Will reptiles ever be considered pets like dogs or cats?

[formica]

most reptile owners wont keep their reptiles fro life?

can you provide the stats which show that this statement is anything more than conjecture? is this how you view reptiles??

As far as I am concerned, a reptile is just as much a life long pet as any other animal, people who treat them as passing fads to show their friends how cool they are and swap around like pieces of clothing, are frankly...well...i'd better bite my tounge. needless to say they need a perspective adjustment, and to grow the ____ up.

[StudentoReptile]

Originally Posted by formica

most reptile owners wont keep their reptiles fro life?

can you provide the stats which show that this statement is anything more than conjecture? is this how you view reptiles??

As far as I am concerned, a reptile is just as much a life long pet as any other animal, people who treat them as passing fads to show their friends how cool they are and swap around like pieces of clothing, are frankly...well...i'd better bite my tounge. needless to say they need a perspective adjustment, and to grow the ____ up.

Not everyone feels this way. I mean, I do now....but it wasn't always this way. I don't have stats or anything, but I go by my own experience and observation. Many keepers [at least here in the US] often get rid of herps a lot more readily than for dogs/cats. Reasons include, but limited to: gets too big or difficult to keep, boredom and ready for something new, it doesn't fit into their "breeding projects" and/or they have an opportunity to trade for something better, need money, etc.

IMHO, there will always be the "pet keepers" and then there will be "collectors" and "breeders" who only view the animals as assets to their collection or program, and these "assets" can change value at any time. As long as the animal is being cared for properly, I do not judge too harshly. Just pointing out that not everyone views their reptiles in the way.

[formica]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Not everyone feels this way. I mean, I do now....but it wasn't always this way. I don't have stats or anything, but I go by my own experience and observation. Many keepers [at least here in the US] often get rid of herps a lot more readily than for dogs/cats. Reasons include, but limited to: gets too big or difficult to keep, boredom and ready for something new, it doesn't fit into their "breeding projects" and/or they have an opportunity to trade for something better, need money, etc.

IMHO, there will always be the "pet keepers" and then there will be "collectors" and "breeders" who only view the animals as assets to their collection or program, and these "assets" can change value at any time. As long as the animal is being cared for properly, I do not judge too harshly. Just pointing out that not everyone views their reptiles in the way.

this was the case with cats and dogs aswell until not long ago, and its an attitude which must be changed, it shows a distinct lack of maturity within the culture of reptile keeping, understandably perhaps because it is younger than the domestication of dogs and cats - I am sure it will change, just as it did with dogs in the 80's, you may remeber the ''a dog isnt just for christmas'' campaign? its our responsibility to ensure that we push the principal imo


reptiles have enough stress to deal with being in captivity in the first place, let alone being shunted between owners - and if boredom really is a major factor in the decision to get rid of them, how long do those animals have to suffer at the hand of a bored person before they sent off to someone else?


And the whole argument about breeders annoys me too - Cat breeders do not behave in this way, so why should it be acceptable for reptile breeders