Petstore Rescue Attempt

I feel for you and often get the same desire when I see improperly housed snakes in pet stores. However, the problem with actually buying them and taking them home is that in the end, it just gets marked down as a sale and next thing you know, there is another poor baby in the same conditions waiting to be purchased by the next person who feels bad for them. Even getting a discount on it for poor health doesn't help at all, as the store will still look at it as a sale, which means they will continue to keep selling snakes.

I'm glad your little BP is eating and that you are giving him/her a good home. If I were you, I'd check back on the store and see if they still have a bunch of snakes in poor health and this time, file a complaint with your local animal control agency. If you tell them the pet store appears to have a number of snakes that are being neglected and of poor health, they will send an officer out to investigate which could lead to the store being banned from selling reptiles or at least having the current batch confiscated and sent to a real rescue to be nursed back to health and adopted out.

So many big box pet stores treat their reptiles extremely poorly and the only way to get that fixed is to complain. Buying them to "rescue" them only makes the situation worse.

I appreciate all of the input. I realize buying the animal will eventually cause the store to stock more... but the way I personally view it is - the animal already exists. We can frown on petstores for carrying them, as we should, but my little BP didn't choose to be hatched and put in a petstore no more than responsible breeders BP's chose to be produced by someone who would provide them with excellent care. Either way, the animal already exists, and whenever possible, shouldn't be martyred for the cause of bringing the petstore down. It doesn't take that. It takes people dedicated to reporting all abuse or neglect cases they encounter and spreading awareness, contacting local authorities, starting petitions etc... I understand the "don't buy" view point, I really do. But I can't justify letting animals starve if I can do something about it, even if it's only one or two.

On that note, I contacted the Petco again and asked if any of their babies had eaten since my last visit. They said no. I asked who was in charge of assist feeding and at what point they decide to intervene. He told me whoever his superintendent is let's him know, as if it was stupid of me to even ask. He doesn't care.
So! Because I see no attempt at improvement once the situation was brought to their attention, I'm going to be reporting them to my local SPCA/animal control, or even police department if that's what it takes. I have plenty of local friends who've also witness these terrible conditions who are also willing to add on their witness testimonies as well if that gets them to pay attention.

As for little Charlie, I'll try offering food again tomorrow! Hopefully he/she has enough every now to take it on its own, but if not, I'm fine with assisting until then.

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Originally Posted by VanSickel_Balls

I appreciate all of the input. I realize buying the animal will eventually cause the store to stock more... but the way I personally view it is - the animal already exists. We can frown on petstores for carrying them, as we should, but my little BP didn't choose to be hatched and put in a petstore no more than responsible breeders BP's chose to be produced by someone who would provide them with excellent care. Either way, the animal already exists, and whenever possible, shouldn't be martyred for the cause of bringing the petstore down. It doesn't take that. It takes people dedicated to reporting all abuse or neglect cases they encounter and spreading awareness, contacting local authorities, starting petitions etc... I understand the "don't buy" view point, I really do. But I can't justify letting animals starve if I can do something about it, even if it's only one or two.

On that note, I contacted the Petco again and asked if any of their babies had eaten since my last visit. They said no. I asked who was in charge of assist feeding and at what point they decide to intervene. He told me whoever his superintendent is let's him know, as if it was stupid of me to even ask. He doesn't care.
So! Because I see no attempt at improvement once the situation was brought to their attention, I'm going to be reporting them to my local SPCA/animal control, or even police department if that's what it takes. I have plenty of local friends who've also witness these terrible conditions who are also willing to add on their witness testimonies as well if that gets them to pay attention.

As for little Charlie, I'll try offering food again tomorrow! Hopefully he/she has enough every now to take it on its own, but if not, I'm fine with assisting until then.

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I totally agree with the importance of speaking up and reporting bad conditions. A reptile store was recently shut down in the Bay Area and a local rescue group took in all the cases and is working on rehoming them, so it does happen and there are rescue groups that can make an impact and intervene. That said, in my very humble opinion, the first step of reporting all cases is the most important. I also suggest finding and joining -- or starting -- a herpetological society. They often have rescue efforts that are connected directly to authorities that might not otherwise be reachable to an individual, concerned citizen. Plus, there is something to be said for a complaint that comes from an organization (more power in numbers and all that).

Keep working with little Charlie and we will keep our fingers crossed that he/she will thrive in your loving care.

Update: Charlie is doing great! She is currently outside with me, actually getting some fresh air.
And, the best news, she took a live rat pinkie all by herself the day before yesterday! Her first mouse fuzzy probably gave her just enough energy to do it alone this time around.
She's still looking very skinny of course, but I can already see her filling out more since she came home! She has much more energy and I now catch her exploring around her tank a few times a day! Yay for energy!
She truly is a sweet little thing and I'm hoping she lives a full, long and happy life with us!

I just came home with a tiny "lighter" colored bp for the same reason. They're really struggling with their rainbow boa to get it to feed. The guy helping me with crickets seemed distraught over it( I didn't ask he brought it up when I mentioned the bp seemed underweight and looked dehydrated). Its all teenagers working there and I don't think they're given the tools to properly care for reptiles. Their leopard geckos look awful. Well fed but they're overcrowded. You did a good thing. Holding these places accountable is the answer, IMO, the animals already exist.

Update: yesterday my BP breeder offered to pop Charlie for us while we pick up our 3 new babies, and of course we said yes. Turns out, our little Charlie is a BOY! All good. We are happy with either.

I offered Charlie another rat pinkie today and he didn't want it. Of course it's only been 4 days since his last pinkie, and he probably just iany hungry, but I'm still offering since he desperately needs to continue putting weight on and filling out. On that note, he's gained 5 grams since being brought home a week and a half ago! He was 46 upon arrival and now weighs 51 grams, post poop! It's so nice to have evidence of his progress!