Nothing makes me angrier...

[dcowboys125]

Being a ball python owner/breeder myself I've seen my share of mistreated an malnutritioned animals but when ya walk into a "pet" store an see it it has a tendency to light me off quickly. Pet stores are suppose to be role models an teach us consumers how to properly care for the animal we are purchasing..I've attached some pics an it's quite sad an horrifying to see this. Even sadder yet was I was at the habitats for 25 mins an saw not one employee till I went to checkouts to get help. Manager finally came an I lit into her really hard an was asked to leave the store. Shame on them

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[dcowboys125]

There were 4 other bp's in the same cage with this poor guy that were extremely thin as well except for the chubby pastel in the pics he looked good. I sadly watched this little guy wriggle an writh around till he finally passed. Was extremely sad.

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[distaff]

You watched a snake die in the store? Sad.
I hope the Petco member (or is that person from PetSense?? - can't keep them straight) hops on this thread.
From the looks of it, that store mgr. should be fired - not like there is some unexpected shortage of mice and spare tanks at a Pet store.

[Crowfingers]

Depending on what state you are in, you could see if animal control would be willing to press neglect / abuse charges. Also try the humane society, and USDA under the animal welfare act. Keep the pictures as evidence, including the for sale sign. Sometimes they can get away with having obviously sick animals if there is a "not for sale" sign on the tank. You could also try calling your district attorney, they may be able to direct you to someone with legal powers. Another way to get the word out if your really up for a fight is to call your local news, if they have a community section of their daily programs. Too many time I see things like this in my local pet stores, but in VA it's nearly impossible to get anything done about animal abuse.

I love my ball and have no problem with people having them (as long as they know how to care for them), but this is the precise reason that I believe that exotics should be illegal to sell through these chain stores by people who have no knowledge of care and health. Most of these stores will sell anything to anyone and never ask if the person knows how to care for it or the employee's are trained to make a sale and often either make stuff up or give the worst advice, and the majority of them couldn't tell a goldfish from a hermit crab. I have argued with the managers and store owners, employees, and every time have been met with stupidity (I am referring to the unwillingness to listen to someone trying to teach you and refusing to admit that maybe, just maybe, corporate on the job "training" does not make you qualified in animal care). I have pointed out obvious signs of ill-health and usually the answer is either, 'I'll let someone know' or "Oh, I didn't see that. I'm sure it's fine" or some other platitude. Yes, there are some employees out there that go home and actually learn about the animals under their care and are responsible when working at these stores, but the vast majority are not like that, at least in my experience. Because of this, I rarely go into any pet store, and when I do, I usually see or hear something that makes me super frustrated and angry.

[dcowboys125]

Depending on what state you are in, you could see if animal control would be willing to press neglect / abuse charges. Also try the humane society, and USDA under the animal welfare act. Keep the pictures as evidence, including the for sale sign. Sometimes they can get away with having obviously sick animals if there is a "not for sale" sign on the tank. You could also try calling your district attorney, they may be able to direct you to someone with legal powers. Another way to get the word out if your really up for a fight is to call your local news, if they have a community section of their daily programs. Too many time I see things like this in my local pet stores, but in VA it's nearly impossible to get anything done about animal abuse.

I love my ball and have no problem with people having them (as long as they know how to care for them), but this is the precise reason that I believe that exotics should be illegal to sell through these chain stores by people who have no knowledge of care and health. Most of these stores will sell anything to anyone and never ask if the person knows how to care for it or the employee's are trained to make a sale and often either make stuff up or give the worst advice, and the majority of them couldn't tell a goldfish from a hermit crab. I have argued with the managers and store owners, employees, and every time have been met with stupidity (I am referring to the unwillingness to listen to someone trying to teach you and refusing to admit that maybe, just maybe, corporate on the job "training" does not make you qualified in animal care). I have pointed out obvious signs of ill-health and usually the answer is either, 'I'll let someone know' or "Oh, I didn't see that. I'm sure it's fine" or some other platitude. Yes, there are some employees out there that go home and actually learn about the animals under their care and are responsible when working at these stores, but the vast majority are not like that, at least in my experience. Because of this, I rarely go into any pet store, and when I do, I usually see or hear something that makes me super frustrated and angry.

I did contact local animal control authorities here in Iowa an have forwarded the pics an a short video I took. Hopefully they will do something. There was a spider ball in there that was just as emaciated looking as that one was. The pin, bee an pastel that were in there were also thin but in better condition lookin. I so wanted to just grab them an walk out..

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[dcowboys125]

You watched a snake die in the store? Sad.
I hope the Petco member (or is that person from PetSense?? - can't keep them straight) hops on this thread.
From the looks of it, that store mgr. should be fired - not like there is some unexpected shortage of mice and spare tanks at a Pet store.

I have reported them to petco corporate an told them they should pull camera footage an can see I was there for 25 mins after an an other 10 mins prior to me goin to cashier to get some help. Worst I have ever seen by far.. Place should be shut down in my opinion

Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk

[treaux]

I had a bad experience at my local Petco as well. Not as bad as yours, but still was concerning. Seeing 4 BPs not moving and just laying on top of each other out in the open was sad. They had no reaction to my presence and just seemed comatose and very thin. They also had a baby red tail boa that I thought was dead until I finally saw it take a breath. Was also just lying there stiff and not moving at all.

I contacted them with their customer feedback form ( http://www.petco.com/content/contact...tactstores#top ) and the manager of that store got back to me right away. I told him how they looked and he said he had them all taken to the vet after receiving my comment and that they were all in "good health." I told him that having 6 baby BPs in a 20 gallon tank with 2 hides is not the best of conditions and he assured me that they have been eating and are doing fine. I told him that at Petsmart they keep their BPs in separate smaller enclosures which is better for their well being and he said they can't do that because they sell too fast and come in larger quantities. Seemed like a bunch of BS, but it was clear he was getting at least some attention from upper management due to me sending in a complaint. I'd advise you send them those pictures and complain as well. There ARE people in the company that care about your customer experience and it should be dealt with.

[treaux]

Ah, my post was a bit late. You already did that!

[Yodawagon]

Post the video on YouTube and share it with the world. Include the store location and staff member names. Expose them!

[d_b]

Post the video on YouTube and share it with the world. Include the store location and staff member names. Expose them!

I agree make the store manager look like an ... This corporation is so big they think there untouchable, and really don't care about animals unless there is a twenty attached.