Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok, Feeder Rats and Petco

I guess I am going to have to learn to start breeding my own Feeders now. I have a 7ft Albino Burmese Python that loves to eat and 2 4.5 ft Ball Pythons. Anyway, I used to go to petco each week to by feeder mice and nowadays feeder rats. I went in today and asked for a large feeder rat and they said they were out. So I asked for a large "Fancy Rat". The store associate proceeded to lecture me on why she could not sell me the "Fancy Rat" because it was meant to be a pet not to be fed to something. Now, for a little history here. I originally started going to this store about 2 years ago when I got my first ball Python and the store Manager was VERY knowledgable in regards to herps and he kept this store very well compared to most PETCO's. This Mangager has moved to another state and is no longer working for Petco. This store is basically NON-Constrictor Friendly now. After her nice lecture on why she couldnt sell me Fancy Anything I asked the sales associate what she thought the real difference was between FEEDER Rats and FANCY Rats other than one is Higher Priced and one is brown instead of white. I also asked her why she thought her rabbit sales are So high these days? Since I know a number of people in the area that buy rabbits for their LARGE Burms. She proceeded to tell me that she would never sell me any of these since she now knows that I am feeding a Burm. Up until today I have been a major customer for this store since I have 3 Constrictors and I shop there for my herps food EVERY WEEK. I would suggest to everyone to start BOYCOTTING this store ( PETCO, Herndon VA).

It goes to show you how different the stores can be. The store I work for doesn't care but the manager is leaving and I am apprehensive about what will happen when we get a new manager. Not that I will really care. If somebody wants a rat, they can have a rat. lol

The question is, can she legally refuse to sell you a rat if you attempt to purchase it?

If you go in and say "please, I would like to buy a rat" and she says "what do you want it for" and you reply "none of your business" can she rfuse to sell you?

I think NOT.

Ben

or...

she says "what are you going to do with it"..

you say "take it home as a pet".. she sells it to you.. and you feed it off

or find a petstore that isnt so stupid

i dont know about you, but i would have wanted to talk to the manager, and then if i still couldnt buy the rat, said "F*** you, im taking my business elswhere" and walked off.

I live in a large city. I can take my business elsewhere, but not every one is so lucky. I suggest you speak to a regional manager. Maybe it can get straightened out that way.

DeMak

Very intelligent. Tell them that you commend their ethics, but that won't pay thier rent.

any business has the right to refuse to do business. But, smart ones wouldn't
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Marcia - FroggieB Dragons
www.froggieb.com/MHDHome.html

your so very right Marcia..

they SHOULDNT care what you are feeding them too.. but political correctness says that things that eat other things are BAD

i got refused feeders once.. thats what prompted me to start breeding my own.. now those same petshops are calling for feeders.. and i tell em where to stick it! LOL

revenge.. oh yess! so sweeeeeeeeeeeet

After reading this post yesterday, I went to Petco's website and found the "contact us" information. I wrote them and asked if there was some sort of policy re: the selling of "fancy" rats and mice as feeders. I inquired as to whether it was a company or store policy, or a policy at all. This is the reply I got today:

"Thank you for contacting PETCO. We do sell animals, such as snakes, which require other animals as a source of food, which we also sell. While there is no specific policy regarding selling feeder mice, rats, and fish to customers, we do encourage our associates to practice discretion when selling animals in order to assure the health and safety of animals.

Please let me know if you have any further questions.
Britt Trozzi
Customer Satisfaction Coordinator
PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc. "

To me, ol' Britt didn't really answer anything at all. What the heck does "encourage our associates to practice descretion" mean? I can see where one might not feel comfortable about selling an animal to someone who is obviously unable to care for it or something, but...well crap, it was a rat! My wife keeps 2 rats as pets, and they're great, but they really aren't any different than feeder rats, we just decided to 'get to know' these two.

I think the answer is an example of just the political correctness Dan was talking about. It doesn't offend anyone because it doesn't say anything. I don't blame Petco as much as I blame peta. I wouldn't want to put anything in writing that they could handout in front of my store either.

DeMak

Crotus,

I think you are an idiot. If I were your wife, I would take my rats, and run. I know you will run out of "food" one day, and take one of her pet rats. That isn't cool at all.

PetCo Rulz!

I'm sorry, but ...what?!!!
How is it that you "know" that if I ran out of food I would use my wife's pet as snake food? Good grief! That's like saying If I got hungry, and I couldn't find a cheeseburger, My cat is in dire jeopardy! Your statement is intentionally inflamatory, totally written out of ignorance (of me and most other herp owners), and just plain silly. The problem with many (please note that I did not say "all" or even "most" self-proclaimed "activists" is that they reallly don't know what they are talking about, and are looking for any reason to either be angry at someone, or feel superior than others. Get a hobby, or some friends, or a clue....but don't try to drag me into it. And as for the comment about my wife... obviously you have a few non-pet related issues of your own. If that is what has you so upset, find someone you can talk to. If not at Charter, somewhere. Don't project your feelings on her either.