What is really on topic

[pickyhedgies]

I am posting this here because I think a couple of people on this forum were rude and I guess this is the place to go to comment on that. I have given this a lot of thought tonight, and I am really a little put off be the responses to my question on the thread " I need hedge hog Florida".

After going back and reading that thread, there were a lot of posts that were off topic.
The person who originally started that thread started it with this comment.
"Hello I am located in Marion County Florida and I want to buy a Hedge Hog Ive wanted to for many years now just couldnt find a place were they sold em. If any one Is interested of a Game Cube and two games for a Hedge Hog I am willing to do.(GameCube=99$Retal) Thanks-

As a matter of fact the last few comments on this thread have had nothing to do with the original comment. When I suddenly post asking for clarification of something that was being offered I was quickly told to keep it on topic, and basically quit being nosey.

Just for the record, when I asked my question it was not a question to start an agrument, or to be nosey. It was a question for information so that if I choose to refer people to this person I would know what to tell them to expect. I really don't see where it was out of line, or rude. I don't see where it deserved the snide comments that came back to me.

Is this how this Forum is run? :(

[Sean]

In case anyone is interested, the thread in question is: http://www.chins-n-quills.com/forums/showthread.php?t=65664

Just for the record, when I asked my question it was not a question to start an agrument, or to be nosey. It was a question for information so that if I choose to refer people to this person I would know what to tell them to expect.

:applause: And, if you chose to refer people to this person, what exactly would you tell them to expect? :confused:

[pickyhedgies]

My original question was "When you say you will "adopt" out a hedgehog that you take in for someone else, are you collecting money when you adopt this animal or are you adopting them out for free?" I asked to find out what the criteria was for possible adoption from this person should they have any hedgehogs up for adoption.
Should I choose to refer anyone to this person based on their answer to my question, I would tell people to contact this person for possible available adoptions and to my knowledge they did not charge an adoption fee at this time.

Does that answer your question?

[Sean]

Does that answer your question?

I suppose the above spin does clearly and concisely answer my question based solely on the topic of adoption. Now, if I were to broaden my query to request any and all information you may have about this particular breeder, how would you respond to a concerned prospective buyer (or the USDA)?

And, since we're on the topic anyway, does it matter of someone charges an adoption fee? :confused: Might it be better to charge a small administration fee to cover cage, food, and wheel costs, or ask for a mandatory donation to the Hedgehog Welfare Society to weed out those who are simply looking for a free pet? The last thing we need is a rescue hedgehog going from one neglectful situation to another.

[pickyhedgies]

Now, if I were to broaden my query to request any and all information you may have about this particular breeder, how would you respond to a concerned prospective buyer (or the USDA)?

Not sure where you are going with this. I have referred people to this person already as far as purchasing hedgehogs. If I know of someone in that area looking for a hedgehog, I have no problem referring to this person or anyone else in Florida at the moment that I know is a breeder. Unless I have some concrete evidence that there is foul play going on, and in this case I don't know of any. As far as USDA? What would I have to say to the USDA about this person? The USDA would not contact me for information about anyone at least they haven't in the past and I see no reason why they would in the future.

does it matter of someone charges an adoption fee? :confused: Might it be better to charge a small administration fee to cover cage, food, and wheel costs, or ask for a mandatory donation to the Hedgehog Welfare Society to weed out those who are simply looking for a free pet?

No it does not matter to me if someone charges an adoption fee, I know I do. My worst vet bills are from Rescue's and the adoption fee I charge goes towards those bills. I don't think I insinuated in my original post that I had a problem with charging an adoption fee. I just asked if there was one.

[Ododad]

I noticed that noone congratulated Hedgiesforall on that thread on their new hedgiehog. Isn't that what the thread was all about to begin with?
JMO

[bear]

people get concerned that potential owners, especially young people, might not be a good owner, because they haven't considered the daily time committment, possible vet costs, and length of the animal's life, among other factors.

[urban*kitty]

I noticed that noone congratulated Hedgiesforall on that thread on their new hedgiehog. Isn't that what the thread was all about to begin with?
JMO

I just read that thread and yes, I agree, so I did just that.

people get concerned that potential owners, especially young people, might not be a good owner, because they haven't considered the daily time committment, possible vet costs, and length of the animal's life, among other factors.

I agree that people do get concerned and it is a reasonable concern seeing as how young people may not possibly have the funding to take care of an animal the way it should be taken care of. (the following is not aimed at you bear, I know you are simply posting what you observed about why people didn't congratulate Hedgies4all :) ) However, Hedgies4all has recieved the hedgie and now people should be more supportive that way Hedgies4all will always regard Chins-n-Quills a good support system. I've read some posts in the past, that seem counterproductive to the purpose of the people who posted them. If the purpose is to scare people off so they never seek advice again, then by all means lecture and be condescending. However, if the purpose is to teach and educate find a way to make the post more amiable. It is tough to discern the attitude in internet forums due to the lack actual human contact, which makes wording especially important in posting.

Oh, and I read the thread, and didn't really find anything horrible about pickyhedgies' question, but then I am unlearned in the practices of breeding and rescuing. And the whole thread seemed WAY off topic before pickyhedgies post. :)

[Lauren]

people get concerned that potential owners, especially young people, might not be a good owner, because they haven't considered the daily time committment, possible vet costs, and length of the animal's life, among other factors.

The message I got from your post was that you feel minors or younger owners are poorly equipped to take care of a hedgehog. Is this what you meant to convey?

If it is what you ment to convey, that is very stereotypical. I've been owning hedgehogs close to six years now and have researched heavily on hedgehogs for over six years. Im very involved with the hedgehog community and teaching others about these creatures. I have been mentored by different breeders who have been around hedgehogs for years and years also. A bunch of members on this forum can vouch for me, that Im very responsible; I pay my vet bills, I pay for my hedgehog's bedding ($20.00 a week for Carefresh) I have my own job, I play with my hedgehogs for a few hours a day and go to school. For you to sit there and say that, does all those things that I do, not count as being responsible, just because Im a minor?

[bear]

and if it's not? you just spent a bunch of time defending yourself against nothing. i'm a little miffed at your interpretation. please read urban*kitty's post :)

:disbelief: