Bearded dragons and their keepers have lost a dear friend/advocate and breeders have lost a founding member of our community recently that will be felt deeply by all of us. Bill Mears, of BorderView Dragons in Ontario, Canada passed away Monday, June 20, 2005.
One of the first breeders of this unique species, Bill led the field in establishing proper husbandry for the well being of these fairly new species to the captive bred reptile industry at the time.
Bill recognized long ago the need to give this wonderful species the best possible chance to thrive in the US, Canada and Europe by establishing standards that breeders would commit to as he had done himself.
He was the Founder of The Bearded Dragon Breeders & Suppliers Network, the now worldwide listing of Bearded Dragon Breeders dedicated to the preservation and diversity in the bloodlines and raising babies to an appropriate age/size before selling. That Network brought together breeders and future owners, assisting many baby dragons in finding new homes and to thrive with the support system he had established for them.
Bill also helped assist new owners and breeders by staffing information resources on the online community such as Yahoo's Pogona List and other online forums. Bill Mears was a person that has left a permanent mark in many lives by his dedication and care to bearded dragons and owners. That presence will be sorely missed, but we are richer for having and knowing him a short time.
Note: Bill, we all miss you and will keep you and your family in our thoughts and prayers.
