Part of me is excited to hear this but I have to say, part of me is scared too.
"Reptiles' popularity as mainstream pets has grown immensely. There has been an explosion in numbers. They have moved from being niche to being mainstream."
If people become more educated about reptiles and learn more about them, then I think it's wonderful. Finally reptiles, and reptile owners can get some respect and not be thought of as weird or strange. It increases the number of wonderful, caring pet owners who may be exposed to reptiles and even reptiles in need, and hopefully there were be many, many more homes for these wonderful creatures to be blessed with.
As reptiles become more popular and more people own them, more resources will be available too. You'll see more people wanting to become reptile vets, more companies producing reptile husbandry equipment, more research into reptiles and their needs. I see all of that as a plus, a benefit.
On the other hand...
The problem in my opinion, with reptiles becoming mainstream, is that like dogs and cats we'll end up with too many. Too many reptiles and too many poor reptile owners. Over breeding, over populating, etc. Too many people who want the "cool" pet but aren't willing to provide a good home or the attention a reptile needs.
I can't think of a single place I visit in my daily travels where I don't see some sign that says "dog available to a good home" or "kittens available, they need a good home".. Too many people that SHOULDN'T have dogs and cats GET dogs and cats and the animals suffer. Lets be honest, it's MUCH easier to care for a dog or cat than it is for a reptile and too many people find themselves in over their heads and end up getting dogs and cats and mistreating them. Dogs and cats are "mainstream"...they are so common that too many people don't think of them as anything more than animals, possessions, things.
And if you really love dogs and cats and wind up getting one and something goes wrong, what do you do? You go to ANY pet store, ANY vet and you are overwhelmed with information and resources to take care of or treat your dog or cat.
What happens when a reptile gets sick or something goes wrong? It takes a LOT more effort to find information and/or resources to treat a reptile.
I don't mean to sound elitist but it takes more effort to properly care for a reptile and it takes a certain kind of person who will be willing to care for them properly.
I think there are already way too many people who get reptiles and have no idea what they are getting into. I have NO shame in admitting I was absolutely almost one of those people but I chose to do my research first and understand what was involved before I put my baby's life in danger.
How many posts do we see a day where someone rescued a beardie from a person, relative, or store where they weren't taken care of properly? These are just the people who know and care enough to search for the answers, search for the care sheets, search for help in raising these creatures and wind up online looking for help. How many posts do we read a day and get that sinking feeling that the person really doesn't know what's involved and their beardie (or beardies) is going to suffer? I'm pretty new here and maybe this has been happening for years, but I'm shocked to see it...and lets be honest, we all see it.
How many beardies, do you think, go from one horrible environment to another and no one hears about it? This is happening while reptiles "are a niche", while they are relatively unknown. Can you imagine what will happen when they are really mainstream?
I don't know, maybe I'm taking this too much to heart. I suppose I don't have figures or proof or anything to substantiate anything I'm saying here, but this is how I feel.
I've owned dogs and cats my whole life and my baby beardie is the first reptile I've ever owned, but I have never once though of any animal as "just an animal" no matter what it was. My Sakura is a member of my family, she's like my daughter and there's no limit to what I'd do to protect her or take care of her. I see the exact same thing in all of you, I see the love and devotion.
That's why we're all here, for help, to help others, to share, to be part of a huge beardie family.
Holly, I'm sorry for stepping in on your post.
I think it's a great thing that reptiles are getting recognized and it can definitely help in so many areas, but I'm also scared of what will happen...so much so that I had to rant on here and say what I felt.
I did NOT intend to turn this into a flame war. I absolutely understand there will be plenty of people who deeply disagree with me, and that's fine, everyone's opinions are valid and welcome.
Mods, please, PLEASE feel free to remove my post if it causes problems!!
Sorry for the rant..
Nhà Cái Cá Cược Trực Tuyến Đáng Chơi Nhất 2024
