I'm not addressing the price Dennis paid for them with my post here but the discussion around breeding rescued animals and what constitutes breeding a rescued animal.
You're also breeding a "rescued" animal, that might have unknown health issues that you're passing on through breeding.
Someone who rescues and re-homes animals is dealing with rescued animals.
Whatever the price, Dennis didn't "rescue" anything he purchased.
The seller would be the one profiting from rescued animals if we are going to go that route in this conversation. Correct? I mean he is disappointed and feels duped about not maximizing his potential profit of a rescued animal, Correct? Again, not saying he was or wasn't or the price he sold them for was fair but the seller is the only one dealing with a so-called rescued animal.
You're also breeding a "rescued" animal, that might have unknown health issues that you're passing on through breeding.
Hmm, that is every single animal the pioneers of breeding every single reptile or any other animal has done. Might have unknown heath issues? That is every single animal out there. Every single new line or morph.
I'm not for breeding ANY animal that has unknown genetics or possible health problems.
Then you simply can't be a reptile breeder because possible heath issues can be with any new animal you work with. If nobody breed any animal without knowing the genetics we would have no new morphs. Nothing but your standard wild caught specimens. Were not talking about dogs here where breeding and genetics have been down pat for different breeds for decades. The fear of the mutt...
Heck, we are just talking about genetics in the sense of color morphs here. Het for this, het for that.
I could just be really tired and missing something but this sounds like a bunch of uptight dog breeders asking were is your dog's pedigree.
Were talking just since the 1990's with this species. Everyone was breeding with completely unknown genetics until what, the last ten years. People still are.
Personally, one of the most fascinating parts of reptile breeding (besides the love for the species you are dealing with) is the genetics and the unknown.
Not everything is worked out or as easily defined as with most mammals.
I do think it is best to define yourself in this hobby, business or animal welfare (rescue) work. Blurring the lines between being a rescuer, supplier and/or breeder is asking for trouble. I find a lot of so called "rescues" to be fraudulent. Just a means to acquire animals cheaply or for free to profit off.
My opinion is if your going to be a rescue be one, if you are in business to make a profit then be honest.
All of this would fall on the shoulders of the seller of the rescued animal not the buyer, would it not?
Dennis paid for the animals, correct? He has to put the time into breeding and proving out the animals for some time. He is responsible for what he sells his animals as and what genetics he labels them with.
That is what all reptile breeders (accept for those who let others do all the work for them) do. Acquire, breed, prove out the genetics and look for any bad traits, heath problems. It will be his offspring with his name on them.
Am I missing something with geckos compared to snakes?