Reptile & Amphibian Forums

OK, there was a post going with some good points that was removed for obvious reasons (sorry for my part in that). But I think it is important to discuss the topic of pet stores and animal neglect and good ideas of what we can do to help the issue. I can't speak on all stores and chains but some are limited in the amount of information that is given to employees on the care that reptiles and other animals require.

I have found in the past that actually talking to an employee about it can help but talking to a manager seems to work better. I have even gone so far as to offer to help set up a couple of display enclosures for their reptiles to help them better show their stock (and at the same time provide the animals with proper care). It is sad but sometimes it takes bringing it back to the bottom line financially for the importance to sink in. Some stores (I know PetSmart does) have a manager that is just over the specialty area - birds, fish, rodents, and reptiles. They may be more receptive to information since they are directly dealing with those animals.

What have others tried and seen work in taking on the issue of neglect?
-----
Bryan, Atlanta GA

1-0-0 Rescued Ball Python - Apep
0-1-0 Rescued Mountain Horned Dragon - Ki
0-0-1 Rescued Aggressive Bearded Dragon - Zeus
0-0-1 Rescued Non-Alpha Green Iguana - Bud
1-1-0 Rescued Rats... no wait... ROTTEN Little Cats - Ra, Bastet
0-0-1 Rescued Dieting Panda Hamster - Mr. Fluffy
0-1-0 Rescued Little Angelic Kitten - Isis
1-0-0 Horse... whoops... BIG Golden Retriever - Jake
0-1-0 Wife
2-0-0 Kids

Sorry if you felt i was attacking petstores in general. I was at one today that was imaculate. I was just out of ideas and hoping that together we could pressure them to be more responsible. I think they serve a valuable part in our hoby. I just want them to take better care of the animals they have.
-----
Brian
www.thewindycitygecko.com

I agree that pet store chains for the most part need to take better care of their herps. However, some of them are so set in their ways of taking care of herps, they will not open up to newer and safer ways of taking care of them. They only think of the money or they just think oh he/she doesn't know what they are talking about, I run the store I know more than them. I will not buy anything from a store that won't take care of the animals they sell. There are two places close to me that has been advised by many of the people that work in their herp depts. that their policy on herp care is out dated and unhealthy for their stock. But the managers insist that they know better. Their turn over rate of employees in their herp depts. is thru the roof. I will not shop at either place. I do go in every once in a while to see if any thing has changed. Nothing yet. I also have contacted both companies head quarters and they both said they will look into it. That was over 4 months ago.

On another note, there is a PetSmart and a PetLand near by that takes great care in their herps. I have bought from the PetLand store, not the PetSmart, only because they carry only normals. Both of their sales staffs are knowledgeable and very helpful, and practice what they preach. I give them an A+. I feel if those particular store are doing their job, then they can have my business. Why should they suffer because the rest of the chain has some bad apples? I'd rather see those stores stay open, so people new to herps have at least two place they can go to, and maybe spread some good herp care infomration around to other newbies.
-----
www.LeopardGeckoBreeder.com

www.LeopardGeckoArt.com

5.13.1 Leos
1.0 Peach Fronted Conure
0.0.2 Red Ear Sliders
1.0 Pembroke Corgi
0.2 Cats
8 fish

I have been to numerous pet stores that had horrible conditions. I always take the time to talk to the manager about what is going on and how they can change their conditions to better suit the animal. When I go back, nothing has changed. Some are good managers and actually care, but I haven't ran into one yet.
-----
~~Tania~~
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon - Jake
1.1 Leopard Geckos - Chorky and Gilbey
1.0 Maltese Shi Tzu Mix - Mosley
RIP 1.1 Med. Geckos - Mary and Peter

Actually, I didn't think to include this, but...
I was just recently at a store that had an abandoned chinese water dragon in a box in the back. No heat, no lights, not even a real cage. Someone had brought their pet to the petstore to find them a better home because they didn't have time for it anymore, and that was their "until we can adopt it out" housing. They claimed he has healthy enough, they just had no room for him. So with their health gaurantee (which was based upon no medical facts). We rescued this poor baby stuck in a carry home box in the back. We've incured over 300 dollars in vet bills because of the conditions he was kept in, he had a horrible infection and his bone structure has completely deteriorated because he had no UVB light. I took this matter to the coporate office and told them how outraged we were at the conditions and at the lies we were told. They are paying for his vet bills at the moment, we will see if he lives.
-----
~~Tania~~
1.0 Chinese Water Dragon - Jake
1.1 Leopard Geckos - Chorky and Gilbey
1.0 Maltese Shi Tzu Mix - Mosley
RIP 1.1 Med. Geckos - Mary and Peter

I tend to avoid pet stores altogether. I get my supplies online now and if i have to go to one i go to a privatly owned pet store so the big chains don't benefit.

I think we all understand the issue on petstores, so I won't go into that, but I would like to add what has worked very well in my city.

Our local herp club has a designated "pet store liason". This person meets the managers around town, and responds to any concerns the society as a whole has. Also, with a whole society backing you up, your voice is louder, has more power, and makes more sence to those even if the bottom line is their priority.

Two examples. In a city of a million people, there is only one store left that sells baby iguanas. This was after a short campaign that responded to the number of iguanas in the same societies adoption program.
A more recent example was the removal of horned lizards from inventory. In this northernly area, the specialized diet of ants is nearly impossible for even the most devoted pet owner to acheive.

These two examples are more extreme, "removals", but we try to remain active in general herp care tips as well.

Ian