Article on Exotic Pets

[anendeloflorien]

Why aren't parents parenting anymore lolz?

That's what it all comes down to. Parents actually being parents Sadly it seems to be lacking a lot lately.

[icygirl]

All this fear over salmonella. And all the parents have to do to keep the kid safe, is supervise handling, disallow kissing, and make them wash their hands afterwards. Honestly, how difficult can that be, even for the most incompetent of parents.

[Jyson]

That's what it all comes down to. Parents actually being parents Sadly it seems to be lacking a lot lately.

Yep, when it boils down to it, the parents need to be parents.

[oncebitten]

My daughter knows to prell her hands as soon as she is done handling the snakes. I understand what the article is saying but if the parents teach the children to wash and clean after handling the animal than he risk would be minimal. She wants the snake in her room of course but we have the snake in the living room. I for one would never put it in her room as she is only six and has a precaution in the beginning we purchased a lock with a combination code that only me and her father know and still on her tank to this day.

[ev477]

All this fear over salmonella. And all the parents have to do to keep the kid safe, is supervise handling, disallow kissing, and make them wash their hands afterwards. Honestly, how difficult can that be, even for the most incompetent of parents.

Well still you got to think, would parents who have never owned an exotic animal think to put a lock on the cage or anything?
I had a tree frog when I was too young to be responsible enough to own one, my brother and sister and I always got it out and played with it. My sister did kiss it and get salmonella, it wasn't that bad, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't call my parents incompetent though.

Kids will be kids, but I really don't think they should be owning exotics unless the adult is really committed as much as if not more than the kid. The pet could die since some animals don't do well with handling, if a parent doesn't know information on pets, it's likely that they will receive husbandry techniques from a petsmart employee

[icygirl]

Well still you got to think, would parents who have never owned an exotic animal think to put a lock on the cage or anything?
I had a tree frog when I was too young to be responsible enough to own one, my brother and sister and I always got it out and played with it. My sister did kiss it and get salmonella, it wasn't that bad, but I'm pretty sure I wouldn't call my parents incompetent though.

Kids will be kids, but I really don't think they should be owning exotics unless the adult is really committed as much as if not more than the kid. The pet could die since some animals don't do well with handling, if a parent doesn't know information on pets, it's likely that they will receive husbandry techniques from a petsmart employee

You nailed it.

My parents got me a lizard when I was about 6 or 7. I don't know what type it was, the pet store called it a "jeweled lizard". I hope to god it wasn't a jeweled lacerta baby. It was in a critter keeper with no lights and a heat rock, and ate meal worms. I remember when it died, and now I'm sure that it died prematurely. All I really understood as a kid was that it was my pretty pet lizard.

Most people don't know crap about herps, including my parents, and maybe that's our main problem. BUT, the article should instead just say, "make sure to tell your kids not to kiss your pet lizard, and make sure they wash their hands afterwards." Instead of just saying, no exotic pets for kids period.

[mweippert]

this article was defiantly wrote by a gemafobe. i think exotic pets are an excellent addition to any family. but the parents of young children need to be parents. my parent let me have almost every thing i wanted as long a i took care of it and they were there with me when i was younger. none of my animals lived in my bedroom. most parents now days see exotic pets as an easy substitute for a cat or dog they just need to make sure to keep an eye on there children when handling them.

[Jyson]

Just a side note, I saw the exact same article spoken about on the news this morning. And they basically restated everything that was in that article.

[BooRadleyAMG]

I'm totally ok with this article. They're merely saying that kids shouldnt have the pets..not their parents. I don't think any child under the age of, I dont know, 13 or so should have a reptile or exotic pet kept in their room. Its just not a good idea.

Again, just my opinion.

I'm sure plenty of parents on here will chime in about success stories with their kids, but lets face it. This is an informed site. Of course your kids will take better care of their pets because you know how to take care of yours. But as a general rule of thumb...kids shouldnt have exotics.

It's not the quote about the age of the children keeping the pets that bother me. I myself agree with an "Exotic" pet comes responsibility that a child does not understand, and if such a pet is kept, the parents need to have a full understanding of ALL the pros and cons. The part that upsets me is the quote stating if you have kids you should get rid of or find a new home for your Reptile ASAP. Well thats Just BS to me! That just comes off to me as them saying, that if you have kids then you lack the responsiblity to own an exotic pet. Well I disagree!

[AaronP]

Eh, pretty much I got from that "Don't let your little kids own pets" which I agree with..