1. Dr. K should be saying "you should carefully consider the needs of an exotic before buying one and not all people are suited to owning an exotic" instead of saying "they shouldn't be in the pet trade."
2. I agree that some exotics require a higher level of knowledge (diet, caging, vet care, etc.) than most "domestics", but that can in part be attributed to "common knowledge". Everyone grew up around a dog / cat and thus knows basic info on diet, care, etc. and vets are easy to come by. Not so with exotics and this can lead impulse buyers to not have proper husbandry (but the same is true with domestics that are neglected too).
3. Based on what you guys said about her, I wouldn't support Dr. K... You shouldn't make money off of clients and then say they shouldn't keep their animals. If she has that stance, she should not treat exotics. Now, granted, there could be editing involved and maybe only her most extreme negative comments (that follow the "script") make the cut.
All in all, I would be curious as to whether or not she knows how others are viewing her. If she has a blog or something it would be interesting to post some of these points there and see what her response is.
I don't have NatGeo Wild, but saw the show once while at my parents' house. She did make the comment about the animals not belonging in the pet trade in that episode, but at the time I thought she just meant "that species" and not all exotics. She has a reef tank in her waiting room... and I'm sure some of it's inhabitants are wild-caught, so I'd say that would make her a bit hypocritical. :/
Reply With Quote