I know most of what I have to say has been said already but I thought I would throw my .02 into the mix.

I just went to the reptile expo in Manchester this weekend and I just happened to overhear a couple of conversations which I know were going on all over. One this little girl (probably 10 or 11) talking to her parents at a table where the woman had some beautiful cresties. The girl says "oh mom I really like these can I have $65 to get one??" Her mom looks at her and says "Well if you want a lizard why don't we go to that table over there where they have geckos (I think they were just house geckos) for $5?" I know for a fact that there was no way that any animal they got would be properly taken care of and it would just wind up being another "throwaway pet" because they only paid 5 freakin dollars for it.

I don't think there is ever going to be a way to really do away with this mentality though. There is always going to be lower priced animals that will appeal to those people who don't really care about the animal but want to appease their little kid who is begging for a pet that they will forget about in a few weeks. I just hope that there are enough of us out there who are willing to put the actual work into keeping and maintaining HEALTHY animals and caring for them in the way they deserve to be cared for.

Sorry just had to add my little rant