Nothing makes me angrier...

Being a ball python owner/breeder myself I've seen my share of mistreated an malnutritioned animals but when ya walk into a "pet" store an see it it has a tendency to light me off quickly. Pet stores are suppose to be role models an teach us consumers how to properly care for the animal we are purchasing..I've attached some pics an it's quite sad an horrifying to see this. Even sadder yet was I was at the habitats for 25 mins an saw not one employee till I went to checkouts to get help. Manager finally came an I lit into her really hard an was asked to leave the store. Shame on themhttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11...c7438338f8.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11...ac03e58813.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11...2806d15f96.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11...ade8383a45.jpghttp://images.tapatalk-cdn.com/15/11...0a0be2974e.jpg

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There were 4 other bp's in the same cage with this poor guy that were extremely thin as well except for the chubby pastel in the pics he looked good. I sadly watched this little guy wriggle an writh around till he finally passed. Was extremely sad.

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You watched a snake die in the store? Sad.:mad:
I hope the Petco member (or is that person from PetSense?? - can't keep them straight) hops on this thread.
From the looks of it, that store mgr. should be fired - not like there is some unexpected shortage of mice and spare tanks at a Pet store.

Depending on what state you are in, you could see if animal control would be willing to press neglect / abuse charges. Also try the humane society, and USDA under the animal welfare act. Keep the pictures as evidence, including the for sale sign. Sometimes they can get away with having obviously sick animals if there is a "not for sale" sign on the tank. You could also try calling your district attorney, they may be able to direct you to someone with legal powers. Another way to get the word out if your really up for a fight is to call your local news, if they have a community section of their daily programs. Too many time I see things like this in my local pet stores, but in VA it's nearly impossible to get anything done about animal abuse.

:rage:I love my ball and have no problem with people having them (as long as they know how to care for them), but this is the precise reason that I believe that exotics should be illegal to sell through these chain stores by people who have no knowledge of care and health. Most of these stores will sell anything to anyone and never ask if the person knows how to care for it or the employee's are trained to make a sale and often either make stuff up or give the worst advice, and the majority of them couldn't tell a goldfish from a hermit crab. I have argued with the managers and store owners, employees, and every time have been met with stupidity (I am referring to the unwillingness to listen to someone trying to teach you and refusing to admit that maybe, just maybe, corporate on the job "training" does not make you qualified in animal care). I have pointed out obvious signs of ill-health and usually the answer is either, 'I'll let someone know' or "Oh, I didn't see that. I'm sure it's fine" or some other platitude. Yes, there are some employees out there that go home and actually learn about the animals under their care and are responsible when working at these stores, but the vast majority are not like that, at least in my experience. Because of this, I rarely go into any pet store, and when I do, I usually see or hear something that makes me super frustrated and angry. :rage:

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Originally Posted by Crowfingers

Depending on what state you are in, you could see if animal control would be willing to press neglect / abuse charges. Also try the humane society, and USDA under the animal welfare act. Keep the pictures as evidence, including the for sale sign. Sometimes they can get away with having obviously sick animals if there is a "not for sale" sign on the tank. You could also try calling your district attorney, they may be able to direct you to someone with legal powers. Another way to get the word out if your really up for a fight is to call your local news, if they have a community section of their daily programs. Too many time I see things like this in my local pet stores, but in VA it's nearly impossible to get anything done about animal abuse.

:rage:I love my ball and have no problem with people having them (as long as they know how to care for them), but this is the precise reason that I believe that exotics should be illegal to sell through these chain stores by people who have no knowledge of care and health. Most of these stores will sell anything to anyone and never ask if the person knows how to care for it or the employee's are trained to make a sale and often either make stuff up or give the worst advice, and the majority of them couldn't tell a goldfish from a hermit crab. I have argued with the managers and store owners, employees, and every time have been met with stupidity (I am referring to the unwillingness to listen to someone trying to teach you and refusing to admit that maybe, just maybe, corporate on the job "training" does not make you qualified in animal care). I have pointed out obvious signs of ill-health and usually the answer is either, 'I'll let someone know' or "Oh, I didn't see that. I'm sure it's fine" or some other platitude. Yes, there are some employees out there that go home and actually learn about the animals under their care and are responsible when working at these stores, but the vast majority are not like that, at least in my experience. Because of this, I rarely go into any pet store, and when I do, I usually see or hear something that makes me super frustrated and angry. :rage:

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I did contact local animal control authorities here in Iowa an have forwarded the pics an a short video I took. Hopefully they will do something. There was a spider ball in there that was just as emaciated looking as that one was. The pin, bee an pastel that were in there were also thin but in better condition lookin. I so wanted to just grab them an walk out..

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Originally Posted by distaff

You watched a snake die in the store? Sad.:mad:
I hope the Petco member (or is that person from PetSense?? - can't keep them straight) hops on this thread.
From the looks of it, that store mgr. should be fired - not like there is some unexpected shortage of mice and spare tanks at a Pet store.

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I have reported them to petco corporate an told them they should pull camera footage an can see I was there for 25 mins after an an other 10 mins prior to me goin to cashier to get some help. Worst I have ever seen by far.. Place should be shut down in my opinion

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I had a bad experience at my local Petco as well. Not as bad as yours, but still was concerning. Seeing 4 BPs not moving and just laying on top of each other out in the open was sad. They had no reaction to my presence and just seemed comatose and very thin. They also had a baby red tail boa that I thought was dead until I finally saw it take a breath. Was also just lying there stiff and not moving at all.

I contacted them with their customer feedback form ( http://www.petco.com/content/contact...tactstores#top ) and the manager of that store got back to me right away. I told him how they looked and he said he had them all taken to the vet after receiving my comment and that they were all in "good health." I told him that having 6 baby BPs in a 20 gallon tank with 2 hides is not the best of conditions and he assured me that they have been eating and are doing fine. I told him that at Petsmart they keep their BPs in separate smaller enclosures which is better for their well being and he said they can't do that because they sell too fast and come in larger quantities. Seemed like a bunch of BS, but it was clear he was getting at least some attention from upper management due to me sending in a complaint. I'd advise you send them those pictures and complain as well. There ARE people in the company that care about your customer experience and it should be dealt with.

Ah, my post was a bit late. You already did that!

Post the video on YouTube and share it with the world. Include the store location and staff member names. Expose them!

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Originally Posted by Yodawagon

Post the video on YouTube and share it with the world. Include the store location and staff member names. Expose them!

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I agree make the store manager look like an :tp:... This corporation is so big they think there untouchable, and really don't care about animals unless there is a twenty attached.

All you can do is:
- Complain to management,
- Complain to animal control,
- Leave bad reviews on Yelp, Google, etc.
- Never set foot in the store again.

Sadder still that people sell to the big box stores knowing that the animals are kept in crappy conditions.

Almost everytime I go to petco the humidity in the tanks are like 10 or 20% and 80% of the snakes look horrible and stuck shed all over the place. Sad and just STUPID, it really is

I just moved to Iowa. What part of the state/store? I don't want to give them my business if they are mistreating animals that bad.

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Originally Posted by duckschainsaw

I just moved to Iowa. What part of the state/store? I don't want to give them my business if they are mistreating animals that bad.

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It was the Des Moines store. All but 1 bp looked extremely thin.. There was maybe 2 employee in the store when i was there. Horrible service

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All the more reason to buy your animals from a breeder. ;)

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Originally Posted by Freakie_frog

All the more reason to buy your animals from a breeder. ;)

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Exactly

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I hoped you reported this to petco corporate. Here on long island all pet stores are inspected twice a year, and in my county animal control is very quick to respond to complaints. You need to take the photos and video to your nearest animal control. Here all petcos are given surprise inspections by the area manager monthly, and my daughter says she is really picky on the way the aninals are kept, and their condition. The petco you went to is only as good as the area manager is. So don't give up. If you get no satisfaction from petco corporate then go to the local animal control.

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Originally Posted by blue roses

I hoped you reported this to petco corporate. Here on long island all pet stores are inspected twice a year, and in my county animal control is very quick to respond to complaints. You need to take the photos and video to your nearest animal control. Here all petcos are given surprise inspections by the area manager monthly, and my daughter says she is really picky on the way the aninals are kept, and their condition. The petco you went to is only as good as the area manager is. So don't give up. If you get no satisfaction from petco corporate then go to the local animal control.

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If this one was to get inspected an seen the condition of these snakes heads would roll. I have contacted animal contr an forwarded them pics an video I have also sent an email to petco corporate also containing pics an video as well as asking them to pull security video to see how long I was in the reptile area an never received help an even after telling cashier I needed help it took another 10 mins for manager to show up from outta the back room 20 ft away

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OMG that is horrible!! that poor, poor fella. i can't believe a BP died right in front of u at the store.

those responsible need to be held accountable!!

*Update* I received a phone call and email back from Petco Corporate they sounded genuinely concerned an asked me to forward the pics an video to them an ensured me they were gonna look into the matter heavily.

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That's bad

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My friend works for a pet store and it is total BS that they get reptiles in large quantities. I know here in Ca they undergo routine inspections to check for health and whatnot, I don't know about other states. But this is just horrible and I feel sorry for those poor babies.

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Originally Posted by gaitedappy

My friend works for a pet store and it is total BS that they get reptiles in large quantities. I know here in Ca they undergo routine inspections to check for health and whatnot, I don't know about other states. But this is just horrible and I feel sorry for those poor babies.

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I know what ya mean I'm from Fresno myself. Cali has way more restrictions an rules to go by than there is here in the Midwest so far that I've seen. This particular petco is one of the worst I've ever went into

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Originally Posted by dcowboys125

*Update* I received a phone call and email back from Petco Corporate they sounded genuinely concerned an asked me to forward the pics an video to them an ensured me they were gonna look into the matter heavily.

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Glad to hear they at least got back to you, hopefully they make some changes but sadly doubtful.

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Originally Posted by guanagator

Glad to hear they at least got back to you, hopefully they make some changes but sadly doubtful.

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The district manager for that store called me about 45 mins ago ensuring me she was going to take action. I told her I go in there atleast 3-4 times a month an I'd hope to see improvement soon

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Originally Posted by dcowboys125

It was the Des Moines store. All but 1 bp looked extremely thin.. There was maybe 2 employee in the store when i was there. Horrible service

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Well then it looks like I'll be avoiding that store. Any other stores in the area that you recommend?

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Originally Posted by duckschainsaw

Well then it looks like I'll be avoiding that store. Any other stores in the area that you recommend?

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The other petco in west Des Moines is ok. Seem to have more knowledgeable employees an they care for their animals otherwise I cant really recommend any other place but maybe petsmart

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The petco in coralville, ia isn't so bad, except for the one time I saw a Chinese water dragon with mbd there. It passed away, sadly. PetLAND however, in Iowa city, is terrible. Everything is dirty, they have up to 5 BPs in one 10 gallon tank, on sand, with empty water dishes. The poor things have been trying to shed for weeks. One of their corn snake babies actually died from ingesting the sand. So sad.

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The ones in my area are no better. I don't even trust PetCo's rodents enough to feed them to my snakes... I don't buy anything there, not even for my non-reptile pets, because I don't want to support a place that keeps their reptiles in such deplorable conditions. If I need something, I drive 40 minutes out of my way--passing at least 4 PetCos, and several other chain pet stores--to visit a reputable, independently owned pet store.

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I kinda thought that you would put a fire under them, but, follow up and check to make sure the manager does not give them a snow job. That manager needs to be replaced, and if the snakes are not eating they need to go to a vet. The woman who is the reptile manager in my local petco will put any snakes in the wellness room if they miss 2 meals, and to a vet if they miss 4, since all their bps are babies and can't afford to miss too many meals. Petco doesn't sell that many animals, that they can't be properly kept, by expairienced people.

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Originally Posted by blue roses

I kinda thought that you would put a fire under them, but, follow up and check to make sure the manager does not give them a snow job. That manager needs to be replaced, and if the snakes are not eating they need to go to a vet. The woman who is the reptile manager in my local petco will put any snakes in the wellness room if they miss 2 meals, and to a vet if they miss 4, since all their bps are babies and can't afford to miss too many meals. Petco doesn't sell that many animals, that they can't be properly kept, by expairienced people.

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I did lite a fire and i have also followed up,th the issue as well. The manager is no longer there an all the bp's have been removed from store floor. There are 2 other employees from I'm guessing other stores although I didn't ask but they are walking the entire store going through things. I talked to one an he shook my hand an thanked me for pointing the issues out but he couldn't tell me what actions would be taken any farther. When I asked if the lady that finally did help me was available he said no she is no longer available.. I took that as forward progress an said I'd be coming in periodically checking on the snakes an other reptiles.

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As a petco worker, I can say someone would rip me a new one if my reptiles looked like that. I keep track of everything in that section to keep it running smoothly. They need someone designated to that area in every store