With what frequency? Just because it does happen doesn't signify that it is common place or characterizes pet owners in general. Pet dumping when compared to pet surrender is rare. Far more animals will be turned in for adoption then will be dumped. Furthermore, inconvenience is rarely the case, usually pets are dumped because the pet owner can not afford to keep the pet and there is a reluctance to turn the pet over to a shelter because of the high kill rate.



Also, I have worked at multiple shelters, rehabs, and animal rescue organizations. Individuals surrendering large (14 foot burms for example) or other expensive reptiles as described by Danny was in my experience rare. I had plenty of ball pythons (have any of these been found in the Glades?), some red tails and iguanas turned in but never any really large burms or retics. Not saying that it doesn't happen, it is just not common in my experience. If it is common in Florida now it maybe because of the annual $100 permit fee combined with a microchipping requirement. I'm sure these animals are now considered a liability by many prospective buyers and the market maybe saturated with pets that were once affordable. These fees may also facilitate pet dumping as well, which was one of the arguments we used in Georgia to reject legislation based off of Florida's experience.

[ Reply To This Message ] [ Subscribe to this Thread ] [ Hide Replies ]