General Care Discussion :: Ramblings

[jenaero]

I keep seeing it over and over and just felt I had to say something. I've seen on several forums (not just here) people coming on, looking for help when their animal is ill and then saying there isn't a herp vet close enough, they can't afford to pay vet bills or their parents don't think it's important. Most times the animal is left to die. I see this more with herps than anything else because a lot of people see them as disposable pets, whereas dogs and cats are considered 'members of the family'.

I just want to say I think it's so important for people to take these things into consideration BEFORE purchasing/adopting an animal. I believe that when we take in a pet we are responsible for it until it dies. We are responsible for providing proper care/housing and medical attention when needed. These are helpless animals that rely on people for survival. If for some reason your financial/housing situation changes, as it has for me, and you are no longer able to properly care for one/all of your animals, it is your responsibility to find them a good home rather than letting them go or letting them die or live in unfit conditions.

Another touchy subject is taking animals from the wild. This boggles my mind. Someone finds a turtle crossing the road/roaming the yard and takes it in, claiming to have 'saved it', having no idea how to care for it. Even if you're ready to care for an animal, it is my opinion that taking from the wild is not the answer. How is taking a turtle from the wild any different than taking a racoon or squirrel? Why is it okay for some people to release their turts when they get too large/expensive to care for? How does that differ from letting a cat or dog run loose when you are no longer able to care for it?

I'll stop now. Just wanted to get that out.

[amazingcc]

I sooooo agree with you! One other thing that REALLY bugs me, though... pet stores who fail to give correct info! My first three sliders all died of RI, because a. I bought them on impulse (I thought I was saving them from the horrible conditions they lived in - about 50 turtles in a 10-gallon tank, w/dead babies floating in the water, and dead babies on the basking platform!), b. I was told to put them in a window sill in the little pet carrier they sold to me, c. I was also told that they would stay that small (about 3/4 inch each) and to feed them each one pellet a day!
No mention of a UVB light, or how to keep them warm, or how to properly feed them... well, you get the picture! Imagine my surprise and horror when I brought them to the vet, and there was nothing he could do, because they were far too sick by then. They all died within a week of me buying them. I am not a careless person, but I just didn't have the correct info! Once I did my own research it was an eye-opening experience, but - too little, too late. I've since adopted some turts and they're doing great. However, I will NEVER again BUY a turtle from a pet store!

[steve]

Jen, I'm with you 100%. The problems start earlier, with people not bothering with a correct setup. I mean, 5 or 10 gallon tanks? Deathbowls? Parents should not allow young children to be primary caregivers and they need to be educated themselves. However, I don't expect most people to really understand that a $5 turtle has value beyond that money.

As for taking turtles... when people say they 'rescue' them, I really wonder what they mean. I'm also very dismayed when people are just ready to dump their turtles without putting a real effort in finding a real home. Turtles deserve better treatment.

[CountryGirl68]

Jenaero, you make such good points. As I've been reading through the topics posted on this forum, one of the things I did was find out if there was a herp vet nearby, should I decide to get a turtle. Luckily, there are two that are only a couple of miles away from home - both highly recommended by others who have herps.

It is funny how you can so easily adopt cats or dogs, especially in NYC, and one of the first things dog/cat owners do is take their pets to the vet to make sure they are well. But the fact is, you don't hear too many people say the same thing for any other pets they may get. This is sad. I've always felt that any pet a person has should be treated as if they were your children. (My hubby always refers to our fish as "our babies".)

All it takes is a little extra time and effort to make sure you are doing things right before taking on the responsibility of a pet, regardless of what that pet is. I've known people who had turtles (notice I said "had") and none of the many suggestions or recommendations listed on this site has ever been mentioned by any of them.

[kayla_2305]

I totally agree with all of you right now one of my turtles has RI and has had it for a will my parents will not take it to a herp vet and that makes me very mad we also have 2 dogs and just as soon as they get hurt the first thing my parents do is take them straight to the vet but they cant take my pets to the vet i get really ggervated at my parents over that they dont understand how much i care about my turtles like here a while back i had a turtle that got stuck between the filter and glass that drowned and i cried and cried over that and my mom just said ahh it will be ok no need to cry about it we can just get you another turtle, she didnt realize how much that meant to me and i dont think my dad did either you know i think that people dont think of turtles of being a part of the family because they are very common animals but i consider mine family and i love 'em all 3 very much!!!!

[Batcsh]

This is one of the reasons why I am here. I have seen all too many times how people just go out and buy a pet and either don't know what to do with it when they get it home, or they only pay attention to it for a few days and then it becomes old news. I came to these forums so I could learn all about the pet I want before I even come close to buying it. I mean sure, I would love to just go out and buy a RES right now but I would rather be able to know what to do and what not to do to properly take care of the turtle. In short, people need to start doing the proper research before they consider buying a pet, unless they are absolutley sure they know how to take care of it, and the whole taking turts out of the wild and calling it a "rescue" is stupid. The turts in the wild probably had a home and stuff and people just take em away from it, thats just stupid..

[Anette]

true, true
It sadden me to know that these precious animals are kept in such horrible conditions, and even though there is a law they are till sold at flea markets and outside supermarket in dirty vans. After all I learn here I feel like going out and finding all these place and informing them that what they're doing is wrong and if they're going to do this, to do it the right way. To provide for these animals that die because of their lack of care. And If I happen to come across a place like this I certainly will.
These are the places most buy them from, and if they provided their customers with proper information then maybe more of these little guys would be better of.

[missibsu]

My father and I were having a discussion the other day about how to judge the worth of a pet. Mainly because I was upset about such facts as mentioned above. When you look at a turtle that costs 5 bucks and compare it to a vet bill that may be upwards of 50 bucks, it's easy to say, oh we'll just get another one. But, that doesn't take in to consideration the emotional toll, the effort spent on that turtle, the amount of money that has gone into a proper set up, and the amount of money spent on food and upkeep. The list goes on. I came to the conclusion that the people who feel that the turts are easier replaced are the ones who never spent the money on their turtle to begin with. The other people who seem to not care are the ones who buy the turtles for their kids because the kids begged and pleaded to get one. They make all of these promises that they will soley care for it...and it isn't financially possible. Then there are the people who get others turtles as gifts. Those people don't have a clue either. They soon find out that it is more care than they bargined for and they don't want to deal with it.

Ahhh, the list goes on. I feel your pain and frustration Jen...it annoys me to no end.