reptile bans

[Pia]

Wow, the more posts I read the scarrier it gets, seems these bans are popping up everywhere. I agree the politicians and the general public that aren't herp owners are a big part of the problem because of ignorance and predjudice. Sadly, there are more than a few grossly irresponsible herp owners who have only added fuel to the fire, or possibley created the problem in the first place. People who buy on impulse because something looks cool or mean or they feel will give them status without doing any research first then give them up, let them languish away without proper care, or let them go outside because they get bored or don't want to spend the money for proper care are a HUGE part of the problem. This is not unique to herps. It happens with dogs, cats, birds, ferrets, just about any pet animal there is. Yet you don't hear of people wanting a ban on cats or dogs or most other animals. Instead spaying/neutering and education are promoted. But reptiles aren't furry and cute so it's much harder to find advocates for them. I think if pet stores and breeders can come up with a system of educating and perhaps even screening/licencing potential owners, it would do away with alot of the impulse buyers and irresponsible people. It is a tall order and will cut into profit margins , but in the long run will be better for both the herps and the hobbyists. Thanks for listening.

[RaVeNo888o]

the pet store near me won't sell you a pet unless you are 18+ or have your parent with you. That is a good start, but there are alot of impulse buyers over 18 too.
Someone mentioned about a phonecall they made to one of the lawyers backing one of the banning law, and when they said 'whats wrong with reptiles" the answer was 'they make people sick' ....well other people can make people sick, are we gonna go and ban having babies?

[Bryce Masuk]

Well I think its time to ban car's and electricity same with dog's cat's and house's because it Could colapse on you. That sounds just as reasonable as banning reptiles in my mind

[Pia]

To the lawyer who said "they make people sick" this is the ignorance I am talking about. Uninformed comments like that just spread hysteria to more uninformed people and on it goes. I know lots of herp owners, two breeders and lots of pet store staff and have yet to hear of anyone getting sick from reptiles. Personally, I feel that people are more likely to get sick from just being out in public, using public washrooms, handling money etc. than from any reptile., since most reptile health problems strictly affect reptiles. Hmmm. that gives me an idea for a new post:-)

[Bryce Masuk]

Pia The Pet store employee's your talking about are the Animal house people right? I usually grab my feeder's from them

[Smilts]

id rather be bit by a snake than a mangled by a dog

[snkmn]

wow. great staetment. i totaly agree.

[snkmn]

sorry.... *statement

[Pia]

Bryce, yeah them and a few others :-)