Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I went to petco monday out of boredom, and the workers there are idiots, the had a dead amel corn in one cage with 2 snows thankfully alive but looking emaciated, and all the snakes they had looked really thin, except the BP's....is there any way i can coak them into giving me the ones that look really bad to take care of them?
-----
A.J.
1.0.0- Amel Motley Corn- Valentine (R.I.P 5/20/05)
0.1.0- Snow Corn- Artica
1.0.0- Normal Corn- Ember
1.0.0- Ball Python- G.T.

Id speak with a manager and let them know. Chances are he or she is just a retail person and has no idea about their care. I hate most pet stores. Anyway, they might not let you take them, but you should let them know they should not be selling animals that look like that. good luck

ep
-----
Occupants not paying rent:
1.1. balls
1.1 corns
1 everglades rat
1 w. hognose
1 bearded dragon
2.1 cats

I did this with petco several times with some Columbian Boas several years ago. All you need to do is convince them that the animals are going to die in this condition and just generaly educate them, As was already said they are just retale and would rather dump the animals that try to make them better or worse have to clean up the bodys. I was out right given a lot of reptiles from petco. All I had to do is sign a papor saying they are not responsable and no return
My Research and Collection

Thanks...that definately helps, I just feel awful for them, maybe I can convince them...
-----
A.J.
1.0.0- Amel Motley Corn- Valentine (R.I.P 5/20/05)
0.1.0- Snow Corn- Artica
1.0.0- Normal Corn- Ember
1.0.0- Ball Python- G.T.

I am having issues with petco's in my area. I live in one town, but am from another close by, that I go to college in still. I have visited the petco stores in each a lot recently. I agree that the people there just don't seem to know what they are doing. I tried talking to the manager at one when I noticed their leucistic rats were COVERED in mites and were soaking in their water dishes. I tried to explain what to do about mites and tell them that the other snakes in cages next to them probably had them as well(all the cages are connected in a display). They also had a corn that had unshed skin. It looked kinda like a wadded up peice of paper. It was all crinkly and dry. I talked to him (the manager)and he didn't seem to know anything. He thought I was saying it was the aspen causing the problem, when I was just telling him it sucks out the moisture and they need to mist or find some other way to keep in the moisture for humidity and shedding. He told me that had to use aspen by company policy. I told him that was not the problem, that I use aspen. He just wasn't getting it. The other petco had the smae problem with their corns not shedding. I kept telling different people (employees)about their corns that had the unshed skin for a while(at least a week). Finally, I convinced someone to soak the snake. But this store also had a skeleton of a corn in one of their cages. Not a decomposing body, a skeleton! How can you not notice the smell as it decomps? Also during these trips, they had just thrown pinkies on top of the aspen. The corns had not eaten them and they were all swollen and gooey looking. Another thing that must have stunk. I think the next time that I see these conditions, I am calling some kinda animal organization. Although I have been told most don't care about herps.
Sorry its so long, I tried to make it as short as possible.
-----
**********Misty**********
Stress is when you wake up screaming and then you realize that you haven't gone to sleep yet.

1.1.3 bearded dragons
0.1.0 water dragon
1.3.0 leopard geckos
12.20.0 corn snakes
1.1.0 jungle corns
2.3.0 king snakes
1.0.0 royal (Ball) pythons
1.0.0 Sinaloan milk snake
0.1.0 Tri-Hybrid milk snake
0.1.0 rat snake
0.0.2 prairie ringneck snakes
0.1.0 chilean rose hair tarantula
1.1.0 emperor scorpions
1.1.0 Congo African Grey Parrots
0.1.0 German Shepherd hybrid dog

You just need to find out what organization to threaten them with when you go in there...I hope things go well for you
-----
A.J.
1.0.0- Amel Motley Corn- Valentine (R.I.P 5/20/05)
0.1.0- Snow Corn- Artica
1.0.0- Normal Corn- Ember
1.0.0- Ball Python- G.T.

I believe it is the department of natural resources that they get their license from. If nothing else the department of conservation could get you going in the right direction.
-----
0.1 Snow Corn "Hope"
1.0 Ball Python "Wilson" (Castaway)
1. Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Chunk" (Goonies)
.1 Orange Albino Black Ratsnake "Peaches"
0.0.1 Mexican Black Kingsnake "Onyx"

hey!, Do like I.ve done in the past & threaten to report them.I've brought home several pitiful looking critters that way.Just be careful with this stuff around your own collection.I personally have no sympathy for people who treat animals like that.Good luck! jeff

I know the feeling. I live 1/2 mile from a Petco and I'm usually in there at least once a week. It's a disgrace the way they care (or should I say NOT care) for their animals. For example, once a week they get a shipment of Siamese fighting fish. After a few days the water in the little deli cups they keep them in gets filthy. Usually less than a week later, they're all dead. It would take somebody literally 10 minutes to change the water, but since they probably pay a quarter apiece for them, they don't care. If they sell just a couple at 3.99, they already made a profit.

John

that's a nice okeetee you have there! jeff

Thanks, I got her from Kathy about a month ago.

John

Try contacting a local ASPCA office, If there is not one local contact the closest one. If not can your states animal control office. They might not care to much about reptiles, or at least exotic ones but they would most certainly be able to point you who locally dose have authority over this kind of thing. Personally I am all for talking to the responsible parties face to face as I don’t like getting people in trouble and more often than not its just a lack of education that causes this, There is however no excuse for letting them die and rot in front of you. If you cant get through to them then it is time to go aver there head and get them in trouble.
My Research and Collection