So I applied at Petco...( rather long)

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Originally Posted by ohyeahnow

I don't know if this has been said, but it is nice to see your genuine concern. If you work at one of these stores, I would change clothing and shower before getting near any of my own snakes. Good luck with whatever you decide. The store probably won't change.

Whenever I find a knowledagble person at a pet shop, they do not stay long, except for one in town that does take care of ther animals. The employees won't even use the vet that works out of the same building LOL. I rarely buy supplies from these stores, just allways curious when near one as to their husbandry practices. I never handle any animals, and clean any supply I might purchase, shower and change clothes. I do not trust these pet shops due to their husbandry practices.

You have been upfront with your personal issues and that takes strong character. Realizing you have these issues means you can do somthing about it. It is those that don't realize they need to work on things that have no hope. I admire your openess and concern for animals. Hang in there bro, things will get better. I do agree with being discreet. I love questioning managers at these type of stores just to watch them skirm. One local shop, who fired great employees actually asked if customers could email me for advice on snakes. I said yes, not for the store, but for the customers and their snakes.

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Thanks :hug: I feel the same way about my snakes. I always take a shower after going to pet stores before i even walk into my room. They are so nasty, I sterilize everything ( I'm such a germ a phob). Thank you for your kind words I needed them,.

No problem have had plenty of problems myself. Still do, LOL. But realizing that fact means we can better ourselves. Kinda like animal husbandry, if one did not know a BP needs appropriate humidity, they will never correct the problem. I hope you get a job, the economy sucks.

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Originally Posted by ohyeahnow

No problem have had plenty of problems myself. Still do, LOL. But realizing that fact means we can better ourselves. Kinda like animal husbandry, if one did not know a BP needs appropriate humidity, they will never correct the problem. I hope you get a job, the economy sucks.

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Thanks so much I hope I get one soon too.:rolleyes:

I worked for PetCo for 3 1/2 years. I was every specialist and also the dog trainer. I worked very closely with the Regional Companion Animal Coordinator and the District Manager for the DFW area ( I still have their cell phone numbers stored in my phone ). I also worked closely with the store vet. All I changed during that time and sucking up to the "higher ups" was that the beardies were no longer kept on sand. PetCo is a business and their products are animals and products for them. PetCo has a cooperate vet and what he says goes. He approves of how the enclosures are. If PetCo has a deal with Zoo Med for sand, then sand will be used in the enclosures. The reason why you see so many snakes in one enclosure is because the more they have, the more they sell. There is no room for separate enclosures. I assure you, there have been several who have attempted what you want to do. And I assure you, if you break store policy you will be fired. PetCo is super strict about following policy and there are no second chances. I'm not bashing you for wanting to try. But don't get your hopes up.

It is nice to see that someone feels so passionately about providing care for defenseless animals, and I fully support you on this. And if you get this job to save 1-2, or even a few more of these animals, you will probably succeed. However, if you are in need of a job, but also want to disregard the policies & procedures of the establishment, you will probably end up losing your job. So you need to think this part through.

Also, my bf is a Video Game Design student. He has thought about dropping out of the uni because it's expensive, he does not see eye to eye with some teachers, etc. But we researched the job market in his field (which is similar to yours) and realized that a degree is a big asset in having as many choices as possible in regards to which company to work for. You can get a job without a degree, but the direction in which these industries are moving will require degrees from candidates in the near future. In addition, I have found that knowledge is one of the most powerful weapons available to all of us. You could change many, many things with a strong will such as yours and knowledge to back it up.

I understand about your condition (or possible condition), and the best you can do for yourself is to try to be as disciplined in all aspects of your life as possible. You will feel much more in control, and will actually have much more control if you get yourself organized and have a routine (this does not mean you cannot have fun. There is always time for that).

You are young and have your whole life ahead of you. You can choose to make the best of that (& not compromise what is important to you, such as ensuring the welfare of animals), or you can easily throw it all away. Ultimately, is up to you. But if you do appreciate the people that listen to what you have to say (like everyone here has done), then cherish that. If we were not concerned about what you have to say and what is going on in your life, then we would just not respond.

This is why i decided against working at a pet store because I knew if I started acting like I knew too much about the snakes proper care then they wouldve gotten annoyed. The stores do whatever they want and are much more worried about making money than having a perfect environment for their animals. As for skipping class, if there is nothing going on that day, it really isn't as big of a deal as some people are making it out to be. I guarantee everyone on this forum has skipped a class or 2 in their many years of education. It happens constantly in high school and especially college. Just shouldn't make it a regular occurence as to where it affects your grade. :snake:

Actually, if you know what your talking about, pretty much any GM or Ops manager at PetCo would love to have you. People who know their stuff are hard to come by at petco pay. They are cool with you as long as you understand the system. Fact of the matter is, most managers actually want to improve conditions for the animals, but their hands are tied. If a district manager or regional coordinator walks in and sees the store breaking policy, it's the manager's head. That is why most of them are quite stubborn in their stance on policy. It stinks, but that's the way of the world.

And as I found out a few days ago, you might seriously need to check the stores policies on giving advice. You may only be allowed to refer them to the books the store sells OR to the pamphlets they offer.
And don't even think about sending them to ANY other store, for anything.. even if it is something your store will NEVER carry. You will need to check any and all policies about that.
I just lost my job over policy... sort of... my ex manager is a nut case I am begining to think.
Just an FYI...
I hope things work out for you.
Carol

First, let me say it is very noble that you are so passionate about helping the animals... but as everyone has stated, you sadly won't be able to do much at all.
I worked for Petsmart...leaving a very good job because I thought it would be great. It sucked. I tried the very things you're talking about doing and nothing worked. I tried telling them about how the enclosures should look - they didn't care because 'policy said they had to look THIS way'. I tried taking the animals out for some handling and excersise when things were slow - they said it was 'bad for business'. They are SET in their archaic system and will NOT change. It's sad, but true. To counter, I told anyone and everyone that was interested in any animal to research it first, where to find good info, and where to go to get better animals and supplies. :D

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Originally Posted by MuzeBallPythons

Also, my bf is a Video Game Design student. He has thought about dropping out of the uni because it's expensive, he does not see eye to eye with some teachers, etc. But we researched the job market in his field (which is similar to yours) and realized that a degree is a big asset in having as many choices as possible in regards to which company to work for.

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I just wanted to say here - If he is really serious about the industry, make sure he gets an internship NOW!
My BF HAS the degree and is having a hard time getting anywhere because of a lack of experience. In the game industry, an internship is essential to success. Just a word of advice. :)

I can only go into those stores, briefly get what I need, & leave. I was at Petco last weekend, I saw 3 ball pythons, they looked great, habitat looked fine. But the bp that was in the front of the enclosure, had mites crawling on him. :-(

Also when I got my iguana in Jan. the person who got him out for me, didn't ask me... if I had any info on iguana's, did I have all the things I needed.
* even though this would be my 3rd Iguana, I knew what to have, but he had no idea that I knew *
My little green man, is growing BIG, eating well, looking good!!! Some attitude, but he is very tame!!


Also my first bp, i got from a petco.(back in 2002) The guy who sold it to me, had no IDEA how to care for it.

It's like going to Home Depot, if you want your customers to be happy & return back. You should know about what you are selling.

But I know how these pet stores are... I think it's wrong, the poor animals/critters, get hurt all while the company wants to MAKE money.

Our petsmart & petco are 25 miles away. We are supposed to get one here in town.. SOON. I am going to apply, def.

:)