Question about pet stores

[sur3fir3]

So, I wanted to ask is what everyone has against pet stores referring to stores like PetCo and Pet Smart only? Cause locally we have a few reptile specialty pet stores that house some very decent specimens. The owners that I have spoken to at the two pet stores I am thinking of have amazing setups, and their animals are well cared for. I bought my Blood Python from one of these stores, and I have had few problems that were not my fault, but they were at no point the fault of the pet store. I got a healthy animal that feeds well. yes his feeding response is not high, but he does eat, and honestly has the disposition of a puppy. I've just always been one to support my local pet store. I guess its because I worked for an exotic pet store for a few years when I was younger, but there are good pet stores. I'm just trying to understand everyone's hatred for pet stores


For Example the Pet store in Las Vegas I worked for. The Owner is a Herpetologist, and he bred everything from Iguanas to Burmese, Hognoses, rat snakes... Indigo snakes... You name it he bred it. Tortoises, turtles... everything. I learned so much from him. He taught me how to take care of snakes, and a multitude of reptiles/amphibians. Granted this was 20 years ago so I don't remember a whole lot, but it was an amazing experience. The only thing I have to say is after taking care of a Capuchin(SP) Monkey for a few years, I will never own one. Monkeys are dirty and nasty.


So, I guess it boils down to this. Just like everything else. There are bad Pet stores, and there are good ones. If you guys are saying that it is bad to buy a snake or reptile from one of those all in one pet stores that doesn't specialize in reptiles. Then I would be inclined to agree with everyone. But simply saying all pet stores suck, I think is way too much of a generalization.