Rescue Operation

[meow_mix450]

Hey guys

Havnt been posting here for a very long time as my beardie has passed away 2-3 months ago. But i got a friend at my school, that took the wrong track and can not turn back. So he came to me, cause it seems like were the only ones that had reptiles. He bread bearded dragons, did everything right but he did something wrong in the first place, he didnt think of wut he was gettin hiim self into. I went to his house and looked at his cages for the little guys and it was bad, they did not look good, he picked plants from out for live plants...........he didnt use towels but sand.........i asked him to show me how he feed it and, he would mix the criekts in calcium, and dump it all in the cage, so the cal is everywhere. It was just sad and sick. 2 months has passed since he had them, and he sold some to the pet store, but they stopped buying, hes got little guys biting eat other and now he doesnt kno wut to do. So he comes to me and said i cant take these guys anymore and if you dont take them there going to everyone that wants them for free.......so i said ill take them cause no one in our area knows stuff about reptiles. Thats the story, and i plan on starting them a new life, theres about 16, im getting i believe. I kno wut im gonna do and i kno wut im gonna get to, i got enought tanks for everyone one of them, and i kno a lot. But i just wanted to tell you breeders out there to think it over before you bother to do this. And wut do you think about this story. And if your good at taking care of these guys, and would like to give me hits that would be great thanks guys

Meow

[ICULIZARD]

Quote: But i just wanted to tell you breeders out there to think it over before you bother to do this

Do you really think that a "Breeder" that did this would be in business very long? Just because you breed one clutch....DOES NOT make you a breeder.

As for taking in all 16 of the babies, you may not know what you are getting yourself into. You have only had one Bearded Dragon before and it died. How much could you know? You said you know a lot....Do you have a vet that will look at all the dragons, do the fecals, medicate to get rid of coccidia? If you do have a vet that will do this, do you have the money to pay for it? What about the money to feed all of those dragons? Pay for the Calcium and Vitamins, lights, enclosures etc.

I commend you for trying to help the dragons out of a horrible situation.....but I don't think you know how expensive it may be. I think that he should get himself out of the situation, as he caused it. I also think that you should tell him to take them to the local animal rescue. They have the knowledge and facilities needed to care for these poor babies.

ICULIZARD

[Bighead]

iculizard- Why do you feel the need to be so condescending? Meow was asking for advice and seeing what we thought about it- not chastizing breeders for beeing careless. The majority of people that breed beardies are the ones that just have a pair and do it for fun, not the ever so experienced and knowlegable ones like yourself (no, I don't think it SHOULD be that way). She is giving a very sound warning to those who think it's an easy and inexpensive task. If it was easy than neither of them would be in the situation they are in right now.

Why do you assume she doesn't know what she's doing? Knowlege doesn't come only from experience. She appearently knows why they are nipping at each other, how they are being mistreated and how they can be helped. Are you assuming that they all have coccidia? That they will need 16 seperate fecals and all need to be medicated when she gets them? Even if they did, who are you to assume that because she's in school, she can't afford to take care of her animals? None of the animal rescues in my area will take any reptiles. I know of one that takes birds, and one that takes ferrrets, but no reptiles. But if there is one, in that area, that will take reptiles, 16 of them, that could be sick, and provide better care for them than meow can, than there is absolutely no reason I can see not to take them there.

I know it's not a good idea to bail out irresponsible herp owners all the time, but I hope this guy learned something and I think he will learn more this way than handing them out like candy to his friends at school.

There is too much descension in these forums. Maybe I'm not any better. We should be encouraging and helping each other rather than criticizing slandering. Just my opinion.

[ICULIZARD]

Hey Bighead....

Read my post again....it isn't condensending. It costs a lot of money to house and feed 16 Bearded Dragons. It's also important to realize that Dragons that are stressed out, very possibly have Coccidia overloads and if that's the case will need to be treated.

I was trying to give good advice and help out....you however, are picking a fight and I think your nickname on this board is very appropriate.
.....and I do believe that knowledge comes with experience

I don't see how you can argue with common sense....but obviously some will still try.

ICULIZARD

[norman]

I've noticed alot of aggression on sSnakeSs lately. This seems to be mostly due to misinterpretation of posts. (And maybe some people wanting to get in a good argument). I'm not trying to start a fight here, but take a breath before you attack someone (I'm not speaking to you specifically, Bighead, just saying 'you' as a generic term.) Anyway, I agree with ICULIZARD, taking on 16 baby beardies by yourself is a huge undertaking, that has the potential to end badly. You obviously have a big heart, Meow, but unfortunaly, love can't always feed or provide the facilities for 16 little mouths. I think you need to consider an alternative, ie- knowledgable foster homes in your area. Check around ssnakess, I'm sure there are people in your locality who would be willing to give them the care they need. Yes, knowledge comes with experience, but take it one step at a time, and don't bite off more than you can chew.

PS- When ICULIZARD offers advice, I recommend you take it. They're just looking out the well-being of the animal, and ultimatly, your own well-being.

[meow_mix450]

Well it doesnt really matter it seems, the idiot, is going to try and sell sick or in bad condition babys to random people, and the pet store. Thanks for trying to help even tho it didnt get far, i understand that it will be hard to take care of 16 babys but, if i ever plan on breeding wouldnt it be a lession???at the point where i am not able to take care of them they will be off my hands for sure, thats all im just saying, how did you your self become breeders???But dont be offend in anyway cause its not meant to be, i dont like starting fights only want friendship and tips, and i thank you that you warned me about wut will be ahead thank you once again

Meow

[ICULIZARD]

norman - Glad you took our post as it was meant to be taken.....concern for Meow and the babies. We don't usually post many "advice" replies as things can be taken in completely the wrong way as happened in this case.

Meow: I really think your heart was in the right place in wanting to help the babies. Unfortunately.....good intentions can sometimes lead to disasterous consequences. I still believe it would cost way more than you think and would also take a lot of time and some experience. Unfortunately.....people make mistakes and sometimes animals suffer because of it. You friend has made a mistake and is now hopefully learning what he has done.

Quote: i understand that it will be hard to take care of 16 babys but, if i ever plan on breeding wouldnt it be a lession???

Yes, you would learn by trial and error. However, why not gain some more experience before you jump into this. It may be a lesson.....is it going to be a good lesson? Probably not!

You asked how other breeders got started. We took a very slow approach. We started with two dragons and learned as much from books and websites as possible and from hands-on experience. We didn't add any other dragons to our collection for one year. It was another 2 years after that before we started breeding. I know that we would not have been ready to care for 16 babies in those first couple of years. It would have been overwhelming. If you want another dragon....start with a couple, learn through "doing" and enjoy the experience. Why rush it.....it's supposed to be fun, not stressful. When I add up all the bills every month, it still surprises me how much the up-keep costs. Take your time.

I'm glad you didn't take offence to my reply. I was only trying to help.....we are always here to answer any of your questions and assist you whenever we can.

ICULIZARD
www.iculizard.com

[meow_mix450]

Yes i compelety understand, just wanted a better hoome for 16 dragons but thats nt gonna happen anyways, but i plan n breed chams, and dnt owrry im taking it slow, starting with 2 chams, thanks for the tip, and mayb, i will enjoy another dragon cause there just awesome, so i might be planning on getting another one, as mine has passed away

Meow

[slitherchick]

hey meow... you're in mississauga rite??? i'm right around the square 1 area... i know it's not a lot... but i have room in my house (and my heart ) for another beardie, if you're looking for homes... my fish decided to go to fishie heaven a couple weeks ago and i have a twenty gallon tank looking all lonely and the such.

anyways, let me know. my email is killermeow@hotmail.com

[mrsogle]

First let me say, I'm not trying to argue with anyone, or be condesending. In Meow's defense, she did what she thought was best. I am one that purchased a sick beardie from a reptile place in California (I'm not mentioning names). I didn't know until recently that she would never grow to full size, she walks on the elbows of her front legs to get around, all because an actual "Breeder" didn't give her the calcium she needed when she was hatched. I'm not angry with this company. I'm very fortunate that I received her and not someone that couldn't take care of her. I think Meow is doing what she felt was best for those Beardies, and once nursed to health, she could probably give them away if she wanted to.

[meow_mix450]

Mrsogle has a point and im really wanting the best for them. This "kid" that bread the little guys made a bad choice...but everyone makes mistakes. Now he is selling it to the pet store for 30 bucks each, and i wont be getting any to help out, they are in such bad conditions that no one would really want them, but i dont know why thhe pet store is..........If i happen to get the little guys, i would give them off to a trust worthly person, that will tell me how the little guy is doing, and if they have all the right stuff it needs. such as siltherchick, i would talk t her and get t know how she would take care of this little guy, if i dont feel its a good choice ill say no, but this isnt gonna happen cause im NOT getting them, and i feel bad for those little guys......i just wanted a better home for them, but everyone here is right, and its a good thing iculizard told me and warned me, but i knew wut was ahead, and thanks to everyone that was in my defense, and the nes that wanted t help, and giving tips.

Thanks

Meow

[norman]

I don't think anyone needed to come to your defence, Meow. Nobody was attacking you, we were just concerned both both your and the beardies well-being. Everyone totally got that you're a sweetheart, though, who was just trying to help.

[meow_mix450]

ya ii understand

meow