Cruelty at Petsmart

I just sent the following email to Petsmart via their Web site. Probably wasting my breath, but thought I'd try. Maybe if they start hearing from people, they'll re-think their business practices:

I live in Springfield, IL. Around Christmas, I went to your store and saw a Jackson's chameleon on display. I'm just getting into reptiles and own a ball python and a bearded dragon, both of which I adopted at no cost when their owners could no longer care for them. Great-looking lizard, I thought. Then I went home and researched Jackson's chameleons. I was shocked at the expense involved in properly caring for one. Every care sheet I looked at--and I looked at many--emphasized that they need live plants AND space AND ventilation AND high humidity. Otherwise, they die. Again, I really like reptiles and spend no small amount of money on the ones I have, and I really liked the Jackson's chameleon. But no way--we're talking several hundred dollars for a proper enclosure. I went to your store in Springfield a couple more times and the chameleon was still there, looking ever more thin. It had also lost color from the brilliant green it started with. It was so sad. I stopped going and started buying the frozen rats I feed my snake from a different pet shop. Yesterday, however, I went to the Petsmart in St. Louis while on a business trip, and there was--you guessed it--a Jackson's chameleon for sale for $129. This is absolutely disgusting, in my opinion. Are your sales people telling potential buyers that this lizard is for advanced reptile keepers only? Are they being honest about the true cost? That any responsible owner will need an enclosure large enough for live plants, automatic misting equipment to keep the humidity right, special lighting, etc., etc., etc.????

Somehow, I doubt it. The sign beneath the cage describing the animal mentioned none of that.

Please: Stop stocking Jackson's chameleons. These are for experts only, and experts aren't likely to shop at a mainstream pet store. Please contact me and let me know a, where you are getting these lizards and b, what your future plans are regarding sales. Thank you.


The Web site for Petsmart is petsmart.com, in case anyone else wants to weigh in. Thanks.

So how do you know they arn't doing this? Seems to me like they are doing just fine, because when my brother got 2 geckos from petsmart, the guy that got them out for him noticed that he wasn't asking for a tank. My brother had the tank already so there was no need to ask for one. The guy got all over us and made sure that he had all the stuff he needed and was very strict with it. He said that he would not sell this to him if he didn't have the right set-up. I don't know why your mad. For one, you don't even know for sure that they dont tell people what they need or care. I'm pretty sure that i can go online and buy a jackson and they would ask no questions about it. They dont care if i have the right set-up, they are just gonna sell it so in my opinion, petsmart might care even more than some other dealers. So "disgusting" isn't the word i would use without getting evidence that they "don't care". And also, when you buy an animal from petsmart, they give you a care sheet along with it so you know what you need. :D

PS: I couldn't help but laugh when you said how sad you were when you saw the chameleon wasn't as green as before.... i mean... its a chameleon lol... its gonna change its color lol

I work at petsmart, and they have had chams for a long time.

I can't speak for other stores, but mine has done a fine job. The chams are kept in the back where customers can't stress them out by staring all day (they have a sign out front advertizing them for those interested)

The chams are in a large reptarium (screen mesh enclosure, perfect cham homes) with many plants for climbing and hiding amongst.. there is a water dish with an air stone that splashes the water on the leaves, since chams don't drink water from a bowl, they only lick it off of the leaves of plants.

They are lively, and have good weight on them. My store has done fine with them.. though I'm sure others don't do so well.

Oh forgot to add that they each have their own enclosure.. keeping chams together is a no-no.

My local petsmart has has chams in the front tanks. On display, with a brief caresheet that doesn't address much of the true care needed. When I asked a salesperson, they informed me that they were "Dead easy to care for, give them a tank with a heat bulb and feed them."
I don't think all petsmarts are bad, I think certain ones need a lot of work. As long as you make sure to designate WHICH petsmart you are complaining about, there isn't any issue with sending off a e-mail, snail-mail or even a phone call to ocmplain about husbandry or lack of caresheet knowledge.
Maybe the OP could print some extensive caresheets to take in? Talk to the reptile section, and show them the NEW IMPROVED caresheets. Maybe they could fix the ones they offer, or stop bringing in chams until they are more ready to sell them responsibly?
And despite the fact that chams can change color, I believe that anyone that's seen one declining and ill can tell you about the 'sickly color' they can show.
Theresa

Thanks for the info, everyone.

In both cases--in Springfield and St. Louis--the chameleons I saw were in tiny, less than five-gallon, glass cubicles near the center of the store. No reptarium, no ventilation and no written information other than provide high humidity and heat. Due respect, but I don't think a gecko, a relatively easy-to-care-for, hardy reptile, is an appropriate comparison with a Jackson's chameleon (google a care sheet for one and see what I mean). If it were within my means to properly care for a Jackson's chameleon, I'd buy one in a heartbeat because they're the prettiest lizard I've ever seen. After researching, however, I'm quite convinced I couldn't pull it off, nor could most folks--nor, judging by what I saw at these two stores, could Petsmart.

By the way, Chase13, I know that chameleons change color. I also know that when they turn a greyish cast and you can see bones through the skin, the animal ain't doing so great. Bottom line, if you'd seen what I saw, you wouldn't be so sure about Petsmart's commitment to animal welfare. Of course they're going to insist that a gecko buyer get the proper enclosure, which costs less than $100--money in the pet store's pocket. Do you really think they're going to tell potential buyers "You need a reptarium AND an automatic misting system AND a thermostat AND plants AND a UVB light AND etc., etc. etc.?" I don't think so. Because if they did, the obvious question would be, "Then why are you keeping it in this tiny cubicle?" I also doubt they're going to give you a care sheet like the ones I read when I was researching the species--it's abundantly clear that these are extremely difficult, and expensive, reptiles to keep in captivity. They have no business being on display in Petsmart.

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Originally Posted by digcolnagos

By the way, Chase13, I know that chameleons change color. I also know that when they turn a greyish cast and you can see bones through the skin, the animal ain't doing so great. Bottom line, if you'd seen what I saw, you wouldn't be so sure about Petsmart's commitment to animal welfare. Of course they're going to insist that a gecko buyer get the proper enclosure, which costs less than $100--money in the pet store's pocket. Do you really think they're going to tell potential buyers "You need a reptarium AND an automatic misting system AND a thermostat AND plants AND a UVB light AND etc., etc. etc.?" I don't think so. Because if they did, the obvious question would be, "Then why are you keeping it in this tiny cubicle?" I also doubt they're going to give you a care sheet like the ones I read when I was researching the species--it's abundantly clear that these are extremely difficult, and expensive, reptiles to keep in captivity. They have no business being on display in Petsmart.

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I think it is very VERY likely that they would insist you buy all of the stuff because... it would make the store more money... so yes i do think they will say everything you need = more money.

And for the color thing... greyish cast?... like the females main non-receptive color? Yeah, grey is a perfectly fine color for a chameleon to be. I'm sure that there are TONS of Petsmarts that abuse and mistreat there animals, but it just didn't seem like you had any real proof. It sounded like you just assumed that they were abusing their animals and not informing their customers. I;m not saying your all wrong, but make sure that they dont know what their talking about by mabey asking them what they know or if they have terms on selling them.

Chase13,

Do me a favor: Google a few care sheets on Jackson's chameleons, then say, with all honesty, that you think it's OK to display these animals in tiny cubicles. And no, I don't believe the pet store is going to be honest about the true cost of keeping these animals. If they were upfront and told folks, hey, it's gonna cost you $400 or $500 just to start out, not including the cost of the lizard, no one would buy one.

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Originally Posted by digcolnagos

Chase13,

Do me a favor: Google a few care sheets on Jackson's chameleons, then say, with all honesty, that you think it's OK to display these animals in tiny cubicles. And no, I don't believe the pet store is going to be honest about the true cost of keeping these animals. If they were upfront and told folks, hey, it's gonna cost you $400 or $500 just to start out, not including the cost of the lizard, no one would buy one.

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Well i dont think that they should be on display at all, or in too small of a cage. And you dont have to tell me what you think about them being honest on price, cuz you already did that. Im not trying to be mean, im saying get some harder evidence. Maybe go to the petsmart and ask how much it will cost to house this lizard and what you will need. If they stand there like and idiot and shoot off 20 bucks, then maybe you have something.

Two of the Petsmarts in Oklahoma keep Jacksons Chameleons in those same cages up front also. As for how informative the Animal Specialists are in the store, the response that you get from them are obviously going to differ. A lot of the people who work there don't know much about reptiles, but fortunately there are a few that do. I used to post on REPTILES magazine forums, and someone wrote a letter to Petsmart also about improper habitats for a few reptiles. The only thing that he got in reply was a generic "We are sorry about the inconvience, we'll look into it" and nothing happened. The best thing that could happen would be if people quit buying that particular species, then they might quit keeping stock of them.

Interesting. No response to my email--none. I think the silence speaks volumes. As for confronting them to gather "evidence," sorry--I would've lost it. Again, read a few care sheets. These animals have as much business being sold in mainstream pet stores as Burmese or retics do, which is to say, no business at all.

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Originally Posted by digcolnagos

Interesting. No response to my email--none. I think the silence speaks volumes. As for confronting them to gather "evidence," sorry--I would've lost it. Again, read a few care sheets. These animals have as much business being sold in mainstream pet stores as Burmese or retics do, which is to say, no business at all.

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Yeah, i hate seeing a burmese in a pet store, and watch it just get bigger and bigger until nobody wants it.

I really think that each Petco is different. If someone there that works in the herp department knows their stuff, the herps are taken care of. And if not, they suffer. In a store where someone is worth their salt and knows how to care for the herps there, they will be in great condition. If that worker leaves, and no one is hired or presently employed that knows about reptiles, the situation will deteriorate.
I can say though, that it is a crock if pet stores do not provide the best and proper cages and supplies, no matter what store it is. My friend runs a pet store, and you'd be Shocked if you saw the actual amount that the stores pay for items from their wholesalers, and the markups they do.. I know they need to make money, an I am not putting down American capitalism. What I mean is, there's no reason a store can't afford to house their reptiles well, period. I know that stores see herps as product.. houseing them in inhumane conditions is like someone selling fine china and letting it sit out in the rain/snow and get stepped on. It's like someone running a restaurant and leaving the food out to rot.. complete idiocy.
Something funny I noticed at Petco recently: OK, I feed my rats lab blocks. They are waste-free and last a long time, unlike bags containing seed mixes that are mostly shells and that are gone in a few days... well, I noticed that the store feeds its rats/mice the blocks, but does not offer them for sale.. hmm.

I wasn't there, so I can't say anything on the health of the animal or the conditions it was in. BUT, you could have worded your email a bit better. You simply sounded like a angry, frustrated, customer and it wasn't professional. Trust me, I work around a few angry customers and NO ONE likes to deal with an angry customer. An email is easy to simply 'disregard'.

I think you should have started at a lower level. Take a few pictures and then talk to the manager of the store about the conditions of the lizards in question. Those care-sheets you were talking about. How about printing one out and taking it to the manager. Let them know that you are only there to help, not make trouble. Tell the manager that potential customers are being turned off from buying the lizards due to lack of information and improper care. If they make a few changes, they could draw in a few more customers and make the lizards happy too.

Its like a child. You can't just tell a small child to go brush his teeth for the first time. He doesn't know what to do. You have to show him. Same with these petstores.

I'm not saying that the chams don't need better care or that Petsmart should continue selling them, but I am saying that first, you need to do what you can at a lower level before 'yelling' at everyone.

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Originally Posted by Jay_Bunny

I wasn't there, so I can't say anything on the health of the animal or the conditions it was in. BUT, you could have worded your email a bit better. You simply sounded like a angry, frustrated, customer and it wasn't professional. Trust me, I work around a few angry customers and NO ONE likes to deal with an angry customer. An email is easy to simply 'disregard'.

I think you should have started at a lower level. Take a few pictures and then talk to the manager of the store about the conditions of the lizards in question. Those care-sheets you were talking about. How about printing one out and taking it to the manager. Let them know that you are only there to help, not make trouble. Tell the manager that potential customers are being turned off from buying the lizards due to lack of information and improper care. If they make a few changes, they could draw in a few more customers and make the lizards happy too.

Its like a child. You can't just tell a small child to go brush his teeth for the first time. He doesn't know what to do. You have to show him. Same with these petstores.

I'm not saying that the chams don't need better care or that Petsmart should continue selling them, but I am saying that first, you need to do what you can at a lower level before 'yelling' at everyone.

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Uh, I'm not yelling at "everyone." I'm yelling at Petsmart. What I saw was outrageous. What they're doing is outrageous. And no--I'm not going to tune it down and be "more professional."

All due respect, I don't understand your suggested approach. "Take a few pictures?" What's that supposed to accomplish?

Again, due respect, but read what I wrote, then read up on Jackson's chameleons. Then tell me, with a straight face, that a kinder, gentler approach is what's called for here. What they're doing is marketing an extremely attractive, and equally delicate, animal based on its looks. They're turning a buck because a Jackson's chameleon is just so darn irresistable on looks alone.

It's for advanced reptile keepers only. It's being displayed in a totally inadequate enclosure in a pet store festooned with "We Care About Animals" posters by folks who purport to be experts.

What part of this don't you understand? They know full well what they're doing. It's called capitalism at any cost.

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Originally Posted by Chase13

Yeah, i hate seeing a burmese in a pet store, and watch it just get bigger and bigger until nobody wants it.

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What's worse is when it gets sold when it's a little bitty baby. Whoever bought it probably has no idea that it'll get 15 feet long and will eventually give the snake up. :(

Taking a few pictures could help you build your case. If others see what you are talking about, then they can better understand. Compare the enclosures at the store to a proper enclosure in an email (including photos). People are more likely to listen to you if you provide evidence. If you simply send an email and are just telling them they shouldn't sell the cham, they are not likely to listen. I'm sorry if you didn't like my advice, but they don't know they are not caring for the cham properly. Its like yelling at a dog that's peed on the carpet. And they won't know unless you actually take the time to tell them. Talk to the store manager and see what s/he can do about the situation. I agree, this animal is for experienced keepers only. Perhaps suggest to the manager to put up a sign. They may not do it. Heck, they can look at you and laugh, but at least you tried.

And yes, you need to be a bit more professional. Do you really think they are going to listen to you when all you do is tell them what horrible people they are. They are not going to stop selling the cham or improve thier keeping methods just because of one email. Get others involved. Perhaps if you wrote another email, polite this time, and get some others to write too, maybe they'd pay attention.

Putting myself in thier shoes, I wouldn't respond to your email either. No offence. And not all Petsmarts are bad. Some take really good care of thier animals.

I think you need to stop, calm down, and go about this in a better way. I'm sorry if what I said didn't make sense to you, but simply complaining isn't goint to get anything done.

Not defending any side at all, cause trust me, i've seen BOTH sides. One of the major problems with mainstream petstores is that the individual stores give the most unknowledgeable people the most responsibility-in making choices. The "specialist" is allowed to actually decide which animals are to be shipped to the store......sooo, you have an inexperienced "specialist" order things like chameleons just because "they're cool lookin!! " ..." that'll surely sell!!" Meanwhile, this specialist has literally no clue as to the PROPER care for this "cool new animal". It happened quite often at the PETCO 9not petsmart) that I worked at. Personally, I think that such big companies like PETCO and PetSmart should screen the would be reptile specialists before promotion. The animals would be in much better hands,and on top of that, a REAL specialist would think twice before he/she ordered something like a chameleon,burm,frilled dragon,etc,. I saw this happen firsthand for a long time at my store before someone actually decent took over the reptile dept. I argued and argued with management for YEARS about this. The reptile specialist didn't own a single reptile!!!!!and he worked the dept for two years!!!!!!!! The stock boy actually took better care of the dept on his spare time!!!! and he owned SEVERAL reptiles!!! So many things happened before *anonymous tips* ;) to corporate office finally got the guy fired for improper care/neglect and......(drumroll) the stock guy got the specialist job. Whenever i go visit my buddy at PETCO, the reptiles look great....:D And anything besides the usual anoles,geckos, and cornsnakes, is strictly SPECAIL ORDER. Oh, and one more thing, I don't know about other stores "caresheets", but I can honestly attest that the ones from PETCO were a bunch of crap. I told customers to go online for proper info, or buy a good book. Just my $.02

i personally disagree that people wouldn't pay for a full enclosure for a jackson's cham. i work at Petland, and we have people come in once or twice a month and buy one of these beauties along with anywhere from 300-800 dollar setup. I also don't think they are near as difficult to take care of as you claim. my first herp was actually a jackson and it lived 6 and a half years after I got him. I'm not saying they should be everyone's first herp, they do take a lot of dedication, but it's not difficult given proper research and care. Then again, my parents made me research everything I did for at least 6 months, including my first peircing, and I had to basically prove I could do or handle said task. I don't think you should take on any animal without prior knowledge, and jackson's are no different.