Online animal purchases - stress factors?

[Jheuloh]

Having observed that there are only few breeders of reptiles as companion animals near where I live, I've come to find that for a lot of the species I'd consider purchasing, I would need to do through online purchase. Pointed out to me by parents though, moving an animal from a pet-shop/show/other causes considerable stress, and being shipped from a considerable distance away by careless package handlers could be another ordeal entirely. For those of you who have purchased geckos and other reptiles over the internet; would you say that the process of shipping an animal from a breeder to a purchaser be stressful enough on the animal to warrant a near complete aversion to looking at pets through websites? (I.e., wait for expos & shows if at all possible, or don't think twice about picking up that nice looking insert genus & species here, assuming it's coming from a breeder with solid practices regarding the shipping & packaging of their animals?)

I ask this on behalf of concerned parents, who fear that an online purchase would all too likely end up with them paying for an animal that shows up DOA, or on its deathbed from stress due to rough handling in the shipping process.

 

[shaelikestaquitos]

I believe that most animals are handled with better care than regular items that are shipped because it is clearly indicated that it is a live animal and good breeders will be very particular about which transport service they use, etc.

If your parents are concerned with a stressed animal, then why don't you find a breeder that might be a few hours' drive away and go pick up the animal yourself or have them deliver the animal to you via car?

I'm getting my garg from Toronto (I live in Montreal) and the breeder has offered to deliver the animal by car to my door for an extra $50. He was concerned about how cold it would be on the plane, etc so he didn't think it was a good idea to ship at this time.

I guess it all just comes down to a good breeder and how careful they are about their animals?

 

[acpart]

I have had a problem only once with an animal shipped to me mostly because it was shipped 2nd day air (2 days instead of overnight) and then got lost for a day. It was touch and go with her for awhile, but I've had her for 6 years now. All the other animals that I've either shipped or received have been fine and have eaten soon after arriving. There is a reptile shipping service called shipyourreptiles.com which is now providing shipping in conjunction with FedEx (in the US). You can look at their website to see detailed instructions about how to pack up a reptile to ship. Once you've educated yourself, you can ask the online breeder if s/he will be packaging the reptile that way (the answer should be "yes").

Aliza

 

[Jheuloh]

I have had a problem only once with an animal shipped to me mostly because it was shipped 2nd day air (2 days instead of overnight) and then got lost for a day. It was touch and go with her for awhile, but I've had her for 6 years now. All the other animals that I've either shipped or received have been fine and have eaten soon after arriving. There is a reptile shipping service called shipyourreptiles.com which is now providing shipping in conjunction with FedEx (in the US). You can look at their website to see detailed instructions about how to pack up a reptile to ship. Once you've educated yourself, you can ask the online breeder if s/he will be packaging the reptile that way (the answer should be "yes").

Aliza

Ah, ok. A happy note to go by, and a new reference to utilize.

I'm getting my garg from Toronto (I live in Montreal) and the breeder has offered to deliver the animal by car to my door for an extra $50. He was concerned about how cold it would be on the plane, etc so he didn't think it was a good idea to ship at this time.

You're getting a gargoyle gecko? That's the kind of gecko I'm looking to adopt! :biggrin:

 

[shaelikestaquitos]

You're getting a gargoyle gecko? That's the kind of gecko I'm looking to adopt! :biggrin:

Yes, yes I love gargs ^-^ I fell in love with them at this animal convention I went to late summer/early fall and I have been looking to adopt one since
They're just about the cutest looking geckos out there imo :biggrin:

 

[Jheuloh]

Yes, yes I love gargs ^-^ I fell in love with them at this animal convention I went to late summer/early fall and I have been looking to adopt one since
They're just about the cutest looking geckos out there imo :biggrin:

I personally am amused by the idea of raising a "gargoyle" as a companion animal.

Edit: That and, they just look beautiful, in form and color.