Quote Originally Posted by Amon Ra Reptiles View Post
Ok I'll play devils advocate simply for the sake of conversation. I too would never feed a cat or a dog to my snakes regardless of free or not but... Why is feeding a rat or a rabbit different from a cat or a dog? I mean I understand breeding cats and dogs for food purposes is not even economical so I don't understand why you would to begin with but if there is a surplus of cats that are going to be euthanized anyway why kill it and bury it or incinerate it when it could be used to feed another animal? In a perfect world it would be great to see these animals that are set to be euthanized sent instead to a reptile rescue for feeders. I mean why would you create rats and rabbits for the sole purpose of feeding off and then kill cats and dogs for the sole purpose of disposal?

Again, there is a whole host of problems with the idea such as damage to the snake, (although prekilling or f/t would solve this) animals rights people having a fit, etc. etc. but as far as "oh no! It's a kitty! or oh no! It's a puppy!" Thats bull, there are people out there that breed designer rats and show rabbits that think we are despicable for feeding those off too. It's the circle of life people come on.
I really do agree with you, but I think the reason most people find it to be a horrible idea is because unlike with mice and rats we are brought up to view dogs and cats as pets where as mice and rats historically are viewed as pests and carriers of disease. There is always going to be someone out there who thinks feeding anything meat is wrong, but a majority of society in the US views dogs and cats as pets ONLY.

I personally don't see problem with what you are proposing it would be good to perpetuate the circle of life instead of just incinerating the bodies. I do see where this could become a major pr nightmare for reptiles though.