Petition to stop the sale of iguanas on NJ boardwalks

theroom101 · 06-15-03, 11:20 AM

Probably the number one reptile-related phone call that I received at the emergency animal clinic I used to work at involved someone calling because their baby iguana had stopped eating, changed colors, and wouldn't use its back legs. Iguanas are sold by the dozens around my local area to people who are told nothing about proper husbandry. It's truely depressing, and I became even more depressed as I learned more personally about what it takes to properly care for an iguana. That's why I can't own one yet, because it's actually easier to raise an 8ft boa than an iguana.

The more I learn about the iguana industry and exactly what it's like, the more I want to do something about it. If you are so inclined go <a href="http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/612547819">here</a> to sign a petition that is trying to stop the sale of baby iguanas on the NJ boardwalks in the summer. I didn't even know that there was a business like this in operation and it really sickens me. I thought it was pathetic enough to see them in those tanks at local pet stores, but the thought of them being sold on the street like souveniers is really disturbing. I personally think all pet ownership should require a lisense, but things like this only reinforce my belief that exotic pets need to come first.

Every little bit helps.

Mr.Lizard · 06-15-03, 12:32 PM

Same for turtles too,here in Florida there's a business that has vans that goes out and sells red ears and other small turtles by the roadside. These poor critters often end up dying or with soft shells within a short time. No kind of life for any animal.
These animals,like chicks at Easter time are usually bought for children who know too little about these creatures too keep them healthy as is probably the case with the N.J. iguanas.

Shane Tesser · 06-15-03, 12:38 PM

Everyone...once again!!! Ive had to edit a company name out of the thread...if thats the way you feel about a certain store..fine...just dont voice that here....or ill make sure the lawsuit involves you..not the site!!! Play safe everyone..dont mention company names with negativity...lawsuits suck...but losing this community would suck more!!! Think about it!!!

eyespy · 06-15-03, 01:40 PM

While the petition is a great idea, I also feel it's important to contact the city and county governments of those boardwalk sales locations. Most online petitions are never read by the people who have the power to halt the protested behaviors. It's especially important to contact animal control officials to demonstrate that the iguanas are not being housed or fed properly.

SnowFoxx · 06-17-03, 03:35 AM

Online petitions are useless. Even if they do get to the people in charge, they are not acceptable as a petition legally. Think about it...one person could get online, go through the phone book and sign with 500 real names and addresses if they wanted to. If you were a lawmaker, would you accept one? That's right, you wouldn't, and neither would anyone else. And they don't. If you want to create a petition for this issue, read up on local petition laws and circulate a real paper petition. Trust me.

- Victoria :w

Dragon_Slave · 06-17-03, 04:00 PM

I agree with everyone here. Online petitions are completely useless.

theroom101 · 06-17-03, 11:31 PM

Hey... it's not my petition. And expressing an opinion isn't necessarily "useless" for many reasons. I personally like adding my voice against something I feel isn't right because even if it doesn't change the system, at least I wasn't a silent onlooker.

In summary, it can't do any harm.

Dragon_Slave · 06-18-03, 12:18 AM

We're aren't saying that voicing your opinion is useless... but that you are wasting your time with an online petition. I have signed SO MANY online petitions, and I have yet to see anything done about ANY of them! The government or city isnt even going to consider looking at it because all it is is names typed on the computer. As been said, someone can just go through a phone book and type in 200 real names and the government wouldn't know. If you want to voice your opinion, I suggest either a HANDWRITTEN petition OR even a protest.