Why I won't buy from a pet store

[boafa]

Ok, everyone take a deep breath..... Yes that snake is in BAD shape, (surprised it's still alive in that condition) but does that mean that the pet store is neglecting the thing....NO... There is obviously something wrong with it, if it's not eating at that age. And by the way, thats some damn clean aspen for someone to be neglecting a snake on, don't ya think. Look, it happens, sometimes ya get a snake that won't eat. I'm bettin it's ate up with parasites, and they don't want vet bills. Who's gonna spend 200 bucks on a 30 dollar animal....NOT pet stores....They are about the bottom line....

The only thing I blame them for is displaying the snake in that deathly state. But I don't think any of us have the right to judge, convict and execute this business because he has a reptile that won't eat.

I've got a ton more to say about this but I'm just gonna shut up.....

[M&NSnakeDen]

For all the people thinking we're too hasty in thinking with our emotions...how about you flip the coin, here. Put a child in the place of this snake. Imagine seeing a 6 month old infants's ribs, his muscles, skin clearly dehydrated & lethargic. Maybe he has a rash. Then imagine talking to his mother about it, to which she replies, "oh yeah, he's just missed a couple meals. He'll eat soon." You tell me what you'd do. Would you think to yourself "Oh, I don't know the full situation. I won't judge. I'm sure she's an okay mother and I'd be a rude ass to think otherwise." Or would you think to yourself "this woman has no right to have her child in her custody. That baby needs help" and call child protective services? Guarunteed you'd choose the latter & if not, you have far bigger issues to worry about than an outspoken customer complaining about the condition of the animals in your store.

New managers, lack of education, lack of space. There's nothing that could make that situation okay. A snake like that needs to be at a vet or in the care of someone who can give it what it needs. Anyone with eyes can see that.

[Raven01]

http://www.petsuppliesplus.com/

Their are a lot of these stores.. Kind of like a Petco but I think just all over the North East. And I was going to call corporate but each store is individually owned and franchised.

Definitely call corporate then.
Send a pic of the snake with the demand that a vet or yourself (if you think you have the ability) rehabilitate this animal.
Corporate cannot allow this franchisee to devalue the entire franchise , that would be less money for corporate and a boat-load if ticked off franchisee`s:cens0r:.
It wouldn`t hurt to make a youtube video documenting the animal and the store, share that with corporate and advise them that the video will go public if your concerns are not handled promptly. It aslso wouldn`t hurt any to mention you are a long standing customer (i.e. you already help pay their bills) and, if dealt with satisfactorily you would continue doing business with them.
With a bit of luck they will improve their training regimen over this.

[wilomn]

For all the people thinking we're too hasty in thinking with our emotions...how about you flip the coin, here. Put a child in the place of this snake. Imagine seeing a 6 month old infants's ribs, his muscles, skin clearly dehydrated & lethargic. Maybe he has a rash. Then imagine talking to his mother about it, to which she replies, "oh yeah, he's just missed a couple meals. He'll eat soon." You tell me what you'd do. Would you think to yourself "Oh, I don't know the full situation. I won't judge. I'm sure she's an okay mother and I'd be a rude ass to think otherwise." Or would you think to yourself "this woman has no right to have her child in her custody. That baby needs help" and call child protective services? Guarunteed you'd choose the latter & if not, you have far bigger issues to worry about than an outspoken customer complaining about the condition of the animals in your store.

New managers, lack of education, lack of space. There's nothing that could make that situation okay. A snake like that needs to be at a vet or in the care of someone who can give it what it needs. Anyone with eyes can see that.

It's not a child. It's stupid to make the comparison. It's a snake. It's value is 20.00. Sometimes life sucks, but that's the way it is.

[M&NSnakeDen]

.......

[M&NSnakeDen]

ANYWAY!
I'd really like to hear any updates. OP, let us know if you have or will be taking any more steps in helping this little guy.

[MsMissy]

Would you feel the same if it was a puppy? Or a kitty, any animal with big brown eyes staring at you begging for help. The difference here is this poor snake can't show us that, doesn't mean he isn't suffering.

This will forever be the difference between men and women, we can't help our compassion. It's inbred... Especially for those of us fortunate enough to be mothers.

*sighs* I too would like updates... If I was anywhere near that poor guy he'd be in my house tomorrow.

[Seth702]

My .02 cents worth. All emotion aside, I would NOT suggest purchasing the animal. I would contact local ASPCA or some form of enforcement agency. They DO NOT come in guns blazing and shut down a store, they DO an investigation into the animals health, and any other animal present. If there is unlawful acts, neglect, or anything else taking place, THEY will take care of it. Its incredibly unfortunate that this animal is suffering, but proper steps need to be taken to ensure that if there is in fact something unlawful happening its properly handled.

[Marrissa]

Would you feel the same if it was a puppy? Or a kitty, any animal with big brown eyes staring at you begging for help. The difference here is this poor snake can't show us that, doesn't mean he isn't suffering.

This will forever be the difference between men and women, we can't help our compassion. It's inbred... Especially for those of us fortunate enough to be mothers.

*sighs* I too would like updates... If I was anywhere near that poor guy he'd be in my house tomorrow.

Ok um I am obviously a female by my user name but I would NEVER pay for that snake. I would take it off their hands if I had the room and try to educate them for future instances, but I would never encourage them to keep doing this to future snakes by making a pity purchase. I'm also an avid betta fish lover and have done a lot of research and plan to breed them in the future. I go to petshops and see them mistreated all the time and on the verge of dying. I refuse to buy those fish. Doesn't matter what animal it is, whether it be a cat, dog, horse, whatever I would never pay for a sickly, mistreated animal. All they care about is the money so why would I give them money to do it to the next animal? You've gotta think about the broader picture.

And the whole thinking with your heart and not your head really grinds my gears. It's the reason things like horse slaughter plants getting shut down happen. That's a whole different debate but with the same principle. You've gotta put logic before your feelings, because when you don't the animals suffer for it.

[sho220]

Running to the ASPCA or anyone without know what's really going on is just irresponsible.

Isn't that the ASPCA's purpose? To find out what's really going on?

Unless that snake has had medical care, it's animal cruelty.
From the ASPCA website:

What constitutes animal cruelty?
Animal cruelty occurs when someone intentionally injures or harms an animal or when a person willfully deprives an animal of food, water or necessary medical care. Here are some signs that may indicate abuse or neglect:

• Tick or flea infestations
• Wounds on the body
• Patches of missing hair
• Extremely thin, starving animal <<< I'd say it's starving. How about you wilomn?
• Limping
• An owner striking or otherwise physically abusing an animal
• Dogs who are repeatedly left alone without food and water, and often chained in a yard
• Dogs who have been hit by cars—or are showing any of the signs listed here—and have not been taken to a veterinarian
• Dogs who are kept outside without shelter in extreme weather conditions
• Animals who cower in fear or act aggressively when approached by their owners

There's an animal in my community who isn't being cared for properly—is that cruelty?
Yes, it is. You don't have to hit an animal to be cruel to him—depriving an animal of food, water or necessary medical care is neglect, which is a form of cruelty.

If the ASPCA doesn't handle this kind of incident, what the heck do they do?

I didn't see anything on their website that mentioned the value of the animal will determine whether it's cruelty or not.