What gives a person the right to own a reptile?
Who is out there that judges who can PROPERLY CARE for one or not?
Yeah it's all cool to see a dragon or two that you like and buy them,
like them, and then go nuts and want to be a breeder without doing the
proper research and work to make sure you are able to not only buy the dragons, but buy ALL the husbandry items necessary to take care of a breeding colony. There are MASSIVE amounts of research, knowledge, and time involved when becoming a breeder.
It's people like this (Nicole/Steven) that really get on my nerves. Who the hell in their right mind would do so many stupid things?
1. Start a colony of dragons you know you can't handle
2. Not properly care for your dragons
3. Breed these improperly cared for dragons
4. Sell these improperly cared for dragons
5. Ship these dragons in ridiculous weather conditions
6. Not do anything in your will to ensure customer satisfaction of 110%
7. Destroy their rep
8. Lie so much about so many different things, that no one really knows anything about you.
(this list of numbers can and does go on infinitely for her/their case)
I may not be a breeder of bearded dragons, and yes, I will admit, that I am not a veteran at breeding leopard geckos. I am VERY new to this. I have the
to admit that. One thing that I do know though, is that this is not the way to do any business with anyone. Not even scum bags off the street.
People like this should not be allowed to own any reptile. Granted there is no way to stop them and in time, they will get what they deserve, but think of how many reptiles out there, under the care of so many BAD people, are suffering right now. Not only that, but the only way these people will be forced to give them up is by some unlucky people to pay top dollar for these animals that are treated so poorly, and not get anything but a sick and deprived animal.
All this talk of poor customer service is important for ALL potential and established reptile owners, and the BOI is a great place for all of it.
Don't be afraid to buy an animal from somewhere, just ask around and find
a person that when you ask a question aobut them, you get positive results from every response. And please, please, please, look into who you're buying from first. Check their history. Ask around and find people who have previously bought from them. GET THEIR FEEDBACK. All the time and trouble you spend doing that will save you in the end. It always has for me.
One day there will be no bad breeders out there, I'm sure of that. We just have to weed out the bad ones and hope we aren't the victims of ignorant,
foolish people.
I do feel for you Mike. I know what it is like to get an animal in the condition you got it. I work at a pet store, and believe me you can't imagine the things that people bring in. I've seen snakes with more mites than scales come through there, I've seen geckos missing eyes because they got infected. The best we can do is get them back to health and ensure they live out the rest of their lives the best they can. Good luck to you and we are all sorry to see this happen.