ANIMAL CARE INTEGRITY POLICY

HERPTIVARIUS, LLC

HERPTIVARIUS, LLC RECOGNIZES THAT IN THE MODERN REPTILE COMMUNITY, MISINFORMATION IS ONE OF THE MOST SIGNIFICANT THREATS TO ANIMAL HEALTH AND OWNER SUCCESS, ANY INDIVIDUAL CAN DISSEMINATE OPINIONS, PERSONAL BELIEFS, OR HUSBANDRY CLAIMS WITHOUT ACCOUNTABILITY, AND THE ABSENCE OF UNIFIED STANDARDS OFTEN LEAVES CUSTOMERS UNCERTAIN ABOUT WHAT IS ACCURATE, PRACTICAL, OR SAFE, IN MANY INSTANCES IT IS THE ANIMALS WHO SUFFER THE CONSEQUENCES OF CONFUSION, CONTRADICTORY ADVICE, AND POORLY INFORMED PRACTICES, HERPTIVARIUS, LLC THEREFORE MAINTAINS A STRICT COMMITMENT TO RESPONSIBLE, WELL-SUPPORTED, AND ETHICALLY INFORMED INFORMATION AT ALL TIMES.

ALL CARE GUIDANCE, HOUSING RECOMMENDATIONS, SHIPPING PRACTICES, AND ANIMAL-HANDLING PROCEDURES PROVIDED BY HERPTIVARIUS, LLC ARE DEVELOPED FROM A COMBINATION OF ESTABLISHED HUSBANDRY PRINCIPLES, INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE, AVAILABLE SCIENTIFIC LITERATURE, AND DOCUMENTED PRACTICAL OUTCOMES, WE DO NOT PRESENT OPINION AS FACT NOR ENGAGE IN THE DISSEMINATION OF UNTESTED OR UNSUPPORTED CLAIMS, OUR PRIORITY IS THE WELFARE OF THE ANIMALS ABOVE POPULAR TRENDS OR SOCIAL MEDIA DISCOURSE, AND OUR COMMITMENT IS TO PROVIDE CLEAR, RESPONSIBLE, AND ETHICALLY SOUND INFORMATION THAT ENABLES EVERY CUSTOMER TO CARE FOR THEIR ANIMALS SAFELY AND EFFECTIVELY, THIS POLICY EXISTS TO PROTECT BOTH OUR CUSTOMERS AND THE ANIMALS WHO DEPEND ON US.

HERPTIVARIUS, LLC RECOGNIZES THAT ENRICHMENT CAN PLAY A POSITIVE ROLE IN ANIMAL WELL-BEING WHEN APPLIED APPROPRIATELY AND IN A SPECIES-SPECIFIC MANNER, HOWEVER, ENRICHMENT MUST NEVER BE USED AS A JUSTIFICATION FOR UNNECESSARY PRODUCTS, COMPLEX ENCLOSURES, OR HOUSING PRACTICES THAT COMPROMISE ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OR ANIMAL SAFETY, WHILE SOME ANIMALS BENEFIT FROM CERTAIN FORMS OF ENRICHMENT, OTHERS REQUIRE REDUCED STIMULATION, SIMPLIFIED SETUPS, AND MINIMAL DECOR TO THRIVE, EFFECTIVE ENRICHMENT IS A MATTER OF BIOLOGY, NOT AESTHETICS OR RETAIL EXPECTATION.

HERPTIVARIUS, LLC WILL ONLY RECOMMEND ENRICHMENT THAT IS CONSISTENT WITH THE SPECIES’ NATURAL HISTORY, BEHAVIORAL NEEDS, AND DOCUMENTED HEALTH OUTCOMES, WE DO NOT PROMOTE OR SELL PRODUCTS ON THE BASIS OF ENRICHMENT ALONE, NOR DO WE SUPPORT THE IDEA THAT A MORE COMPLEX OR DECORATED ENCLOSURE AUTOMATICALLY IMPROVES ANIMAL WELFARE, OUR GUIDANCE IS GROUNDED IN STABILITY, SAFETY, AND RESPONSIBLE HUSBANDRY, WITH THE UNDERSTANDING THAT PROPER ENVIRONMENTAL CONTROL OF TEMPERATURE, HUMIDITY, AIRFLOW, AND CLEANLINESS IS OFTEN MORE IMPORTANT TO THE ANIMAL’S HEALTH THAN ANY AESTHETIC FEATURE OR OPTIONAL ACCESSORY.