Report Discourages Herps for Kids

[NightLad]

MSNBC recently published this article: Kids want a hamster? Ask your doctor first

Basically a public-information report about salmonella and its relation to ‘exotic’ pets. The article also names lizards and turtles, in addition to chicks, hedgehogs and hamsters. Strangely it left out cats.

In my opinion the report didn’t go far enough in explaining the common-sense approach to handing animals – whether they may carry salmonella or not: parental supervision, and washing hands with [preferably antibacterial] soap.

What do you think of the suggestion that children under 5 not be allowed to own a pet?

[frankykeno]

I'm amazed any of us ever reached adulthood without yet another one of these lovely reports.

Look I have 4 kids, ages 20 down to 7. They were raised with animals of all sorts, running around in the yard (gawd knows yes they probably stepped in bird poop!!!!! ), we go to the zoo, we keep "exotics", we visit farms. I must be a terrible parent to expose the little darlings to all these terrible germs. Perhaps it's best if we keep them indoors, wrapped in cottonwool - I bet that will really help those developing immune systems.

Common sense - wash your hands, if it licks it's own butt try to NOT let it kiss your mouth, be a parent and watch your toddler (but remember this is the child that will eat his own boogers and those of his friends) - just good old common sense. So far it's worked fine for my family.

[JLC]

Children under five shouldn't be allowed to "own" any animal. But that is all just semantics, isn't it? The parents are responsible for it and ultimately do the "taking care" of it, even if they work WITH the child on how to care for their pet. And if the parents are that involved with the care and responsibility of the animal, then what does a child's "ownership" have to do with it? A parent can TELL the child the hamster or turtle "belongs" to the child....but the reality is it belongs to the parent and is their responsibility.

Articles like that are rediculous scare tactics that it seems our society is thriving on. I should also throw away all my purses. Have you seen the studies on how much germs are on the bottom of all our purses??? It's enough to scare anyone into a bubble, I tell ya!

Besides the lack of facts that back up the true risks and dangers of salmonella from certain animals, these sorts of ramblings also leave out the most basic theme of personal responsibility and common sense in caring for and handling them. Sheer and utter stupidity, if you ask me.

[anendeloflorien]

Articles like that are rediculous scare tactics that it seems our society is thriving on. I should also throw away all my purses. Have you seen the studies on how much germs are on the bottom of all our purses??? It's enough to scare anyone into a bubble, I tell ya!

OK that's it I'm just gonna have to get rid of all my purses. Dang it all I'm gonna look so much less fabulous on ladies night . Thanks a lot Judy

[RoyalGuardian]

*sigh* I have always had an animal. I was taught at a young age if you don't care for an animal it will get sick and die ( a lesson from my best and favorite baby sitter). She scared me so bad I couldn't stand the thought of my beloved animals dieing. Now I pride myself in having a tidy tight ship when it comes to animal enclosures. I wouldn't like my house to be filthy and neither do my animals. I believe what is best for a human, Clean water, fresh bedding, hearty healthy food, should be just half of the care you give your animals. Animals deserve so much more than us. They are innocent. I give 200% to my animals and it shows!

[oncebitten]

My brother got my daughter her first pet in christmas of last year. my brother bought her a snake as her christmas present. Technically it is my snake i care for her, feed her, and clean her tank but it is hers. It is my responsibilty to care for the animal as she is now 6. She has been told to ALWAYS prell her hands before and after handling the snake. We supervise her at all times with the snakes. We even bought a lock for the tank so she cannot remove her without me or her father opening the tank. We take the snake out and hand it to her and we put it back up. She is to young to understand and care for princess at this time. I would have never thought that i would be caring for something i was once deathly afraid of but in the past couple of years i have learned alot from this site and respect for the animal.

[RoyalGuardian]

My brother got my daughter her first pet in christmas of last year. my brother bought her a snake as her christmas present. Technically it is my snake i care for her, feed her, and clean her tank but it is hers. It is my responsibilty to care for the animal as she is now 6. She has been told to ALWAYS prell her hands before and after handling the snake. We supervise her at all times with the snakes. We even bought a lock for the tank so she cannot remove her without me or her father opening the tank. We take the snake out and hand it to her and we put it back up. She is to young to understand and care for princess at this time. I would have never thought that i would be caring for something i was once deathly afraid of but in the past couple of years i have learned alot from this site and respect for the animal.

Good show!

[Jyson]

I agree with Joanne and Judy.

There is alot of deception going around on everything now a days; Pets, Presidental candidate accusations, germs, "the right kinds of food to eat" and just about everything else. We might as well just through our selfs into a bubble and do nothing that can harm us, which is now apparently everything and anything.