Trying to save 2 lives...

We went to Pet Warehouse (the only place that has feeders around here) and in addition to their usual collection of poorly-cared-for animals there were 2 baby balls housed together.

I have never seen anything more heart breaking... they are so skinny and dehydrated, and wouldn't move at all. The 'snake guy' said they haven't eaten in a month! First off, they have no thermometer at all (there's a stick-on, but he said it's broken), no humidity measure, and their one hide is three stones with a big slab over it. He claims that the temperature is around 85 in there, but who knows. He also said he tries to feed them twice a week.

They're still out where the public can see them, but there's a little sticky note that says 'not for sale.'

So, my ball loving friends, what can be done? I really don't have the finances right now to set up two new enclosures- I could probably get a couple of tubs and maybe the hides/water bowls, but I can't spring for a thermostat or flexwatt. Does anyone have any other ideas or perhaps a quarantine enclosure they're not using?

The store manager is kind of a douche, but I think I could talk him into letting me try to save them. Actually, at this point I don't know if it can be done or not, but any suggestions or great plans are welcome.

QT tank on the cheap...I wouldn't recommend this setup long term but till a more permanent setup can be arrange it will work.


Tub - Walmart or whatever 6 QT- $1 (assuming these are still babies this small we give them lots of comfort)
Hide - used and washed frozen diet dinner trays - $2
Water bowl - dollar store cup
Bedding - paper towels
pet store heat pad (Flex would be cheaper but you have to get all the parts for it too)
lamp/fan dimmer - $10 or so at Walmart or Home depot. This will allow you to regulate the heat pads - find someone close that can wire it up for you.

Once you get them setup and the temps stable the balls should start to calm down and after a week you could try feeding them.

You could probably even get away with using 1 heat pad for both tubs if you just put the heat pad half under each tub.

It cost me around 20 shipped to get 3 feet of flexwatt, already assembled, from reptile basics. Also, it might be good to call whatever agency you can and complain. Poor snakes.

Sadly if it where me and I had already made known my disgust with their "treatment" I would NOT buy the snakes period. Folks "rescuing" snakes like this by paying for them are not helping make things better in such stores but affirming that they can get away with poor husbandry and still "make the sale".

Hi,


It's heartbreaking to watch but taking them for free also means the shop doesn't have to pay for vet treatment either. You would probably right in thinking they werent plannign on taking it to a vet but this is where animal welfare authorities come in. Make them understand not only won't they get the money from the sale they will have to spend many times their initial investment in vetinary treatment or face legal penalties.

Doesn't always work by any means though.:(



dr del

In a way I agree, but if you really love reptiles, I say go for it, I know I would if I had the money, sometimes I wish money wasn't an issue, but I think you should do what Lord Jackel said, it shouldn't be too expensive for you. Good luck and please keep us posted!

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

Sadly if it where me and I had already made known my disgust with their "treatment" I would NOT buy the snakes period. Folks "rescuing" snakes like this by paying for them are not helping make things better in such stores but affirming that they can get away with poor husbandry and still "make the sale".

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Originally Posted by Bright202

if you really love reptiles,

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Not trying to start anything but just offering more food for thought...and my personal feelings. BECAUSE I really love reptiles, I will NOT purchase poorly kept animals from any individual, small business, or chain store for the reason I stated above. Only when these people see that they can't sell poor quality unhealthy animals will they change their habbits...or stop selling them. Either would satisfy me.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

Not trying to start anything but just offering more food for thought...and my personal feelings. BECAUSE I really love reptiles, I will NOT purchase poorly kept animals from any individual, small business, or chain store for the reason I stated above. Only when these people see that they can't sell poor quality unhealthy animals will they change their habbits...or stop selling them. Either would satisfy me.

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Sad but true. By helping the store you are just enabling them to get more animals to mistreat. Why help or purchase anything from them. I would boycott them altogether. they don't deserve you business, with a douche for a manager you are only helping him get paid. Do what Dr Del said the only way to help the animals is by hitting them in the pocket book and reporting them to animal rights agencies. You pay for them and your pocket book gets hit with the vet bills and you also put your other animals in jeopardy. Enabling them will only make them continue to practice the same destructive habits on other animals/victims.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by TekWarren

Not trying to start anything but just offering more food for thought...and my personal feelings. BECAUSE I really love reptiles, I will NOT purchase poorly kept animals from any individual, small business, or chain store for the reason I stated above. Only when these people see that they can't sell poor quality unhealthy animals will they change their habbits...or stop selling them. Either would satisfy me.

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I think the original poster was going to get them for free or at a greatly reduced priced. If that is true I would think the pet store would see that they can not treat animals poorly and still make money off of them.

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Originally Posted by pfan151

I think the original poster was going to get them for free or at a greatly reduced priced. If that is true I would think the pet store would see that they can not treat animals poorly and still make money off of them.

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Well free I would understand, but since the store has probably already written them off as a loss, charging ANY money for animals in that condition is criminal ... and paying someone money for animals in that condition is supporting abuse in my opinion.

Believe me ... I understand the desire to rescue sick animals ... in the late 90's in New England, I purchased hundreds of sick ball pythons from pet stores all over the area in an attempt to "save" them ... every weekend I drove all over the North East from pet store to pet store looking for mistreated or sick ball pythons ... some I was able to rehab and rehome, others were too far gone by the time that I found them. After a couple years of trying to save those animals and finding sick animals in the same stores week after week it dawned on me that I was only supporting these stores ability to buy more animals and not care for them ... so I retired my rescue hat and refused to give my money to those pet stores unless they changed their ways. I decided that instead of supporting them financially it's far better for the animals and the customers of those stores to educate them ... if they listen, great ... if they don't, I keep on trying.

Hope this helps and best of luck with whatever you decide.

-adam

well u can just call the animal cops and they can give them a home also u can ask to keep them if u prolly beg sooo im guessing to call 411 and get the animal cops # and call them and they willl take care of them

I would not pay one cent for the snakes. Do that, and I guarantee in a week there will be more snakes there in their place that are healthy but will languish under the tool's care.
You could work the owner over and try to get the snakes for free. Let them know that you are in the market for a healthy snake, but you see how unhealthy they are and would never pay for that..

You could do the tub method and if you wanted to separate them (to possibly reduce stress and encourage feeding) you could put a divider along the length of the tub but use the same heat sources on the respective "hot side" of both partitions to save money.