PetCo Ball Python, Chico California...This is NOT OKAY

So, I went into my Local petco today to pick up some stuff for Ollie. I decided to do a quick look at their snake selection...

This is what I saw...(Not for the faint of heart). I Understand he maybe shedding, but still. It said he was a year old. Ollie is way fatter than him and he's 5 months old...This has to stop...

http://i.imgur.com/WErDdE2.jpg

Poor Baby!

My Petco started doing better with all their Herps and Amphibians after I made a call to their corporate.

My local Petco probably hates me by now, I spend all my time there lecturing on the conditions their snakes are kept in. Poor babies!!!

The Petco by me had a BP that appeared to be dead.....all shriveled up and not breathing from what I could tell. When I told one of the associates about it, she wasn't even concerned. Pretty sad if you ask me.

To be fair, they don't pay their employees enough to care. That said, this is why you should never ever ever buy anything from Petco/Smart if you can avoid it. I don't care if it's dog food, you shouldn't perpetuate their business.

My Nagini came from Petsmart and she is perfect... Probably because they had only had her for about 3 days.

I don't mind that I got her from there in this sitch, at least someone like me will take good care of her and make sure she has what she needs.

I thought about getting a job at a local PetSmart or PetCo and request to care for the reptiles specifically... Or do you think they'd even let me care for them properly?

I once took a job at a petsmart in the uk.

I wasn't allowed to fix the problems I could see. :(

I managed to last three days before the fight.

Why do these threads always turn into company bashing tirades? :confusd: It's become so cliche to bash PetSmart or Petco. :rolleyes:

Each of the two big box pet stores have to have proper animal care policies in place that ensure the health of their animals while they are in the store. They wouldn't be in existence if they didn't (or at least not nearly as successful). Ultimately, though, most people do not work for a company - they work for either themselves or their management team. It is up to the employees, and of course the managers, in the store to ensure that policies are followed. If an animal, such as the one pictured in this thread, isn't being cared for it's typically not the company's fault - it's the store's fault for not following the policies put in place. Similarly, I've been in many PetSmarts and Petcos that do a GREAT job taking care of their animals. But, even a well cared for animal from these stores get posted about in a negative tone as if proper care was done by accident.

Honestly, I'm not really sure if I'm going anywhere with this. I guess I'm just getting sick of the mob mentality against the very places that bring a majority of new snake owners to our hobby.

Eric

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Why do these threads always turn into company bashing tirades? :confusd: It's become so cliche to bash PetSmart or Petco. :rolleyes:

Each of the two big box pet stores have to have proper animal care policies in place that ensure the health of their animals while they are in the store. They wouldn't be in existence if they didn't (or at least not nearly as successful). Ultimately, though, most people do not work for a company - they work for either themselves or their management team. It is up to the employees, and of course the managers, in the store to ensure that policies are followed. If an animal, such as the one pictured in this thread, isn't being cared for it's typically not the company's fault - it's the store's fault for not following the policies put in place. Similarly, I've been in many PetSmarts and Petcos that do a GREAT job taking care of their animals. But, even a well cared for animal from these stores get posted about in a negative tone as if proper care was done by accident.

Honestly, I'm not really sure if I'm going anywhere with this. I guess I'm just getting sick of the mob mentality against the very places that bring a majority of new snake owners to our hobby.

Eric

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I didn't mean it like that. I just felt bad for the poor baby

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Originally Posted by greenacid

I didn't mean it like that. I just felt bad for the poor baby

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It wasn't your post that started eating at me at all actually. :gj: It's the direction that each one of these threads usually goes - they're all very predictable when you see Petco or PetSmart in the thread title or mentioned in any of the replies.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Why do these threads always turn into company bashing tirades? :confusd: It's become so cliche to bash PetSmart or Petco. :rolleyes:

Each of the two big box pet stores have to have proper animal care policies in place that ensure the health of their animals while they are in the store. They wouldn't be in existence if they didn't (or at least not nearly as successful). Ultimately, though, most people do not work for a company - they work for either themselves or their management team. It is up to the employees, and of course the managers, in the store to ensure that policies are followed. If an animal, such as the one pictured in this thread, isn't being cared for it's typically not the company's fault - it's the store's fault for not following the policies put in place. Similarly, I've been in many PetSmarts and Petcos that do a GREAT job taking care of their animals. But, even a well cared for animal from these stores get posted about in a negative tone as if proper care was done by accident.

Honestly, I'm not really sure if I'm going anywhere with this. I guess I'm just getting sick of the mob mentality against the very places that bring a majority of new snake owners to our hobby.

Eric

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I got Tali from PetSmart and while there were things I wasn't SUPER fond of (co habbing for the balls mostly, and the size of the tortoise enclosure) it was things that the employee said point blank it was out of his control and they had to set the display up a 'certain way' otherwise he got in trouble. But other then that, their animals seemed happy and I haven't had an issue with Tali. She's calm, sweet and eats like a pig and seems to be pretty healthy other then being a tad underweight (they were feeding fuzzies, I mentioned to the employee that small mice was a better size for babies and he was like OH). IDK if its a policy thing as well, or he just didn't know- he wasn't the 'reptile guy' and was asking ME lots of question about their care and habibats. So yeah. That store may just be a really good one though- I didn't feel bad about making the purchase there. It's not something I'd recommend someone else to do blindly though. (And also, I got Tali as a pet, not as a breeder, so her genetics aren't super important to me- that being said, next time I will probably end up getting one from a breeder, or the local shop or rescue. Just this time it worked out pretty well ;) ) Its sort of a 'do as I say, not as I do' sort of thing, but again- I felt pretty comfortable with the store and its employees. It was really cute, I was talking about what I was planning for husbandary with the reptile guy they had and he was like '...you need to go home with this snake. please take her.' xD apparently I passed the test?

That being said, all the PetCo's I've been in have been pretty subpar to the PetSmarts. I'm sure there are good ones out there, but I wouldn't get an animal from one.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Honestly, I'm not really sure if I'm going anywhere with this. I guess I'm just getting sick of the mob mentality against the very places that bring a majority of new snake owners to our hobby.

Eric

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They do bring them in and then they come here and find out they were sold some useless stuff and not told to buy important things like thermostats. Then if the person does know to buy a tstat their only option is a piece of junk.

I get what your saying about the responsibility falls on the actual locations staff but they still follow guidelines from the corporate office. I found this out when I had a gtp die in my hands because they followed their guidelines and kept it to hot and to dry.

It should be the corporate office responsibility to make sure each store gets the training the staff needs to properly care for the animals. The fact is they don't. The dumb things I have heard staff instruct and suggest to customers is mind blowing.

I also do not believe it should matter what the staff is getting paid. They should do the best job possible regardless of the pay. They took the job so they should do the job. That goes for any job. Doing a lousy job because you do not get paid much is a useless mindset. If a person wants to make more they need to show they are worth more. I have had a job since I was a kid and many of those jobs I was the highest paid because I did the best job on a regular basis. I had a great work history which set me up for a great work future.

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Originally Posted by Eric Alan

Why do these threads always turn into company bashing tirades? :confusd: It's become so cliche to bash PetSmart or Petco. :rolleyes:

Each of the two big box pet stores have to have proper animal care policies in place that ensure the health of their animals while they are in the store. They wouldn't be in existence if they didn't (or at least not nearly as successful). Ultimately, though, most people do not work for a company - they work for either themselves or their management team. It is up to the employees, and of course the managers, in the store to ensure that policies are followed. If an animal, such as the one pictured in this thread, isn't being cared for it's typically not the company's fault - it's the store's fault for not following the policies put in place. Similarly, I've been in many PetSmarts and Petcos that do a GREAT job taking care of their animals. But, even a well cared for animal from these stores get posted about in a negative tone as if proper care was done by accident.

Honestly, I'm not really sure if I'm going anywhere with this. I guess I'm just getting sick of the mob mentality against the very places that bring a majority of new snake owners to our hobby.

Eric

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Before adding in my two cents, I just wanted to say thank you for this reply.:gj:

Now for my two cents on the subject as the bashing has been going on quite a bit lately it seems.

I have been a PetSmart fan since the first one in Orlando opened when I was younger. I always did the majority of my shopping there, with the exception of needing to go to Petco because PetSmart didn't carry something or I would even go to a local shop in Orlando.

I have been to several PetCos here in Indiana, out of the handful I've only seen one store that's pretty terrible all around, but it's more the location it's in. Most stores in that area the staff just doesn't care. I would only go in that location out of convenience. Others are amazing and have a great caring staff and I enjoy going there.

Now I work for PetSmart, have for some time, I've moved up through the ranks and worked at 3 different stores in my area. Each one of these stores animal care teams are amazing. They care about each and every one of the animals they care for and the herp section is normally manned by someone that has their own collection outside of working for the company.
I fell in love with Orchid the first day I walked into my current store, I spent time with her while she was there until I finally got the green light to bring her home. I've had her for nearly two months and love that girl to death.

I came across another post a few days ago bashing my employer and wanted to bash right back. Being biased as both being employed by them and as to being where my baby girl came from. My life is lived through their policies and procedures. I can't say anything for Petco as I don't know anything about their practices, but PetSmart has a dedicated team ensuring every animal that comes through that door gets the best care possible. From headquarters down to the store itself.

As it has already been stated, it's the store, not the company. PetSmart is not "notorious" for not taking care of their animals. If a location you go to is THAT bad, you are complaining to the wrong people. Call corporate, for either company, it's THE only way to help.

Now I'll get off my soap box.

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Originally Posted by sunshinenorcas

(co habbing for the balls mostly, and the size of the tortoise enclosure).

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I just wanted to mention those comments do get passed on and the company as a whole has pushed to change the enclosures. I don't like the cohabbing of the balls either because it has led to some employees who are solely trained to push buttons on the register to try and tell someone that cohabbing is fine. Of course the first time this was said it was quickly corrected by EVERYONE within ear shot and those customers were quickly pulled aside and the right info was given out. That being said, the company is resetting the reptile displays and have given a bigger enclosure to the tortoises and given a bigger enclosure for the sliders also. They do listen if you say something, just saying.

Ozi, don't take offense... Its just very difficult to walk into a Petco <who is easily the worst offender of the two chain stores by far.> and see a $200 baby spider in a 36"x12x12 enclosure, in an obvious state of dehydration <even the crappy dial hygrometer reading 20%> living on aspen with one 1/2 log hide, filthy water and no way for him to hide. I've talked to one guy in the Petco I go in and he's aware of the problem but doesn't seem to be able to fix It. Petsmart enclosures are smaller, darker and much more adequate, I actually had to search out my Nagini as she was hiding up in a viney leafy thing.

You would think they would be more vested in offering beautiful healthy animals to make more money. Its going to game a change in policy for that to happen. I'll never buy a snake from them again.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I also do not believe it should matter what the staff is getting paid. They should do the best job possible regardless of the pay. They took the job so they should do the job. That goes for any job. Doing a lousy job because you do not get paid much is a useless mindset. If a person wants to make more they need to show they are worth more. I have had a job since I was a kid and many of those jobs I was the highest paid because I did the best job on a regular basis. I had a great work history which set me up for a great work future.

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QFT. I wanted to add this into my post as well, but was 1 minute beyond the edit deadline to do so. I don't want the person working in a store that cares for animals being someone who will care for $20/hr, but not care for $8/hr. Makes no sense at all - especially when we're talking about the health of another living thing.

I've seen some sad scenes in my local petco/petsmart stores. Petsmart seems to be a little better about it, I once saw a tortoise that had flipped itself upside down. I told the girl at the register and she just kinda shrugged and said she'd send someone over, no one came. I found another employee hanging out by the fish and when I told him, he literally came running to the tortoise to help it out.

At petco, I had sent a long e-mail to corporate about their savannah monitors. Basically stating that their employees at the store had zero knowledge about the animal and they shouldn't be selling it if they can't provide correct information on the animals. The care they were providing for the monitors in the store was completely off, I even sent links to monitor sites that explained their care lol. They sent me an e-mail back and apologized, I was surprised I even got a response. It was probably 2 years ago but I haven't seen any savys in the store in a while.

I mentioned the petco experience on another site and one of the members said they were a petco employee and honestly, the store has set standards (though low) the employees have to follow. If corporate says to use the cheap-o thermometers and place them at the top of the cage, its what they have to do. If corporate says to keep the temps at 70*, they have to do it.

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Originally Posted by KMG

I also do not believe it should matter what the staff is getting paid. They should do the best job possible regardless of the pay. They took the job so they should do the job. That goes for any job. Doing a lousy job because you do not get paid much is a useless mindset. If a person wants to make more they need to show they are worth more.

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Sadly, this is not the prevalent mindset in America. More often it's "I'll work more when they pay me more" or "I don't get paid enough to care". Even I was guilty of this a little when I was young. Trouble is some never grow out of it.

And I would bet those policies that tell what must be put in a cage are set according to what said company sells and can make the highest margin on. Like those useless dial gauges for example.

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Originally Posted by KMG

It should be the corporate office responsibility to make sure each store gets the training the staff needs to properly care for the animals. The fact is they don't. The dumb things I have heard staff instruct and suggest to customers is mind blowing.

I also do not believe it should matter what the staff is getting paid. They should do the best job possible regardless of the pay. They took the job so they should do the job. That goes for any job. Doing a lousy job because you do not get paid much is a useless mindset. If a person wants to make more they need to show they are worth more.

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Well said KMG.

To work is a privilege, even at PetCorp.

And now a PetCorp opinion: Don't be a lemming, shop privately owned (when you can) or raise your own.

You guys do realize, don't you, that reptiles are NOT what they're making money on.

Cats and dogs need food and supplies. Same for fish. Reptiles are gravy, but not necessary.

If you all object to the big chains so much, why do you keep going in there?

That was rhetorical, personally I don't care, but you might want to ask yourself that question.

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I just wanted to mention those comments do get passed on and the company as a whole has pushed to change the enclosures. I don't like the cohabbing of the balls either because it has led to some employees who are solely trained to push buttons on the register to try and tell someone that cohabbing is fine. Of course the first time this was said it was quickly corrected by EVERYONE within ear shot and those customers were quickly pulled aside and the right info was given out. That being said, the company is resetting the reptile displays and have given a bigger enclosure to the tortoises and given a bigger enclosure for the sliders also. They do listen if you say something, just saying.

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Not sure what PetSmart on the other side of the rainbow you work at but this is not even remotely true. If one would simply read a "How to take care of a Snake" book while writing their habitat policy one could do a better job than they have.

The Staff definitely has a great deal to do with the care animals are given for instance if a PetCare Manager cares enough about the animals to ignore the rules and house them properly then it can make a big difference. If not then they are housed incorrectly. Unfortunately most of the time the petcare associates dont even know what properly maintaining an enclosure looks like, which isnt surprising because nobody else there knows how to do it either.

I always refer to buying an animal from a PetCo/Smart as rescuing the animal... its like going to the humane society to get a dog instead of buying from a breader.

However I do shop for something at PetSmart that they do a fine job taking care of... Aspen Bedding! Yup they can take care of that very well!

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Originally Posted by wilomn

You guys do realize, don't you, that reptiles are NOT what they're making money on.

Cats and dogs need food and supplies. Same for fish. Reptiles are gravy, but not necessary.

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Reptiles do need supplies as well. I also notice that they don't sell many cats and dogs there, but they carry plenty of supplies for them. Perhaps if PetCo/PetSmart stopped stocking reptiles and used that shelf space for better supplies for reptiles, 1) their bottom line would improve, and 2) people would stop complaining about the poor quality of care.

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Originally Posted by Velrys

Not sure what PetSmart on the other side of the rainbow you work at but this is not even remotely true. If one would simply read a "How to take care of a Snake" book while writing their habitat policy one could do a better job than they have.

The Staff definitely has a great deal to do with the care animals are given for instance if a PetCare Manager cares enough about the animals to ignore the rules and house them properly then it can make a big difference. If not then they are housed incorrectly. Unfortunately most of the time the petcare associates dont even know what properly maintaining an enclosure looks like, which isnt surprising because nobody else there knows how to do it either.

I always refer to buying an animal from a PetCo/Smart as rescuing the animal... its like going to the humane society to get a dog instead of buying from a breader.

However I do shop for something at PetSmart that they do a fine job taking care of... Aspen Bedding! Yup they can take care of that very well!

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Then by all means, Vel, since you're in AZ go down to HQ yourself and tell them no one gives a flying pig about the animals in their stores. Meanwhile I will enjoy the sunshine that is obviously only shining on my side of the rainbow.

Breaks my heart to hear so many big box pet stores mistreat their reptiles either out of ignorance or lack of interest. However, my local Petco is quite the opposite and have fantastic conditions for their BP's. I can't comment on the lizards, since I know little about them, but they appear active and fat with appropriately wet or dry environments.

My little normal female came from Petco. Her cage had three other babies with excellent humidity, lots of plant cover, a generous hide and water dish, and warm. Its a small Petco, maybe half the size of a normal store, and I am glad to see they don't follow the trend of improper care. Now, if only I could get them to stock more f/t small rats... :rolleyes:

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Then by all means, Vel, since you're in AZ go down to HQ yourself and tell them no one gives a flying pig about the animals in their stores. Meanwhile I will enjoy the sunshine that is obviously only shining on my side of the rainbow.

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Keep enjoying it i guess, I've spoken with a district and regional manager and after i got guarantees from both that something would nothing ever did. Hope your store stays the way it is.

I once found a tank with 7 corn snakes in petco and noticed there was a dead one. I told a workers about it and all he did was take it out and throw it in the trash. So I told him I was going to call corporate and let them know about the conditions of their reptiles and how they are treated. I rather get and animal from Craigslist then PETCO. I won't even shop there anymore.

My local stores are all pretty good. I even bought a baby "normal" ball python 3 weeks ago. My Petco has a "hot" keeper that was very nice. My Petsmart has a gentleman that appeared knowledgeable and followed their policies by the book.

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Originally Posted by jasonmcgilvrey83

I rather get and animal from Craigslist then PETCO. I won't even shop there anymore.

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I would bet most craigslist balls came from Petco and Petsmart.

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Originally Posted by bcr229

Perhaps if PetCo/PetSmart stopped stocking reptiles and used that shelf space for better supplies for reptiles, 1) their bottom line would improve, and 2) people would stop complaining about the poor quality of care.

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x2 This is exactly what I was thinking.

I do have to say the Petco & Petsmart by me arnt TOO bad about there reptile. I think it has alot to do with who is in charge of the reptiles and if that person actually knows what they are doing. I got my first ball(pastel) from petco on sale for $75. She was in her own enclosure, shes an extremely good eater and in great health. Shes not the brightest pastel and probably wont end up trying to breed her but shes got a great personality and is the best pet.

Maybe if we get everyone on the site to send emails to both Petco & Petsmart we'll make a difference:please: