Reptile & Amphibian Forums

We have a new one in our area, opened about two weeks ago. They have a nice collection of reptiles, and not a flourescent bulb in the place. The owner was spouting off all kinds of information to my son about how much he knows, and I came across a clutch of 8-10 inch beardies in the back. One under the log hide was limp, and the hind limbs on ALL OF THE REST were twitching! I was so angry, I took my son out of there as fast as I could. Now I wonder if I should have said something, but my experience with such individuals has been they already know it all. I also noticed a dish full of wax worms with the leos, which I know is a no-no, and other such faux pas. Do I just assume I can't change the world, and hope he goes out of business? AAAAAAAAUUUUUUUUUUGGGGGGGGGGGGGHHHHHHHHH! Those poor little twitching beardies just broke my heart!

Diana

I've seen stuff like that in almost every pet shop I've been in that deals in reptiles. I honestly don't know what to do other than boycott and to tell everyone you know. You'd think there's got to be a way to turn these people into the ASPCA.

The first step would be to contact your local animal control (which is usually run by the police dept) and/or contact the humane society with a report of everything you noticed wrong & include pictures if possible. As far as getting them shut down, I'm afraid the only way you can do that is to prove that there are multiple unhealthy conditions to both animal & humans. You can contact the BBB too. Visit the link below for more suggestions, I know it's all about anti-Petco but there are example letters that would be useful for any store...
Link

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Danielle
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1.0 Chinese water dragon, 0.3 leos, 1.0 adopted iguana, 0.0.2 beardies, 2.0 green anoles, 1.0 blue anole and 2.2 bettas ~My Pets~

Melissa Kaplan had a nice piece on what she's done... Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. She detailed every abuse, what the abuse was, and how it should be/how to correct it. Link goes to her whole section on this stuff.
Pet Trade

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0.0.1 Bearded Dragon (Zeo)
0.2.0 Leopard Geckos (Vienna, Unnamed)
1.0.0 Golden Retriever, Rocky, 10 years young

You could go back to the petshop alone and ask to speak to the owner in the back or somewhere relatively private (more as a curtsy to the owner so passing customers don't listen in). You can then point out things you notices being bad for reptile care adn ask if he was aware of them. Sometimes they are aware of sick animals etc and are in the process of doing something about it.

If they aren't aware, suggest ways they can remedy the problem, and prevent it in the future to ensure their product doesn't die and cost them money. Also, customers like to see happy healthy and lively animals and are more inclined to buy them.

This would appear to the shop owners need for profit..but depending on the actual person, they may be genuinely concerned about the welbeing of the animals they sell.