If you can't view the PDF here's what it says- except the pdf is prettier with pictures lol.
THE TRUTH
ABOUT REPTILES
- RESPONSIBLE, LOVING KEEPERS VS LUSH’S LIES! -
•
The Animal Protection Agency is NOT a charity – and does not advise the government as they claim!
• LUSH has been referred to the Advertising Standards Authority for their "I’m a chameleon, get me out of here" campaign. A previous, similar complaint against LUSH was upheld by the ASA, forcing LUSH to withdraw their advertising. Here are just a few of the many bits of misinformation you’re being fed!
LUSH’S LIES, DAMNED LIES AND STATISTICS!"
"Some dodgy dealers readily claim that reptiles are easier to keep than dogs!" – LUSH & the APA
The
Companion Animal Welfare Council is the UK Government’s chosen advisory body on animal welfare issues. The CAWC’s view on reptile keeping differs somewhat from the bleak picture presented by the APA:
"Meeting all the requirements (space, dietary, social, thermal, and so on) of a small, hardy, reptile may be more readily achievable for many people than adequately fulfilling all the needs of some breeds of dog."
[Source: The UK Companion Animal Welfare Council]
"Six million reptiles were imported into the EU last year and almost 200,000 arrived in Britain from outside of the EU" – LUSH & the APA
These figures are completely incorrect. HM Revenue & Customs report that: 17,194 reptiles were imported into the UK of which
9,800 were captive bred and 7,394 wild caught. In addition, many species are exclusively bred by keepers. Take one of the reptiles featured in LUSH’s campaign – the Veiled Chameleon (Chamaeleo Calyptratus). Of the 250 exported worldwide, 100% were bred in captivity, none were wild caught!
[Source: UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre, HMRC]
"
The trade in wild-caught reptiles is driving species towards extinction" – LUSH & the APA
False. The majority of reptiles are bred in captivity. Furthermore, many
endangered species, such as the Hogg Island Boa, have been restored to their habitats after breeding by keepers and careful wildlife restoration campaigns. The Crested Gecko, once thought to be extinct, is now one of the most widely bred lizards in the world and is thriving in the wild – thanks to responsible and caring owners!
[
Source: World Wildlife Fund]
"Many commercial reptile-breeding operations in the UK routinely operate outside of the law, are unlicensed and un-inspected, and conditions are invariably inhumane" - LUSH & the APA
All reptile breeders fall under the Animal Welfare act (2006) and can be inspected. RSPCA data shows that that
90% fewer prosecutions are brought against reptile keepers than any other animal owners. More reptiles (8 million) are kept as pets than dogs (6 million) in the UK. Annually there are 25,000 dogs rehomed, but only 1000 reptiles. Dogs are more than 25 times more likely to need rehoming than lizards or snakes
[
Source: the RSPCA, figures from 2003-2004]
"There is very little reliable information available on basic reptile care. Good quality information is largely inaccessible to the general public" – LUSH & the APA
Pet Marketing Services is the largest distributor of animal care books in the UK. They offer 104 titles on horses, 136 on cats and 200 on reptiles.
Today there is more information published on reptile care than just about any other companion animal
[Source: Pet Marketing Services]
"
Most wild caught reptiles die within the first year" – LUSH & the APA
The truth is that
reptiles kept in captivity are likely
to live twice as long as their wild counterparts
[Source: The British Veterinary Zoological Society]
"
Over half of the 200,000 imported reptiles die in transit – and are written off as acceptable losses" – LUSH & the APA
Official figures
show that the actual figure is less than 0.5% - and as more reptiles are bred in the UK, less than ever are being imported so it’ll go down even more!
[Source: HM Revenue and Customs, BAA Heathrow Airport]
This sheet has been created with support from the members of Reptile Forums UK (
Reptile Forums - HomePage) and the Federation of British Herpetologists
