I just feel like its such a bad thing to do, if you really "love" and respect the animal.
Not sure if I agree (completely). I don't think exotic pet ownership corners the market on pet neglect and encouragement of the equivalent of puppy mills. I agree that many people get exotics for the wrong reason ie. because they are "cool." Similar to some (again not all) 18 year olds who buy pit bulls just to impress their friends. Lots of domestic animal owners out there who abuse the crap out of their pets or buy them for the wrong reasons. I have family that feel the need to own horses but can barely take care of themselves..

My beardie was a neglected rescue born in captivity, so not sure what the alternative would be, (release into the suburban neighborhood or euthanasia are the only two choices that come to mind.) I have been raising reptiles since my teens, and will continue to only raise what I can care for physically or with regard to my own knowledge base.

Right or wrong, the fact remains there will always be a market for such animals and unfortunately, there is no minimal licensing (which there should be) for potential ownership of such pets. If the domesticated piece rather than care is the issue I think there is a spectrum of levels of domesticity- (versus domesticated or non) I wouldn't own an alligator, but our beardy she just thinks she's one of our dogs.

Anyway, not trying to take any personal stabs on anyone, and email does a really poor job of conveying tone. I basically agree with the overall intent, just think its less of an all or nothing deal.