardie.

[ReptileKid]

TBH, my parents help out financialy yes,
but its my job to go the pet shop get the food,
clean the viv, bath the reps, handle the reptile
and basicly just care for them, i do that well i think,
all mine are very healthy. But of course if i need to go
to the vet then my mum will take me there and helps me
out alot with money.

[Juzza12]

Originally Posted by sparkle

im on msn with 2 different under 16s right now whos parents wont LET them take the animals to the vets

its really tough knowing what to do .. all i can do is help advise and support them and hopefulyl the parents wil change their minds..

its a nightmare when a child WANTS an animal to go to a vet and th eparents wont let them,

What are the parents saying about the fact that they're legally responsible? I've probably seen just as many adults improperly caring for their reps as i have young uns. There are some great young keepers on here that are only 12

[lycanlord20]

people seem to be focusing too much on the "kids" part of the op's post
he didnt say all kids, and just because he didnt mention adults doesnt mean he is saying that it doesnt happen with adult keepers.
BUT I would say that in general if someone is getting into this hobbie as an adult
they are as a generalsation more responsible than a much younger person, mainly because i think that with some younger people they like the shock factor of owning an exotic pet be it a lizard,snake,tarantula,scorpion anything really, and yes the parents should say no but sometimes I guess its hard to say no