What do I do about a pet store that is taking poor care of BPs?

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Originally Posted by Inknsteel

I refrained from posting in the other thread hoping someone would bring up a few things that I haven't seen come up yet...

First, you are making reference to the caresheet here on this site. Yes, it's a great caresheet and does lay down some guidelines for IDEAL husbandry for new snake OWNERS. The caresheet here is by no means LAW, nor does it state anywhere that this is the only right way to do things.

You have to also understand that you are dealing with a STORE, not an individual snake keeper. They aren't in the business of snake keeping, and as such, aren't going to go through the time, effort and expense of setting up individual tanks or tubs for each animal, making sure they have two hides, probed thermometers and hygrometers, etc. They will put the snake in an available tank to display for customers. In their ideal scenario, that snake will be there the shortest amount of time possible before going to what is hopefully a permanent home. The fact that there is a water dish, a heat source of some kind, and only one snake in the enclosure is a big step ahead of some of these stores I've heard about. Is this the ideal setup for long term care? Nope. Is this considered "deplorable conditions"? Not even close. If that were the case, you'd have to report pretty much every pet store in existence...

If you don't like the conditions of the animals, simply do not support the business with your dollars. But I don't think it would be in ANYONE'S interest to take such drastic action simply because you don't deem their husbandry to be worthy of your standards. If you feel like putting that much time and energy into fighting for better conditions for that animal, your efforts would be better spent trying to educate than anything.

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I completely agree. I was just talking to someone else about the fact that ideal care in pet stores would cost them more than they are willing to pay. If they spent the money to make their enclosures perfect, they would have to raise the price of the animals itself and ultimately have less sales... which would mean that the snake would most likely grow up at that pet store, which would not be ideal. I'd rather them be in less than ideal conditions for a shorter period of time then be taken home (most likely from a person new to BPs) but would be more likely to receive "proper" care.


As long as the snakes aren't sick and dying, in my opinion, they should be alright. They do have heating and water, and are fed (maybe not as much as they should be). I went to Petco yesterday and was actually surprised at how good the BP they had looked. Good size enclosure for it as well.

I, like many others have to wonder why you are still buying anything from this store? Why would you continue to go into this store, only to be upset when looking at the owner's snake husbandry?

If you are truly upset by the conditions, stop buying from them. Oh but wait, you can buy feeders cheaper there than anywhere else. So, if I get your concerns, you are appalled by some of their business practices but as long as you can save some money on your feeders, you'll continue to go into the store and criticize them.

I don't have a thermometer, nor a hygrometer. As a matter of fact, none of my snakes have a bowl large enough to soak their entire body. So, by your standards, I'm a bad snake owner too. Well, I hate to break the news to you, any breeder with more than a handful of snakes is going to be put into your definition of a bad owner.

I don't understand your posting of this thread. You were asked to do a few things after your first thread and see how that turns out, but you insist on posting messages everytime you see something that YOU think is so bad at this store.

The store's husbandry isn't ideal. But it's not cruel.

Please go back and read many of the suggestions in your first thread. I don't think this forum wants to go through this again.

Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

I don't have a thermometer, nor a hygrometer. As a matter of fact, none of my snakes have a bowl large enough to soak their entire body. So, by your standards, I'm a bad snake owner too. Well, I hate to break the news to you, any breeder with more than a handful of snakes is going to be put into your definition of a bad owner.

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add me to the list of bad owners, half my snakes don't have hides either, on top of no thermometer or hygrometer and only snakes that can soak their whole body are the carpet pythons.

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Originally Posted by j_h_smith

I, like many others have to wonder why you are still buying anything from this store? Why would you continue to go into this store, only to be upset when looking at the owner's snake husbandry?

If you are truly upset by the conditions, stop buying from them. Oh but wait, you can buy feeders cheaper there than anywhere else. So, if I get your concerns, you are appalled by some of their business practices but as long as you can save some money on your feeders, you'll continue to go into the store and criticize them.

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We have to get her mice from SOMEWHERE!!!

That is the thing...We have a couple Petcos near us as well as a Petsmart, and the Petland in question. I don't love petco or petsmart either but...OUR SNAKE HAS TO EAT!

We now make a point to buy all supplies over the internet.(except for food)

SHE HAS TO EAT THOUGH!!!

By the way...

An animal control officer(who did not actually reply in this thread) contacted me over private message asking for the address of the store in question and he lives in the twin cities just like I do. I of course gave the address because I believe this store needs to be held accountable!


I am not out to ruin this pet store by any means but I do want to make them take care of their animals!

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Originally Posted by Superpop

We have to get her mice from SOMEWHERE!!!

That is the thing...We have a couple Petcos near us as well as a Petsmart, and the Petland in question. I don't love petco or petsmart either but...OUR SNAKE HAS TO EAT!

We now make a point to buy all supplies over the internet.(except for food)

SHE HAS TO EAT THOUGH!!!

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Why there then? You memtioned in your post that you to this exact pet store, to save money. You said that this store saves you money over Petsmart and Petland. My question to you, why buy there, buyat these other stores. Let your conscious be your guide.

You don't have to shout, we all agree the snake has to eat, I'm questioning why you're buying from a store where you have so many concerns.

Unless it's to save money, you probably need to buy rodents somewhere else.

I guarantee, I wouldn't buy from a store if I had as many issues that you do.

Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by Superpop

By the way...

An animal control officer(who did not actually reply in this thread) contacted me over private message asking for the address of the store in question and he lives in the twin cities just like I do. I of course gave the address because I believe this store needs to be held accountable!


I am not out to ruin this pet store by any means but I do want to make them take care of their animals!

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So what's the purpose of your post? You want this store to be held accountable, accountable to whom? You? Why should they have to meet with your approval? You admit you've only owned a snake for some 9-10 months and you're going to be considered the expert here. I don't think so. Yeah, I know, you've read all the caresheets. These are opinions given. I've NEVER used a thermometer, nor a hygrometer. NONE of my breeders have a hide. As a matter of fact, there are times my snakes don't have a water bowl of any size in their enclosure. Ask any breeder, they'll tell you the same thing. You're an example of a little information be dangerous. Keep snakes for a few more years and see if your opinion doesn't change.

Your taking up a fight that doesn't need to be taken.

Show me pictures of a sick/dead/malnurished or otherwise sub standard snake being sold in this store. Seems like he's taken good care of the snake, but not to your standards.

Not trying to ruin the store? Why then make the calls you have? Not trying to ruin the store? Then what is your reason? In the other thread, many explained to you that this isn't animal cruelty, but we gave ideas to you. You never commented on talking to the owner or empoyees. So , now you're back for round 2. What do you want us to say? We gave you all the advice we had to give you in the first thread.

Jim Smith

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Originally Posted by Superpop

We have to get her mice from SOMEWHERE!!!

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Yeah but not from there well of course unless YOU want to support the so call abuse? Can't have it both ways!

Look online on CL or ebayclassifieds.com for rodent breeders or order bulk online, might cost more but you won't have to deal with that store anymore.

So since you avoided my question did you try to talk to them or educate them yet? Or is reporting them the only thing you really care about to make an example out of them and feel powerful?

Again big difference in store conditions and private owner conditions, also big difference between not ideal and neglect or abuse.

Again YOU are jumping the gun and still do not understand that dialog if there is problem is often the only thing needed.

Yo superpoop, you're a cheap one aren'tcha?

Man up and drop a buck or two more at another store IF what you say is true.

I suspect you are more than just a bit of a dramaqueen. Have fun with that. Just do it elsewhere.

Don't shop there?