Culling Healthy Animals

[ShawnC]

Speak for yourself and please don't speak for me (or likely, the VAST majority of members). I do not see normals or the "not pretty ones" as undesirable. I do not sell to jobbers, If an animal doesn't sell, I keep it and care for it as I do for all others. What bothers me is the attitude, not the actions.

Then you would be a minority. Mostlarge scale breeders..people who produce more than 100 animals per year, can not make these claims. I have been around a very long time. There are no absolutes of course.

I think the majority of breeders on this site DO make sure a knowledgeable home is provided, or offer to help. I know I do. There is a reason I frequent this board and the breeders here- their actions speak volumes to me.

Not if they produce a large number of animals they don't. It's impossible, or next to impossible to do. This is your opinion, but has no basis in fact in my opinion. This is also why they do not comment on this thread...they have an image to uphold or it hurts sales. Thats the facts. I am one of those guys, I am just not afraid to tell the truth.

For years I kept my mouth shut, but I think it's time we be honest with ourselves. It's patently foolish for us to act like a bunch of saints while the Govt. is trying to take our rights away as keepers and breeders when we won't be honest about whats going on, and how we don't deal with it. Oh we can write letters, and complain, and call congressmen, but when it comes to taking real responsibility, we stop short. I am not talking about all the folks that have a few clutches per year (although together you add up) I am talking about the guys who create hundreds or thousands of animals that their just isn't a market for. They dont' do this on purpose...it's an unfortunate side effect of producing the animals we are trying to make...morph crosses etc. You cannot send that many animals out into the world without there being an impact on the animals well being, and the well being of the hobby. Dislike my points all you want, but they have merit, and warrant discussion. Turning some of them into feeder animals is an extremely useful, ethical, and sound way to help your own hobby out.

And I hear you that some ugly ducklings become beloved pets. I have owned my fair share of them over the years. But now I think that, how many animals have suffered, and for how long, for that one that had a good life? I suspect it's a scary high number. With reptiles even more so. Reptiles are much more disposable than a dog or a cat. And there are far few too reptile rescues.

It's very easy to say you love yoru pets and you would never do such a terrible thing. Thats also the easiest thing to do. Sometimes the best, or right thing to do, isn't always the easiest. Keep in mind, I know I came to a reptile forum to discuss this, but it's because I want their to be a voice out there for something other than mass production under the guise of "we love our snakes". The two don't mix well, especially right now when we are under fire from all sides.

S~