Feeding with Gerbils

[jitami]

To throw in another twist...what about that pet owner? If they really care what happens to their pet shouldn't they take the time to find the pet a good home? Why dump it at the pet store?

LeAnn, I was thinking the same thing. If any of you have looked at Craigslist's pet section lately there are an overabundance of pet mice, rats, hamsters, gerbils, etc being offered. They're often bought as pets for children who lose interest and the parents can't be bothered to care for them. I would argue that except in rare circumstances the pet rodent is better off being humanely(I wouldn't do live, but again, judgment call) fed to a snake than continuing to live with people who would so easily give it back to a pet store. I know there are exceptions and people sometimes have circumstances that they can't help, but really, if they can't be bothered to find it a home themselves what do you think the living conditions were like before they gave it back to the pet store?

[drache]

I'm not sure I agree with the assessment that it's worse for a pampered pet to be eaten by a snake than for a feeder rodent
it's kind of like saying that Marie Antoinette suffered more than the average peasant
it assumes the same hierarchy of value that will lead a person to neglect or discard a $7.- pet
that being said - those pets may not have been quite as pampered as you might imagine and possibly had to endure more stress than the average feeder

[jitami]

that being said - those pets may not have been quite as pampered as you might imagine and possibly had to endure more stress than the average feeder

That's exactly what I was getting at, but I do tend to ramble! If the people were willing to drop off their pet at the pet store then it probably hasn't been pampered in quite awhile.

[infernalis]

we are overpopulated with dogs and cats too..should we kill them all for food!! I mean..come on!

Heres where I will get shot down, ground up and spit out....

And before anyone takes this wrong, I have taken in more than one stray cat, Oscar was $500 up front in surgeries and vet care, before I even knew if he was going to work out. We have the ashes of our passed away schnauzer in an urn, I think we get the idea there.

Jenny, If I could end human starvation, provide sound meals for every child, eliminate world hunger,

By serving chowder made from all those unwanted cats and dogs,

I would be first in line to help out.

[Jenlang_79]

Wayne...start serving...LOL!!!
As for the gerbils/hamsters..I still think if they were pets it is wrong...but if they are old or sick..well then I don't think so..but If they are young and have a chance at adoption then I don't think they should be used. Obviously I believe that the people who are bringing these pets back to the store are irresponsible..but there are lots of responsible people who have rodents as pets also..Yes feeder mice are expensive..but you knew that before you got your snakes...I guess it is just a personal opinion..I was probably a little harsh to caleb..I don't really think he is a bad person...but I do think it is wrong.
As for Snake Lover..not know what to believe..you believe what feels right to you...it doesn't matter what other people believe..or it shouldn't.

[infernalis]

"Yes feeder mice are expensive..but you knew that before you got your snakes.."

Unless (like us) you are a sucker for unwanted neglected snakes, it only takes a moment to say "Yes I will take your snake for you", followed by years of killing mice to feed it.

And just so you know Jenny, That big heart of yours, treasure that! in this world we live in today, compassion is fading fast.........

Without even seeing you, I can say without reservation you are a beautiful person..... Never change!!!!

[anji1971]

I had no idea what feeder mice cost. Once I read so many threads here recommending their use, I looked into it.
Well, let's just say I'm sticking to worms and fish with vitamin supplements for a while.

[infernalis]

I think that is one very good reason that Garters make a great pet.

"murdering mice" is optional. Not until our first Corn snake did we even consider mice in this house.

However, to get real technical, I never seen a guppy that was "happy" to be grabbed up out of the water bowl either Just the other day Melanie ate a guppy, it was flopping around in her tummy for a minute after she ate it.

Even the worms seem like they would rather be somewhere else

[anji1971]

The worms put up a startlingly good fight!! I've actually wondered if they'd win sometimes. Really makes feeding time fun!

[el lobo]

Heres where I will get shot down, ground up and spit out....

And before anyone takes this wrong, I have taken in more than one stray cat, Oscar was $500 up front in surgeries and vet care, before I even knew if he was going to work out. We have the ashes of our passed away schnauzer in an urn, I think we get the idea there.

Jenny, If I could end human starvation, provide sound meals for every child, eliminate world hunger,

By serving chowder made from all those unwanted cats and dogs,

I would be first in line to help out.

And I would be first in line to partake! But seriously you guys, A mouse is a mouse is a mouse. I went to pestmart once, and tried to buy a mouse, and they asked me what size cage I had. I told them I didn't have a cage for it, I was feeding it to my snake. They refused to sell it to me. It sure looked like a feeder to me, but apparently it was a 'fancy' mouse. I can afford to feed my snakes. I have a job (obviously) and have plenty of money to feed all of my animals. I could even afford to feed my dingo if my parents asked me to. But the fact is, I am not going to pay for something that I can get for free! The people who bring in their 'pet' rodents or lagomorphs did what they wanted with it. They give it to me, and it becomes my property, and I may do what I wish with it. If I were to give away one of my snakes, it is the person's business who I gave it to what they do with it...whether they want to keep it as a pet, sell if for a profit, or feed it to there king cobra. What is a tire to one person might be a bear's toy to another. What is an antique chair to one person might be firewood for another. people use things for what they need them for. Everything has multiple uses. I am just recycling the gerbil, and giving it another use. It should be proud that it made two people happy in two different ways.