UK feeders

[George1994]

Hey,


I've not seemed to get a solid answer where I have looked, but is it illegal to buy live rats for the purpose of feeding them to my ball python? Also, if they are not, does anyone have any sources of live rat weaners?

Thanks.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

It is not illegal even though many have come to believe it was. What is illegal is to cause unnecessary suffering, and feeding live in public is also prohibited.

"Although the Protection of Animals Acts 1911 to 1964 do not prohibit the feeding of animals with live prey, the live feeding of vertebrate prey should be avoided save in exceptional circumstances, and then only under veterinary advice. Where any live prey must be used, its welfare must be considered as well as any potential injury which might be caused to the predator." (D15 - Secretary of State's Standards of Modern Zoo Practice)

http://wildpro.twycrosszoo.org/S/00R.../L_UK_0011.htm


Animal Welfare Act
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/2006/45/contents

f course because of this as well as tremendous pressure from various groups finding live preys in the UK is not gonna be an easy task however it is not illegal.

[Rhasputin]

Finding mice in the UK shouldn't be a problem. There are plenty of great mouse breeders in the UK, look on Fancymicebreeders.com You can go to a mouse show, and probably pick up some good quality mice to breed for yourself. They are show mice, but the people there should be open to you buying them and breeding them. I wouldn't suggest buying them just to feed, because they can be up to $5 US each, but it would be a great place to get good breeders, with good health and good genetics.

But if rats are specifically what you need, I don't know much about them. Someone on fancymicebreeders.com might be able to help you find a rat breeder too, but I just know about mouse breeders really.
(the forum is UK based and very good)

Hope that helps some.