Exotic Pets For Christmas

[FoolOnTheHill]

Well today in my local free newspaper was an advertising booklet. It had a big advert for the Reptile shop at a garden centre, saying that for something unusual this Christmas you could give someone an "exotic pet". It had a list including Bearded Dragons, Tortoises, Snakes, Gecko's, Frogs and Spiders. I thought this was horrible - giving a small pet like a guinea pig as a gift is bad enough, but animals that need such specialist treatment is just stupid. Tortoises can outlive humans - I really wouldn't want one thrust upon me to care for! And who would want a snake for Christmas? If the person had researched the animal and had supplies, the gift would be OK, as long as they knew what they were getting, but I don't think advertising these species as Christmas gifts is very responsible. Perhaps the shop gives care sheets and stuff to customers, which would be good, but I think a person should decide for themselves whether or not they want a new pet.
Still, I can't stop them advertising for Christmas. What does everyone else think about this?

[TX_2_Pigs]

I don't think animals should be given as gifts either. I gave a puppy to a boyfriend one time for Christmas and when we broke up I ended up with the dog. Not that I minded, she was a sweety.

[Lyndsay]

Thats sad.... lack of responsibility really.
I'm adopting a cockatiel for myself for chirstmas, but I've been doing research like crazy, and am well aware they live a min. of 18-20 years.

[Res Judicata]

It is disgusting. I found out yesterday that my cousin and his wife are buying a "designer" dog for their three kids for Christmas. They're around six, four, and two in age. Spend $400 on the thing. These kids are monsters, and their mother can't handle them, let alone a puppy who's going to need training. I can see them dumping the poor dog the first time it bites a child for pulling its tail, or for peeing on the carpet too much.

[this_lil_piggy]

Just an idea, but why don't you place a contradictory ad in the same paper? If you can't beat em, join em!
The free papers around here allow you to place ads for free, unless you are a business that is advertising or selling something.
I have thought about doing the same thing in our local paper at every holiday...run a small anonymous ad on why giving pets, or getting pets without preparing for them is iresponsible.
I get so sick of hearing about parents buying cute little rabbits for easter, and then they shove them in tiny huts in the backyard and never feed them hay or take them out of their 2x3 shack.

It would be hard to cram all the CONS of impulse pet buying for kids into a small ad, so I have even considered building just a simple webpage and then running an ad in the papers providing the link and something catchy to direct people there. IF I ever manage it, the main page will be a long list of why it is wrong, the lessons it teaches kids, and the problem it provides shelters/rescues. And then provide links to proper care of certain animals, such as this website, and any I can find for other species.
It's an idea, and one of these days.........

[standuprookie]

Somebody did something like that on craigslist,
Thinking of a Furry Companion as a Gift Idea?

[Lyndsay]

Very good article, and very informative.

[lynn's Cavies]

Yes I really have a problem with selling exotic pets OR any pets for that matter unless it is an adoption fee. I'm so tired of parents wanting to get baby red eared sliders for the children as pets. I have 3 of these lovely creatures and they are a lot of maintenance, special diet, special lighting, etc. Not to mention that they grow larger than a person's hand in less than a year. Hence, baby stage goes FAST!

I got my 3 turtles in 2003 and they are all much bigger than my hand. We are going to build them a pond this year in the backyard and I'm so relieved they'll be able to enjoy a larger enclosure. It's only for spring/summer/fall though. Right now they are in a 90 gallon tank and it is WAY too small! They are managing but it breaks my heart that until we get that pond built that is their home. Our house cannot withstand any more weight as it is a very old house.

I did research when I decided to get turtles but unfortuantely, I did not realize how fast they can grow. It really just didn't sink in my head as dumb as that sounds. You see the little baby turtles and oh they are so cute, but wait, they get huge. And grow fast! I will provide them with what they need as they live here now but it would have been more responsible to have only got one as an adoption. Sorry going off in a tangent here.

But yes, I think having a link or Ad to show why these impulse buys are NOT a good idea is the route I would take.

So many exotic animals die because people don't realize how much maintenance they are. Kids lose interest, etc. It is so sad. One time I was in a petstore a few years ago and they had Tortoises. Now I can't remember the exact name so please someone correct me Sultana? Or Sulcata? Anyway, they grow to be enormous. People cannot lift them and have to use wheelbarrows. They can destroy drywall and bend chain link fences. They are strong torts. A family was looking at one and I could hear them discussing whether or not to purchase him.

I walked up and told them how large they grow and they were totally shocked. No where did it say this information. I told the Pet store Clerk that there should be a sign at least on that aquarium informing customers. Not only that but these type of torts should NOT be in aquariums as they try to get out over and over and it stresses them out. Needless, to say I did not go back. I was disgusted. I was disgusted by how they had their red eared sliders with no UVA or UVB lighting. There was no way for the turtles to bask dry to kill parasites. Arugh!

Sorry it's very upsetting...

Lynn