The Difference A Hide Makes

My pet store rescue, who the store says did not eat the entire time he was there (since early February) just ate a small rat after only staying a week with me. Why? Because the pet store kept him in a 55G tank with no hides and 2 full grown boas.

I know I am mostly preaching to the choir here but maybe some new person will wonder across it and get some good info.

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Originally Posted by MasonC2K

My pet store rescue, who the store says did not eat the entire time he was there (since early February) just ate a small rat after only staying a week with me. Why? Because the pet store kept him in a 55G tank with no hides and 2 full grown boas.

I know I am mostly preaching to the choir here but maybe some new person will wonder across it and get some good info.

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It was probably more than a hide going on...temps, being kept with huge snakes, etc.... but glad to hear it's eating.

Not to sound mean, but I hope you didn't buy it to rescue it. If they gave it to you, that's one thing. But making that purchase gives them incentive to buy 10 more ball pythons and subject them to the same treatment.

JonV

Yeah, but Jon, what's he supposed to do- just walk away? It's a moral dilemma that I don't believe can be judged so easily and with such a pat answer.
It is for the reason you gave and the heart-filled action of the OP that I stay away from the local pet shops ;)

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Originally Posted by starmom

Yeah, but Jon, what's he supposed to do- just walk away? It's a moral dilemma that I don't believe can be judged so easily and with such a pat answer.
It is for the reason you gave and the heart-filled action of the OP that I stay away from the local pet shops ;)

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Yes, walk away. Call me cold-hearted, but I'd rather see one suffer than 10. Buying such a BP supports and encourages that treatment of animals. Hypothetically speaking, imagine if everyone, and I do mean EVERYONE for the sake of the thought experiment, said "I'm only buying rescues from now on". Then the entire market would shift...some quality breeders would start treating their animals terribly to satisfy the demands of the market. The consumer pushes the direction of the market. If we want high quality, well cared for animals then that is where we have to put our money.

Every time I go to my local store I see 4-6 BP's that warrant rescuing. And if I rescue them, there will be more there next week.

A better choice would be to educate the people working at the pet shop why that's not okay. Or as you said, stay away altogether.

JonV

You're assuming a lot. And you're generalizing.

Each situation is different and has to be judged individually. I see poorly treated snakes all the time. Doesn't mean I will rescue them all.

This particular situation I felt was justified and feasible for me to accomplish.

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Originally Posted by nevohraalnavnoj

some quality breeders would start treating their animals terribly to satisfy the demands of the market.

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It's a good thing you said "Hypothetically" because that's just such a load of poopoo.

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Originally Posted by nathanledet

It's a good thing you said "Hypothetically" because that's just such a load of poopoo.

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It was a thought experiment to prove the point that consumers push the direction of the market. Sorry if that was not clear.

JonV

I'm seeing these days how the market and the media push the consumer- not the other way around...

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Originally Posted by starmom

I'm seeing these days how the market and the media push the consumer- not the other way around...

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This is true. Look at the fashion industry...we are TOLD what we are supposed to demand. It's hard to weed through all the advertising and such.

One strength of capitalism is that you get to vote everyday with your dollar. Today I went to my local grocery store, paid more, but I voted for them over a larger corporation down the road. If everyone did this, imagine how the consumers would push the larger corporation to change practices.

JonV

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Originally Posted by nevohraalnavnoj

This is true. Look at the fashion industry...we are TOLD what we are supposed to demand. It's hard to weed through all the advertising and such.

One strength of capitalism is that you get to vote everyday with your dollar. Today I went to my local grocery store, paid more, but I voted for them over a larger corporation down the road. If everyone did this, imagine how the consumers would push the larger corporation to change practices.

JonV

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Understood. Wonder if that would happen in our lifetime?! I also shop at a small and privately owned natural foods store. I don't see the local million Safeway's in our small city hurting any though. Darn! ;)