Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I went to a pet store today that I had never been too

Pets plus, in Philadelphia PA.

They had a Uromastyx, THAT WAS DYING. ITS SKULL WAS SUNKEN IN.

Its diet was completely wrong (all crickets, no vegies), its light was wrong (no UVB), its environment was wrong (no hide), it didnt have the strength to open his eyes, or the ability to fend off the crickets that were walking on its face!!!!
It was lying in water!!!!!! Uro's arent even supposed to have water!!!!! they are supposed to get it from its diet!!!!!!

I told the manager the animal was sick, and he told me it was just fine, and "I should do some more research because i dont know what I am talking about!!!!"

And then he said (and this is word for word) "They deflate themselves when they are scared"

DEFLATE THEMSELVES?!?!?!?!?!??!?!

HIS SKULL WAS SUNKEN IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

what can I do???

Who can I call???

THIS MAKES ME SOOOOOOOO F'N SICK!!!!!!!!!!

That sucks! What kinda uro is it? and how much is it? Also you really can't do much it seems like it will most definatly die. But you could attempt to save it i suppose, but it is probably like a 100 dollars, which you would probably ultimatly loose. The petsmarts near me both take care of their uros pretty well, even tho they are really over priced, i have to say for all they get bashed by people at least they try, and the enviroment is decent. Its a sad story tho, sorry people even have to see that!
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Lauren
Rico-Saharan Uromastyx
New Jersey

DON'T BUY IT!!!!!!!!
They will just get another to replace it AND make a profit. Even though it is likely the poor lil guy will die, buying him is not a good idea. Inform others and put those assholes out of business! Don't give them your money, please.
-Stefano

By buying it you would only be supporting the pet store, which would more than likely just replace it with another equally poorly treated uro.

You could try calling your local humane society and making a complaint. You could also maybe report them to the better business bureau.

Just some ideas
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Adam - 0.0 African Sidenecked, 0.1 Redfoot, 0.1 Sulcatta, 1.0 Western Hognose, 1.0 Crested Gecko, 0.1 Mali Uromastyx

Whatever you do, don't tell the owner/manager of the pet shop that you are going to report him. The uro will just disappear before anyone from the Humane Society gets there. Call the Humane Society immediatley and tell them that they need to visit today! I wish we could save them all, but we can't. As long as pet shops, unscrupulous breeders/dealers and the horrible reptile import business continues, reptiles will die. We have to do our part to educate people and try not to support the wc trade if at all possible. Good luck, keep us posted.

Pam

I know EXACTLY how you feel! I tried to have something done before about it in my state (NH), and I was told to contact the animal control agency in my area. But my town didn't even have one! So i was then told to write a letter to the state vet. I never got that far though, instead, I contacted my local herp shelter and the SPCA for my state. I know how pissed you are, but the only thing you can do about it is complain, hope something is done, and boycott the pet store. The #1 thing to do is inform others so that the word gets out and then people can decide for themselves whether or not they want to hand their money over to these c0cksuckers!
I feel your pain
-Stefano