[BC_Grl]

christ, but that was my point: I had no idea that there was a difference. Now that I see there IS a difference, I would spend my money more wisely and buy the captive-raised.

You see, unless someone tells you that there IS a diffence, how are you to know? I did not run into how the animals were caught and treated yet in my reading. I would not knowingly buy an animal that was poisoned to be captured and mistreated in other ways just to save a few bucks. That is why I had just said before, that now I know that there is a difference, I would spend the extra money.

I originally thought that the only difference was in cost of the owner spending time, $$ on extra equipment, and other costs on breeding the animals rather than a small commission from the lfs. And I know from other hobbies in the past, it is often cheaper to buy something than to make it. And the quality is about the same. You just cannot replace the value of your time & costs...

That is also why I used the words "I may be ignorant on these matters" because I am ignorant. Not ignorant in the way you're thinking: that I don't give a damn, but ignorant in that I didn't know any better.

Wouldn't it have been better had someone questioned me why I think that way or did I know the conditions the animals were put through before flaming me? Then I could've explained that I thought the only difference was cost? And that was it?

I can understand why this is a passionate subject to you all... but what I cannot understand is why others can't explain something to someone who clearly is not knowledgeable in this particular area without making them feel like they've done a horrible wrong. That maybe I shouldn't get into this hobby since I am so incredibly heartless & cruel.

To you all: I am very sorry for my statements. I had no idea of any of the conditions of these poor animals or any of the details that has been given to me. If I had known, I wouldn't have said what I said. Should I have asked what the difference be? MAybe. But again, I only thought the diffence was in the dollar amount. Like buying a name-brand "product" over no-name...

No cheers from me.. I am very sorry. :(