Gettin' a new job/wanna vent

[Shelby]

As some of you know, I work at Serpent Safari, the reptile zoo with the 403lb burmese.

Ok that's all fine and dandy, but these people don't really give a *bleep* about their animals. They have had a cobra with a nasty infection, a water monitor with some sort of large sore on it's tail, they often keep more than one snake in one display (some not even similar size) and the cages are often too small.

Worst thing was watching a beautiful chondro python (blue and all) die slowly over about six months because no one seemed to care it had a respiratory infection and it was loosing weight all the time (don't think they fed it at all). Two days ago it was like a skeleton, yesterday it was gone. I told them many times that it wasn't well..

Also the snakes that we sell pictures with are usually underweight, and are out there way too long. Poor things are stressed out beyond belief.

I don't even want to get into the pets that they sell.

The more I know about this place, the less enthusiastic I am about working there.

So, today my boss calls me and is mad at me for telling the assistant manager I was tired when at 8:59 (closing is at 9:00) someone comes in and wants a tour. I'm a tour guide.. and those tours are 25 minutes long. Plus that my dad was waiting outside to take me home (I don't drive yet). I took the tour, I just was voicing my exasperation at this to my fellow co-worker. I know the customer is always right, but for heaven's sake.. shouldn't the last tour leave something more like 15 minutes before closing.. not one?

So anyway.. my boss has a few more bones to pick with me (very small ones that no one else would get yelled at for)

I am not respected there at all, so I am leaving!

Gonna work at petsmart or something..

Sorry this is long, I just want to vent!

[MARCUS ANTONIUS]

Hey Shelby, I'm sorry to hear that you're having so much trouble at work and I think you are completely in the right about the late tour thing. I once worked for a Vet clinic and one of the Dr.'s there was a horrible Vet. He would hit and kick the animals especially if they showed any aggression at all toward him. He once killed a cat by throwing it at a wall, and all the cat did was scratch him on the hand. Hardly a reason for such an over-reaction. But anyway I can see where you're coming from. It makes me sick when I visit a zoo or animal park that has un- or under-cared-for animals. As a matter of fact the local zoo here (actually in Birmingham, about an hour away from me) had some herps that were in pitiful shape at one time. But I am pleased to say that the last time I was there things did look better. Anyway, I wish you the best of luck with where ever you find your next job.

[scotty]

I would place a complaint with the EPA or similar agency. Or whoever handles that, im pretty sure its epa and i know you can complain about civilians mistreating pet animals so its should go 10 fold for a professional animal holding facility such as a zoo. Pet owners can say they didnt know better, or didnt research the proper care of their pet, or the pet stores gave me the wrong info, but a zoo should have experts and vets on hand for that type of thing, at least they do at the zoo near me, and although sometimes i go through (im a zoo junky cause they have a big herp section, so i go there like at least once a week.) and some animals or herps are in bad shape, they are very well treated and usually looking better the next time i see them.

[Shelby]

Thing is, this place isn't an AZA accredited zoo.. more like a roadside zoo. I know they don't follow the laws, because an inspector came once while I was there, and my boss was whispering frantically for me to put the snake away, and she was saying 'it's only 6 feet! only 6 feet!' apparently they are not supposed to have anything over that size out in the store. They also never give their sulcata tortoises water 'because they'll tip it over and make a mess!' Makes me sick.

I don't want them to give me trouble.. I would be afraid if I complained if they found out it was me, I could get in some trouble. Probably me being wimpy.. but I will certainly consider it once I have a new job. The animals deserve better.

[Ginevive]

I definately see where you're comin from. It sounds like they are the lazy ones, not feeling like taking care of their animals.
I would not even give them any notice; just find a new job and quit. (that's how I would do it.) One hint though; if you're filling out a resume and it asks if they can contact your current employer, you should check No. My BF got fired for a stupid reason frrom his old employer, and they actually tried to make him sound/look bad to prospective employers. It's a smarmy thing they do, but it could happen, especially with a pet store like that which seems seedy.
I think it really says alot about you, that you won't compromise your own ethics for a stupid employer!

[QuenteK25]

Sorry to hear it!

I for one will NEVER go into a store or any place where people work unless I am sure I can be done and leave BEFORE their posted closing time. I really get annoyed seeing people going into a grocery store at 8:59 when it closes at 9:00. Sure if it's an emergency it's one thing, but 99% of the time I'm sure it's not. I've never even worked at a grocery store or anywhere that it could happen to me and I still hate it! Show some respect people, if you're there after they are closed then at least one person, if not many more have to stay late to accomodate you.

Thanks for the thread so I could vent too. You're kind to even say it would be ok to let the tour start 15 minutes before closing since that would still make you stay late!

[Shelby]

Ginevive.. I am so tempted, but I have my own bills to pay and I have to be sure of another job before I quit. I really want to leave with a good recommendation, so that is my reason for giving the two week notice. Plus that, I have friends there and I want to be able to go back and visit without being afraid of running into the boss.

QuenteK25.. yes! What ever happened to common courtesy? I have countless stories of absolute rudeness..

I can stand staying ten minutes late.. but 25? That is pushing it. And when she called me, my boss said 'it doesn't matter if the last tour is at 10:30, you have to take it!' We close doors (supposedly) at 9:30 on saturday, 9:00 on weekdays.. and you want me to stay until 10:30?? You have to be kidding me..

[frankykeno]

Well Shelby it sounds like they treat their employees not much better than they treat their creatures. Hope you find a better job soon.

I really wish any place that exhibits animals of any type for profit had to be regulated and inspected. It's awfully sad that any jerk can get into that business it seems and god help the poor beasts. I know there must be many good, responsible small zoo/animal exhibit owners out there, unfortunately, it's the idiots that get into that business that just burn me.


~~Joanna~~

[Shelby]

They are inspected.. but as I said, the boss gets around them. The inspector should come armed with a tape measure for one thing..

[normballpython2]

way to stick it to the man!!! the ironic thing is our qiuiting ur job and i am dying to have one. but not that one someone would have gotten cursed out if was working there lol.

Brian