Pet Stores vs. Breeders?

[grboxa]

someone asked me what interested me in Leos and honestly, I don't know. I miss my ball python, Seti, a lot and my husband is completely opposed to us getting a snake. Seti used to hang out with me for hours and was a cuddle bug. I miss that connection with a reptile. We do have six dogs, five rescues and one from a breeder, 3 Chihuahuas and 3 Siberian Huskies, so you would think that I have more than enough to cuddle with, but there is just something about a snake/ reptile that is different than cuddling with a dog. My smallest dog is Cricket, and she's only six pounds, but it's very hard to study with a dog in your lap. My furkids never sit still and are extremely affectionate, which I love, but it's so much easier to just hang out with a snake or reptile than it is a dog. They seldom kiss you and never slobber, nor do they have to go out every few hours to go potty. Seti was my buddy and I hated it when I had to rehome him! He was my only companion during the beginning of a very difficult time in my life. I just want that calm, soothing connection with another animal again.

Sadly tho, I will probably have to wait for well over a year before we can get a Leo or a Beardie. Our money situation right now is exceedingly tight. Thank God our fish pay for themselves mostly. I breed live bearers and sell the fry. We have four fish tanks ranging from 20 to 46 gallons each. I cannot lie and say I'm not upset. I've come to realize tho that right now the extra money, responsibility, and time are not sufficient to add another member to our household right now.

I don't want to get an animal when I cannot take care of it properly right now. It's not fair to the new animal, or to my other kids (the dogs and husband).

It's great that you understand the responsibility and do whats right for you and your family and the gecko:main_thumbsup:. Alot of people take a blind eye to these kinds of responsibilities and in the end alot of geckos suffer for it. When your ready its going to be so much sweeter!!!:main_thumbsup:....

 

[Thorgecko707]

You have to be careful with breeders and pet stores. Pet stores get those infested animals from breeders that mass produce. Specialty pet stores are great because they often breed their own like
http://designergeckos.com/
It all depends on what you want. I'd spend the $120 for a $50-70 gecko with the $50 shipping from a GOOD breeder online.
Check out
http://www.geckoboa.com/
Or
http://www.rampantreptiles.com/
For great animals at awesome prices.
It is getting cold so you might want one shipped from a warmer place like
http://www.leopardgeckoexpress.com/

 

[kathstew]

I wouldn't buy a leo from a pet store unless I trusted the store. I would never buy a leo from stores like petsmart or petco (we don't have petcos in Canada though). They never take care of their leos properly and give out false information.
I avoid any store that keeps their leos on sand, or any red flags that come up (no water in the bowl, etc).
If you are wanting a leo that could potentialy become a breeder, then buying from a breeder is the best place to go. Pet stores don't know anything about the leos genetics. A breeder would.
If you are looking for a leo for solely pet purposes, than I can't see why a RESPONSIBLE pet store shouldn't be looked at.

I have a few reptile speciality shops around my house that I would buy a leo from. They are purely reptile speciality shops, and they take care of their animals wonderfully. I've talked to the owners at these stores and they are all knowledgeable and actually understand leo husbandry.

If you aren't comfortable shipping, or don't want to spend that much, try googling leo breeders in your area. I've done it before and a few names have come up. Also see if there are any expos near you. Even if its not going to be for a while, you can usually find lists of the vendors, which may lead you to breeders close to you.

Good luck!