Bringing outside animals to the show

I went to the Tampa show today, and once again there were quite a few people who came in with outside animals that they brought with them. In some cases I could understand. There was a herp vet there, at one of the tables, to answer questions, give advice, check fecals, etc. I noticed that a lot of the people coming to that table brought their animals safely contained and protected. I've got no problem with that. What bothered me were the (IMHO) attention-seeking fools who walked around with terrified animals clinging to them. One guy had three beardies stuck on his shirt. I saw some stressed-looking BPs and a big tegu. Another guy came in with a struggling young monitor gripped in his hands. I keep seeing this at shows. The last one I went to, the guy in front of me at the ticket counter had a jar (no lid) with a green eyed tree frog in it, that escaped and was hopping around people's feet! :O I'm amazed it didn't get stepped on! I feel so sorry for these poor animals! Maybe I just don't understand. Have you ever brought one of your herps to a show? If so, why? I'd like to hear your point of view.:) Thanks

I would never bring an animal to a show unless I was meeting someone who wanted to purchase it. It's been said before, there is no cure for idiocy/stupidity

I can't think of any good reason to expose my animals to FSM-knows-what at a show. Most vendors have healthy animals on display but it would only take one to give mine something bad, then I'd have to quarentine the animal when I brought it home just in case, you know?

Properly contained in order to see a herp vet, if I didn't have a regular herp vet... maybe that I could see. If I suspected an animal is ill, they'd be quarentined to begin with.

Otherwise, unless they are being picked up AT the show, no I wouldn't bring animals to the show 'just becuase'. I also don't take mine to flea markets or the beach or where-ever. I have taken them to the local festival(when it was across the street from my shop) for a "show and tell" type thing to educate people about snakes in general. I used one of two "public" snakes I used to keep at my shop(thus not exposed to my general collection) who were exceptionally laid back and tame. They were both normal males who were strictly pets and to be shown to anyone who wanted to see the snakes.

I'm known to be paranoid when it comes to the saftey of my critters. I spray my shoes down with Lysol type spray when I leave flea markets and shows before I get into my vehicle, in order to prevent bringing home anything like parvo to my dogs, etc. Our flea market is rife with lousy breeders of puppies that don't bother to vaccinate anything, and parvo is common in the pups purchased there. I avoid the areas selling puppies but so many folks bring the puppies/dogs walking everywhere, I prefer to err on the side of caution.


Thinking about it, the people who do bring their pets with them seem to usually be fairly new, and thus still quite excited about owning their reptiles. They probably think the animals enjoy the trip out and about(because they as a human enjoy trips out) and just want to participate in the reptile show experiance. If they are educated about the stress and risks, some would probably elect to leave the pets at home next time. If of course, if they were educated... not spoken to in a scathing tone of voice... ahem.

I took a couple snakes to a little show ( only one they ever had there ) to be probed by a friend of a friend. I also took a couple possible het peds to a show last year to give to a guy for auction on fuana .

I can see taking an animal to a show if there was a reason. Like the ones mentioned, or if I was going to try to make a trade with a dealer.

I can't see dragging a reptile to a show to be seen strolling around with it. There is a big difference in the stress I would be putting an animal under if I took it to a show in a decent container and concealed in a bag until it was examined by a potential buyer or trader or to be probed or vetted. Herps are a lousy animal for showoffs, but then the showoffs don't care, do they?

The reptile show I attend a lot doesn't allow outside animals.

1.0 High Yellow Jungle "Bruce"
0.1 Mack Snow Tremper Albino "Ava"
0.1 Rainwater Patternless "Pita"
1.0 Albino Checkered Garter "Herbert II"
0.0.1 Common Garter "Lucile"
0.0.1 Eastern Milksnake "Tiffany"

The one I used to help run did allow outside animals, but only if they were being traded with dealers who had purchased a table.

I don't like bringing outside animals into shows. Not only does it put your animal at risk, it puts everyone's animals at risk. Your snake may be perfectly healthy, but the guy standing next to you with his animal around his neck could possibly have an animal that could contaminate your animal.

I see this mostly at Repticon shows. And I'm never, ever impressed by the person proudly wearing a reptile as an accessory. In fact, I usually turn and walk the other way.

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Originally Posted by rabernet

I don't like bringing outside animals into shows. Not only does it put your animal at risk, it puts everyone's animals at risk. Your snake may be perfectly healthy, but the guy standing next to you with his animal around his neck could possibly have an animal that could contaminate your animal.

I see this mostly at Repticon shows. And I'm never, ever impressed by the person proudly wearing a reptile as an accessory. In fact, I usually turn and walk the other way.

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Yep, nothing screams "I'm starved for attention" like a reptile accessory.

The reptile shows near me forbid all personal animals unless the vendor they are seeing gives the okay.

That being said, I can see a few reasons, probing especially, since vets in an office usually charge a small fee while breeders will do it for free. I've also seen videos of people bringing large monitors on leashes. I suppose if the monitor needs to see a vet/breeder for whatever reason, it's a lot easier and more convenient to walk it than to try and fit an 8+ ft monitor in a box and wheel that around.

I imagine it could also be people selling walking around an advertising, in a way. But most attendees make a point to stop at every table at least once anyway, so I don't really see the point in that.

But yeah, other than that, there's really no reason to bring personal animals.