How to deal with pet store mite issue

Sadly I have to buy 2 feeder rats a week due to a couple picky eaters. I have been going to this store for several months now & never noticed or had any issues. Well today is feeding day so I stopped by & immediately noticed a few snake cages covered in black stuff that looked like pepper in them. Ok so I checked out a few more & came upon a albino that was covered in mites.

So, I talked to the worker there & informed him what I saw & that it was bad. He got defensive saying that they get them because people drop off snakes, get new ones etc & they get rid of them asap. I told him I didn't want to argue but that it was a really bad infestation with numerous animals. He walked away & came back and asked me not so nicely to leave.

Now I am not sure how I should have handled it? Just ignore it? I figured if they knew someone knew it would help the animals out. Personally I wont go back there & probably not allowed lol. But I don't want to transfer any of that to mine. I came home & got out the PAM and shot my shoes & changed my clothes asap!

So now I guess I have to find a new pet store to buy rats.

In my opinion, you did what you could. You notified them of an issue with their animals. If they reacted negatively by asking you to leave, then it is their loss. Take your business elsewhere...

If it's really bad you could try contacting authorities, although it's doubtful anything would be done. And in the event they were removed there is the chance they would end up euthanized.

It's a crapshoot really, and it's hard not to get pissed about it.

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Originally Posted by TimNA

Sadly I have to buy 2 feeder rats a week due to a couple picky eaters. I have been going to this store for several months now & never noticed or had any issues. Well today is feeding day so I stopped by & immediately noticed a few snake cages covered in black stuff that looked like pepper in them. Ok so I checked out a few more & came upon a albino that was covered in mites.

So, I talked to the worker there & informed him what I saw & that it was bad. He got defensive saying that they get them because people drop off snakes, get new ones etc & they get rid of them asap. I told him I didn't want to argue but that it was a really bad infestation with numerous animals. He walked away & came back and asked me not so nicely to leave.

Now I am not sure how I should have handled it? Just ignore it? I figured if they knew someone knew it would help the animals out. Personally I wont go back there & probably not allowed lol. But I don't want to transfer any of that to mine. I came home & got out the PAM and shot my shoes & changed my clothes asap!

So now I guess I have to find a new pet store to buy rats.

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Where in SoCal are you from? There's some really good places around here and some cool locals who can also get you quality rodents :gj:.

edit: btw - Care to name this place so I know to avoid it?

I don't want to give the name out, I would hate for them to loose business if by chance it was just a fluke deal. Like I said I have been going there for months & never seen any issues with their animals & its always clean. That's why I was really surprised on the conditions It was in. Sure could of been one that had them & out break happened. It was obvious though that it was a on going problem in numerous animals.

I am now in Ontario area. There are a few stores around but finding a rat breeder & buying direct would be awesome. Only currently buy 2 live a week so its not breaking the bank but a breeder would be ideal to get all mine from to avoid high shipping. I was going to go to the Pomona show this year & see if I can find one.