rant about 'throw away pets' - Page 2

Andy · #11 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 11:52 PM

I know people might not like it but how many of you have seen threads where someone comes in and says they want a GTP or a Retic etc etc? Then nearly every reply is oh no you need to start with a corn or a royal etc etc. So what are these people supposed to do with all the "beginner" snakes they have bought until they have got their GTP etc? They need to sell them!

Personally I have bought and sold many snakes since getting into the hobby mostly because I have decided to move on to different things. I have never owned more than 6 snakes at one time due to space restrictions and presently have a small house so can only really house 2-3 appropriately so will more than likely sell again in the future as I am hoping to aquire a GTP myself and need the room. I dont get bored as such but dont want to keep the same species for the next 30 years while I wait for them to die so I can buy another. As long as they go to a good owner the snakes dont care.

Dan · #12 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 11:52 PM

Yup, i too agree with Stu.

At the end of the day these animals couldn't give a rats ass who owns them.

davenoble · #13 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bothrops

Hi folks

I've been on this forum now for a few weeks and I need to vent my concern about the number of animals advertised for sale every week.

Now I appreciate that there are many genuine reasons for selling animals, especially if you are a breeder (I hope to sell some animals myself one day) or a change in circumstances meaning that you can no longer afford to look after them any more, but what worries me is the trend in 'throw away pets'.

A number of times I've read things like 'I'm getting rid of this snake 'cos I want such and such a lizard' or 'I've thought long and hard and need to get rid - but would swap for...'. Often some of these animals have only been in the persons possesion for a few months.

Snakes and lizards are long lived animals and I really believe that they should only be bought if you are prepared to look after them until the day they die, even if thats 35-30 years, NOT UNTIL YOU GET BORED

. There is a particularly large number of burms on the classifieds, but rather than a lot of 'I have made an honest mistake and can no longer care for this animal, can anyone help' or 'due to a change in circumstances I can not look after it anymore', the adverts instead say 'burm for sale, will swap for large lizard' or 'burm for sale would consider other morphs'.

I can not think of any circumstances that I would sell any of my animals except those that I could no longer look after any of them (financial/family etc) but I certainly would never swap them.

Rant over

Cheers

Andy

p.s. I know some guys selling animals have genuine reasons for doing so and I have no problem with that. I am talking about those that have got bored with the animals they have (you know who you are) and just want something else, how long before they get bored with the next thing?

i think ya shouldnt really rant without knowing the circumstances ppl are in and the reasons for the sale. i mean there are a few ppl on here that do get rid of animals cos they get bored, and ill actually admit ive never done it cos ive been bored, theres always been a reason behind my sales. i just think if ya gunna rant then get the ifo first, and not just dive in with a winge on....

Rain · #14 (**permalink**) 12-01-2008, 11:59 PM

I agree with Essexchondro.

I'll admit that I went with corns because I was told they were the best snake to start with if you were a beginner. Looking back on it now, I do wish I'd gone with exactly what I wanted, but the valuable experiance that I've gained from owning the corns has helped me so much in the understandings of the other species I want.

I've only sold one of my snakes, and that was given away to a very close friend whom I work with, so I can see the snake almost any time I choose, and I know she'll take excellent care of him. However, I've plans to sell a couple of my corns, so I can make some room for some more interesting species in time to come.

Moshpitviper · #15 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:11 AM

forum life is partially to blame. if someone says bci or bcc? everyone says bci as the cost is lower and dont get as large etc.... but if they have their heart set on the bcc, why not cut out the middle man. plus 9 times out of 10 people LOSE money on their sales. however private selling prices are creeping up to that of shop prices at the mo i think.

darwengray · #16 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luton Reptile Rescue

forum life is partially to blame. if someone says bci or bcc? everyone says bci as the cost is lower and dont get as large etc.... but if they have their heart set on the bcc, why not cut out the middle man. plus 9 times out of 10 people LOSE money on their sales. however private selling prices are creeping up to that of shop prices at the mo i think.

I think quite often people have an unrealistic idea of what their snakes are worth privately ,i`ve seen it on the fish forums everyone thinks they`re a dealer all of a sudden

Moshpitviper · #17 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:20 AM

i have NEVER paid more than £30 for a bci. if anyone does.... they are mental. people are getting ideas above their stations

Andy · #18 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luton Reptile Rescue

i have NEVER paid more than £30 for a bci. if anyone does.... they are mental. people are getting ideas above their stations

I paid £350 for one once...was a Salmon though

captaincaveman · #19 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by darwengray

This post is bob on ,though i think the multi coloured swap shop brigade irritate most of us.

pointing at?????

essexchondro · #20 (**permalink**) 13-01-2008, 12:26 AM

This whole argument about "a pet is for life" is based upon owning pets like cats and dogs; pets that form strong emotional bonds with their owners and would suffer by being constantly shifted from owner to owner. But reptiles aren't like cats and dogs (take note RSPCA) because they don't bond with their owners in this way. As long as the reptiles husbandry requirements are met they have no interest in who their owner is and as long as they aren't being moved about literally all the time then they aren't fussed at all.

Its only natural that hobbyists will want to move on to different species once they feel they've met the challenge (usually meaning they've bred) the species that they currently keep. The hobby would be in a far worse state than it currently is if everyone kept their reptiles "for life". No one would be working with gtp's, etb's, royal morphs, boa morphs etc etc etc because we'd have no room to fit them into our collections what with all our corns, garters and milks taking up all the space.

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