I feel like there is an informal breeder association, in that a lot of the big time and small time breeders are highly active on forums and on youtube. For example, I will trust someone with my money that I've seen posting a lot on message boards etc because as we all know word of mouth is a powerful thing. There are of course the occasional exceptions to EVERY rule.
So this really got me thinking. I know that like Thoroughbred Horses have the Jockey Club which regulates things like there is no artificial insemination allowed etc. Of course backyard breeders can end up doing whatever the heck they want but everyone knows that dealing through vendors that are associated with the Jockey Club you get certain securities that are not available elsewhere. Of course there are restrictions as well. But what does belonging to this sort of club allow?
Firstly it protects the breeders in that prices for their animals aren't going to bottom out at the worst possible times. I feel like this has been a hot issue around here a lot. Think about it, an association of the biggest breeders with those of you who have a smaller collection that are really focusing on quality not quantity. If you are producing an Albino that you feel is worth 800-1200 how are you supposed to compete with someone who freaks out and sells their hatchlings at $350? Of course everyone has the right to say that they would rather hold back their animals for a few years and get what they are truly worth but can a lot of those people who are just getting into breeding and made huge investments and need to pay the electric bill really just sit on these animals? Ideally everyone should be able to sit on what they don't want to sell but the reality of the current economic climate is that most of us don't have that luxury. There needs to be some sort of protection on both sides, a unity between all quality breeders and buyers.
Also, I think that independently as breeders, you guys have done such a great job at regulating what kind of genetic disorders and diseases you protect your snakes from. There is of course many problems out there, but those problems could be a lot worse were it not for the care that a lot of people take in protecting their investment. But the story of joe schmoe buying from someone that is supposed to be reputable and then having their snake die weeks later is not as rare as I'd like it to be.
I honestly have not heard about a ball python breeders association at all, so that makes me hope that there isn't one, because if there is in fact one I would really hope that it'd be a lot more relevant than it is. I feel like to get one going would probably take about 5 years for it to actually start making a dent in things, but think about where ball python breeding was five years ago. Think about how some things have deteriorated and how somethings have gotten better, and where we would be now had one been started back then.
Please keep in mind I have yet to own my first ball python, and am a pre-law student so I may just be full of a lot of crap.
Thanks for reading
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