baby bp rescue

[Noek]

Well, I went to Pet Co today to buy my monthly supply of f/t's and as always, I looked in on the BP's...

There were five in the glass enclosure but one of the babies stuck out like a sore thumb. It obviously wasn't eating and had a shed cap over the top side of his/her body. I really can't recall ever seeing a snake so pathetically skinny.

Anyway, I asked one of the employees why the snake wasn't eating and he told me straight up that they were all fed today <sigh>

I really want to help this little guy out but it's a commitment I'm not sure I have time for - the two I have keep me plenty busy. I do have a several small tubs for him/her and a small shoe box rack that would do him/her well, but I'm wondering what my alternatives are before I break down - will talking to management there even help? Does anyone have any experience with Pet Co and getting them to care for the animal properly? Thanks!

[aaramire]

I know a person that used to work at Petco, and they told me that in order to save money, they turn the heat for the herps off at night. It makes me so mad that they would let animals die rather than pay the extra money to keep them healthy. I dont really know if I would rescue him, I know its sad but if he is sick he could infect your others bps, and it would allow for Petco to get more WC animals and treat them wrongly. Its really a sad thing to see animals taken care of so poorly and only for profit. The more I learn about Petco and other big pet stores like it, the more I hate them.

[joepythons]

Well, I went to Pet Co today to buy my monthly supply of f/t's and as always, I looked in on the BP's...

There were five in the glass enclosure but one of the babies stuck out like a sore thumb. It obviously wasn't eating and had a shed cap over the top side of his/her body. I really can't recall ever seeing a snake so pathetically skinny.

Anyway, I asked one of the employees why the snake wasn't eating and he told me straight up that they were all fed today <sigh>

I really want to help this little guy out but it's a commitment I'm not sure I have time for - the two I have keep me plenty busy. I do have a several small tubs for him/her and a small shoe box rack that would do him/her well, but I'm wondering what my alternatives are before I break down - will talking to management there even help? Does anyone have any experience with Pet Co and getting them to care for the animal properly? Thanks!

Please do not buy that snake because it will only give them more money to bring more in.I know its hard to not try and help it but they are run by a corp and they can not change thier rules no matter what you tell them.So in a nutshell avoid buying any reptile from petco

[Sunny1]

Unfortunately I think when it comes to chain stores there is probably not much that you can do. You could try talking to the manager about that particular BP, but in general I believe that they have guidelines that they have to follow which are given by the corporate offices....

If you try to talk to the manager, maybe they will pull that particular BP and give it some much needed help. Otherwise I wouldn't buy it, all that does is allow that store to fill that space with another potentially unhealthy BP. I think that it is completely unfortunate how some of the chain stores treat their animals. Personally I don;t even shop at any of the chain stores anymore, there are a number of really really nice mom and pop type pet stores near me that I buy my pet supplies from.

[bender29]

Unfortunately, the only thing you really can do is not buy it. Granted you may save one snake, but you will endanger more in the future if you support idiotic corporations like PetCo.

[frankykeno]

You won't change PetCo corporate policy but it never hurts to send head office a well worded letter explaining why you won't give that store a dime of your hard earned money. For companies like this you need to speak their language...and that's cold hard cash.

If you feel comfortable doing so, you might also want to take that store manager over to the ball pythons and explain to him/her that the reason you will never shop there again or encourage a friend to is directly because of their poor treatment of these snakes. No need to get angry or get yourself kicked out of the store, just make it very plain that poor treatment of snakes = loss of business for them. Maybe if they hear this message enough times it might actually sink in (we can always hope.)

[AF4]

I'd talk to the store manager and see what he's like. Down where I'm at, the PetCo we have has a good staff and a great manager that keeps these things in order and does what he needs to when an animal gets sick. Bringing up the subject to management never hurts anyone.

[Noek]

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I will go in today and see if there is anyone I can talk to about the snake.

I know right now that if they blow it off, that snake is coming home with me.

thanks again!

[starmom]

Thanks for all of the advice. I think I will go in today and see if there is anyone I can talk to about the snake.

I know right now that if they blow it off, that snake is coming home with me.

thanks again!

Well then, get your QT tub set up first because there is a very great chance that they will blow you off or give you lip service. Petco is not in the pet-care business; they are in the money-making business.

[daniel1983]

I know right now that if they blow it off, that snake is coming home with me.

Giving money to people that abuse animals is not "rescuing'....it is supporting people that abuse animals.

Do you think buying the animal will prompt the store to keep them better? No, they will continue to keep them the way that they do now...with hopes that you come and 'rescue' another one.

Their treatment of the animal is sad and cruel but just put it out of your mind and never walk into the store again....

...or if you want...stand by the cage and tell everyone that walks by about how horrible the store cares for their animals....until they toss you out