Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I recently visited one of my local pet stores and was appalled by the conditions kept there. The enclosures were COMPLETELY unsanitary, the animals were starving if not dead, some of them were so sickly looking I was surprised to see them move. There were baby American alligators in a small tank filled with water and no place to bask or so much as lay or stop swimming. There was a ~4.5' Savannah Monitor in a 85 or so gallon tank who has been there in the same enclosure for at least a few months and appeared to be dead and flattened. There was a blood python who was WAY to close to a space heater and was basically fried, mouth open, upside down, and noticeably had been there for some time in that condition. I could go on and on about all the horrible conditions there. I have been there a couple times before and seen some really skinny animals and not optimal conditions, but nothing that was unbearable, but this time I left completely disgusted and I feel something should be done. I myself have raised herps for some time and just can't see them in conditions as such. I wish I could take them all, but as we all know, that is not something many of us can do. I did take some pictures with my camera phone, but there pretty crappy (as expected from a Camera phone.

Anyone know how to report them or what to do about the situation? I heard on here before about an organization that would investigate and possibly remove the animals and close the store, but I can't remember or find any information on it. Please let us know if you can help.

FYI this is in SE Michigan.
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"Wanting to be someone else is a waste of the person you are." - Kurt Cobain

"You laugh at me because I am different; I laugh at you because you are all the same."

~~ Krystal ~~

I would look for a website for the state of MI. From there you should be able to find something on animal cruelty and who you need to call to report it. I am fortunate that the state of Kansas has a very well designed website and it was very easy to find the info. I was not so fortunate in that local law enforcement has no jurisdiction over pet stores, only individuals. Complaints against pet stores have to go through the animal health department and it usually takes more than one call to get something done. When they get around to doing something it is never enough. Some people just should not be allowed to run pet stores. I don't know exactly what kind of actions they take, but they do something. I make a lot of complaints in my state and 2 of the local pet stores have banned me. As soon as I walk in the door they ask me to leave. They must have a picture somewhere to train all the new employees. I wish you luck and hope you don't give up as it can take several calls sometimes.

If the local/state government does not appear motivated to do anything, you can always get the local media involved. Large animal cruelty stories tend to end up on a front page, even if it is just the front of the local section that would still raise public awareness. Unfortuneately, many societies and associations don't consider reptiles to be a worthy cause (local chapter of a huge major rescue society...) but perhaps if people are made aware of just how bad it is, a boycott could be called. Trust me, a cameraman and a nosy reporter would get the store owner's attention quick fast and in a hurry. Just a little idea...

The disadvantage to this course of action is that you are promoting negative publicity regarding the herp industry. This can have more of an impact to ban herps than it may do to stop the store's poor practices. With all of the current prejudice and misunderstanding involving herps we don't need to give any more ammunition to the militant "animal-welfare" groups than is necessary. They already consider the ownership of herps to be an improper practice, and they love any reason to rally the public to their cause. Perhaps just the threat of media coverage would be enough. Tell the employees that you're going to involve the media, but don't do it immediately. They will hopefully take the hint. It is probably worth a shot. If not, your local animal control agency should have a direction for you to take. In my city, the local animal control is the first line of attack for shutting down crappy stores. If they fail, they may have another contact for you to persue.
I am a local herp and fish specialty store owner. I know that even the threat of poor media coverage would scare the crap out of me. I have never had a complaint regarding my husbandry practices, but I would do my best to fix things up if someone came in threatening to expose what they deem to be unsanitary conditions. Also, to you other local store owners, you will get a lot more business by having proper caging contitions and healthy animals than by just labeling an animal and letting it sit in a bare tank. We are most beginner's first experience with herps and setting the proper example for care of them will bring in customers exponentially faster than selling livestock that is doomed to death from the time of sale. Word of mouth is still the best advertising and people talk a lot.
Just my two cents worth.

Bryan
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Last night I was laying in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "Where the hell is my ceiling?"

I fully appreciate your position, but the main difference between your area and mine is that the local animal welfare organizations simply will not bother with reptiles. I have heard it attributed to the pres of that chapter that "Snakes aren't animals like dogs or cats, so we aren't going to deal with them." The county animal control and the city police call my friends whenever they have to deal with a reptile, instead of any rescue/welfare organization.

We have a store like the one described (although not *QUITE* as bad) and we can only call the state wildlife & game commission on them in hopes that they will get their exotics license yanked. None of the agencies will "bother" with them on charges that they are killing their reptile stock through cruelty and neglect. BTW I totally agree with your business plan