Guess I should have expected this...

[darkangel]

I put an ad in my local Craiglist looking for rat breeders in the area, because my local petstore WAY overcharges for rats.

Here's a response I got today, followed by my response.

Jill Kelly

Have you ever had a rat as a pet? They are incredibly good natured with amazing personalities. It's a shame that you seek them only for food. If you're going to sacrifice a living creature in such a way, you should take a moment to respect it's own life. They sell frozen feeders that you can buy so you don't have to put a living animal through a torturous death. It's far more humane.

My response:

You need to calm the hell down about things you don't understand. I'm
fully informed about the implications of feeding a live rat to my
snakes, and I've had many rodents as pets, including guinea pigs,
which I currently keep. I'm not some sicko that enjoys "sacrificing a
living creature." I'm feeding my pets. Got news for you -- frozen
feeders nor live feeders die in particularly pleasant circumstances. You think dog food or cat food grows on trees? You think
your burger fell on your plate from the sky? What occurs in my own
home is a natural part of life, and unless you're a strict vegan, one
in which you passively facilitate by being a consumer. DON'T email me
unless you're responding to your ad, and don't come at me with a
holier-than-thou attitude. There's a really easy way to avoid these
conversations -- if you don't like the title of the ad, don't open it.


Ok, maybe I came off a little catty... And perhaps I should have expected this. Just wanted to share.

[Kaaa]

H3LL YEAH!!!!

[Shadowspider]

Well, you're right! While yes, I think your reply was just a tad on the harsh side, I can not say that I would have worded it any more "pleasent", knowing me, I probably would not have been that nice.
It is rather annoying that people don't stop to use a shred of common sense about life and the natural food chain.

Me personaly, I LOVE rats and mice and would be more than happy to have some as "pets" but I gaurentee you, although the mice I feed my snakes, even though they are F/T are still "cute", they're FOOD. Even if I fed live, food is food and pets are pets. I'm not going to feed my two kittens to my snakes but by God if I had a litter of rats or mice, the babies would be snake food, "cute" or not.

One of my daughters tried to pull the "ohhh Mom, that mouse is so cute! Why did they kill it? I wish snakes didn't eat mice" So I told her "Brandi, do you like Ketzel (my MBK)? Do you like being able to hold her and help me clean out her container? Would you prefer she starve to death? Do you still want that corn snake you've been dying for, for the past year?"
To which she answered: Yes, yes, no and yes.
I reminded her that she's fed Ketzel and Ambross (my bull snake) many times before and never had a problem with it and just because they're eating larger mice now shouldn't make a difference. As well, if she's going to have her *own* snake, she *better* get use to it because that's just what snakes eat. They *can't* eat salad or pizza, or fried chicken... they eat other animals, that's the way it is... get use to it. "Now, drop the mouse in Ketzel's container then we'll discuss those cheese burgers you like so much and we'll see if you feel sorry enough for the cow that died in order for you to have that burger in the first place that you'll never eat another burger in your life and only eat split pea soup ". Needless to say, she hasn't really "felt sorry" for the feeders since then and when she does, she reminds herself "food is food and pets are pets and this is food, not a pet".

[Aric]

I would have probably said the same thing!

[darkangel]

Thanks for the responses guys! If I had taken a few breaths I probably would have taken a less harsh tone with her, but she caught me at a very bad time. I'm glad I was about to type out everything I wanted to say without cursing at her. LOL

[Nate]

I would so high five you. Awesome response. Kudos!!!!

speaking of Craigslist....I posted a similar ad seeking live feeders...I got one response and it was flagged down 10 minutes after posting it. How exactly is your ad worded?

[Ginevive]

Right on! Nature.. predators and prey.. need I say more!

[darkdreamer]

Right on!!! Your my new hero, post more if he responds. I would love to hear it.

[darkangel]

I would so high five you. Awesome response. Kudos!!!!

speaking of Craigslist....I posted a similar ad seeking live feeders...I got one response and it was flagged down 10 minutes after posting it. How exactly is your ad worded?

Thanks I worded mine like this:

Seeking local rat breeders to purchase rat feeders from. Please contact me by email.

Why did they pull yours?

[stangs13]

I kind of have a problem with your response, and theres too. I have had both animals mice, and rats as pets, and they are one of the most sociable things, besides dogs, I have ever had .I found out snakes were for me, so i decided to to add 2. And I knew they ate mice and rats, but it is nature, and dang, have you ever seen a calf? The cutest things EVER! But i can still eat them, and will, that helps with the feeding of the cute and helpless baby mice and rats...lol. The way they put cattle, mice, rats, etc down, is humane. So they do die in pleasant circumstances...if you make it that way. You maybe should have stated that you would feed FT, if your snake would eat it.

Either way, very great emails by both, full of info, so it didn't sound like she didn't know what she way talking about for the most part. but kudos to you!


Opinion Stangs13 2007(C)