How can you make this generalization as a statement of fact? I know and admit that a lot of the really big breeders don't care about anything but the money, but I personally am not this way. I care only about the animals and their wellbeing. I not only make darn sure that the buyer is a responsible, experienced keeper that has every intention of keeping the snake for its lifespan, I also offer a 100% unconditional "trade in policy" on all offspring of the giant snake species. I tell my customers that if it should ever get to big that they can trade it back in for a smaller snake of equal current value, of any species. I have yet to have anyone bring anything back yet, but the offer is still always there. Perhaps instead of stating that private breeders know full well, etc etc,. you can say that "some breeders" don't care where their babies end up, etc etc.





Also, I seriously doubt that anyone that buys a pair of albino tiger retics from me for 12,000 or 16,000 dollars is going to abuse, neglect, abandon or dish them off at any point in the snake's lives. But even regardless of price, Rob, I don't sell my animals to anyone that is not a devoted reptile lover. Just last night I turned down a sale because of how the potential customer seemed. The guy that called wanted a python. I asked if he had ever kept one before. He said "no". This in and of itself is not always a bad thing. Next I asked if he had ever kept any reptiles at all, if he had any experience at all. He said that yes, he had had some colubrids and such over the years. I then asked why he wanted a burmese python. He said because he was walking down the street and saw his neighbor holding a big one and he "thought it was awesome". That was when I decided that he would not get one of my snakes. Impulse buyers that want something just because it is impressive or big are the kind that lose interest, don't respect, and eventually will likely abandon or neglect the animal. Scenarios like this are not uncommon around here. So please don't lump me in with that generalization about breeders. Thanks
-----
Believe in yourself and your abilities and you can accomplish anything.

[ Show Entire Thread ]