Quote:
Originally Posted by VoodooChile
Good topic:
I can see Craig & KarenC turning down a sale, if after speaking with a potential buyer, they think the animal will not be cared for properly. I know for a fact both are willing to take the time to educate the potential buyers and those who just want to learn more. They have done so repeatedly on this site, and with me personally.
There are others on this site who fit the bill of responisble breeders,
Gus, Tamara, Joe, Eric, jeez I know I'm leaving a lot of people out, and I apologize, but I can't list all the reputable breeders here...lol All of these people are more than willing to educate those who are in need of answers, even if the animals in question are not currently being purchased from their collection..
These folks are extremely involved and knowledgable in their animals, and they can quickly get a good feel for the buyer's ability (or lack of) to care for the animal. They can do so without having to give the buyer the 3rd degree.
I also don't see any of these folks selling any of their animals to an underage buyer without active parental involvement.
You have a certain responsibility to the animals you sell/care for and to the hobby. I think it should be something that comes automatically,to ask a few questions and turn down a sale if you feel its not right.
While I understand the time consuming factor I do think that everyone has a certain level of responsibility to protect the animals and the hobby.
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I agree with all the above and, actually, we have turned down buyers or talked them out of purchasing on more than 1 occasion. Reasons have ranged from they don't want to pay for airport to airport same day shipping and/or don't want to go through the hassle of going to the airport to pick up; just getting a not good feeling about the buyer from talking with them; having a parent call wanting an ETB for a preteen/young teen, who would be responsible for care without parental supervision; etc. We do screen buyers, although will sell to someone with no arboreal experience, but somebody interested in ETBs almost always has had other reptiles and at least has some experience as a keeper. We mentor our buyers when needed and, as mentioned before, help others out as well.
We have care and caging instructions on our web site and also have a little print out on care that goes out to inexperienced keepers. We also provide feeding/defecating/shedding records for our babies, as well as a picture CD. We aren't the only breeder to do this, I know of several other ETB breeders who do the same. I also know breeders of other reptiles that do similar.
Obviously, we are part of a very small niche in the reptile market and one that a lot of people aren't interested in. ETBs aren't a "quick buck" snake. It generally takes at least 5 years for an ETB to mature enough to have babies and even then you are pushing it for females. Heck, it can take 8-9 months, sometimes even longer, from mating to birth and then if you are responsible at least another couple of months to get the babies well-established.
We, admittedly, are not the norm for a reptile breeder. This actually is mostly a hobby that Craig keeps assuring me will someday pay for itself
(I can only hope for the day) and we both have "day jobs" that pay the bills.
With all the above said, however, it's just not going to happen in the real world. There are too many people interested in nothing but the money. Many big-time breeders look at their animals as nothing more than livestock that are there to make them a buck and will do/say whatever is necessary to get that buck. Wrong, yes from the point of view of I dare say the majority of people on this site, but it's a fact of life and it's not going to change as long as we live in a commerce driven society.
The only way to fight the situation is to buy from the small-time breeder/hobbiests. You might have to pay a little more and might not have as big a selection, but you'll have a lot better chance of getting your personalized care/mentoring, etc.
Karen
