Gecko Time: Ethics and the Gecko Community

[acpart]

Think about the many times the word "ethics" comes up in our discussion about gecko keeping. This article, by Marcia McGuinness of Golden Gate Geckos, is a good starting point for considering the subject, as she frames a number of common questions and discusses whether they involve ethics: Ethics and the Gecko Community | Gecko Time

Aliza

 

[j_izzle8930]

I think that article brings up some really good points but doesnt even begin to cover all the what ifs of this hobby (nor do i think anyone ever could cover it all). A lot of her points seem to lean towards the buisness end of the ethics but consider everything else. Preservation is something I was surprised not to see in her article. Is it ethical to take animals out of the wild for our hobby? That one could be a thread all in its own, and probably has been.

Marcia mentions the cost of animals, selling animals with known health problems, and selling "less than perfect geckos". I believe it would be unethical for someone to knowingly sell animals in these standards without telling the customer.

"Yes this animal is cheaper than that breeders but mine is WC and his is CB"
"This animal did suffer from MBD, but we have turned it around and with a little extra help it will make a great pet"
"This animal is a retired breeder but would make a great pet"

If someone told me those things before making a purchase I think it would be ethical for them to sell me that animal. Basically honesty would be the biggest part in a dealers/breeders ethics.

Marcia breifly touches on greed in her article and I think that is another huge thing in the ethics of our hobby. From my experience as a hobbyist, breeder, and independent pet store manager I see a few types of people.

I see the regular customers that I consider....pet owners? I dont really have a word for them. They bought a gecko or snake and come in to buy it food. They dont really have much interest in anything else and basically lose interest in their pet other than feeding it when they remember and cleaning its enclosure.

I have a few customers and people I have met on this forum that I consider passionate hobbyists. They are always wanting to learn more and may or may not be adding to their collection constantly but they have a drive for this. I believe that these people become the reputable breeders we all seek to get our animals from. Knowledgable, passionate, HONEST hobbyists that want to teach others, help others and genuienly care about the animals they are selling.

And finally I see the GREEDY people selling sick animals, or passing them off as something they arnt. Pretty much doing whatever it takes to make an extra dollar.
"Yes a sand substrate is fine, oh and you want to buy that gecko too but you only have one tank. Hmmm, well that species comes from the desert and this one from the rainforest...yeah you can keep them together."


Kind of funny honesty and greed are so different but in my opinion two of the biggest parts of the ethics of our hobby.

Great article Marcia.

 

[GoldenGateGeckos]

Basically honesty would be the biggest part in a dealers/breeders ethics.

Thanks for the feedback! Yes, this little article is only a small tip of a huge iceberg and only touched on a few of the MANY ethical issues the gecko community, and herps as a whole. The purpose of writing it was, first of all, to define what 'ethics' really are. Secondly, to provoke thoughts. We as breeders and hobbyists need to set precedence for what is acceptable and what isn't, and hold those who practice what is not acceptable accountable.

 

[j_izzle8930]

The worst part of this is even if we do hold someone responsible what can you really do. Aside from word of mouth not to buy from someone theres nothing. How far does that even go if a breeder is known for working with an animal that most people dont have. You take a chance on getting it from them or go without. I believe faunaclassifieds is the only site where you can really let people know which breeders/wholesalers are really out to take your money and send you a crappy animal. I have dealt with some breeders that will send a half dead animal and wont respond to emails, replace the animal, or really offer any help. As far as i know there is no legal action that can be taken either.

 

[acpart]

There is always small claims court. It's a pain in the neck but it can work. A few years ago I bought a day gecko which was never delivered. The "seller" made a bunch of excuses and then didn't return any emails. I took him to small claims court and sued him not only for the cost of the gecko I didn't receive and shipping, but also the cost of plane fare from Boston to Delaware (to go to court) and of renting the car to drive from the airport. I won and eventually got about half of the money. I could have gotten it all if I'd had the energy to do the paperwork to garnish his wages. Obviously if you buy from someone across the country it isn't going to work unless you want to travel, but I did get a fair amount of satisfaction making him come to court and having the judge tell him what poor excuses he had (I bet something like that may play well on Judge Judy also).

Aliza