bad bad animal supply store experience

[ChristinaP]

First of all, they had 2-3 snakes in each aquarium, 10 gallon my guess, and the snakes were bigger than Jake. There was dried and moldy poop in the aquariums. There was only 1 hide for the 3 to share. 1 aquarium the old skin was still in the cage on the rocks. We went up to the register to get the feeder mice. We bought hoppers, and apparently they don't come in their own ziplock bags like the 'other' store. Nope, he pulled out 4 individual hoppers out of a HUGE ziplock bag, and stuck them in a little plastic bag (Looks like what you put fish in when you buy them) and then without washing his hands or using sanitizer used the register. Then after he finished ringing us up, he finishes eating behind the counter, without washing hands...........GROSS!! What else did he handle before he handled my snakies' food? IDK call me crazy but I'm kind of paranoid now of feeding these hoppers to Jake.

[blushingball419]

That is pretty bad I'm sure every reptile/amphibian lover has plenty of similar horror stories. I always have mixed emotions going into pet stores, because I always want to run over and check on the snakes, but I know I'll always be either irritated or downright horrified at how they're "caring" for them

One store I only went into once had a 4 foot ball python (with bad shed and retained eye caps) sitting in a 20 gal tank on top of filthy corn cob bedding with absolutely nothing in there with him except a water dish, with no water in it, that he was trying desperately to squeeze behind to hide. I was so outraged I spoke to the first employee I saw and asked why the snake was being kept in such conditions. They didn't really have an answer and didn't really seem to care. So I...um...rather forcefully suggested that they at least clean the bedding and give it some water.

It is absolutely ridiculous that these pet stores are basically allowed to abuse these snakes (and other reptiles and amphibians). Whether it's due to ignorance or just outright negligence, it's still inexcusable in my opinion. There really should be a way to regulate them and they all should be given a set of minimum care requirements that they have to meet. That will probably never happen though Very sad. At least we know there are some of us out there that are trying to do the right thing.

Ah there are so many cases like this unfortunately, and every one always manages to irk me

As far as the frozen hoppers go, I've seen someone do that before too and it is a little weird. They're probably fine to feed to your snake, but if you're really worried you can always rinse them off with a little water

[Buttons]

Not every store individually bags feeders. I know if you go to Petsmart/Petco they do but you go to a reptile store they're probably going to just put them all in one bag.

[Kaorte]

Yeah, I get my feeders from the show and they are all shoved into one bag. I would think a frozen mouse is more sanitary then money :/

[blushingball419]

Not every store individually bags feeders. I know if you go to Petsmart/Petco they do but you go to a reptile store they're probably going to just put them all in one bag.

Yeah I forgot to mention that in my first post. Got kinda side tracked That's usually how I get mine as well...they just throw them all in one bag. I did buy the frozen fuzzies from Petsmart once and I found the individual wrappers to be amusing xD I was talking more about how it's weird when people just pick them up and then don't wash their hands, although it doesn't really bother me that much and I usually don't even think about it. It's probably not as bad as some people think

I would think a frozen mouse is more sanitary then money :/

Very true. Not many people think about that.......

[reaxion07]

I went to Prehistoric Pets today, and there was some people eating sushi off the counter above the baby corn snakes, with a couple of Iguanas and a Beardie. My girlfriend and I were grossed out, haha.