Vote for BP.Net for the 2013 Forum of the Year! Click here for more info.

» Site Navigation

» Home
 > FAQ

» Online Users: 2,993

0 members and 2,993 guests
No Members online
Most users ever online was 6,337, 01-24-2020 at 04:30 AM.

» Today's Birthdays

None

» Stats

Members: 75,031
Threads: 248,490
Posts: 2,568,448
Top Poster: JLC (31,651)
Welcome to our newest member, isismomma
Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 19
  1. #1
    Registered User digcolnagos's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-06-2006
    Posts
    120
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts

    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.

  2. #2
    BPnet Veteran Chase13's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-13-2006
    Posts
    452
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Images: 6

    Re: Cruelty at Petsmart

    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.

    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

  3. #3
    BPnet Veteran Shelby's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-31-2004
    Location
    Illinois
    Posts
    8,936
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 5 Times in 5 Posts
    Images: 67

    Re: Cruelty at Petsmart

    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.

    April
    My art gallery (herp related) http://cerulean-serpent.deviantart.com/

  4. #4
    BPnet Lifer wolfy-hound's Avatar
    Join Date
    10-10-2005
    Location
    Florida
    Posts
    5,505
    Thanks
    2,128
    Thanked 2,221 Times in 1,151 Posts
    Images: 23

    Re: Cruelty at Petsmart

    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
    Theresa Baker
    No Legs and More
    Florida, USA
    "Stop being a wimpy monkey,; bare some teeth, steal some food and fling poo with the alphas. "

  5. #5
    Registered User digcolnagos's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-06-2006
    Posts
    120
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Cruelty at Petsmart

    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.

  6. #6
    Registered User digcolnagos's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-06-2006
    Posts
    120
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Cruelty at 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.

  7. #7
    BPnet Veteran Chase13's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-13-2006
    Posts
    452
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Images: 6

    Re: Cruelty at Petsmart

    Quote 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.
    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.

  8. #8
    Registered User digcolnagos's Avatar
    Join Date
    08-06-2006
    Posts
    120
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 3 Times in 2 Posts

    Re: Cruelty at Petsmart

    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.

  9. #9
    BPnet Veteran Chase13's Avatar
    Join Date
    11-13-2006
    Posts
    452
    Thanks
    0
    Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
    Images: 6

    Re: Cruelty at Petsmart

    Quote 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.
    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.

  10. #10
    BPnet Veteran Purrrfect9's Avatar
    Join Date
    02-18-2007
    Location
    Oklahoma
    Posts
    1,081
    Thanks
    102
    Thanked 79 Times in 66 Posts
    Images: 10

    Re: Cruelty at Petsmart

    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.
    -Kasi- 'Marsupial Mom' in training!
    0.1 Normal BP ~Isis~
    1.0 Graziani Pastel ~Apollo~
    0.1 Spider ~Savannah~
    1.0 Albino ~Ra~
    1.1 Lesser Platinum's ~Osiris~ ~Cleopatra~
    2.4 PastelXNormal babies
    0.1 RTB het Anery ~Camila~
    1.1 Bennet's wallabies ~ Boomer~~Bella~
    2.1 Red Kangaroo's ~Rocky, Jack, and Ruby~
    1.0 Serval ~Keyba~

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •  
Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v4.2.1