Is it okay to buy Ball Pythons from Petsmart/Petco?

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Originally Posted by bcr229

It's also rather insulting to small/private breeders if buyers are willing to plunk down $50-80 for a sick, mite-ridden, dehydrated, non-feeding normal BP hatchling from such a store, but they won't consider getting a healthy well-started one from the private breeder for half the price, because the overpriced sick one needs to be "saved".

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I definitely agree on that aspect. I wonder how we could educate the public about the plethora of great breeders available with proper care given and the horrible conditions in chains like these...it's something I've seen myself often. I buy cat food at such stores, always checking on any reptiles, and the snakes never look like they are flourishing.

Is it "ok" ?

That depends on how you look at it. Its "ok" as in, its not against the law.

Is it morally wrong? Many will say that it is, because it keeps that business going, and its not going well for most of the animals that end up in those stores.

However, others may think that EVERY life counts, and is worth saving. And of course they are. But at what price ? Again, every animal purchased there, means more are coming.

In the end, you have to decide if YOU are comfortable supporting that part of their business.

Just be aware that you may up with a over priced, sickly or mite infested animal. It may have all the issues a "rescue" might have, but you will pay more then if you went to a reputable breeder.
It may go well. It has gone well for many people and no-one should be ashamed of their animal based on where it came from.

Once you actually SEE an animal in really bad shape, it is difficult to turn away. We ARE human. So I just don't go look at them anymore.

Because I have a responsibility to MY animals that are already at my home. Without being able to do the STRICTEST of quarantine (meaning a separate building, no shared ac/heat system) and changing clothes between animals, I just won't risk it anymore.

Sure, there are also risks when buying from a breeder. Esp. if that breeder is sketchy or largely un-known. But the chances of things going south is FAR FAR higher when purchasing at a chain pet store or off of craigslist, as well as "rescuing" a sick snake from some individual.

So basically, its "ok", but not advisable..

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Originally Posted by zina10

Once you actually SEE an animal in really bad shape, it is difficult to turn away. We ARE human. So I just don't go look at them anymore.

Because I have a responsibility to MY animals that are already at my home. Without being able to do the STRICTEST of quarantine (meaning a separate building, no shared ac/heat system) and changing clothes between animals, I just won't risk it anymore.

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These are also good points. My first responsibility is to the 115 snakes in my current collection which is why I won't even walk into these stores any more. If I bring home a mite - and yes they do hitchhike - I have not done them or myself any favors. If I picked up one with a collection-killing virus or crypto then I've really abrogated my responsibility to keep them safe and healthy.

That's not to say that I don't take in rescues - I do - but they're because animal control called with a danger noodle they're not equipped to handle. While they're often abandoned or neglected, those snakes are typically in better condition than the ones for sale at the big box retail stores.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

These are also good points. My first responsibility is to the 115 snakes in my current collection which is why I won't even walk into these stores any more. If I bring home a mite - and yes they do hitchhike - I have not done them or myself any favors. If I picked up one with a collection-killing virus or crypto then I've really abrogated my responsibility to keep them safe and healthy.

That's not to say that I don't take in rescues - I do - but they're because animal control called with a danger noodle they're not equipped to handle. While they're often abandoned or neglected, those snakes are typically in better condition than the ones for sale at the big box retail stores.

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I won't lie...IF I had the space to be able to do quarantine the correct and safe way, I would still rescue. It used to be very rewarding. It took a lot of patience, medicating, vet visits and more patience. But all of them were brought back from the brink of death (and boy some were a mess..) and placed once eating well on frozen/thawed.

But I do not have the space to correctly quarantine questionable animals, so the ones I already have take priority..

Honestly i think it also depends on your Petsmart. I have heard of horrific stories of neglected BP's from Petsmart and other pet stores, which I will say it is true in some areas. However at my Petsmart all of the animals are well taken care of, I purchased my ball python from there and he is a happy and healthy little guy with no problems whatsoever. I also know the staff and the girl who took care of the snakes loved them as her babies and took ridiculously good care of them. She was also very experienced with snakes so I think sometimes at Petsmart unhealthy reptiles can result from bad staff who arent very knowledgeable (who knows just guessing). Before you purchase the snake ask to hold it and examine it for signs of bad health. Dont be afraid to ask nosy questions also.

Of course there is always the argument that you shouldn't support Petsmart at all due to some of their locations taking care of animals improperly, but if this is your only option then dont just cross it off the list.

I personally wouldn't support them, especially when there are many breeders that can sell you a higher quality animal for less. If you don't want to ship I'd just wait for a reptile show.

I think the bottom line is this: as long as people continue purchasing from the big box stores the big box stores will continue filling their stores with poorly treated, underfed animals.

There are enough reputable breeders to support the market. Purchasing from these reputable breeders and avoiding the big box stores and the unethical breeders may help to reduce the poorly treated animals in an over saturated market.

We live in a world where you can search the internet for local breeders as well as purchase animals to be safely, humanely shipped to your front door.

Doesn't purchasing from a reputable breeder just make more sense????

There are people on here that breed bps, give them your budget for the snake and I'm sure somebody will have something you'll like. You don't have to buy from a big pet store or a larger breeder. Ask around, it'll be worth it.

I bought my BP from petco in August. They couldn't tell me how old he/she is, but he is doing great. He seemed a little under weight but once we got the feeding scheduled started he seemed to thrive. Never had a problem with feeding. Only one bad shed that was my fault.

I looked around before I bought it. Petco temps and humidity were where they were supposed to be.

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Originally Posted by Amanda1987

I bought my BP from petco in August. They couldn't tell me how old he/she is, but he is doing great. He seemed a little under weight but once we got the feeding scheduled started he seemed to thrive. Never had a problem with feeding. Only one bad shed that was my fault.

I looked around before I bought it. Petco temps and humidity were where they were supposed to be.

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I bought all my BPs before learning and seeing the problems with these stores, look back at my threads and you will see what I mean, I’m still in battle with them...I will only purchase my snakes or any animal through trusted breeders, never again with the big box stores! Yes I bought a RTB through petco and she had mites....now is very much healthy and it’s only because of this forum that I took the strictest of quarantine serious. I won’t support them any longer. And MANY of you know what I’ve seen and what you all have helped me with


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