In Reply to: Oh boy, you got me started. This is my soapbox. Like it or not! posted by Tim on May 09, 1999 at 00:44:19:

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: First of all you stated that you shouldn't start talking about the breeder if you haven't been there, or something like that. well, the person who posted this said that they have visited the facility and seen how the gliders were housed. this person said there was 31 gliders in a very small cage all housed together. Now, going by this description I would say that it sounds like horrible conditions for the gliders. True, I have never been there, but this person "supposedly" was and saw these conditions. Maybe they have changed some since you last visited??
: In response to the watering system deal, I think it's good that they decided to go with water bottles. Guess it's not that hard when there are 30 or so to a cage. Let's see, 1000/30 is roughly 33 waterers. Maybe make it 66 if there are 2 per cage. I have suspicions of this amount of gliders per cage though. I would think that there would be a problem of babies being eaten and stuff. Maybe they seperate them when they are showing signs that they are pregnant. I don't know, again I haven't been there. have to go on the information provided.
: What gets me is the fact that you are saying it is great to have places like these. WHY?? You say that they help write the books and provide information. Maybe true, but can't smaller glider breeders do the same. I have found the most information on glider right on the web here, on web pages and talking to people who own or breed gliders. I think it is safe to say, most of the breeders on this list are smaller scale breeders. The larger breeders are probably very busy running their buisiness and would not have time for this. Not saying that the smaller breeders here don't put in their fair share of time.
: Also, where are all these gliders kept. Most of the small scale breeders keep them in or at their homes where they can interact with their pets and start the bonding process with baby joeys early. I can't see how 3 people working 10 hour days could spend adaquate time with all the gliders. I would imagine most of their time being spent cleaning cages, watering, feeding and running sales. Smaller breeders would have more of an opportunity to interacty with their babies and parents, "let's not forget them". I think it is cruel to just have adult gliders for the sole purpose of spouting out babies. The breeder I visited had no toys or anything for the adults to play with or get excersize. Just stay in the cage, have sex, pop out some kids and repeat the process. What a life. the parent gliders deserve to be loved too.
: The last thing that gets me is when you say that these places help keep the price down, and if it weren't for these they would cost 600 bucks. Good. i wish they were 600 bucks if it meant that people who don't know anything about them stop buying them. I think people would do a little bit more researching into their investment if it cost 600 bucks. I would probably not get my 2 in August if they were that much but that means I would have to save more money and have more time to think about my purchase before going out and getting them. Yeah, if we get more and more of these places maybe we can knock the price down below 100. wouldn't that be just dandy. They would start becoming an everyday item in every pet shop since more people could then afford them. Well, i am sure the rescue people would then have their hands full. Isn't this part of the joy of an EXOTIC pet, that if it becomes cheap to own everyone would then have one and then what would be EXOTIC about that.
: True, I don't have all the facts, and I only visited 1 breeder so far. I just wen't on what this person stated in their post. True, this is my opinion, and I expect to pay dearly for this in the responses. I think this person was just stating his experience, like I did back some time, which is something people may want to know. Since he/she (i forgot who posted this) gave their name to their post, I will have to take their word over yours. Ok. I am done. it's late. Probably saying things I will regret later. Ah, heck with it. Bring on the flames!!
: Tim

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