PetCo Ball Python, Chico California...This is NOT OKAY

[Darkbird]

I also do not believe it should matter what the staff is getting paid. They should do the best job possible regardless of the pay. They took the job so they should do the job. That goes for any job. Doing a lousy job because you do not get paid much is a useless mindset. If a person wants to make more they need to show they are worth more.

Sadly, this is not the prevalent mindset in America. More often it's "I'll work more when they pay me more" or "I don't get paid enough to care". Even I was guilty of this a little when I was young. Trouble is some never grow out of it.

And I would bet those policies that tell what must be put in a cage are set according to what said company sells and can make the highest margin on. Like those useless dial gauges for example.

[arialmt]

It should be the corporate office responsibility to make sure each store gets the training the staff needs to properly care for the animals. The fact is they don't. The dumb things I have heard staff instruct and suggest to customers is mind blowing.

I also do not believe it should matter what the staff is getting paid. They should do the best job possible regardless of the pay. They took the job so they should do the job. That goes for any job. Doing a lousy job because you do not get paid much is a useless mindset. If a person wants to make more they need to show they are worth more.

Well said KMG.

To work is a privilege, even at PetCorp.

And now a PetCorp opinion: Don't be a lemming, shop privately owned (when you can) or raise your own.

[wilomn]

You guys do realize, don't you, that reptiles are NOT what they're making money on.

Cats and dogs need food and supplies. Same for fish. Reptiles are gravy, but not necessary.

If you all object to the big chains so much, why do you keep going in there?

That was rhetorical, personally I don't care, but you might want to ask yourself that question.

[Velrys]

I just wanted to mention those comments do get passed on and the company as a whole has pushed to change the enclosures. I don't like the cohabbing of the balls either because it has led to some employees who are solely trained to push buttons on the register to try and tell someone that cohabbing is fine. Of course the first time this was said it was quickly corrected by EVERYONE within ear shot and those customers were quickly pulled aside and the right info was given out. That being said, the company is resetting the reptile displays and have given a bigger enclosure to the tortoises and given a bigger enclosure for the sliders also. They do listen if you say something, just saying.

Not sure what PetSmart on the other side of the rainbow you work at but this is not even remotely true. If one would simply read a "How to take care of a Snake" book while writing their habitat policy one could do a better job than they have.

The Staff definitely has a great deal to do with the care animals are given for instance if a PetCare Manager cares enough about the animals to ignore the rules and house them properly then it can make a big difference. If not then they are housed incorrectly. Unfortunately most of the time the petcare associates dont even know what properly maintaining an enclosure looks like, which isnt surprising because nobody else there knows how to do it either.

I always refer to buying an animal from a PetCo/Smart as rescuing the animal... its like going to the humane society to get a dog instead of buying from a breader.

However I do shop for something at PetSmart that they do a fine job taking care of... Aspen Bedding! Yup they can take care of that very well!

[bcr229]

You guys do realize, don't you, that reptiles are NOT what they're making money on.

Cats and dogs need food and supplies. Same for fish. Reptiles are gravy, but not necessary.

Reptiles do need supplies as well. I also notice that they don't sell many cats and dogs there, but they carry plenty of supplies for them. Perhaps if PetCo/PetSmart stopped stocking reptiles and used that shelf space for better supplies for reptiles, 1) their bottom line would improve, and 2) people would stop complaining about the poor quality of care.

[Ozifur]

Not sure what PetSmart on the other side of the rainbow you work at but this is not even remotely true. If one would simply read a "How to take care of a Snake" book while writing their habitat policy one could do a better job than they have.

The Staff definitely has a great deal to do with the care animals are given for instance if a PetCare Manager cares enough about the animals to ignore the rules and house them properly then it can make a big difference. If not then they are housed incorrectly. Unfortunately most of the time the petcare associates dont even know what properly maintaining an enclosure looks like, which isnt surprising because nobody else there knows how to do it either.

I always refer to buying an animal from a PetCo/Smart as rescuing the animal... its like going to the humane society to get a dog instead of buying from a breader.

However I do shop for something at PetSmart that they do a fine job taking care of... Aspen Bedding! Yup they can take care of that very well!

Then by all means, Vel, since you're in AZ go down to HQ yourself and tell them no one gives a flying pig about the animals in their stores. Meanwhile I will enjoy the sunshine that is obviously only shining on my side of the rainbow.

[shadowsnakes]

Breaks my heart to hear so many big box pet stores mistreat their reptiles either out of ignorance or lack of interest. However, my local Petco is quite the opposite and have fantastic conditions for their BP's. I can't comment on the lizards, since I know little about them, but they appear active and fat with appropriately wet or dry environments.

My little normal female came from Petco. Her cage had three other babies with excellent humidity, lots of plant cover, a generous hide and water dish, and warm. Its a small Petco, maybe half the size of a normal store, and I am glad to see they don't follow the trend of improper care. Now, if only I could get them to stock more f/t small rats...

[Velrys]

Then by all means, Vel, since you're in AZ go down to HQ yourself and tell them no one gives a flying pig about the animals in their stores. Meanwhile I will enjoy the sunshine that is obviously only shining on my side of the rainbow.

Keep enjoying it i guess, I've spoken with a district and regional manager and after i got guarantees from both that something would nothing ever did. Hope your store stays the way it is.

[jasonmcgilvrey83]

I once found a tank with 7 corn snakes in petco and noticed there was a dead one. I told a workers about it and all he did was take it out and throw it in the trash. So I told him I was going to call corporate and let them know about the conditions of their reptiles and how they are treated. I rather get and animal from Craigslist then PETCO. I won't even shop there anymore.

[Murse]

My local stores are all pretty good. I even bought a baby "normal" ball python 3 weeks ago. My Petco has a "hot" keeper that was very nice. My Petsmart has a gentleman that appeared knowledgeable and followed their policies by the book.