Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I realize that I am saying this at the rick of being wished away into the cornfield, but I feel it is important, and that it needs to be said. When we patronize pet shops that have sickly animals for sale or that keep their animals in substandard conditions, we are becoming part of the problem, by supporting these despicable practices. As sad as a poor, pathetic, sickly reptile may look, there comes a time when we need to realize that while you may feel that you are rescuing him, you are actually creating an empty slot that will need to be filled with another, and you have just given them the finical means to do it with some profit to boot. A rescue is when these animals are offered to you through herp societies, rescue groups, or some other means other than going to the stores and buying every sick reptile out there. We as consumers actually have the power to stop this. Pet shops and importers that do these things, do it because they can, they do it for money, the money that we give them. It is not hard to understand. If we don't pay them, they can't do it. If their animals die in their care, then maybe they will either start housing those animals properly, or just stop selling them all together. Very often these animals come into the pet store in bad condition. The solution is still the same. If these animals are avoided by the consumer, the pet shop will most likely catch on, and the next time they will tell the importer hey, I am not paying for this bad shipment! Thus sending the responsibility for the problem back down the line of succession in the direction that it came from. This trickle down effect can make it all the way back to the guys that pay the native peoples to collect that species (especially if we as the consumers take it a step further, and boycott the mass importation reptiles all together). Again, we have the power, and we should not make emotional purchases at these places, as it is in essence saying to these crappy establishments "Nce job, keep up the good work!" If you do buy that one little guy, you have just condemned 10 more to an even worse fate. This is something that we can all do, and it can make a difference. Educate those you talk to (especially those that are new to the hobby). When you do see these animals, tell the shop. Tell them you are not going to purchase it, but you will be glad to try to rescue it. Make them take the finical hit, as that is really what will eventually get results. Is this sometimes hard? Yes. Is it sad? Yes. However, It is still (in my opinion) the right thing to do. It is the responsible thing to do. My advice to those that feel it is too hard for them is to not go in these bad shops. This is for every person that will be in the market for a herp in the future, and anyone else who may not want to buy one, but feels it is the right thing to do in order to save that one sick animal. Think again. Please.

james, that was something that really needed to be said, and it couldn't have been truer. as always, a very good piece of advice. by the way, Hef says hi.

np

James,

you bring up some excellent points but I would like to add something else. It not just by purchasing the animals that you are supporting these stores. Every purchase you make, from light bulbs to crickets helps support these bad stores. If there is a good store in your area, patronize it. If his prices are a bit higher it just may be that he is paying more to get better quality animals (cb rather than wc etc.) or simply because keeping animals properly costs more money. I know that most people on these forums don't have many good things to say about pet shops. They are all lumped together into a "don't go there" category. I also know that many of you are aware that there are "good" shops as well as "bad" shops. Help send the message to the bad" ones by going to the good ones, even if it means spending a little more money. Don't go to the bad shop to save a few bucks and then expect the good shop to help you with all the problems the develope because of it. If you don't support the good shops they just might not be around when you really need them.

Steve Schindler

I agree with you. I personally do know of some pet shops that are very good.