Our reptiles are kept correctly. Yes, I am aware they were not always kept in the correct manner, but all it takes is some education and some effort and you have well taken care of animals. Our snakes have complete sheds, do not have mites, RIs, stuck eye caps, scale rot, or ANY of the common issues (or any of the non-common issues as well). Our lizards eat the correct amount of food. Their cages are cleaned weekly and the animals such as bearded dragons and chinese water dragons have theirs spot cleaned every day.

So we can provide proper care to all of our herps AND give the correct information to potential pet parents. And we should have reptiles taken from our store because other stores can't bother to educate themselves. I see having reptiles in our store as a GREAT opportunity to educate people. You have no idea how many people come in our store and see me with a ball python out and ask "Oh arn't those the snakes that get 20ft long?" Just yesterday I got to show this one boy a ball python. He had never touched a snake before and was fascinated with how they felt and moved. There was one time a lady was terrified of snakes but after talking to her for a few minutes about them, she reached over and touched the ball python. That is a big step for people who are afraid of snakes! There are so many people who don't get any exposure to reptiles and would gladly support laws against them because they are not educated about them.

I can use this job to better the lives of animals and be able to educate people at the same time. I think Petsmart has good intentions, and working there gives me a great opportunity to do something I love.