Post by PinkGerbil on May 11, 2008 18:34:36 GMT -5
The Commandments of adopting gerbils for any breeder:
1)Gerbil Breeders really have a love for the gerbils they raise. They put alot of time and love into these babies, and really spoil them during the time they are with them, so the breeder really wants to make sure the adopters have everything they need for there new gerbils. So any information they give you to try to help out with raising your new pets, consider it an honor, and listen attentatively. Even if you have had gerbils before...breeders are always researching gerbils and trying to learn new and different things about them so keep an open mind and hear them out and value any information they give to you.
2)Please be cortious of the breeders time and personal space. If you have an appointment to adopt some gerbils try your best to show at the agreed time, or if you can't give them a call and plan a different time. Most breeders arrainge for you to pick up the gerbils in there home, so if you show up at a different time than what was agreed to, this may compromise the breeders time and personal space of there home. For example, they may be having dinner with there family, or other family situation or event.
Also, if for any reason you change your mind to adopt the gerbils from them. With most breeders it usually isn't much of a concern and we won't get upset with you if you change your mind. We understand that in life things come up. So please be cortious and inform the breeder that you changed your mind, you don't even have to tell us why, just that you are no longer interested at this time. It can be really upsetting for a breeder if someone doesn't contact them at all, because then that leaves the breeder in limbo wondering if they should still reserve the gerbils or not, or if they should try to find another home for the gerbils.
3) Please only reserve the gerbils from a breeder if you are really serious of adopting them. For example I have had individuals call my cell phone (so there phone number was saved on my cell phone) and I took there name and told them I would reverve the gerbils for them. Well, when the time came for them to adopt them... I was told I had the wrong number when I contacted them. This leads me to believe these were prank calls. Please keep in mind that when gerbils are reserved in advance, then the breeder isn't finding homes for them, then when the breeder finds out it was a false call this is really a waist of time for the breeder, because in the weeks those gerbils were falsely reserved the could of found other homes for the gerbils.
4)When you are in a breeders home reframe from mentioning or asking if they ever give there gerbils away for snake food. This is really insulting and upsetting I think for all breeders, and I gather most likely the breeder will not adopt the gerbils to anyone who brings this up.
5)Also, keep in mind that the breeder may have other gerbils or other pets in the home besides the ones they are adopting out. Please be patient and wait for the breeder to show you which gerbils or other pets that are available for adoption. I know as a breeder I become uncomfortable when someone tries to take my other pets out of there cages or tanks w/out asking me first, and assuming they can have those pets.
For example: You invite me over for coffee and cookies. When I get to your home I start going through your refrigerator and not asking you if I can eat other things that are in there. This is kind of how I feel when individuals try to take my other pets out of there cages w/out asking or anything and assuming if they are available.
It is ok, to mention how cute the other animals are, or that you think they are pretty, or that you like other qualities about them.
6) If you buy cages or tanks from petstores, you may want to sanatize them before picking up your new gerbils. Many times petstores have younger people working there, and they may not sanatize there hands as often as needed, therefore any toys or cages or tanks or any other accessories may have the scent of other animals on them.
Also, sometimes petstores get bad batches of animals from different breeders around the world. These animals could carry all sorts of illnesses, such as lice, mites, or other illnesses. And many times the petstore is unaware of this until it is really out of control, because sometimes they don't know what to look for, or can't see the illness right away. So this is another good reason to sanatize the tank and any other accessories you get there. Because you could have these illnesses spread to your new pets, and also to the breeders pets, or the illnesses in some cases could even spread to you!
To sanatize the items, you can simply put them in your bath tub filled with scolding hot water, and half a cup of bleach, all of this will be enough to kill any illnesses or unwanted scents on the items.
That is all I can think of now. If you are a breeder and viewing this topic, feel free to add any info you think might be helpful here.
1)Gerbil Breeders really have a love for the gerbils they raise. They put alot of time and love into these babies, and really spoil them during the time they are with them, so the breeder really wants to make sure the adopters have everything they need for there new gerbils. So any information they give you to try to help out with raising your new pets, consider it an honor, and listen attentatively. Even if you have had gerbils before...breeders are always researching gerbils and trying to learn new and different things about them so keep an open mind and hear them out and value any information they give to you.
2)Please be cortious of the breeders time and personal space. If you have an appointment to adopt some gerbils try your best to show at the agreed time, or if you can't give them a call and plan a different time. Most breeders arrainge for you to pick up the gerbils in there home, so if you show up at a different time than what was agreed to, this may compromise the breeders time and personal space of there home. For example, they may be having dinner with there family, or other family situation or event.
Also, if for any reason you change your mind to adopt the gerbils from them. With most breeders it usually isn't much of a concern and we won't get upset with you if you change your mind. We understand that in life things come up. So please be cortious and inform the breeder that you changed your mind, you don't even have to tell us why, just that you are no longer interested at this time. It can be really upsetting for a breeder if someone doesn't contact them at all, because then that leaves the breeder in limbo wondering if they should still reserve the gerbils or not, or if they should try to find another home for the gerbils.
3) Please only reserve the gerbils from a breeder if you are really serious of adopting them. For example I have had individuals call my cell phone (so there phone number was saved on my cell phone) and I took there name and told them I would reverve the gerbils for them. Well, when the time came for them to adopt them... I was told I had the wrong number when I contacted them. This leads me to believe these were prank calls. Please keep in mind that when gerbils are reserved in advance, then the breeder isn't finding homes for them, then when the breeder finds out it was a false call this is really a waist of time for the breeder, because in the weeks those gerbils were falsely reserved the could of found other homes for the gerbils.
4)When you are in a breeders home reframe from mentioning or asking if they ever give there gerbils away for snake food. This is really insulting and upsetting I think for all breeders, and I gather most likely the breeder will not adopt the gerbils to anyone who brings this up.
5)Also, keep in mind that the breeder may have other gerbils or other pets in the home besides the ones they are adopting out. Please be patient and wait for the breeder to show you which gerbils or other pets that are available for adoption. I know as a breeder I become uncomfortable when someone tries to take my other pets out of there cages or tanks w/out asking me first, and assuming they can have those pets.
For example: You invite me over for coffee and cookies. When I get to your home I start going through your refrigerator and not asking you if I can eat other things that are in there. This is kind of how I feel when individuals try to take my other pets out of there cages w/out asking or anything and assuming if they are available.
It is ok, to mention how cute the other animals are, or that you think they are pretty, or that you like other qualities about them.
6) If you buy cages or tanks from petstores, you may want to sanatize them before picking up your new gerbils. Many times petstores have younger people working there, and they may not sanatize there hands as often as needed, therefore any toys or cages or tanks or any other accessories may have the scent of other animals on them.
Also, sometimes petstores get bad batches of animals from different breeders around the world. These animals could carry all sorts of illnesses, such as lice, mites, or other illnesses. And many times the petstore is unaware of this until it is really out of control, because sometimes they don't know what to look for, or can't see the illness right away. So this is another good reason to sanatize the tank and any other accessories you get there. Because you could have these illnesses spread to your new pets, and also to the breeders pets, or the illnesses in some cases could even spread to you!
To sanatize the items, you can simply put them in your bath tub filled with scolding hot water, and half a cup of bleach, all of this will be enough to kill any illnesses or unwanted scents on the items.
That is all I can think of now. If you are a breeder and viewing this topic, feel free to add any info you think might be helpful here.