Local Pet Store Not Taking Care of Their Snakes

[Gary P]

It is a chain pet store, not Petco or Petsmart, but I don't want to mention it right off.

I buy my feeders there, and look at their reptile section every now and then to check on them. There are several Reptiles there (mostly snakes) that have inadequate enclosure upkeep. Only half their tanks have any gauges in them what-so-ever. And its too hot and not humid enough in most of the enclosures. Also, many of the tanks only have a red light as a heat source and the light in the room is always off and no outside light can reach them, so to them, they are always living in very dim lighting, day or night.

There are few to none hides in any of the tanks, so they are always exposed. One of the adult BP's that has been there for years, has scars all over him. One of the BP's tanks had a completely dried up water bowl and extremely low humidity. The red tail boa's water dish had poop in it, as did several others. Several tanks had poop and several sheds in them and have obviously not been cleaned in months. The red tail was also in a very small cage for his large size. One of the BP's was soaking in his water dish (and likely in his own poo) which I have read on hear could be a sign of mites or inadequate humidity.

I feel like I need to do something for them such a shame they have to live like that. Several of the normals have been there a long time because of their ridiculous pricing for just a normal ball. 70 plus dollars. 200 for the one that has been there for years, he comes with his cage and lamps, if I had the money, I would save him from his dreadful life, but I don't .

What can I do? The employees there seem to hate their jobs (obviously, since they are't DOING their jobs).

[alan12013]

Write to the regional manager. Say that you will take pictures and do a write up letting people know. Make a write up with pictures and let every one know. 70 dollars is a bit high but petco and petsmart have them at 90 all the time and drop them to 44 on sales. They wouldn't have to charge so much if they bought from local breeders...

[Druzy]

This really saddens me. I too have also experience this with some local shops in my area. I've actually took it upon myself to speak respectfully to owners/management and no issues were resolved. Now I refuse to purchase anything from these shops even feeders! If they can display there animals in such poor condition imagine how the feeders are cared for. My reptiles eat the best quality. Yes frozen Rats too.

[KMG]

Its a common issue. This is what I expierenced once.

http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...ad-Petco-Story

[ballpython45]

I too have had thay problem, my friend's bp had some issues and had a huge scar going through her belly

[bcr229]

if I had the money, I would save him from his dreadful life, but I don't .

Please don't. If you do the animal will simply be replaced with another one. The only way any retailer will stop keeping animals incorrectly is when doing so adversely affects their bottom line. If you buy that animal then you are rewarding the store.

What can I do? The employees there seem to hate their jobs (obviously, since they are't DOING their jobs).

- Go back and take pictures of the conditions of the enclosures and snakes.
- Write to the management to let them know that due to the horrid conditions you found, you not only would never purchase an animal from them, but you will no longer set foot in their shop and will refer people elsewhere for their pet-related purchases. Include the pictures.
- Find a different source for feeders.
- Leave negative reviews on Yelp, Manta, Google, etc.

[alan12013]

As a business owner myself I would say that is a good idea ^^^ Write to management and if not corrected THE NEXT DAY (which it wont be) then you need to go on YELP and all the other online sites. I am in a location where online advertising doesn't effect me all that much but I know with out a doubt that a few bad YELP reviews can lose a company or store a good deal of business.

[CORBIN911]

With as horrid condition's as that as you say, You could even threaten PETA id beg to say. Non drinkable water, or dried up water, Scars (Most pets stores refuse to feed live aswell, which they obv are doing)

Hell if you actually feel like helping you most likly could say Pay me and ill look after them =P

I know the owner of a local petvalue and my freind worked there, but i always enjoy the reptiles that i hate owning because of crickets.. Beardies, trantuals, Waterdragons, Chameloens, Geckos And the common cornsnakes/tree boas they seldom get. Id go in and "Tame" them as she said take them out play with em, They even had me come a few times to pack up the crazy ones like treeboas, or an angry fat tailed gecko that liked me LOL. She started giving me 50$ a week because i help there so often! So i get to play with critters and not have to pay for there upkeep! and i get paid!!! (Plus she helps me sell the normal off spring of my BP's)

[BPavery]

I complained a lot to a local Petsmart about them not caring for their reptiles correctly, and they improved! A lot! Complaints do work sometimes, so do not hesitate to do so.


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[Pythonfriend]

go in, take some pictures or maybe cellphone video, and expose them.

only do this if you know what you are doing. basically you need to make sure there wont be legal consequences. but if it works out, its really satisfying.

otherwise, just complain at different levels. complain locally, if they have a support line call there to get an email adress or something, then later call again to complain, and then complain in email to the higher-level management where you can get an email adress somewhere. be very specific.

tell the truth, dont exagerrate, and then you should be safe from consequences if you do name and shame them.