• Posted 12/19/2024.
    =====================

    I am still waiting on my developer to finish up on the Classifieds Control Panel so I can use it to encourage members into becoming paying members. Google Adsense has become a real burden on the viewing of this site, but honestly it is the ONLY source of income now that keeps it afloat. I tried offering disabling the ads being viewed by paying members, but apparently that is not enough incentive. Quite frankly, Google Adsense has dropped down to where it barely brings in enough daily to match even a single paid member per day. But it still gets the bills paid. But at what cost?

    So even without the classifieds control panel being complete, I believe I am going to have to disable those Google ads completely and likely disable some options here that have been free since going to the new platform. Like classified ad bumping, member name changes, and anything else I can use to encourage this site to be supported by the members instead of the Google Adsense ads.

    But there is risk involved. I will not pay out of pocket for very long during this last ditch experimental effort. If I find that the membership does not want to support this site with memberships, then I cannot support your being able to post your classified ads here for free. No, I am not intending to start charging for your posting ads here. I will just shut the site down and that will be it. I will be done with FaunaClassifieds. I certainly don't need this, and can live the rest of my life just fine without it. If I see that no one else really wants it to survive neither, then so be it. It goes away and you all can just go elsewhere to advertise your animals and merchandise.

    Not sure when this will take place, and I don't intend to give any further warning concerning the disabling of the Google Adsense. Just as there probably won't be any warning if I decide to close down this site. You will just come here and there will be some sort of message that the site is gone, and you have a nice day.

    I have been trying to make a go of this site for a very long time. And quite frankly, I am just tired of trying. I had hoped that enough people would be willing to help me help you all have a free outlet to offer your stuff for sale. But every year I see less and less people coming to this site, much less supporting it financially. That is fine. I tried. I retired the SerpenCo business about 14 years ago, so retiring out of this business completely is not that big if a step for me, nor will it be especially painful to do. When I was in Thailand, I did not check in here for three weeks. I didn't miss it even a little bit. So if you all want it to remain, it will be in your hands. I really don't care either way.

    =====================
    Some people have indicated that finding the method to contribute is rather difficult. And I have to admit, that it is not all that obvious. So to help, here is a thread to help as a quide. How to become a contributing member of FaunaClassifieds.

    And for the record, I will be shutting down the Google Adsense ads on January 1, 2025.
  • Responding to email notices you receive.
    **************************************************
    In short, DON'T! Email notices are to ONLY alert you of a reply to your private message or your ad on this site. Replying to the email just wastes your time as it goes NOWHERE, and probably pisses off the person you thought you replied to when they think you just ignored them. So instead of complaining to me about your messages not being replied to from this site via email, please READ that email notice that plainly states what you need to do in order to reply to who you are trying to converse with.

Looking for a mentor in Pennsylvania Area (MD/DE/NJ could wl

B

BillowyArachnid0803

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I’m looking for a mentor in PA. A little bit about me - I’m an invertebrate “breeder.” I breed jumping spiders (multiple native and non native species) Latrodectus, feeder insects & isopods and I’m looking to get into tarantulas soon. I’ve been working with spiders for over 10 years. I also keep reptiles. I’m very particular with care even with the smallest members of my collection and do my best to replicate their natural environment. I have four (non-venomous) snakes and two bearded dragons. I have a whole list of reptiles and snakes I’d like in the future and my biggest goal is to start a reptile rescue when I feel that I am ready.

I’ve never thought about keeping venomous snakes until the past 12-18 months. I’ve been doing a ton of research, watching videos and lurking on some venomous subs/online communities and have become quite interested in keeping them in the future. I’m mostly however interested in smaller species like bush and pit vipers but would be thrilled to learn to work with just about any of them.

Being in PA (as far as I’ve seen) I believe I can just get a venomous snake without any permits/licensing/experience but that’s absolutely not something I believe is a smart move. I know the venomous community can be pretty closed off and for good reason… there are a lot of people that don’t understand the respect venomous animals deserve and get into this type of thing to show off or for their own egos and I’m sure it ends badly every time.

I know venomous spiders are not the same as snakes but working with them has at least taught me to give them the respect they deserve and to have a healthy fear of and relationship with them. I don’t do anything stupid or quickly. I’d absolutely love the opportunity to be mentored by someone with a lot of experience. The wisdom and experience of a mentor would be absolutely invaluable to me and I’d be willing to do anything to help out just to gain some experience as well. Would love the chance to work with an experienced keeper/breeder so if anyone in PA (or close surrounding areas like MD/DE/NJ) needs extra help or would like to mentor, I’d love to talk! I’ve been fortunate enough to turn my hobby into a working business so I control my schedule and have the time.

Thanks!
 
I'm in Pennsylvania! I know this post is a bit older but I figured I'd say hi. I have kept some venomous for years but nothing super advanced yet.
 
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