Would it be contradictory if...

Alright, so here’s the deal. I happen to frequent a certain site that local folks can exchange goods and services; a site that rhymes with “Legslist”. Any who, I’ve noticed a lot of BPs and other reptiles that are up for adoption or are being sold (I also check my local shelter on a regular basis for any reptiles that might have been dropped off). Now, here’s my dilemma: I would like to start a reptile rescue (start with snakes because I have some extra tubs for them then move onto the bigger lizards and such when I branch out and get more room and support). That’s all fine and dandy but would it be contradictory of me to start a reptile rescue while I breed and sell BPs?

Personally, I see this as sort of a Catch 22: On one hand, I have my own little breeding operation that is contributing to the reason why I would have to rescue (I’m bound to sell a normal to someone that doesn’t take care of it and winds up adopting it out to someone else no matter how hard I try to screen potential homes).

Now, obviously a lot of people who post on CL advertising reptiles are out to sell because they in fact breed these animals. I wouldn’t consider approaching these people of course, I would be talking to the owner that just “doesn’t have time anymore” or is “scared” of their new pet or found out that that sweet birthday gift of a normal BP was a bad move.

I do need some opinions on this one because frankly, I don’t know if it would turn around and bite me in the you know what if potential adopters of my rescues found out that I breed and sell BPs. Thoughts and opinions?!

I wouldnt see a problem with it as long as you can properly house everyone and have the necessary QT area to place all the "unknowns" you will be getting.
Like nike says "Just do it";)

Thanks for the advice! I would definitely start out small (mainly a snake rescue since I have a bunch of tubs in my QT area that I'm not using) and then once I get a little more room, go bonkers. :P I would definitely not take on more animals than I could house either. I know that turning your back on a reptile in need is a crappy thing to do but at the same time, overcrowding reptiles and not caring for them properly because of sheer quantity is going to hurt the whole bunch.

All I need now is that 100 room mansion I've always dreamed of.... :D

I don't see a conflict of interest at all. You can't predict the future every time you sell or Normal or even a high end morph. I don't think breeders are contibuting to problem of unwanted animals...I put that burden squarely on the buyers for many reasons.

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Originally Posted by Slim

I don't see a conflict of interest at all. You can't predict the future every time you sell or Normal or even a high end morph. I don't think breeders are contibuting to problem of unwanted animals...I put that burden squarely on the buyers for many reasons.

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Very good points and thanks for the input. It's very much appreciated. :)

So long as you don't ever breed the rescued animals, I don't see this being a problem. You might get some concern about illness or mites from buyers of snakes you produced if they find out you do rescues, but so long as you qt properly it sounds like a great idea!

Being a breeder I would never bring in rescues and I don't believe a rescue should breed, just my opinion.

I don't see a conflict of interests. I'm of the same opinion as Slim as far as rescues go, it's completely the buyer's responsibility. If you want to take in a couple of rescues and can handle it, then I think anyone would be hard pressed to say you're doing something wrong ;) As long as you keep QT in mind and the costs of vet bills, keeping up with your collection, food, etc. you'll be ok.

Personally I'd be terrified of cross contamination. Random CL dingdongs are so painfully ignorant RIs and other afflictions caused by poor husbandry are inevitably going to be brought in. Imo its risky but good on ya if u have the time and resources. Rescue work is a very selfless and rewarding endeavour. :)

Good points brought up by all and thank you kindly!

I am concerned about cross-contamination and mites and all other things associated with rescuing reptiles (I understand CL probably isn't the best place to pick up rescues) but I figure as long as I keep my collection as far away from the new rescues as possible, I should be fine. I would obviously practice strict QT procedure and take care of my collection's needs before handling any rescues but there will always be a risk I guess.

"Being a breeder I would never bring in rescues and I don't believe a rescue should breed, just my opinion." - Snakesrkewl

Is that last part more of an ethical viewpoint or concerning the cross-contamination issue? ["I don't believe a rescue should breed, just my opinion."] I read it as a continuation of a cross-contamination thought but am curious of your viewpoint if it was in fact an ethical issue.

I figure that if I check rescues for obvious signs of contagious health problems related to typical illnesses like RI and act accordingly, then I should be okay [I know some diseases like IBD don't have symptoms until later; that's why I think the strict separation of my collection and the rescues needs to be a permanent one). But if a snake seems healthy and doesn't show signs of illness, practicing a normal QT would be sufficient. In light of this discussion, I have decided that if I do decide to rescue (it would be all reptiles, not just snakes; but I would start out with snakes since I have lots of experience) I will probably be practicing a QT all the time with two different collections: my personal collection and the rescue collection.

Obviously I need to work out the kinks and smooth everything over before I jump into anything but I have noticed that some people on here that have healthy collections have taken in rescues and nursed them back to health so I am very on the fence about contamination issues: of course I will be as sterile and observant as possible but for those of you who have taken in rescues successfully sort of inspired me to take this direction.

Now I guess a new question has popped into my head: Would you buy from a breeder that you know rescues reptiles or would you turn away soley based off of the fact that you couldn't trust the animals that were in their care because of the possible risk of contamination because of their rescuing practices? To be honest, if my rescuing of reptiles is going to get in the way of my future as an established, trusted breeder, I may have to reconsider starting one until I have the means to house the rescues in a completely different facility.