First of all, not all of the herp enthusiasts just breed and sell the animals. Some of us actually enjoy keeping, caring for, and handling our animals. "Pet: A domesticated animal kept for companionship or amusement." While the animal itself may not get any amusement or enjoyment out of being our pet, the pet owner definitely does. When talking about "everybody" please take steps to make sure that your "everybody" includes people who do not share your views. The way you have put it, you seem to think that everybody in the herping world does what they do simply for profit, however the reality is that some people do it because they enjoy it. "Everybody" does include those people not in the business of selling and trading herps. The private owner, like who would have a dog or cat, not a breeder, would have a "pet" (yes i said pet *GASP*) simply for the enjoyment, and the educational value of owning said pet. Just because they're cold blooded, doesn't exclude them from being able to be called pets. The way you put it, you seem to be thinking of herps as objects, or at the very least, comparing them all to livestock, such as cows, pigs, and other animals that are discompassionately killed and sold as food. Those of you that do have a large business selling and trading herps may think it easier to think of them as objects, rather than living breathing animals, but that doesn't make it more true. Sorry to be blunt, and maybe a little rude, but when the herpers themselves start treating the herps like objects, all hope is lost.
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-Jacob



Why do people say .02 cents??? So, what, your opinion is only worth a 50th of a cent?

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