Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was approached by a nice person about using photos for their Rescue website.. Here's my response..

Dear Ms. Rogers,

As you might see from looking through my website Rio Bravo Reptiles is education-oriented and an outspoken advocate for the safe and humane keeping of the Boas and all pets. It is my experienced view that the keeping of Boas and other non-traditional pets is as enriching to young people (of all ages) as the care of dogs, cats and the rest of the so-called normal pet menagerie. And statistically safer. Further, Boa and other reptile pets also foster learning of nature and natural systems and an empathy for nature and wildlife.

I have had cause to regret letting others use my photos. Many times their use is out of context and contrary to the spirit of fun or education in which they were intended. We live in a time of political zealousness where the privileges of people to keep Boas and other animals are under attack and the opponents of these rights think in black and white terms. Reptile Rescue itself is controversial to some and subject to misunderstanding.. are we rescuing animals from some poor situations or saving society from the savage reptiles? Depending upon one's political leanings, either could be the answer, too often it is the latter. There are dog, cat and bird rescue facilities in most every city, costing millions in public and private funds, yet their existence doesn't seem to impart a negative taint to owners of those pets as Reptile Rescue efforts can to keepers of Boas and other similar animals. Don't misunderstand, picking up after other's mistakes with animals of any type is difficult, I am very thankful for any sincere efforts!

The photo you are referring to was taken in Suriname in 1980. To the practiced eye it is a source of amusement. Despite the seeming furious action it was a calm episode and absolutely no harm came to our partner or the animal. That image does not correctly display the interaction between responsible keepers and their reptile pets nor even the true size potential of Boa in captivity. The animal shown is unique in all my experience with that type. As such its' use in a website like yours should be carefully considered. Images depicting the safe and calm interaction between people and larger reptiles will have a much better overall impact on visitors to your website. The sight of large beautiful animals in the care of happy people will encourage better care and can give notice of size potential as well. And as I attempted to explain just above the political impact of operations such as yours must not be ignored.

May you use the image? Please consider my recommendation to find other more suitable photos, but if you can convince me of the positive results of posting that image in your site I will allow it.

I look forward to your reply,

Gus
A. Rentfro
Rio Bravo Reptiles

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Gus
A. Rentfro
RioBravoReptiles.com
www.riobravoreptiles.com

"Quality is not an accident. Perfectly healthy animals are a minimum requirement.. everything else is just salesmanship" gus

That your intellect,and,foresight is only exceeded by the measure of integrity that you bring to this hobby/business.The only thing that I find regretable,is that we have to worry at all about the political agendas of people,who's sole purpose in life,is controling,or,taking away the rights of others,but,sadly,we do.I also wonder why a "rescue facility" would be interested in using such a photo,in the first place? nevertheless,I think your response was nothing short of responsibly appropriate,and,very well said.

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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

There is no circumstance under which I would release the use of that picture. Even if this person has good intentions someone else would missuse it. There are many great pics of snakes to use which would not be so potentially controversial.
Bill Kirby

Your point is well-taken and I somewhat agree.

However, that's a real picture of something that actually happened. Hiding it away would be akin to misusing it. It does not shock or offend people who stop to think about it in the proper context and indeed serves as a reminder of the responsibilities that come with owning such an animal.

Disinformation, misinformation and a lack of information have been the problems. Getting control of how the information is presented and used is one answer.

Thanks for your input..

Gus

I hate to sound skeptical of everyone, but lets face it I normally am, it is part of my job LOL, but I have serious issues with some of the Reptile rescue places that I have seen and some of the websites that I have visited.
I have been to several where that rescue facility could in no way be an improvement over where the animals were previously kept. Many times the facilities are mite infested reptile storage places where most of the animals are simply waiting to catch there final infection and surrender to the relief of death.
Over crowding in some, poor or lack of knowledge in others are just a few of the problems that I have seen in them. Further more, other seem to operate simply for the purpose of receiving free animals for which they turn around and resell for an “adoption fee”. There is little difference between some of them and some of the online dealers, except that the animals from the dealers are normally in better health.
The ones that do have “The Best Interest of the Animals in mind” almost always seem to advocate the banning of or at least added legislation and restrictions of keeping exotic animals. They seem to use the few bad herpers as the example of the entire hobby. I must agree with others who ask for you not to release the picture that you posted. I also would not hide it away either, but post it on your website, where you can explain the event as it actually happened.
Thanks for sharing the event with us.
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Jim Hopkins "Hoppy"
Hopkins Holesale Herps
Hopfam1@aol.com