Would you get him (or her)?

[WhompingWillow]

Hey guys, so I'm in a bit of a moral conundrum right now. We were at our local big box pet store earlier today for some non-reptile supplies, and of course I go look at their snakes.

Immediately I see this poor little normal BP that has awful stuck shed. He managed to get his belly clear, but everything else was just like glue and he was very crispy looking. Eye caps stuck and the whole nine yards. Also looked pretty thin.

I had an employee let me take him out and I talked to her and the manager on duty about needing to increase his humidity. They keep BP's on aspen but other reptiles on Eco Earth/mulch. 🤷 The manager told me they have to keep them on aspen per corporate but that they'd soak him.

My heart wants to go back and take him home because he's so pathetic looking and was a really sweet snake despite probably being really uncomfortable. I know logically that is a stupid line of thinking because purchasing him would just support their bad practices and he'd be replaced by another snake that would also have the same problems due to poor husbandry.

But I can't help feeling like I could make a difference for this particular snake. What would you do?

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[Bogertophis]

Been there, done that. I know & agree with all the reasons not to, and mostly I don't, but yes, I've made some exceptions & no regrets. You and only
you have to live with your heart.

I'd also raise heck with their management though... Ask for their "corporate" contact # and be sure to let them know how many people you discuss
and have influence with. Snakes cannot speak for themselves...only we can do that.

[midg8290]

Honestly, I would buy it. I have a very soft kind heart and any animal in need I would try my hardest to help of I can. But it's not just the heart you have to rely on, you have to think logically too. Do you have room, can you afford another snake, the time it may take to look after it because if the poorly mistreatment it may already have had in life?? If you can honestly say yeah to all of these then go for it. I would. And probably a load of other people on this forum would agree with me.

I can't stand pet shops not looking after there pets when they are suppose to be some what experts in them. I understand not all pet shops are the same as in some may be more qualified but if you don't know what your doing then don't sell them or at leather someone with a hell of a lot more experience.

Anyway I can rant on for pages and pages, but it's your choice, if you do then your be a hero, not like the snake may realized that but you will and if you can't, then you shouldn't feel bad either especially if it's down to home circumstances.

Do what you think is best for you and the hiss and Sid.

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[Bogertophis]

One more thing: if you do get him, take lots of before & after photos to document their crappy treatment, then shove it in their face, politely of course.

[Armiyana]

As someone who works at one of those box pet stores.... that is not good husbandry. That snake should have been moved to a quiet room and taken care of. Sadly, policy does say ashen for snakes ad much as I wish I can change it.

Don't purchase as much as you want to. you can contact the corporate office regarding concerns for the animal's care. Ask if they will adopt the pet to you for proper care. This means you sign a waiver and do not have to pay for the pet. The worst is they say no but hopefully move to do right by the baby.

[tttaylorrr]

no matter how much it breaks your heart, giving them money in exchange for their less than desirable goods (a LIFE they have proven time and again they don't care about) only reinforces their terrible practices.

the answer is you need to take to twitter, fb etc. and raise hell, seriously. their image is important, and they won't keep quiet if you throw it in their faces for the world to see. then go to the manager and raise hell with them. there's quite a few examples on this forum of people finding big box snakes in deplorable conditions and actually getting some progress made and the snakes looking better.

you may be able to help that one snake, but your money will not help the next snake they can now place in the same deplorable conditions for some other bleeding heart to save.

[bcr229]

no matter how much it breaks your heart, giving them money in exchange for their less than desirable goods (a LIFE they have proven time and again they don't care about) only reinforces their terrible practices.

This. By purchasing that snake you are rewarding the company for keeping it bad conditions. The only way to make them stop - and they have been doing this for years - is to stop purchasing those animals until they change how the animals are kept.

[WhompingWillow]

After more thought and consulting with my husband, who is opposed to adding another snake at this time, we will not be getting him, but I will be contacting corporate to express my concerns. Hopefully someone will give him a good home...

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[bcr229]

After more thought and consulting with my husband, who is opposed to adding another snake at this time, we will not be getting him, but I will be contacting corporate to express my concerns. Hopefully someone will give him a good home...

It's sad but if they had a dog or cat in the same condition, animal control would be all over them and people would be protesting in front of the store.

[WhompingWillow]

It's sad but if they had a dog or cat in the same condition, animal control would be all over them and people would be protesting in front of the store.

I know

It just broke my heart to see this little snake, probably only a couple of months old, in that condition. I really should have taken photos.

They are offering a promotion on BP's where if you purchase a 40g setup, you'd get the snake for $10. A bit sketchy in my opinion, but we do need to keep upgrading our tanks, so I was considering getting a larger tank for one of our bigger BP's and using the freed up cage for the little guy for now...

Space, time, money, food, etc. isn't an issue. UGH. This is normally why I don't ask my husband about helping out animals and just do it.

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