Re: Herps in Public Debate
Quote:
Originally Posted by
captainjack0000
It seems that most people posting on this debate are forgetting a huge part of the issue - the owner! People will judge you and your pet. I'm not saying they should, but I am saying they will. So if all of the people who take their pythons and other herps into public are misinformed about their pet, talk to themselves, have poor personal hygeine or some other taboo, then that will be reflected back to the whole herp community. The pet, IMO, is probably the least of the concern, unless it is something large enough people feel is dangerous (such as the pet alligator).
I think some people are going to freak out about a snake no matter what, so don't waste your time on those people. What can be useful is talking to the people who are interested but don't know about pet herps. A well imformed, well groomed pet owner can use a well behaved, pleasant herp as an ambassador. I'm not saying you should start a herp campaign, but I don't see anything wrong with taking your pet to places where everybody else takes their pets. I'm saying it should be taken to an environment where it is welcome.
Somebody else pointed out failure to take our animals into public will keep people thinking that it is abnormal own a herp. Well, I suspect that it is abnormal, in the sense that the majority of pet owners have cats, dogs, and maybe birds. I don't see anything wrong with being abnormal, but we have to recognize we are a minority and there certain implications that go along with that.
Thank you Captainjack! Being a woman with tattoos I get really wierd looks especially when i have a snake draped over my arm. Mostly from older people and misinformed or uninformed people. Men i encounter pay attention not only to the fact i have a snake but the fact i am a woman who has certain features that appeal to them. ;) Alot ask questions which i am happy to answer. My husband calls me the crazy snake lady! LOL
