Rebecca Allbritton <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote
>
>I realize that gerbs have babies every month (killifish spawn
>continuously), and they grow up quickly, but I think y'all should charge
>more for your gerbils, whether you ship them or not. I think people will
>value them more if they pay more for them. It's a sad fact, but that's the
>way capitalism works. I realize that there are lots of them in this
>country, but not at my local pet shops (not that I usually spend time in
>stores that sell anything but fish and pet supplies, but I've been getting
>out more lately in search of aspen.)
I am afraid that the most capitalist gerbil breeders are the ones that
minimise on housing, bedding, veterinary care, etc. I have even heard
them say that "it cuts into my profits". This was the same people who
sold animals carrying an infection for over %75.
I don't think that value = care is a valid equation. For some people it
may be. But I would prefer to encourage gerbil keepers who value a
golden agouti born with three legs as much as blue one.
We successfully managed to avoid the e gene being an object of
exploitation by giving them away to experienced and trusted people for
two years before selling any. A similar thing has happened with the
Burmese and greying gene in the US. Capitalist motivations may be
stronger in the US, but I believe that promoting gerbils as rare or
expensive will only encourage the sort of people who should never own
gerbils.
--
Julian
************************************************************************
* Jackie and Julian *
* [EMAIL PROTECTED] *
* National Gerbil Society *
* http://www.gerbils.co.uk/ *
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