Emily Forrester <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>I got an inquiry today about a person wanting gerbils, likely the "rarer"
>colors. He is in central Minnesota. If anyone knows of a breeder in central
>Minnesota that has a good color variety, including the "rarer" colors, please
>email me privately.
>
Hi!
This is not a warning about the person who contacted you, or anyone else
in particular. But the use of the word "rarer" made alarm bells ring
here and I thought it worth pointing out a few things to be wary of.
We obviously get contacted by large numbers of people who want gerbils.
Some just want rescues. Others want something as a pet. Others want
something to breed from. However, we have learnt to notice some of the
warning signs of people who want only to exploit the gerbils.
Firstly, they will ask directly about unusual or rare colours. They will
have no interest at all in anything ordinary or mundane. They will
complain if you will not allow them to come and collect the gerbils at
the earliest possible time convenient to them. They will get impatient
if you ask them wait in any way. For example. Most people interested in
breeding a new colour will be happy with two gerbils bred from the
colour they are after, even if they are not that colour. They will be
happy knowing that they can breed the colour they want in the next
generation. Someone who is interested in exploitation will not be
bothered to do this. They will want a return straight away.
People wanting a pet or a rescue will certainly wait unless they want a
gerbil straight away for some reason, like a promise to a child. These
people will be happy to go elsewhere if the delay is inconvenient for
them. The exploiter knows he cannot go elsewhere for what he wants so
will get impatient.
Ask the person a few questions about gerbils. If they want only new
colours but know nothing you can be pretty sure they just want to breed
them for money. New gerbil keepers will be happy with any attractive
colours. Experienced ones should know a thing or two.
Be especially wary of people who know nothing about gerbils but tell you
they have been breeding cavies, rabbits, rats, mice etc for years but
only want new colours. This is a good give away that they are only
interested in the new colour because they think there is money in it.
They know enough to know what a new colour could be worth in the right
circles.
I only give this information because we have learnt to recognise a
certain type of undesirable person who is worth avoiding.
--
Julian
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* Jackie and Julian *
* [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* National Gerbil Society *
* http://www.gerbils.co.uk/ *
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