Sign of the times

[esoxlucius]

An interesting article on the radio today in the UK described how there has been a 900% increase in reptiles, mainly lizards, being taken to animal sanctuaries because the owners can no longer afford to run the UV and heat/basking lights due to the increased electricity costs.

I half expected a segway into the aquarium hobby too because obviously we have our ongoing costs as well. But our hobby wasn't mentioned.

It was quite an eye-opener.

 

[tlindsey]

900% increase in reptiles, mainly lizards, being taken to animal sanctuaries because the owners can no longer afford to run the UV and heat/basking lights due to the increased electricity costs

Very sad to hear that. Here some dog and cat shelters are getting crowded.

 

[esoxlucius]

Very sad to hear that. Here some dog and cat shelters are getting crowded.

Yes, I've heard that one over here too. Many families are struggling to feed themselves what with the spiralling food costs. But of course pet food is also on the increase too and many can no longer afford to feed them.

 

[Friller2009]

Very interesting. I understand the giving up because you can’t provide UV, but that really works for a couple families. Really only Iguania (An infraorder of reptiles comprising of Agamids and Iguanas). Basically all other reptiles can go without UV for a while. And you can always just put them in a mesh cage for about an hour every week.

Heat on the other hand doesn’t really require much energy. My largest bulb is 50 watts, and that’s because in provides Heat and UV. All my other enclosures run on nothing larger than 15 watts.

Although, as prices are indeed rising, I suppose that running enclosures would be more pricey.
It is curious that the aquarium hobby wasn’t mentioned. When it comes to my tanks, my 110 gallon costs more to run compared to my Bearded dragon

 

[Friller2009]

Yes, I've heard that one over here too. Many families are struggling to feed themselves what with the spiralling food costs. But of course pet food is also on the increase too and many can no longer afford to feed them.

Hope you’re doing alright mate.

 

[esoxlucius]

Very interesting. I understand the giving up because you can’t provide UV, but that really works for a couple families. Really only Iguania (An infraorder of reptiles comprising of Agamids and Iguanas). Basically all other reptiles can go without UV for a while. And you can always just put them in a mesh cage for about an hour every week.

Heat on the other hand doesn’t really require much energy. My largest bulb is 50 watts, and that’s because in provides Heat and UV. All my other enclosures run on nothing larger than 15 watts.

Although, as prices are indeed rising, I suppose that running enclosures would be more pricey.
It is curious that the aquarium hobby wasn’t mentioned. When it comes to my tanks, my 110 gallon costs more to run compared to my Bearded dragon

I'm not well versed on reptiles, I don't have a clue what their requirements are. Funnily enough the one you mentioned, the bearded dragon, seems to be the species which is being donated most, I do recall them saying that during the article.

I suppose the reptile hobby is similar to ours in as much that "multiple tank syndrome" is probably rife, and then I suppose costs could get out of hand if you're on a budget to begin with.

 

[esoxlucius]

Hope you’re doing alright mate.

I'm fine, I'm very lucky. But daily news bulletins are full of doom and gloom regarding poorer families and the abject misery they are going through. The government are under real pressure to alleviate the problem with various financial programs and what not.

 

[aussieman57]

I believe a lot of giving up animals is related to COVID. When people were locked down many turned to animals for amusement & to pass the time. Now that everything has opened up again they want to go out again and neglect the animals and get rid of them. It is sad especially for the pets that get thrown away like used up toys.

 

[esoxlucius]

I believe a lot of giving up animals is related to COVID. When people were locked down many turned to animals for amusement & to pass the time. Now that everything has opened up again they want to go out again and neglect the animals and get rid of them. It is sad especially for the pets that get thrown away like used up toys.

Yes, this is very true. People "holed up" in their homes during COVID turned to animals as company.

It seems a lot of pets are under the cosh at the minute. These animal refuges/sanctuaries can only take so many before they'd have to start destroying the unfortunate animals.

Very very sad☹

 

[Ogertron3000]

Here in oz lots of people were taking their dogs and cats to shelters or even trying to get them euthanised at the start of the Covid outbreak as there were reports of pets spreading the virus to humans.
After a while everyone wanted pets in lockdown and prices went crazy. Now
It’s gone the other way again as life is normal again and suddenly a pet is inconvenient and they are getting dumped all over the place.
We are copping the high power prices here but haven’t heard of anyone getting rid of reptiles or fish yet, I have noticed a lack of variety in the local LFS which may be related as dispoyincome is dropping so they probably don’t want slow moving fish lingering in the shop for a long time when they can be turning over lots of $5 tetras and guppies