Recent visit to local pet store, etc. (long, sorry!)

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]

Posted by Iguanamomma on May 10, 1999 at 10:22:17:

In Reply to: Aquiring an Iguana.....On my Soapbox posted by Lola and Harry's Mom on May 10, 1999 at 05:47:45:

Down below I have a long post part of which describes my visit to a new branch of a pet store that sells exotics/reptiles. I failed to mention another aspect of their iguana set up. In this set up were juvenile igs and a full grown ig and nearby in a separate set up were 2 baby iguanas. Hopefully, anyone coming in wanting an iguana will "get the picture" of what they are really going to have to look forward to as time goes on and "baby" grows.

Breeders aka iguana farms that SUPPLY STORES bother me because I'm seeing posts re iguanas coming in to the market in piss-poor condition. It would appear to me that more and more of the suppliers just don't care. After all, what is their cut? Just how much are they making when there are places selling iguanas for $10 or less. They cut their expenses by cutting the care of their stock IMHO.

I have NO experience with those who sell their stock ONLY at expos, etc. so I cannot comment on that aspect. I have personal knowledge of Dino and would not hesitate to get an iguana from him. However, I have a sinking feeling that he is fast becoming a rare breed.....a breeder that takes excellent care from start to finish. In trying to think this thru thoroughly, it is my personal belief that there is a NEED for breeders IF they are in the same league as our friend Dino. Look at all of us with spayed igs or those of us not trying to breed or not incubating eggs which may be fertile in order to cut down on the needless over-population of iguanas. With the stock of the disreputable breeders going downhill quicker every day it seems, I think that we will see a need for a place where quality is still rampant and only healthy iguanas are sold. Strong bloodlines will be needed to continue to produce quality iguanas and only reputable breeders working in conjunction with each other will be able to do this. By the same token, the "good guys" need to run the "bad guys" out of business. How? I don't know. Word of mouth and the power of the internet would probably be a good start. And IF the iguanas that are in sickly condition are imports to the U.S., then perhaps importation of green iguanas should be made illegal.

Sue, I do basically agree with you. Breeding for the sake of "teaching a life lesson to children" or just to show that you can do it, etc. etc. IS NOT a good thing to do...whether it be iguanas, dogs, cats, etc. There are those out there who feel that the bearded dragon will become the next "iguana" because their popularity is growing by leaps and bounds. I hope that won't happen.

I commend you both for your work in Rescue. And I agree with you...check with these places first any of you out there who are looking for additions to your iguana family, reptile collection or first time owners.

No mud around here, Sue, except for what blew in with last night's thunderstorm at 3 a.m. which our daughter made sure none of us missed! LOL

Follow Ups:

Post a Followup

Name:
E-Mail:

Subject:

Comments:
: Down below I have a long post part of which describes my visit to a new branch of a pet store that sells exotics/reptiles. I failed to mention another aspect of their iguana set up. In this set up were juvenile igs and a full grown ig and nearby in a separate set up were 2 baby iguanas. Hopefully, anyone coming in wanting an iguana will "get the picture" of what they are really going to have to look forward to as time goes on and "baby" grows. : Breeders aka iguana farms that SUPPLY STORES bother me because I'm seeing posts re iguanas coming in to the market in piss-poor condition. It would appear to me that more and more of the suppliers just don't care. After all, what is their cut? Just how much are they making when there are places selling iguanas for $10 or less. They cut their expenses by cutting the care of their stock IMHO. : I have NO experience with those who sell their stock ONLY at expos, etc. so I cannot comment on that aspect. I have personal knowledge of Dino and would not hesitate to get an iguana from him. However, I have a sinking feeling that he is fast becoming a rare breed.....a breeder that takes excellent care from start to finish. In trying to think this thru thoroughly, it is my personal belief that there is a NEED for breeders IF they are in the same league as our friend Dino. Look at all of us with spayed igs or those of us not trying to breed or not incubating eggs which may be fertile in order to cut down on the needless over-population of iguanas. With the stock of the disreputable breeders going downhill quicker every day it seems, I think that we will see a need for a place where quality is still rampant and only healthy iguanas are sold. Strong bloodlines will be needed to continue to produce quality iguanas and only reputable breeders working in conjunction with each other will be able to do this. By the same token, the "good guys" need to run the "bad guys" out of business. How? I don't know. Word of mouth and the power of the internet would probably be a good start. And IF the iguanas that are in sickly condition are imports to the U.S., then perhaps importation of green iguanas should be made illegal. : Sue, I do basically agree with you. Breeding for the sake of "teaching a life lesson to children" or just to show that you can do it, etc. etc. IS NOT a good thing to do...whether it be iguanas, dogs, cats, etc. There are those out there who feel that the bearded dragon will become the next "iguana" because their popularity is growing by leaps and bounds. I hope that won't happen. : I commend you both for your work in Rescue. And I agree with you...check with these places first any of you out there who are looking for additions to your iguana family, reptile collection or first time owners. : No mud around here, Sue, except for what blew in with last night's thunderstorm at 3 a.m. which our daughter made sure none of us missed! LOL

Optional Link URL:
Link Title:
Optional Image URL:

[ Follow Ups ] [ Post Followup ] [ The Iguana & Water Dragon Forum ] [ FAQ ]