just rescued this guy from one of those chain stores

[Eric Alan]

The negative stigma big box stores get within this hobby is ridiculous. It is no different than the stigma we, as snake hobbyists, get from the general public based off of man-eating python t.v. shows. Those are the extreme exceptions - not the rules. The number of healthy, well cared for, snakes purchased (not rescued) from big box stores finding good homes every day far outweighs the few we see popping up now and again in rough shape. There are so many caring people working in these stores doing great things with the animals there (not to mention them doing a saint's work dealing with the general public in a retail store). Big box pet stores turn so many more people on to this hobby than any one of us could ever imagine, and largely do a fine job doing so. THAT'S A GOOD THING!

It's this kind of "in-fighting" that makes us, as snake hobbyists, easy targets for the activist groups. If we can't even support each other, and the good we are all doing for the hobby, why should we expect the rest of the voting public to do so?

We all have our place here, large or small, and there's more than enough room for everyone. Heck - there's an empty chair next to me. Come on by and we can share stories about all of the friends we've made because of a silly little snake addiction. No negativity allowed. Maybe we'll even get to chatting about the snakes themselves. Maybe...

EDIT: OH YEAH! Nice new addition!