Oh why did I even look :-/

[EccentricME]

I was looking for apartments on craigs list LA I type in bearded dragon in the search just because and there are so many on there. Some had a good set up but the people said bad economy blah blah but I saw some without UVB lights in dirty sand another one said the heat light was broken so that won't come with. People were even willing to do a trade!!! Really you will trade your pet for a guitar (or whatever) my favorite "my kids showed me they are responsible with a reptile so we got a dog" WHAT?!?
Seriously What is wrong with people?

 

[DaddyGeek]

Unfortunately it's a common thing that people don't see them as "real pets" and that they are disposable. It's a very sad thing to see.

 

[bdalton]

I do the same thing! Its like i cant resist, but by the time im done my blood is BOILING because im so mad! Lol i always say im never looking at craigslist again and im on it the next day "/ lol

 

[EccentricME]

I am one to make a stink about something if I see something wrong. My instant says email and give a piece of my mind. But I already know it won't do any good these people are already trying to dump there pets off.

Just so you know I will NEVER look again!!! :wink:

 

[ShannyBeard]

I feel your pain. Our local reptile shop has a habit of taking in wayward reptiles. That's where I got my MBD rescue beardie. I'm not allowed to go back in there for a while, per husband's order. :lol: Recently, they had a whole bin of maimed and crippled teeny baby beardies. The breeder put a BUNCH of them in a bin and the next morning they were missing tails, feet and part of faces. :shock: I kept eyeing Lefty, but I just got Papa Smurf from there and can't afford another rescue.

I am also not allowed on Craigslist. If I take in any other animals I won't be able to afford to take proper care of the ones I already have! :shock: :?

 

[Ratlovinkippy211]

I cant look anymore. I am all around animal lover but I have a soft spot for rats and it kills me to see what some people do them. I have had my beardie for a night now but I would never just stop taking care for him. I have people call my work asking to drop off or have parents who get crickets and talk about how much they hate their "animal" who has been around for sometimes 6 years or more..
I don't understand how anyone could just stop caring about their animals.
Or "trade" them for something different. The worse thing is when parents let kids give up their animals and teach them that its ok..

 

[izz]

He was Responsible with a reptile and then they got him a dog.
Reptiles need more care than a dog!

 

[Scales]

He was Responsible with a reptile and then they got him a dog.
Reptiles need more care than a dog!

Yep. Read as: We as parents and primary care takers realize that dogs (generally) require less fuss than reptiles. We're using little Timmy's attempt at being responsible to rid ourselves of the burden of this "pet" in favor of a more traditional family pet.

:evil:

 

[ShannyBeard]

You know what, though. I have to put a positive spin...yes, there is a lot of bad out there with parents getting relatively 'cheap' reptiles for their kids figuring it is just a lizard and they can 'practice' learning how to take care of them. It does happen a lot and it is very sad with a poor outcome for the lizard.

But I'll share a good story, because there are good stories, too.

We have bearded dragons, anoles and a gecko. A friend of ours who has 2 kids under the age of 8 always comes over to hang out. His daughter, age 7, caught an anole and the lizard stayed on her hand and seemed to enjoy being held, not trying to escape. Surprizing! Well, he came over to our house and asked what he needed for the lizard to be kept inside. The guy took it seriously and got a small viv, proper lights, buys crickets, supplements, mists the cage...the whole 9 yards...and is teaching his daughter about reptiles. Well, we are teaching him and he is teaching her. It's really cool. They even take it on family trips that they take the dog on - load the little viv up in the car with the dog and off they go! :mrgreen:

If the pet stores would really educate people and help people understand what it takes to take care of reptiles, there would be less problems. But a lot of the pet stores just want to make that quick sale.

 

[Shiva]

He was Responsible with a reptile and then they got him a dog.
Reptiles need more care than a dog!

Yep. Read as: We as parents and primary care takers realize that dogs (generally) require less fuss than reptiles. We're using little Timmy's attempt at being responsible to rid ourselves of the burden of this "pet" in favor of a more traditional family pet.

:evil:

WOW

 

[Scales]

Sorry if that came off as an overly opinionated snarl. I've seen plenty of "disposable pet" attitudes with regard to many species. That having been said, there are good stories about people educating themselves, kids & friends about animals and it warms my heart.

 

[ShannyBeard]

Sorry if that came off as an overly opinionated snarl. I've seen plenty of "disposable pet" attitudes with regard to many species. That having been said, there are good stories about people educating themselves, kids & friends about animals and it warms my heart.

Well, there are bad ones, too. My sister was given a green iguana when she was a young-teen, maybe 13-ish and my parents didn't make any effort to make sure it had what it needed, and it died of MBD complications. It was very sad. It struck her so hard in the heart that it was preventable (he had no UVB or supplements) and even though it suffered, she learned from the experience and she is now in a herpetology program in college and takes in rescue snakes and lizards.

While it is hard to see any brightside of stories of misinformation, lack of education and neglect, good outcomes can be be made with the right people involved. Maybe this is the 'Anne Frank' point of view, but I do believe in the good side of people. It's just hard to see, or hard to find, sometimes.

I think that's the purpose of this forum, and each of us has this tie together, this responsibility to help and educate and teach people about the rewards of reptile ownership.

 

[Scales]

Well said, Shanny! And kudos to your sister for turning her negative experience into a positive one and continuing her education while helping less fortunate reptiles. :study:

 

[DragonsNDoodles]

I feel your pain. Our local reptile shop has a habit of taking in wayward reptiles. That's where I got my MBD rescue beardie. I'm not allowed to go back in there for a while, per husband's order. :lol: Recently, they had a whole bin of maimed and crippled teeny baby beardies. The breeder put a BUNCH of them in a bin and the next morning they were missing tails, feet and part of faces. :shock: I kept eyeing Lefty, but I just got Papa Smurf from there and can't afford another rescue.

I am also not allowed on Craigslist. If I take in any other animals I won't be able to afford to take proper care of the ones I already have! :shock: :?

I just figured out who you are because you said you have Papa Smurf!!

Haha, can you guess who I am? I had a blue rescue too, named Banquo, and I just spent a TON of money on UVBs and bugs over the weekend.

 

[ChiefsDaddy]

I feel your pain. Our local reptile shop has a habit of taking in wayward reptiles. That's where I got my MBD rescue beardie. I'm not allowed to go back in there for a while, per husband's order. :lol: Recently, they had a whole bin of maimed and crippled teeny baby beardies. The breeder put a BUNCH of them in a bin and the next morning they were missing tails, feet and part of faces. :shock: I kept eyeing Lefty, but I just got Papa Smurf from there and can't afford another rescue.

I am also not allowed on Craigslist. If I take in any other animals I won't be able to afford to take proper care of the ones I already have! :shock: :?

I just figured out who you are because you said you have Papa Smurf!!

Haha, can you guess who I am? I had a blue rescue too, named Banquo, and I just spent a TON of money on UVBs and bugs over the weekend.

That's actually my wife, Shannon.

Hi Michael! :wave: