Ball python "mills" *rant* (Not trying to offend anyone)

[wolfy-hound]

There is no definition of "puppy mill". To animal rights extremists like PETA and HSUS, if you have the best cared for dogs in the world and breed them, they can label you a "puppy mill" and steal all your dogs, pose for some media shots, go dump the animals at several shelters that don't have the funding to care for them... and go on their merry way.

Some people will label EVERY single breeder of dogs as either a "puppy mill" or a "backyard breeder". No matter what. The media and the extremists have brainwashed everyone in the US that any person breeding dogs is a "bad" person who only cares about money, abuses and neglects the dogs and they are the sole reason that the cute puppy is getting killed in a shelter. It's not true. It's never been true.

If someone doesn't take care of their animals, they are "neglecting" them. If they mistreat them, they are "abusing" them. It doesn't matter if they are breeders, private owners, rescues or shelters. It is not more wrong to abuse a single ball python because you are bored or think snakes have no feelings.... than it is to starve a kennel full of dogs... than it is to beat a horse to death. The reason you own the animal doesn't matter as to whether you are abusing it or taking proper care of it.

[majorleaguereptiles]

Looking at all the advertisements on BP.net and knowing how much they cost, everyone here should understand that even though you are voicing your opinion on this forum, this is a business and making money is a part of it.

Most of the animals in breeders collections are sold over time. They are replaced with younger, and higher potential breeders, so to say one breeder is pushing them beyond their limits isn't true. The value in a breeders collections and the simple fact that one sick snake can lead to a disaster in a collection, most of the breeders I know maintain an impeccable operation with healthy and happy animals.

Those who don't, aren't successful doing this. I haven't come across anyone I would consider a "mill" in this business. If anything, the exact opposite. The largest breeders actually keep their snakes better than the hobbyist or pet owner.

Just how I feel.

[jcoylesr76]

most likely my next comment is going to annoy the OP, oh well, but this to me is a total troll post that has gone on to far.

can someone buy into the breeding game for profit, it is done by many year after year. however once they find the hard work involved is just to much to be bothered with, they sell out just as quick as they bought into it, allowing those of us in it for the fun/love of it great deals!.

[WingedWolfPsion]

Right--for someone who has DONE THEIR RESEARCH, this can be a profitable investment, but for the 'make a quick buck overnight' folks, it's just NOT going to work out the way they thought it would.

I always tell people, expect at LEAST 4 years put in before you break even. You may get lucky, and make a profit by then, but don't expect to. You have to be in it for the long haul, and there's a lot of work involved. If you don't like hard work, invest in stocks instead.

If you don't take superb care of these animals, they won't make money for you, period. This is why 'snake mills' can't exist.

[Annarose15]

most likely my next comment is going to annoy the OP, oh well, but this to me is a total troll post that has gone on to far.

I don't think the OP was trolling at all. He/she(?) has posted a willingness to reconsider based on the responses received, and even posted a separate thread apologizing if anyone was offended, since that was not the intent. We've all made occasionally overstated generalizations when we felt passionately about something, and I believe that was the only proverbial "sin" committed.

[Slim]

most likely my next comment is going to annoy the OP, oh well, but this to me is a total troll post that has gone on to far.

I don't think this comment will annoy the OP, but it does annoy me quite a bit. It's obvious the OP did not intend for this tread to be a trolling attempt, but rather an honest concern on his part.

Why, after so much interesting discourse have you decided the OP is a troll

Win, Lose, or Draw, I think there has been some very useful discussion in this thread. Sorry you found it so bereft of information.