ShadowAceD
Lagniappe Exotics
I have been on FaunaClassifieds since this past summer. I have not posted much. In fact, the only thing I MAY have posted was an Ad for a Hog Island I was rehoming. However, I have used FaunaClassifieds BOI for some time and have greatly appreciated it's contribution to the herping society. Whenever looking into getting a new snake, I type in either a specific individual's name or a business in order to see what it comes up with. Sometimes it's something, sometimes it's nothing.
Now ... I will read the good, the bad and the ugly. I understand awesome transactions happen, I understand horrific transactions happen, but what really gets me is people that jump the gun in posting on the BOI when they have little to no real reason to do so or no hard evidence. I see so many posts that are retracted or discredited it's crazy (I also see many that are true). Now, I know this is really not administrative fault and I am not bashing the site by any means. I am just wanting to offer some advice for people when purchasing animals.
I have bought animals from the following:
Stela's Jungle
Fantasy Boas
Unique Reptiles
Outback Reptiles
Ophidiophile Farms
Rainbows -R- Us
Glades Herp (Animals are in Transit)
Southern Boids (Pending Transaction)
The majority of these are small time operations. Two of them are wholesale and large breeding facility retailers. Why is it important to mention that? Simple. The unfortunate circumstances of any wholesale breeding or larger breeding facility is the amount of animals moved in and out versus the people that work there. Use common sense on this. You know they are wholesalers. You know they buy or trade animals from other people in "bulk" and sell them. This means that sometimes, yes, animals that are sick get out. It's unfortunate, but it's true. But, let me assure you, it can happen in small breed operations too.
Because this is NOT the BOI and because I've no desire to make it seem as if I am blaming anyone but myself for it - the first boa I bought online came from one of the smaller breeding facilities above. I did not get her checked by a vet when I first recieved her. Why? Because I assumed (note this word here) that she would be perfectly fine. Two months later, she abruptly stops feeding. I give her a month to work out whatever her issue is, but in this time, she becomes snippy and aggressive. Concerned, I take her to the vet and discover she has a massive infection in her throat that is bleeding down into her stomach causing severe bloating and discomfort (to gain this severity, it would have taken about two months). This infection, according to the vet, could only come from a snake living with fecal matter. My snakes are checked on daily, cleaned weekly and spot cleaned as needed. We try anti-biotics and other injections. This goes on for six months. The vet attempts force feeding the snake. She regurges. The infection was spreading into her intestinal track. We opt to have the snake euthanized as the vet could only keep attempting force feeding and since the animal had already been through so much in its brief ten months of life, I could bare no more. During this whole ordeal, I never contacted the breeder. Why? Because had I taken her to the vet as soon as I got her? The infection would have been detected early and rid of just as quickly.
What is the point of this? Well, it's simple. Let's say a snake is 125.00 USD. Shipping is 50.00 USD. That makes the snake 150.00 USD, right? Well, in my opinion, that is wrong. That makes the snake 200.00 USD. Why do I say that? Because the average exotic animal comprehensive vet check is 50.00 USD. It is my honest opinion that unless you really KNOW the person you are getting an animal from, you need to take it to a vet as soon as you get it. I have seen that many reputable breeders will give a week or so guarantee on the animal's health. So, in that time, if it is found something is medically wrong with the animal, something can be done about it. If you cannot afford to bring the animal to the vet as soon as you get it, then iit is not time to get the animal. This is my opinion, but it is a belief I now strongly stick to given the loss of one of my animals. I still, to this day, kick myself for letting that happen to her.
Following that incidient, every animal I have gotten has gone to the vet either the day they arrive or a few days afterward.
Now, I have two animals coming to me from Glades Herp soon. Am I taking both to the vet? You bet. Did I specifically set aside 100.00 USD to do this? You bet. The snakes I am getting from Southern Boids. Am I getting them checked at the vet? You bet. Is this because I do not trust the breeder? Not at all. It is because it is in the better interest of the animal.
So, that would be it for my little rant, really. I just think people should realize that sometimes, it is not always the seller's fault for what happens. People make mistakes. This is the bottom line. Just because you get ONE speeding ticket doesn't make you a horrific driver that is likely to kill someone crossing the street, does it? No. Just because you got into a fight with someone for using poor judgement and getting hot headed doesn't mean you're an adrenaline junkie that is too aggressive and has anger issues, does it? No. Mistakes happen. It's unfortuante, but they do. It would be IDEAL if they NEVER happened, especially in business, but that is exactly what it is; idealistic.
Now ... I will read the good, the bad and the ugly. I understand awesome transactions happen, I understand horrific transactions happen, but what really gets me is people that jump the gun in posting on the BOI when they have little to no real reason to do so or no hard evidence. I see so many posts that are retracted or discredited it's crazy (I also see many that are true). Now, I know this is really not administrative fault and I am not bashing the site by any means. I am just wanting to offer some advice for people when purchasing animals.
I have bought animals from the following:
Stela's Jungle
Fantasy Boas
Unique Reptiles
Outback Reptiles
Ophidiophile Farms
Rainbows -R- Us
Glades Herp (Animals are in Transit)
Southern Boids (Pending Transaction)
The majority of these are small time operations. Two of them are wholesale and large breeding facility retailers. Why is it important to mention that? Simple. The unfortunate circumstances of any wholesale breeding or larger breeding facility is the amount of animals moved in and out versus the people that work there. Use common sense on this. You know they are wholesalers. You know they buy or trade animals from other people in "bulk" and sell them. This means that sometimes, yes, animals that are sick get out. It's unfortunate, but it's true. But, let me assure you, it can happen in small breed operations too.
Because this is NOT the BOI and because I've no desire to make it seem as if I am blaming anyone but myself for it - the first boa I bought online came from one of the smaller breeding facilities above. I did not get her checked by a vet when I first recieved her. Why? Because I assumed (note this word here) that she would be perfectly fine. Two months later, she abruptly stops feeding. I give her a month to work out whatever her issue is, but in this time, she becomes snippy and aggressive. Concerned, I take her to the vet and discover she has a massive infection in her throat that is bleeding down into her stomach causing severe bloating and discomfort (to gain this severity, it would have taken about two months). This infection, according to the vet, could only come from a snake living with fecal matter. My snakes are checked on daily, cleaned weekly and spot cleaned as needed. We try anti-biotics and other injections. This goes on for six months. The vet attempts force feeding the snake. She regurges. The infection was spreading into her intestinal track. We opt to have the snake euthanized as the vet could only keep attempting force feeding and since the animal had already been through so much in its brief ten months of life, I could bare no more. During this whole ordeal, I never contacted the breeder. Why? Because had I taken her to the vet as soon as I got her? The infection would have been detected early and rid of just as quickly.
What is the point of this? Well, it's simple. Let's say a snake is 125.00 USD. Shipping is 50.00 USD. That makes the snake 150.00 USD, right? Well, in my opinion, that is wrong. That makes the snake 200.00 USD. Why do I say that? Because the average exotic animal comprehensive vet check is 50.00 USD. It is my honest opinion that unless you really KNOW the person you are getting an animal from, you need to take it to a vet as soon as you get it. I have seen that many reputable breeders will give a week or so guarantee on the animal's health. So, in that time, if it is found something is medically wrong with the animal, something can be done about it. If you cannot afford to bring the animal to the vet as soon as you get it, then iit is not time to get the animal. This is my opinion, but it is a belief I now strongly stick to given the loss of one of my animals. I still, to this day, kick myself for letting that happen to her.
Following that incidient, every animal I have gotten has gone to the vet either the day they arrive or a few days afterward.
Now, I have two animals coming to me from Glades Herp soon. Am I taking both to the vet? You bet. Did I specifically set aside 100.00 USD to do this? You bet. The snakes I am getting from Southern Boids. Am I getting them checked at the vet? You bet. Is this because I do not trust the breeder? Not at all. It is because it is in the better interest of the animal.
So, that would be it for my little rant, really. I just think people should realize that sometimes, it is not always the seller's fault for what happens. People make mistakes. This is the bottom line. Just because you get ONE speeding ticket doesn't make you a horrific driver that is likely to kill someone crossing the street, does it? No. Just because you got into a fight with someone for using poor judgement and getting hot headed doesn't mean you're an adrenaline junkie that is too aggressive and has anger issues, does it? No. Mistakes happen. It's unfortuante, but they do. It would be IDEAL if they NEVER happened, especially in business, but that is exactly what it is; idealistic.
