Morals and pets

Pea-brain · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 4:40 pm Post subject: Morals and pets

I was recently reading a forum post where a guy asked whether to get a tegu or monitor. Someone asked "why doesn't he get a iguana? They are overpopulated pets and are excellent pets. If its just because they are carnivorous or pretty it is immoral and wrong" (not an exact quote but basically what they said) This got me thinking. one half of me said "Yes, it is immoral and wrong" and the other half said (the logical half that considers all facts and tries to get a perspective as a whole from different angles) "There is nothing wrong with getting an pet for such a vane reason because you get a pet to make you happy. If a pet that makes you happy because of a certain reason and you are willing to deal with the flaws of that pet, and have the resources and patience to take care of that animal then it isn't wrong at all. remember you have to take care of it and live with it etc. so you don't want a pet that will make you feel disappointed or unhappy, do you?" That side won.

I would like to know how you feel about this and would appreciate if we kept this a friendly debate and try to stay away from snippy comments and insults. (also If a moderator would like to move this somewhere more appropriate I don't mind because I couldn't decide where to put it and chose here)
_________________
Argentine B&W planned for end of summer

videodogg44 · Member Joined: Jul 17, 2005 Posts: 52

Get what you want. Dont let someone make you feel guilty about your choice. I would have told the other person who recommended the Iguana's to re- read the question, which was about Tegus and Monitors.

yeaitsdave · Honored Member Joined: Sep 25, 2005 Posts: 261

I chose the tegus becuase of the diversity in diet, intelligence, and size. Iguanas do make good pets, but you really have to work with them. Tegus or much better in my opinion, much more fun

Rick · Posted: Sat Apr 15, 2006 11:05 pm Post subject:

I guess it's a point that could be debated from several angles, but why adopt an animal you are not going to be 100% happy with? Then the animal is not going to get the attention and care it deserves.

I think the best way to deal with "too many unwanted iguanas" is education and less breeding/importing of animals that have already become overpopulated and unwanted.

That's my opinion.

Note that I am not against adopting animals. I helped to start NEARR ( New England Amphibian & Reptile Rescue, www.reptilerescue.net ) so it's obvious I do care about the unwanted animals, but I will not tell someone to adopt what they don't want just because it needs a home. If you do not want the animal it's not likely to get dedicated care and love.

Rick
_________________
Sisco Reptiles - Proud Breeder of the Tamest & Most Social Tegus. See www.SiscoReptiles.com