Is a pet store allowed to....

i went to a local pet store the other day and saw a male ball python about 3 feet or so, maybe longer. i was just there the other day, and he wasnt there before, so i asked what was up. they say a lil girl dropped him off, as she wasnt taking care of it (no heat, fed only once a month!). i ask what he was doing now, and the lady said he was $100!

now ive talked to other places since (petco, friends) and they say it is ILLEGAL to resell a pet that was GIVEN to a pet store, and that they have to find a home for the snake for free. is this true? cause i would LOVE to take care of this guy, but i cant afford him for $100 right now.

any of you guys know for sure before i go up there?

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Originally Posted by NotAnotherHonda

i went to a local pet store the other day and saw a male ball python about 3 feet or so, maybe longer. i was just there the other day, and he wasnt there before, so i asked what was up. they say a lil girl dropped him off, as she wasnt taking care of it (no heat, fed only once a month!). i ask what he was doing now, and the lady said he was $100!

now ive talked to other places since (petco, friends) and they say it is ILLEGAL to resell a pet that was GIVEN to a pet store, and that they have to find a home for the snake for free. is this true? cause i would LOVE to take care of this guy, but i cant afford him for $100 right now.

any of you guys know for sure before i go up there?

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Nope not illegal at all.If its a privately ownrd pet store they can do whatever they want with reptiles given up by the owners.The people at Petco do not know what they are talking about.

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Originally Posted by joepythons

The people at Petco do not know what they are talking about.

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Well that's news :8:

darnit...i want that snake! poor guy. hes so underfed that his backbone is stickin out

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Originally Posted by joepythons

people at Petco do not know what they are talking about.

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this is sad...but o so true... :(

If the pet store knows what the snake needs, then the snake will probably get better at the same rate as it would with you.

It's probably not illegal, or the humane society's adoption fees would be illegal as well. As far as th store is concerned, they went to the trouble of taking on a piece of inventory for no cost. Any profit on this piece of inventory is 100%! Is it completely ethical? Probably not but niether are most pet stores..

Since the snake is not in good shape, they took on a possible bill-producer too. They probaly have the same attitude I have a lot of times. If someone only wants it because it's free, then they usually assign no value to it,a nd might not ake proper care of it. I'm NOT talking about the OP, there is always an exeption to every rule right? I'm sure you would be a great home, but they are a business to make money.
They took it in, they can sell it. $100 is about the going rate for most pet ball pythons at a typical pet store around here, so it doesn't surprised me at the price.
Think of this also, if they take in a neglected snake, it could easily need a vet visit for say ... RI. How much is that? Could run well over $100. So each animal they take in to rehab and resale can add funds to the amount they might need to spend on a later animal that needs more attention. I did the same when I took in unwanted dogs. Dog #4 might be in perfect shape, and get a home immediately. But dog#5 might have a broken leg and need $800 worth of vet care. So the other dogs I take in that are fine, and need nothing more than shots get adopted out at a fixed adoption fee. $100. Why? Yeah, I COULD give them away for free, but then who in their right mind will pay that $800 to reimburse me for vet bills on that ONE dog? I might be willing to take them in, rehab and rehome, but I can't foot that bill myself every time. So the $100 adoption fee for each dog goes to fund more rescues/adoptions.
Looking at it that way, I can't see that someone would say they are merely making money off a 'free' snake. Some places can afford to do it, and might. Ball pythons are pretty common, and I'd suggest you keep an eye open on places like Craigslist, classifieds, and all local vets, herp shops, and pet stores for people looking to give away their own neglected or unwanted animals. You're sure to find a great snake that needs you.
Wolfy

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Originally Posted by wolfy-hound

Since the snake is not in good shape, they took on a possible bill-producer too. They probaly have the same attitude I have a lot of times. If someone only wants it because it's free, then they usually assign no value to it,a nd might not ake proper care of it. I'm NOT talking about the OP, there is always an exeption to every rule right? I'm sure you would be a great home, but they are a business to make money.
They took it in, they can sell it. $100 is about the going rate for most pet ball pythons at a typical pet store around here, so it doesn't surprised me at the price.
Think of this also, if they take in a neglected snake, it could easily need a vet visit for say ... RI. How much is that? Could run well over $100. So each animal they take in to rehab and resale can add funds to the amount they might need to spend on a later animal that needs more attention. I did the same when I took in unwanted dogs. Dog #4 might be in perfect shape, and get a home immediately. But dog#5 might have a broken leg and need $800 worth of vet care. So the other dogs I take in that are fine, and need nothing more than shots get adopted out at a fixed adoption fee. $100. Why? Yeah, I COULD give them away for free, but then who in their right mind will pay that $800 to reimburse me for vet bills on that ONE dog? I might be willing to take them in, rehab and rehome, but I can't foot that bill myself every time. So the $100 adoption fee for each dog goes to fund more rescues/adoptions.
Looking at it that way, I can't see that someone would say they are merely making money off a 'free' snake. Some places can afford to do it, and might. Ball pythons are pretty common, and I'd suggest you keep an eye open on places like Craigslist, classifieds, and all local vets, herp shops, and pet stores for people looking to give away their own neglected or unwanted animals. You're sure to find a great snake that needs you.
Wolfy

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I agree with Wolfy...the costs to run a rescue (even at Petco) can be high...to add to the above you also have food, electricity, someone to answer questions about the animals, shelf space (that could be used for some other sale item), cleaning products, substrate, etc.

If you are looking for a "free" pet try putting up signs at your local pet stores (almost all have sign boards) saying you are willilng to adopt unwanted snakes, post on Craigslist. You could also go to a reptile show with all the imports starting to come in your should be able to find a male dirt cheap.

Just some other ideas.

never heard of anything like that being illegal.HOWEVER, I can assure you (Joe);) that not everybody that works or worked for Petco doesn't know what they're talkin' about.....

thanks for all the replies! i understand

The pet store hear does it all the time. won't give you a penny to take it off your hands, but will sell it for top dollar.

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Originally Posted by 4theSNAKElady

never heard of anything like that being illegal.HOWEVER, I can assure you (Joe);) that not everybody that works or worked for Petco doesn't know what they're talkin' about.....

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Ok 99% dont know what they are talking about :P :P :D

It's sad that people dump their pets on pet stores.. I really can't blame a store for turning a profit off of people like that. I would never give an animal away..

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Originally Posted by joepythons

Ok 99% dont know what they are talking about :P :P :D

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i found this quote from NERD and i think it fits here
"You might be a herper if you are the cusomer at the pet store and you are the one answering all the questions"
it seems like all the people in pet stores around me dont know what the heck they are doing, and they call themselves a "reptile specialist" :mad:

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Originally Posted by djansen

i found this quote from NERD and i think it fits here
"You might be a herper if you are the cusomer at the pet store and you are the one answering all the questions"
it seems like all the people in pet stores around me dont know what the heck they are doing, and they call themselves a "reptile specialist" :mad:

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I have ruined alot of BIG sales at a few pet stores here because i tell the person the truth and what they need and dont need.Once a lady was buying a leapord gecko for each of her 2 kids(at petco).Well geckos were $30 each,the stuff the sales person said she needed for each gecko was like $150 each.They said they needed special plastic plants at $20 a pop in order to be happy :eek: .Long story short lady left everything and went to a real pet store where they dont oversell you crap you dont need lol.

I work for a pet supply company and visit pet stores and feed stores everyday all day... I also worked for a pet store for 10 years... If a pet is given to a pet store then they have every right to resale the pet... If it is a reputable store they will put it in quarantine while nursing it back to health before displaying it for sale... Alot of times during this quarantine period if an over qualified new home is available they will give the pet to the good home or discount the animal to get it into a good home... Don’t be afraid to ask the owner if they will take less for him… Esp. seeing that you know where he came from… There are still a few stores out there who will put the animal first before the store... :) Good Luck with him :snake:

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Originally Posted by NotAnotherHonda

i went to a local pet store the other day and saw a male ball python about 3 feet or so, maybe longer. i was just there the other day, and he wasnt there before, so i asked what was up. they say a lil girl dropped him off, as she wasnt taking care of it (no heat, fed only once a month!). i ask what he was doing now, and the lady said he was $100!

now ive talked to other places since (petco, friends) and they say it is ILLEGAL to resell a pet that was GIVEN to a pet store, and that they have to find a home for the snake for free. is this true? cause i would LOVE to take care of this guy, but i cant afford him for $100 right now.

any of you guys know for sure before i go up there?

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