Mia--- I do understand. I have spent many a night treating respiratory infections, malnutrition, treating burns, mites, abscesses and so many other results of neglect and abuse as well---just my saved souls happen to be scaley. I once had a little gecko so stunted and neurologically damaged (in part due to bad genetic breeding) that he was the size of a hatchling when he came to me at 9 months of age---he had seizures/fits and couldn't hunt on his own. But with some handfeeding, daily soaks and electrolytes he started to come around and he grew to be a wonderful animal. He needed that specialized care for the rest of his life---but he got it.
I think it's really important to realize that reptile people/owning reptiles is not the issue, but irresponsible people who own reptiles. Whether rats/cats/lizards/dogs...these people would cause bad reputations, outrage and suffering wherever they go.
Reptiles are capable of far more intelligence, learning, personality and feelings than most people give them credit for or know about. They recognize and prefer certain people and some will ask to be let out of their enclosures. They will willingly approach and investigate people and some of the larger lizards seem to enjoy being petted.
No reptile has ever been my prisoner---and if living in a cage/in someone's home is the definition then human-loving or not, all animals we keep are prisoners. I mean....would it seem worth it to you to be locked in a room (even with all your 'things' and stuff to do) and only let out when your friend dictates (even if when they let you out you have an awesome time)? No matter how much I love someone---personally to me it's not worth it.
For me---to the reptiles I am a much beloved maid and butler/driver---I keep them clean, bring them food, keep their surroundings perfect and take them wherever and whenever they enjoy so long as it's possible.
SQ---
Is it not abusive to kill/hate an animal for the natural unchangeable thing that it is?
Out in the wild that reptile is still killing and eating rodents---unless you believe that all predators should be wiped off the earth (which would in the end cause immeasurable suffering to the prey animals not kept in balance)?
Many reptiles *cannot* be rehabbed and in the case of most of the pet reptiles these are non-native species who would be invasive on an environmental level AND would suffer terribly and would not survive. Yes in some small and isolated 'perfect storm' scenarios (like Florida) they can and do establish themselves (not without losses of course)...but really how realistic is that in most places? I can guarantee you if I let my bearded dragon and ball python out into 'the wilds' of Montreal (or anywhere in Quebec) that it would be a cruel death and suffering.
ALSO---most reptiles are equally 'domesticated' in the sense that they depend on people for food and shelter. They don't know how to hibernate properly, about predators, to find food...and if you think that they should be released anyway then we might as well put all the cats/dogs/rats out there anyway too. Plus I am sure you could rehab a cat or dog or rat.
As for cruelty-free diets...no diet, no matter how vegan is inherently cruelty free.
Lives don't become inherently more valuable or deserving of protection the more there are. Every life is sacred to the individual to whom it belongs and it is only natural for that organism (and their right) to do what they need to do to survive, which in the case of a predator means eating meat. Unfortunately that means some organisms lose theirs when others preserve theirs. Everything on the planet takes the life of something (even if it's 'just a plant') in order to survive.
Whether captive or wild a snake will eat rodents----the difference is that the rodent has a chance to be euthanized prior to consumption (thus given the most gentle death it can be) AND have a much safer, cleaner, healthier environment and good nutrition for the length of life it has before being killed to be eaten.
No one, especially not me, is against fighting to promote good rearing, housing and slaughtering practices for any animal (including rats) who is a food source to another organism.
