You completely missed the point of my response. I was not suggesting at all that those animals have respiratory infection, are malnourished, or have anything at all wrong with them other than being in a cage that should have been cleaned as soon as it was opened and not after the picture, the next day, the next week etc ... I never brought up anything at all about what those animals are being sold for either ... you did.
My point was that the mentality of saying it's ok for a snake to be in a dirty cage because it's being sold for a "dirty cage price" is disrespectful to those animals. They didn't ask to be in a dirty cage ... they are living creatures and deserve better.
I don't know who the seller is, I don't even remember what the snakes are being sold for, and you know what ... I don't care. But for someone to say that it's acceptable to let animals sit in a dirty cage (even for only 2 seconds) so that a picture can be taken is unbelievable in my opinion.
Don't the snakes deserved to be cleaned first and foremost? Then every thing else taken care of?
If you personally want to rescue animals, get dogs form a kennel, buy from unknown hobbyists or whatever ... good for you ... I have no problem with that ... I'm not telling anyone not to buy from this seller either ... that's NOT MY POINT. But excusing people who believe that it's ok to those animals sit in a dirty cage (even if it's just for a little bit) while they take a picture or do whatever is harming those animals that you care so much about. Think about it. Why not expect more from people ... if you care so much about the animals? Why not ask them to clean a cage before pics are taken? What's the harm?
I'm expressing my belief that those animals deserve to be cleaned at least before the picture is taken ... as keepers, we OWE THEM AT LEAST THAT MUCH.
Or maybe my expectations for people that care for animals is just too high? I sincerely hope that no one that loves animals really feels that way.
-adam