Quote Originally Posted by WingedWolfPsion View Post
If you can't afford the vet, you can't afford the pet. PERIOD.

It doesn't matter whether it's a dog, a cat, a parakeet, or a ball python. The cost of the animal is COMPLETELY irrelevant when considering the cost of its care.

Yes, saying 'well, if it gets sick and dies I'll just buy a new one, because they're cheap' DOES make you a bad person. It actually makes you a criminal. When you take responsibility for the life of an animal, you're responsible for providing it with veterinary care when it is sick or injured as well.

That's not just morality.

That is the LAW. It is, in fact, NOT legal to fail to provide vet care for a sick pet. In some areas, it is a misdemeanor, and in others, it is a felony.

If you can't afford treatment, then you can have the animal humanely euthanized, but allowing it to die of its illness is animal cruelty. What this means is, if you get caught doing it, you will be prosecuted. Depending on where you are, you may be barred from owning any animals for a period of time. You see, you simply do not have the legal right to neglect an animal to death.

If you really can't afford vet care, then you must give the animal up to a reptile rescue group or other individual who CAN afford vet care. If it dies in your custody, and you knew it was ill and failed to provide care, then you have committed an act of animal cruelty and broke the law.

This is reality.
This: 'well, if it gets sick and dies I'll just buy a new one, because they're cheap' DOES make you a bad person. Is absolutley NOT how I look at the situation. That snake was anything BUT neglected!!!!! I even asked people on THIS website if I should take it to the vet, and they said no, only if there is something wrong. Being a stubborn feeder is not an uncommon issue for bps, so I kept offering it food. I am by no means a bad person, or a criminal (really?). This was NOT cruelty, neglect, or abuse by any means and I hate to break it to you, but I DIDN'T break the law. And how did I allow it to die? It did cross my mind that it could be sick, but I was assured that it was just a stubborn feeder. So get your facts straight, because I tried everything for this snake, and don't need you accusing me of neglect, or being a criminal.