Utah Bluey for adoption.. **REVIVED THREAD**

[Trogdor]

Well.. since I had the link emailed to me on several counts, and that the link was posted here in the forum twice, I figured what the hey!

I figured out a way where I Can fit another tank in my herp room.. And when its a bluey in need why not, right? Well, I called the place that has the little indo, and talked to the owner who was very friendly, she answered my questions the best she could, told me he was an owner turn animal, good eater, loves pinky mice and bananas mixed with his greens. Not missing any toes or scales or any of his tail. I figured it sounded good.

I drove up there today and come to find out he is a cutie. He was long, but most indo's are. He was in shed so his coloration was dull, but looked like he would be yellow. (not sunny boy yellow, but yellow still)

I get to talking with the lady there, (not the person I talked to on the phone) And I actually fill out the application for adoption, they take it in the back and decide it seems like I might know what I am doing when it comes to blueys. Everything is good to go, and I am ready for the adoption fee.. Which is usually $25-40 depending where you go, you know just a price to cover the cost of care from when the owner gave it up to when they adopt it out.. Right? Standard procedure, and understandable.

Well their adoption fee was $145.99.. Then I asked again to clarify.. How much is this adoption fee? She said one fourty five. I said as in one HUNDRED fourty five? She said yes. And my eyes did this !!

I shook my head and said, I am sorry. This won't work out for me. Not when I can get a bluey of my choice and breed shipped overnight to my door for that price or less. I am sorry. I thought it was a standard adoption fee for something like this, I mean.. why are your dogs only $50 for adoption? She said I don't know.. I think it's because they are chipped and spayed or neutered.

I then did one of these.. I don't think she knew what I was saying..

So needless to say, I did not come home with a new bluey today.

I got home and shot off an email to the owner of the store. I was very polite and kind. And I am now waiting to see what her response is.

Hello Heather,

I was able to come in to the store today, however I am sorry that I wasn't able to meet with you. I was pleased to see the little bluey you have, and see that he is such a cutie. He is certainly a Tiliqua gigas, making him an Indonesian Blue Tongue Skink. He was in shed, so his colors were a little dull, but I am sure he is a bright yellow. Very cool.

I love Blue Tongues and I really do know quite a bit about them, when it comes to my time spent per day, they are a close second to work. They all live in 40-50 gallon enclosures, with uva/b light setups, with aspen chips and plenty of hides. They are spoiled rotten with fresh salads and fruits to tasty pinky and fuzzy mice. I treat them like my kids.

I am sorry however that I was not able to adopt your skink at this time. I was misled by your ad on petfinder.com. I had assumed that since he was an adoption, that there would be some sort of adoption fee and that was it. I was caught off guard completely to find that his adoption fee was $145.99! I am not telling you how to run a business here, afterall you are the one with the business lisence not I. But when I can get a skink of my choice and breed, shipped to my front door overnight for that price or often times less than that, I just can't take the little guy off your hands. For some reason I thought it would be a typical adoption like other places where you pay a fee of $25-35 to cover the cost of the care for the animal while it was with you, since it was an owner turn in... Then sign a form that states you will care for the animal when sick.. But when it's that expensive I am afraid it's not in my budget right now. I thought it was just a little lizard that was for adoption because it was in need of a good home, I didn't know it was a lizard for sale.

Sorry.

Thanks for your time.

Matthew Tiemann

[DixieDiana]

Wow!

Sorry to hear that you came home empty handed...but I can certainly understand why!

Sounds to me like they are trying to sell it rather than adopt it out to a good home. I have never heard of such a high adoption fee for a lizard. Its not like they neuter, update shots, microchip them like they often do Dogs and cats.
$35 would be a more than fair adoption fee for the bluey!
If I were going to pay $145.99 for one....it wouldn't be one that was up for adoption.

Will be interesting to see if you hear anything back from them.
Keep us posted!!

[Jenn]

Wow! I've heard of cat and dog fee's being that high but that's when they come with all of their shots and have been fixed. You could get another of Ray's babies for that price! Definetly let us know what they say.

[Lisa]

what a shame. the poor little fella just needs a home and they're trying to make a profit? hope your email makes them come to their senses.

good for you for trying

[buffalocityherpx]

thats crap!!!!, sounds like its just uneducated people trying to make a buck.
speaking of crap, ill send em 145 little reptile turds instead, heh-heh,
nasty but thats what it makes you feel like.....crap.

[moshpitrockchick]

Wow...no wonder he's been on petfinder for a while now....I knew there had o be a catch!

Maybe you should have smuggled him out under your coat

[Bridget]

Wow! I'm sorry it worked out like that Matt! Like Lisa said, maybe your email will make them think twice about how they are handling the situation.

I totally agree with your reaction, I would have done the exact same thing! My favorite local pet store finally got some blueys (two pint sized Indos-smallest blueys I've seen in person yet ) Anyway, they were tiny babies at a PET STORE and they were the same price! That is just rediculous for an adoption!!!

Adoption usually means trying to find a good home WITHOUT making a profit, covering your own costs while caring for the critter I totally understand but trying to make a profit off adoptions is a bit sad.

Anyway, keep us posted I'm anxious to hear what they say if they write back!

Best of luck, and good on ya for trying to help the little critter!

[Trogdor]

Adoption usually means trying to find a good home WITHOUT making a profit, covering your own costs while caring for the critter I totally understand but trying to make a profit off adoptions is a bit sad.

That is exactly that I was saying. They got the lizard for free from someone who no longer wanted it. They paid nothing other than the 10-25 cents per day to feed the little guy. If they want to charge a reasonable adoption fee, I am fine with that. But the price of a brand new bluey shipped to my house? Come on here..

I have been to other pet stores that do adoption, and they honestly charge $20-40 dollars. (for reptiles) I know of another one here in utah that has had snakes.. And I think they have one right now.. adoption fee is a non refundable $25. That I am more than willing to pay. I even told her, that I am willing to pay about $60 for an adoption.. but not the price they are asking.

We'll see what happens.

[Bridget]

Wow! That's generous of you! $60 and up I've seen charged for dog adoption fees, but I've never seen a price that high for a small reptile for adoption! I think you're offer was MORE than generous! That's very nice of you!
If they have any common sense they should take it! It should be obvious to them that they aren't going to find someone with more knowledge and love for these critters to take care of that baby! Sheesh! If they won't give it to you for $60 then they need to take down the adoption ads and just say its for sale if that's what they want anyway....shaking my head...

[Trogdor]

That's kind of what I figured.. Still no reply from the lady though..

I asked the lady there why the fee was so much, she said it's because it is an adoption, if it was straight sales it would be cheaper. (That made NO sense what so ever in my mind.. can anyone else take that apart for me, and let me know what it means.. ) More to adopt an animal than if it were bought by you with intent to resale? Seems a little fishy..

I am truly hoping that the lady I was talking to there has no idea what she was doing, and that the owner of the pet store emails me or calls me to redeem herself here. Otherwise this is a little shady.

[Geoff Gates]

Is this adoption fee thing standard practice in the US?

In AU this poor little guy would be advertised under 'Free to a Good Home'... and it would be free.

..and I've no doubt you'd give him a good home, Matt.

It just sounds like they're trying to sell it... what a load of crap.

[Arkangel]

Unfortunately, some people run "adoptions" and "rescues" and make a business out of it. It makes those of us who take in animals and provide vet care and rehab at our own cost and adopt back out for free, bristle.

Petfinder can be misleading. It seems to me that there are quite a few people on there who "adopt out" animals for high fees.

There is a guinea pig "rescue" on there that has hundreds of guinea pigs "looking for homes" at over $30++ each. :liar:

I'm sorry things didn't work out for you Matt. Sounds like you took a real shine to the skink.

[Autumn]

This is also how it is in the pet store that I go to. Owners are able to turn in unwanted pet reptiles for free, and then the store sells them and makes a huge profit on them...
Right now there are about 3 blueys all gigas, given to this store by previous owners, and they are up for sale.... 189.99 each. I asked one time if the prices ever come down if nobody takes them...they didn't know...well most of those poor little blueys are going to be sitting there for awhile, I'm sure, because some already have been. I do have to say that this pet store does take average care of their animals though.. Whenever I go in I always see fresh food to eat, water, and all the blueys are separated..... so maybe someone read the caresheet from here I gave 'em!!
But I'd still like to see them go to a good home, which is probably why they are so expensive, but crap, a little too expensive for me. I think I'd rather see people take their unwanted reptiles to the reptile rescue in the county I live, because that place would at least see that they get a good home, and quicker than any pet store. Plus they charge a reasonable adoption fee, but it all goes back to helping the rescued reptiles.
I think that's all

[Trogdor]

Well I got a reply..

Matthew-I'm sorry you felt misled and I understand. This lizard is for adoption, but with all adoptions the adoption fee must reflect the value of the animal. Yesterday someone offered me $10 for a cat that we have for adoption, I was very insulted. I need to keep the prices realistic to keep people from getting pets just because they are cheap. I would be willing to work with you if you are still interested in adopting this lizard, I know he would be very happy with you. So let me know what would be affordable to you, and we can work something out. Thanks again- sorry for the confusion- Heather

What do you think?

This is my response, however I have not sent it yet.. Tell me if you think I should word anything differently.

Heather,

Thanks for the reply I appreciate it. I don't want you to take any offense to this, as I mean none by it, however I work in law enforcement, so I tend to shoot from the hip and tell people my honest opinion on thins. I totally agree with you that the price of an pet should reflect the quality and breed of an animal. However I tend to only feel this way when it comes to retail. When it comes to adoption I believe that the care the animal is going to receive is more important than the price charged. I believe that the screening process, not the price should decide who gets to take an animal for adoption home. If this does not weed out the kids who are looking for a cool new pet for cheap then what is the adoption application for? So I think that reading over someones information on previous and current pet history is a better way to keep things realistic, and stops people from getting a cheap pet.

The other issue for me here, was when I walked in, I said I am here to see a blue tongue skink. I didn't catch the name of the gal that was helping me, but she just pointed around the corner and said he is back there. When I got back there, there was a price tag above his tank. Nothing was posted about him being for adoption. So then I walked back up front, she asked me what I thought.. I asked her what was involved in the adoption process, she then said, Adoption? With him? He would be a straight sale. So if I wanted to buy him then and there, all I would have done was whip out my AmEx or Visa and pay and off I go with a new skink no papers nothing. But I said straight sales huh? I thought there would be some sort of adoption fee instead of a straight sale. She said let me ask, she then attempted to call you to no avail, and then asked someone else there if the bluey was for adoption. She came back and told me that I was in fact right, that the lizard would be for adoption not for sale. So now at this point, I have to fill out an application for adoption, and if I am deemed worthy, I have to sign a contract promising to take care of the animal, and if at any point I can't provide for the animal, I have to bring it back to you.

Now why is it harder to adopt rather than to just buy the animal right out? Shouldn't it be the other way around? I don't understand why there is more paperwork with no price cut to adopt. I would understand the paperwork if there was a price cut... The paper work should be the screening process, not the size of a persons bank account.

As stated in the previous email, I would be willing to pay up to $60 for this lizard, that's it. I don't think you should be offended by this at all. I belong to a blue tongue skink forum online with over 600 users across the world, and usually when people turn to us with a lizard, they want someone that is willing to take care of and tend to the animal... Not money. So often they are offered for nothing other than the price of shipping. I understand that you have incurred the cost of keeping this animal alive and well while it has been in your care, but keeping BTS's for the past few years, and knowing what they eat, and what kind of light schedule they are on, I know this cost can't be anywhere near $145.99.

Like I stated earlier, I don't aim to offend here, I am just a straight shooter, I would rather get to the point than beat around the bush for a few days here. It's the way I am.

If my offer is way out of your ball park, I truly do hope that you can find a great home for him. He deserves it. There are only a handful of BTS owners here in this whole area I know about, but I hope someone that knows about them gets the little guy, they can have so much personality, and are a joy to play with out of their enclosures.

Thanks again for your time.

Matthew

[Colin Hamilton]

Starve the lizards trogs they are trying to shamoolly you just as well you didnt fall for it,stuff that crap!! Its all the time you waste and stuff that annoys me with these people. Merry xmas Troggs

[shona]

Just read this thread - pretty shoddy was of operating, eh?

I was recently looking into getting a couple of fancy rats from a breeder in the UK and I had a huuuggggee questionnaire to fill out, to see if I was suitable to take her rats. I liked that, as it showed she took an interets in the long term welfare of her animals. That is the same kind of thing I would expect from adoptions.

To me, an adoption is something you do out the kindness of your heart (as you have done), to help an animal in need. I do understand that for some people it is a cheap way of getting a new animal for alot less than had they bought them outright. As your letter said, this should not be stopped by how much they pay - thats all relative anyway. Its assuming that everyone has no money and that is alot to fork out. I could have thousands in my bank (I wish lol) but it does not, as you pointed out, mean that I am any more conscientious when it comes to my animals.

Am interested to see what they say. To me it looks like they're in it for a fast buck. Do they have a head office? Might be worth chasing it up with them if you get no joy, if you can be bothered. Sometimes these things are just like banging your head on a brick wall though.

Good luck as I saw the pics in the other thread and he looks a real cutie. shame to think that he's all cooped up there with people that are obviously more concerned about profit than welfare.

[shona]

Just found the questionnaire. I like all the questions in the second section. That would weed out the schoolkids, etc.

About you and your home:

1 Complete name, address and phone numbers
2 Family members and ages
3 Are you a member of any rat clubs at the moment?
4 Who will be responsible for the primary care of this rat?
5 Does anyone in your household have an allergy problem with animals?
Asthma?
6 Does anyone in your household smoke?
7 Do you own or rent? If renting, are you allowed pets?
8 Current pets, type, ages, species?
9 Previous pets you have owned?
10 Have you ever had to give up a pet? If yes, for what reason?
11 What do you do with your pets when you go out of town?
12 Name, address and phone number of your Veterinarian?


About your rats:

1 Have you ever owned pet rats before?
2 Have you visited or contacted other breeders? If so, what was your
experience with them?
3 What is your definition of a reputable breeder? What do you expect?
4 Do you want males or females? Any preferences on colours, markings?
5 How much time will these rats be left alone for per day?
6 What type of food, litter/bedding, and cage are you intent on using
for these rats? (if you have rats already, what do you use for them?
If you're not sure, tell me and I can always advise).
7 Where will you keep the cage?
8 What made you decide to get pet rats?
9 What type of personality are you looking for in a rat?
10 If this rat turns out not to be show quality, would that be a problem?
11 Do you have any experience in breeding or showing rats? Which rat
clubs have you shown with?
12 Do you have any experience in breeding or showing any other species?
13 If you are looking for a breeding rat, are you willing to be mentored?
14 Would you be interested in a retired breeder or older rat?

[Dragontears]

I definitely think you should send that reply. See what she has to say to it and if she tries to haggle with you again then forget it. It is a bit fishy as to why the adoption fee is so high.

[Jenn]

I think your reply was good Matt. I think you stated your point nicely and at no point were you rude or offensive.

[Trogdor]

Ok, it has now been sent, I will wait to see her new reply

Merry Christmas everyone!