Captive prey makes me so uncomfortable. They have no chance, except to be continually stressed until they are finally caught and killed.

Apparently I cannot post anything on this forum that is good...I hope you all are vegetarians and don't wear leather BTW. You probably want to make your cats vegans too.

Please. There's a large difference between feeding something HUMANELY KILLED and doing this.

Please do remember that there is a huge amount of UK people on here and Feeder Fish are not allowed to be sold. No live mice are sold for reptiles. People buy in frozen dead food. I guess there are people who breed mice to feed their snakes though but if there is a perfectly good alternative I would still think its cruel to feed live mice.

There is a big difference between eating meat and feeding live prey as a treat. Eating meat is for nutrition and to sustain life. Live prey is a game for amusement. Not the same. You did not buy the feeder fish for food and nutrition (there would be little for a cat) you bought them for the amusement, for a toy.

The people that think it is ok. Would you be horrified that someone buys kittens to give their dog something to play with/hunt??? Whilst I know not all dogs would hurt a cat, some do. Would it be okay to buy a rabbit for a terrier to hunt out from under the bed??? Zoos don't even feed lions and tigers live prey!

If you feel it is okay to do this then respect others by it posting pictures. You will only offend a lot of people. Is it worth it? You won't change our minds as, it seems we can't change yours.

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Lollo

Meant to say to respect others by NOT posting pictures.

Can't edit my post!

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Lollo

I never knew that different countries had different policies in that regard. Here in the states it seems like you can buy anything and use it as a feeder animal.

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Lollo

Does that work out for you with snakes? Some people here endlessly insist that some snakes simply MUST have live food or else they'll refuse it and die.

I have a corn snake, I work at a tourist attraction that has snakes, and many of my workmates have snakes. All of these animals are fed frozen mice, rats and chicks. We have absolutely no trouble with snakes and lizards not eating because their dinner isn't moving.

In the UK we are not allowed to live feed anything with a backbone. That's why locusts and other insects are available.

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Thanks for clarifying.

Do some snake owners breed mice still?? I know a couple of people who had snakes in the 80's and bred mice to feed them but they don't have snakes anymore.

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Lollo

If Lions are happy with a dead cow in the zoo, i do not see it as a problem for snakes to eat dead mice.

There are loads of reptile shops selling dead frozen mice/rats etc for snakes... we have one in our little village and there are lots online.

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Lollo

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Okay, that's fare enough.

Nice to hear about what the actual rules are.

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Lollo

Hi everybody I'm new here. I'm also not trying to upset anyone or alter opinions. First off I'm an animal lover. I have a 1.5yr old Bengal named Pouncey. I'll argue with anyone who thinks their cat gets better care or more love than my Pouncey Now my background, for more than 20yrs I've keep snakes, lizards, spiders, scorpions and other creepy things. Mostly everything I have is venomous cobras, rattlesnakes, puff adders etc, some of the most deadly in the world. Including insects and arachnids I've had hundreds of pets. My whole life I've HATED domestic cats and their owners. I've witnessed the change in my local wildlife due to cats and footprints on my car
Mostly my snakes get frozen/thawed mice because its BETTER for them. Live mice bite and can injure my babies. Some of my tree snakes won't eat mice only frogs and lizards. I buy all my mice from my breeder live. I give certain snakes a few live as a treat. Several I put in a cage the rest I euthanize in what's considered the most human way with CO2 then freeze them for later.

The ones in the cage Pouncey gets as treats over time. I gave him his first live mouse at 10 weeks old. As someone who humanly euthanizes and feeds live I think euthanizing is more cruel. I won't go into details why but trust me I think most would agree if given the chance to observe both. I gave Pouncey a goldfish once and ended up with a new pet "Lucky".

I take Pouncey for walks everyday without a leash rain, snow, doesn't matter. He also goes camping and hiking. I never let him out unattended. He always stays by my side if he sees an animal he wants to chase and I say "stay" he won't go after it. I say "get him" he chases. This is because that is what I taught him. I believe our relationship is different, on another level even. Not just love but respect as well. All because I taught him to hunt just like his mother would do in the wild. I never let him go after anything he can catch or kill outside as hurting local wildlife is wrong IMO he doesn't walk on cars either

I'm truly sorry if I upset anyone that's not my intention. Please know I do this only because I love my animals not to be cruel, unfortunately its the world that's cruel. Sometimes I think we confuse our little family members with little people.

PS I have a behavioral issue I posted a question about "trouble with neighbors cats" no one answered please help