Interesting ASPCA article.

[8b8ll]

http://www.aspca.org/site/PageServer...=adopt_exotics

What do you guys think of this article?

I guess I really don't know what to think of the article....thought I'd share though.



Mike

[lillyorchid]

To be honest I'm not at all surprised to read this, especially it coming from the ASPCA. They are very against keeping of exotics and specially reptiles:

HIDDEN ENEMY - Humane Society of the United States

I do not and will not support them or any kind of organisation that says keeping the animals that I love and properly care for is a bad thing or are bad animals in general... like PETA for an example. *BUT I DO* support my local animal shelters.

[8b8ll]

I agree Allison, I feel the same way you do.

I was just suprised that at how against it they are. Mentioning leopard geckos, and bearded dragons in the same sentence as honey bears. I'm sure many leopard geckos and bearded dragons have lived much better lives in captivity than in the wild.

Mike

[darkangel]

Wow...

In defense of our reptiles I want to say I love how the only bad thing they ever have to say is "SALMONELLA!". I think I could get more serious ailments from my dog.

[jason221]

I agree Allison, I feel the same way you do.

I was just suprised that at how against it they are. Mentioning leopard geckos, and bearded dragons in the same sentence as honey bears. I'm sure many leopard geckos and bearded dragons have lived much better lives in captivity than in the wild.

Mike

Yeah I am pretty sure that most reptiles (that are well taken care of) in captivity have a MUCH better quality of life than those who live in the wild. It is ridiculous to say that it's bad for reptiles such as corn snakes and leopard geckos to be kept as pets. Do they (the ASPCA) have no intelligence? lol I mean come on, of course a corn snake is going to have a much better life in captivity. How can they not realize this?

[8b8ll]

Yeah I am pretty sure that most reptiles (that are well taken care of) in captivity have a MUCH better quality of life than those who live in the wild. It is ridiculous to say that it's bad for reptiles such as corn snakes and leopard geckos to be kept as pets. Do they (the ASPCA) have no intelligence? lol I mean come on, of course a corn snake is going to have a much better life in captivity. How can they not realize this?

Agreed! BUT there are also many people who take horrible care of there reptiles, and "exotics" BUT there are an equal if not more cases of people taking worse care of there dogs and cats.

Im sure they deal with more cruelty cases with dogs and cats than reptiles HAND DOWN!


Mike

[wolfy-hound]

I myself seriously doubt the high numbers attributed to salmonella being contracted from reptiles. Although improperly cared for animals can have heavy loads of bacteria, that can also be true of any animal, and several of those "contagious" diseases listed are most common in cats and dogs.
If you list EVERYTHING but cats and dogs, then yes a lot of injuries will crop up, since they are lumping tigers with cornsnakes. That's simply ridiculous, but nothing I wouldn't expect from a organization that will eventually try to outlaw keeping even dogs.
Wolfy(I support my local rescues, but not necasily the Humane Society)