Petco Ball Pythons - really sad :'(

Today I went to Petco to pick up some sphagnum moss for my tank, and everytime I go to Petco I always check out the ball pythons there. There was 3 baby's in one 20 gallon tank. In the tank, there was shaved aspen bedding, 1 large water bowl (with dirty water in it), and 1 climbing tree thing. No hides. The snakes were just out in the open, curled up in little balls in the corner. 1 snake had a stuck shed on him, the shed was stuck all over the snakes eyes and his whole body. I happen to look at the humidity gauge and it said a little less than 10%. The snakes looked so cold and dry.

I was going to say something to one of the staff members but unfortunately I was in a big rush.

This whole thing just made me very upset, and I just thought about how 3 perfectly good snakes would probably lose their lives soon from inproper husbandry. So sad :'(

If you're purchasing anything from them you are only putting money in their pockets to buy more animals to put in these environments. We actually have 2 very nice petco's here.

It depends on the particular store. Next time you are in there file a complaint.

The petsmart I frequent takes very good care of their animals. I always check :)

that's sad. I hate going to petco, but when I do for stuff I always go to there BP also. the one I went to had 5 in 1 enclosure which is horrible always sad to look at. Petsmart by me is pretty good. They always just have 1 BP and always looks healthy and good care. But all the petcos I have been at I always been disappointed on how the enclosures are set-up with there BP.

I'm very lucky to have an excellent Petco and Petsmart in my city, both in the same shopping center, actually!
Probably being so close makes them have super competition, which makes healthier animals :)
I bought a Corn snake from the Petco, and a ball python from the petsmart, they are both very healthy and thriving, neither have any mites, diseases, or personality disorders(my BP did try to bite me on the first day, but that was my stupid mistake xD)
They do do a bit more cohabbing than I like, but there's enough hides and space for each of the babies to have their own spot.

I have heard some awful stuff about both chains though, and am glad mine are top-notch. Guess it depends on the employees.
My Petco used to suck, their animals were always sick and it was super expensive, so we didn't shop there. They were bought out in 2011 though, and since then, they have probably become one of the best in the country!

If I saw the snakes in such bad condition, I would call corporate, it's against their policy to sell unhealthy animals and the store could get in big trouble.

You can go to the Petco website and send them an email about it. They forward all emails to the manager of the specific store.

Petco and petsmart come down to the manager and the reptile keeper. The one where I live once had a burm breeder who took care of thw reptiles, after he moved out of state a kid who bred bearded dragons took over, she got a promotion and is a store manager now. I'm not quite sure who takez care of the reptiles now but I know they wanted me to do it at one poinr, I denieded because I was training to be a associate manafer at work.

Ib hobesty most petsmart are VERY well raken after, I've oblt seen two petcos and both were bad.. bur its not so to say the company as it is the person who looks over rhe reptiles. In all honesty it does make me sad to see the reptiles in bad xondtions, and if I do I do NOT shop at that store. Wether ot be a big store or a pet shop...

Got to Lowes or Home Depot. You can get a big bag of phagnum moss (like double or triple the pet store size) for half the price. And yeah some stores are really bad. This one here seems pretty good with their fish department and ok with their BPs. I just hate the know it all chick that works there. She can't admit when she doesn't know something and will just shove basic Petsmart pamphlet care information down your throat. I do love throwing her off by asking her more specific questions or talking about something she has no clue about.

The Petco around he seems pretty good too. They have more bettas than the Petsmart, more betta variety, and they aren't looking dead in their cups like the Petsmart ones do sometimes. The BPs look alright too.

I work at a large retail store. And I have to say the fastest way to get their attention is to start calling and sending e-mails about the condition of the animals and that it is less than acceptable. Because if it happens enough the higher ups get brought in and if the store isn't up to par they will get hit hard. Also get as many people in the area to do the same for the specific stores. The more people complaining, the more it will get the attention of the people who will do something about it.

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Originally Posted by Kaorte

It depends on the particular store. Next time you are in there file a complaint.

The petsmart I frequent takes very good care of their animals. I always check :)

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It really is hit or miss. Depends on the employees more so then the establishment itself in my opinion. I'm constantly dropping in to pet stores and schooling the employees on the proper care of there animals. I think to work at a pet store you should have to have a better knowledge foundation.