You just lost my business

[Raptor]

About once a month, I go to a local pet shop to buy feeder mice for my snake. From the start, I noticed that some of the reptile enclosures didn't have water bowls, and if they did, they were usually empty. Well, the enclosures have heat lamps and those are bad about sucking out moisture. So, I figured that they'd water when the store closed. Saw a snake who didn't shed clean, but some snakes have issues with shedding.

Today, I went in, and it was fairly busy. I was looking at the snakes while I was waiting for the business to die down. Saw a snake with an old burn, which isn't unusual if they can get to the heat source. Figured it was a trade in or something. Went over to the ball pythons and saw two off in a tank; as usual, no water bowl. One was curled in an odd position, I didn't think it was breathing. I went to look at the other snakes and mom walked over to me to say that neither were breathing and both looked dehydrated and underweight.

Without a word, we both left and went to a different store to get my mice, one that we know takes care of the animals. Mom and I were really both ticked off. She doesn't like snakes, but she doesn't like seeing anything suffer.

:| Anyone know who I should report this to? It's a privately owned pet shop, family owned; it's not a big chain store. I'm in Oklahoma btw.

[MarkS]

Instead of posting this here on a forum, why don't you put this in a letter and mail it to the owner of the pet store? Maybe they'll listen, maybe they won't but you might do some good.

[Raptor]

Why do you think I'm looking at various websites for reporting petshops and will be making some calls tomorrow? I seriously doubt that they'll change anything without the authorities getting involved.

[dapike1979]

Call the SPCA.... pooh will fly. good luck

[Raptor]

Call the SPCA.... pooh will fly. good luck

That's the first thing I looked up. There's unfortunately, no local ones, they're all a long distance away. So, I'll be calling the local shelter/animal control. If they can't do anything, they can at least advise me who to call.

[stormwulf133]

Good luck. After following the phone number trail where it led, the very last guy told me that my state legislation apparently doesn't care about reptiles and there is nothing they can do. Have a nice day.

[MarkS]

Why do you think I'm looking at various websites for reporting petshops and will be making some calls tomorrow? I seriously doubt that they'll change anything without the authorities getting involved.

I still think that writing to the store FIRST is the best thing. People don't change unless they WANT to change, and trying to FORCE them to change usually works in the opposite direction.

[dgarrison123]

where in oklahoma are you located

[Raptor]

where in oklahoma are you located

Northeast area.

[SnakeDoc]

Here's an idea, write a letter to the editor of your local newspaper, they will publish it in your local area and after about 30 or so customers come in a tell the petstore owner about this issue he'll listen, plus if he or she reads the local newspaper they'll see it.