Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I've been working in a pet store for about a month now, I wanted to work there so I could take care of the animals because I know how pet stores pretty much have the minimal environment when it comes to lizards and such.

Almost all of the reptiles are underweight, have very small light/heat sources, and the only humidity is whatever the store is. I'm only there a few days a week and I'm bringing my own fruits and vegetables for some of them so that they aren't just eating crickets all the time. I feel like I'm having a hard time doing this because I try to tell the owners that these creatures will live longer in both the store and a home if they have better setups, I pretty much got an answer that said everything is replaceable. Only two other people in the store seem to care about the reptiles.

The other day an iguana died and I had to put it in a plastic bag and simply just put it in the garbage.... when I was a kid even my fish got burials so this was pretty harsh to me. I don't know what to do. This is really stressful because I'm worried everyday that I go in that something else is going to be dead. I love all animals so much and that's why I've kept the job so far, to try and get these reptiles in better condition but it seems like my effort is going to waste because of the other people. No one listens to my advice. I don't know if I should stay there or not, I just need some help on what to do. Sorry for the long post.

Welcome to the world of pet shops.
I worked in one when I was in high school. Pet stores are normally disgustinig places staffed by people who know very little about what they are doing...and care even less. If they cared they would learn...period.

The owners do not care about the animals. It is obvisouly cheaper to loose livestock than to care for it propperly. Al they see is the $$$$.

The best setups are those that look nice but are not fuctional or provide for the animals needs. ...but it looks nice!!!!!!!!

There are a few old shops out there. Unfortunitely they typically go out of business. Like everything else the public would rather pay less for poor quality than pay more for better quality. The good guys starve. People on here post about how wonderful the pet stores are in their areas (I'm in Massachusetts), I don't know if they are better elsewhere or the posters are just as bad as the stores.

As for what you should do... Well right now you are donating money to some scum bags business by buying fruits and vegies. Let the guys getting fat off the killing pay for it. It will not get better. That is the nature of a successfull pet shop.

Good luck,

Brian

most pet stores dont take care of their animals. Some rely on good people like yourself to rescue the poor helpless creatures so that they can be replaces and start the cycle a new. If people just stopped buying from them and doing the "right thing" by trying to help, I believe the animals would be better off. If they sit on the shelves until they die and no body comes to save them, the pet store will lose money and they will have to change their practices or close their doors. It is truely sad they must suffer this way. If conditions are really bad there I suggest contacting yout local news, local fish and game that issues permits and does field inspections, animal control and the ASPCA.
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Bennett

beardiedragon.com
Home of the Florida Orange

The truth is that pets, pet shops, pet supply dealers both shops and "online", all exist because WE want animals in our homes. NONE of the herp trade exists for the welfare of the animals, it's for us humans, our enjoyment. There are awful pet shops, a few "good" ones, and many in between. But any of us who buys animals and or their supplies from ANY source, is supporting the ENTIRE pet industry. It's a world where animals are used(abused)by humans in many horrible ways. On it's best day, the herp hobby is still a form of this usage.
adam

Hey oid,
I think you took a detour to the wrong site. Perhaps you should return to the gerble site that you came from and rage on there. That's where the "end" users are abusing the fuzzy little animals for their own pleasures.

Sure people purchase pets for enjoyment. However, to imply that the creatures suffer just because they are pets is ludicrous.

Nice try, obviously you get off on stirring the pot. I don't intend to waste anymore time on you.

Craigo

Keeping animals in itself is not cruel, it can be quite comfortable for them in fact. My point is that the pet industry as a whole is cruel to at the very least some of the animals, all of the time. And no one of us can claim that we do not support it. Wrong forum? If you say so. If that "stirs things up", sorry to burst any self-righteous bubbles.
adam