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Posted by Ally's Mom on December 07, 2000 at 16:44:31:

In Reply to: selling baby igs posted by AP on December 06, 2000 at 21:06:11:

There are responsible pet stores that will listen. I have one here that was selling iguanas. The owner has two of his own, and is very well respected and educated on the care of all of his animals. Or thought he was. He had no computer, and knew all of his iguana care information from breeders, and his own 'successes'. I tried to point out that just because *his* igs were "doing fine" on cabbage and crickets didn't mean it was the thing to do. Children wouldn't necessarily die if they were raised on cookies...but hardly would live to a ripe old age as healthy adults! He didn't bite.
My next approach was to ask where all the iguanas were that he has sold over the years (we live in a small town). He said he wasn't sure. Talk about lady fortune smiling on me - just then the SPCA from a nearby city (I think it's called the animal control in the US) phoned him to ask if he could take in a full grown ig! He said no, and when he got off the phone he turned to me apologetically and said it was the third time THIS WEEK that they'd called him with unwanted iguanas. I asked in horror if there wasn't a reptile rescue around. He said there was only one, an eight hour drive away. If he's heading up there, he'll take some igs from the SPCA, because otherwise they are euthanized. I asked why, and he said because no one wants a full-grown iguana. Then I said, "Oh, so *where* are the ones you've sold???" He was quiet, and I took the opportunity to say "YOU know they don't even belong in Canada." Now guess who does not sell iguanas any more. And I am in there every week buying worms for another pet - so I know.
There is also another store that I like to think my constant "Why do you sell iguanas" has gotten to. I went in repeatedly, passing out care sheets etc. They didn't even sell UVB lights, and believed that iguanas in captivity grow to a maximin S-T length of three feet!!! Anyhow, they no longer sell them. And the last one now when asked, responds with "they are too difficult and too expensive for an average person to care for" Hooray!!! So never deny what each of us as an individual can accomplish. That is what it takes - for EACH of us to do our part. One day, when there are only a handful of pet stores left that sell igs, THEY will be the ones who look bad and get the bad reputation for it. Together we will get there, but only by individual after individual speaks out.

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: There are responsible pet stores that will listen. I have one here that was selling iguanas. The owner has two of his own, and is very well respected and educated on the care of all of his animals. Or thought he was. He had no computer, and knew all of his iguana care information from breeders, and his own 'successes'. I tried to point out that just because *his* igs were "doing fine" on cabbage and crickets didn't mean it was the thing to do. Children wouldn't necessarily die if they were raised on cookies...but hardly would live to a ripe old age as healthy adults! He didn't bite. : My next approach was to ask where all the iguanas were that he has sold over the years (we live in a small town). He said he wasn't sure. Talk about lady fortune smiling on me - just then the SPCA from a nearby city (I think it's called the animal control in the US) phoned him to ask if he could take in a full grown ig! He said no, and when he got off the phone he turned to me apologetically and said it was the third time THIS WEEK that they'd called him with unwanted iguanas. I asked in horror if there wasn't a reptile rescue around. He said there was only one, an eight hour drive away. If he's heading up there, he'll take some igs from the SPCA, because otherwise they are euthanized. I asked why, and he said because no one wants a full-grown iguana. Then I said, "Oh, so *where* are the ones you've sold???" He was quiet, and I took the opportunity to say "YOU know they don't even belong in Canada." Now guess who does not sell iguanas any more. And I am in there every week buying worms for another pet - so I know. : There is also another store that I like to think my constant "Why do you sell iguanas" has gotten to. I went in repeatedly, passing out care sheets etc. They didn't even sell UVB lights, and believed that iguanas in captivity grow to a maximin S-T length of three feet!!! Anyhow, they no longer sell them. And the last one now when asked, responds with "they are too difficult and too expensive for an average person to care for" Hooray!!! So never deny what each of us as an individual can accomplish. That is what it takes - for EACH of us to do our part. One day, when there are only a handful of pet stores left that sell igs, THEY will be the ones who look bad and get the bad reputation for it. Together we will get there, but only by individual after individual speaks out.

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