Would you get him (or her)?

[Armiyana]

And those of you breeding snakes, PLEASE don't be part of the problem by breeding too many & selling cheaply to retailers that do this!

I can't say it's the same for every particular store... But for the district that my box store is in... (And the same box this snake came from cause that sale promo also pissed me off.)

We are not allowed to take animals from local breeders that are just wanting to sell excess. People try to give us fish all the time and we turn them away. We cannot put them in our fish system. Small animals are the same. And abandoned animals are absolutely not allowed in the areas our animals are in.
Everything is automated by computer. We sell a snake, the breeder is updated and an invoice created for a new shipment. Our breeder is a corporate approved provider...And a very well known one at at that, which is why I was disappointed in some of the animals we have seen at my store...But that's a different can of worms.
The purchase price is also not as low as people think. A typical beardie runs my store 35$ in cost. And we are required to follow vet protocols. I just sent corporate off a vet bill for 300$ on a guinea pig and another 200$ on a hamster that needed emergency surgery.

I can tell you we try to do best by the critters in my store. If this store is lacking, the company needs to know.
This store did VERY poorly. The snake was in the same condition and still on the sales floor when you returned the next day?
I would still contact corporate with the info regarding this pets condition. This store needs to have a district manager aware of this.

Had it been blue, that's an okay to have on the floor. Most in my store shed out just fine. This snake should have been moved as soon as the dehydrated appearance and flakey shed started. A quiet room and a good soaking.

[Craiga 01453]

Well, I see you went to the dark side. Chalk up one point for the bad guys. They'll just fill that space with another animal that will suffer.

I can't say that I would have done the same, can't save them all. Nor would I help finance that mistreatment of animals.

But, since you made up your mind I truly wish you the best. Hopefully the animal isn't harboring any illnesses and the vet bills don't pile up.

One final word: QUARANTINE

Good luck with your new pet, he looks great since you "fixed him up".

[WhompingWillow]

I would still contact corporate with the info regarding this pets condition. This store needs to have a district manager aware of this.

I posted on their FB page and PM'd the store info. Was told an inquiry was created. If I don't receive follow up in the next few days I'll make additional contact with corporate.

We went in the AM right when they opened yesterday for cat food and I brought the snake's condition to who I'm assuming was a shift lead/manager on duty, because it's who the first employee called for. When I decided to get the snake it was right before close and he was still in the tank. If they had at least soaked him at any point in between I would have felt better about his care, but at that point it seemed downright neglectful.

[Team Slytherin]

Such a tough situation. Saw a GTP in a petco the other day with no perch and 20% humidity. Was very hard not to scoop up the poor thing 😞

[Craiga 01453]

Such a tough situation. Saw a GTP in a petco the other day with no perch and 20% humidity. Was very hard not to scoop up the poor thing 😞

I saw the same exact thing in my local Petco about a year ago. No perch, humidity below 30%. I tried to teach them, even showed them pics of GTPs, all on perches. They didn't care. The next tome I went in (about 3 weeks later) it wasn't there. I asked if it sold, only to be told it died a few days prior.

[Sunnieskys]

As someone who works for Petco as the animal manager I have always said I am available for questions. Just as there are 1000's of breeders there are 1000's of box stores. You CANNOT group every box store into a lump group. Are they on display more than breeders...yea. Are there bad breeders who don't know what the hell they are doing...yep! And we can put them on Eco earth if we wish. We have a first option and a second option. First being aspen second being Eco earth. I keep mine on aspen because 1. I keep them misted to keep proper humidity and 2. I clean ever week and it is easier to clean. If option 1 wasn't working option 2 it is. Also I train people to have proper husbandry as well.

[WhompingWillow]

As someone who works for Petco as the animal manager I have always said I am available for questions. Just as there are 1000's of breeders there are 1000's of box stores. You CANNOT group every box store into a lump group. Are they on display more than breeders...yea. Are there bad breeders who don't know what the hell they are doing...yep! And we can put them on Eco earth if we wish. We have a first option and a second option. First being aspen second being Eco earth. I keep mine on aspen because 1. I keep them misted to keep proper humidity and 2. I clean ever week and it is easier to clean. If option 1 wasn't working option 2 it is. Also I train people to have proper husbandry as well.

While I know others have mentioned Petco in this thread, this snake was not from Petco.

[dakski]

As someone who works for Petco as the animal manager I have always said I am available for questions. Just as there are 1000's of breeders there are 1000's of box stores. You CANNOT group every box store into a lump group. Are they on display more than breeders...yea. Are there bad breeders who don't know what the hell they are doing...yep! And we can put them on Eco earth if we wish. We have a first option and a second option. First being aspen second being Eco earth. I keep mine on aspen because 1. I keep them misted to keep proper humidity and 2. I clean ever week and it is easier to clean. If option 1 wasn't working option 2 it is. Also I train people to have proper husbandry as well.

Sunnieskys,

No hard feelings and nothing personal. I really respect that you are trying your hardest to properly care for the animals in your store and educate both staff and customers.

It just seems most of the big stores don't do that. It's not clear to me whether it's because corporate doesn't set proper initiatives and discipline properly for mistreatment, or there are too many employees, managers, etc. who don't care.

Either way, objectively, it seems like a problem.

Again, greatly appreciate your efforts.

Thank you.

David

- - - Updated - - -

WhompingWillow,

How's he doing?

[WhompingWillow]

WhompingWillow,

How's he doing?[/COLOR]

He's doing great! He just took a F/T mouse, which makes me happy because he hadn't yet eaten at the store. He seems to have a pretty laid back demeanor so far, and I'm really happy I got him.