furthest thing form disgusting

[TessadasExotics]

Could not agree more

For those who think it is a great idea to take your snake out in public (mall, park , etc) think again, this industry is under tremendous scrutiny, over the last couple of years legislation have been threatening our rights to keep reptiles (some were successful).

Forcing people to be subjected to YOUR pet snake does nothing but give ammunition to those trying to take our right away from us, so use common sense because YOUR actions reflect on our entire community.

Actually, of course this is MY opinion, taking your pet to the park or other pet friendly environment is a great thing to do. It does not "force" people to be subjected to anything. It is actually one of the best ways to get people to see them and to learn about them..... and this alone sometimes gets them over the natural fear of them. It’s a great feeling when you introduce a gentle snake to someone who fears them and to see that person actually touch or hold the snake before they leave. It's about educating people. Keeping your pet caged up and in doors all the time is not going to bring less scrutiny to our hobby. The ammunition that the loony’s need they get from the irresponsible keepers who do not provide secure enclosures or properly care for them...or the ones who release their monstrous beasts into the wild.

[tesslyn]

Actually, of course this is MY opinion, taking your pet to the park or other pet friendly environment is a great thing to do. It does not "force" people to be subjected to anything. It is actually one of the best ways to get people to see them and to learn about them..... and this alone sometimes gets them over the natural fear of them. It’s a great feeling when you introduce a gentle snake to someone who fears them and to see that person actually touch or hold the snake before they leave. It's about educating people. Keeping your pet caged up and in doors all the time is not going to bring less scrutiny to our hobby. The ammunition that the loony’s need they get from the irresponsible keepers who do not provide secure enclosures or properly care for them...or the ones who release their monstrous beasts into the wild.

I brought a friend along to pick my BP up and she refused to hold her even touch her because she feared snakes, she just came along to make sure I was safe, as I was getting lola from a craigslist seller. I did not shove lola (my BP) in her face, but by the end of the car ride my friend had lola around her neck and my friend was talking to her like she would talk to any other pet. That was just amazig for me.

[DooLittle]

Sometimes that's all it takes, is just actually holding them. Then you fall for them.

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[darthkevin]

Sometimes that's all it takes, is just actually holding them. Then you fall for them.

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I actually never held a ball before I fell for them. Just looking at them mesmerized me. I held a few retics and a few boas before and loved them. Balls are just a little misunderstood...just like me lol. I have always had a fascination with reptiles and it has only been the last few years that snakes have taken a hold of me.

[Stewart_Reptiles]

Actually, of course this is MY opinion, taking your pet to the park or other pet friendly environment is a great thing to do. It does not "force" people to be subjected to anything. It is actually one of the best ways to get people to see them and to learn about them..... and this alone sometimes gets them over the natural fear of them. It’s a great feeling when you introduce a gentle snake to someone who fears them and to see that person actually touch or hold the snake before they leave. It's about educating people. Keeping your pet caged up and in doors all the time is not going to bring less scrutiny to our hobby. The ammunition that the loony’s need they get from the irresponsible keepers who do not provide secure enclosures or properly care for them...or the ones who release their monstrous beasts into the wild.

What you do is not educating it is subjecting people to YOUR animal and views that's a BIG difference, if you see it as educating and it makes you feel better about it great for you but again it's wrong and irresponsible and reflecting on the rest of us, you want to educate get involved and do it in the proper settings.

[MrLang]

This thread needs more like this.


/creep

Hi, welcome to the site!

[TessadasExotics]

What you do is not educating it is subjecting people to YOUR animal and views that's a BIG difference, if you see it as educating and it makes you feel better about it great for you but again it's wrong and irresponsible and reflecting on the rest of us, you want to educate get involved and do it in the proper settings.

How is it not educating? Yes when I talk to people about my pets it is my views and my knowledge, which I might add is quite a bit and helps some people get over their fears. It gives them a better understanding of the animal that they might not like. Or it may also teach them better husbandry of the ones they may already own. I am not an irresponsible reptile owner. If you think what I do is wrong or that what I do reflects negatively on you.... that is YOUR opinion. Tell me what is the proper way to get involved? What is the proper setting? I think I am pretty well involved and I use the proper settings. I have never had any complaints. I have never forced anything on anyone. I have changed other people’s minds though. I have gotten people to like or at a minimum to understand and to become less afraid of snakes. To me that does a lot for "our" community and our passion.

[cecilbturtle]

I'm not going to speak for Deborah but I don't think that her point was that you are a bad keeper or even a non caring one.

The issue is setting. Time and place.

If you are taking animals to a school or someplace that has been planned so people know what they are in for then that is a great place to do what you do. If you randomly stop by a park or a public place unannounced with your animals there is a pretty good chance that someone there will not like or appreciate that. That is where the problem lies. If that is what you are doing, and I'm not saying you are, then I have a problem with that. I have a problem with anyone who does do that and I'm not afraid to tell them. That will only bring negative attention to us all. And that IS being a bad keeper.

[TessadasExotics]

What's funny is she has absolutely no idea of "what I do". Yet she can say with conviction "What you do is not educating it is subjecting people to YOUR animal and views" and that I am "wrong and irresponsible". Trying to make out that what I do is "reflecting on the rest of us", what in a negative manner?
Yeah ok.

[tcutting]

just as an FYI let me put it into perspective.

its like if this were a democratic pro choice forum, and you posted about going into a republican or religious groups meeting with a sign that said you are pro abortion. and when you get flack for that in said place, you jump onto the first pro choice forum you find and post about it....

Kinda sets a bad tone... Now if indeed these are legit questions and post sorry, not trying to be a jerk, just understand perspective of your audience.

Now to the point of this thread, i havent read everything everyone said but going forward just understand the general public has very strong feelings and opinions about the pets we choose to keep. and as a result it tends to be far easier to just keep them to ourselves to avoid things like you experienced. Further never feel obligated or that you need to teach people about snakes. if they ask sure go right ahead, but dont force it on people because it tends to go very poorly. i think its great to have any and all new comers join our ranks and i wish you the best with your pets and your BP. Just always keep in mind, people have very strong fears and opinions of the animals we keep and good luck.