I’ve been keeping reptiles for over twenty years, and what started as a hobby has grown into a passion I’ve poured time, sacrifice, and resources into every single day. I don’t see these animals as “shelf‑items” or inventory; they’re living creatures I’ve raised and cared for with extraordinary attention.
I’ve worked hard to build and protect a healthy, biosecure collection. To that end, I go through extremes to prevent even the slightest possibility of cross‑contamination. Every single snake has its own dedicated feeding tongs. I go through well over a thousand gloves each month. I don’t even attend expos or trade shows, to the extent that people joke I have OCD about keeping things clean, but to me, it’s worth it to prevent the smallest chance of bringing mites or pathogens into my facility. Over time, I realized that what I do isn’t the norm; very few operate at this level, where the animal’s well‑being is put ahead of convenience or quick profit.
Because of that, I take my reputation and the well‑being of my animals very seriously. I’ve learned that not every buyer shares those values. Some cut corners, act in bad faith, or create unnecessary stress for the animal and the breeder. My policies aren’t about making things difficult; they’re about filtering out those situations before they happen and ensuring the animals I ship out go only to keepers who truly value them.
If you’re a serious keeper with the same level of respect for these animals, these terms aren’t meant to scare you away; they’re here to protect both of us. And the right buyers will see these terms not as a barrier, but as a reflection of the care and integrity behind every animal I ship out.