Contacted by NSPCA to use one of my images

[Kaorte]

Well this is sort of a surprise... I saw this email in my inbox this morning and was about to send it to spam until I noticed it was written directly to me...

The title of the email reads: "NSPCA animal smuggling in SA"

Here is their facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/NSPCA since the link in the email doesn't even work!

Here is the email.



As soon as I saw the words "illegal trade of reptiles" I realized there is no way I am letting them use my image. Why would I allow a (fuzzy) animal rights group access to a photo my COMPLETELY LEGAL reptiles? Talk about misleading...

Has anyone else gotten emails like this? It makes me angry that they would have the guts to ask to use this photo to represent the illegal trading of reptiles. Though if I find them using it after I explicitly said no.... then the poo will really hit the fan.

I suppose it was courteous of them to ask....meh

[TJ_Burton]

Organizations have a habit of misconstruing everything about the pet industry... then they present the information in a way that allows the public to misinterpret what it is they are looking at.

The last thing the reptile hobby needs is some amped up animal rights group to show legal, harmless reptiles like ball pythons that are placed in a bin together simply for a photograph, to the public and tell them how the hobby jams dangerous animals into tiny bins and sells them behind closed doors...

Good on you for rejecting their request!

[zach_24_90]

The sad part is somebody in our business who doesn't care as much will let them use their pictures though even if they are completly legal animals just to see their name on something.

[Kaorte]

Here is my response.

Dustin,

Thank you for your interest in my image. Unfortunately I cannot grant you permission to use my image. While I agree that illegal reptile trading is a serious issue, my animals are in no way involved in this practice and I refuse to have them represented as such. These are harmless, captive bred and born ball pythons and I take their captive care very seriously.

I'm sorry I cannot help you with your campaign, though I hope it goes well!

Sincerely,

Steffe

[Kaorte]

Here is his response:

Hi Steffe

Thanks for getting back to me with your response so quickly. Really liked your ball python image, pity we are unable to use it, will be sure to replace it with another image.

Kind Regards

Dustin

That could have gone much worse! lol. I'm glad they are at least respectful of my wishes!

[swansonbb]

I'm glad they are at least respectful of my wishes!

Just not your hobby...

[Kaorte]

Just not your hobby...

Meh, its not like they were accusing me of anything. It seemed as though he was genuinely interested in the photo... just wanted to add a misleading meaning to it.

[interloc]

Good call Steffe. Never want your name and illegal in the same sentence.

[S.I.R.]

Very well written response. I agree that groups such as these act like they care and respect our hobby/industry, yet they put on television programs and other media campaigns that make reptile enthusiasts as either criminals or mentally defective.

[sorraia]

I'm glad they at least asked. They should get in touch with wildlife and customs officials, see if they can get some REAL photographs of smuggled reptiles, instead of "staging" such a photo.