Quote Originally Posted by Pug50 View Post
Do we know why these animals are so poorly cared for in these chainstores? You'd think it would make business sense to get on top of this, and I'm surprised animal welfare groups aren't hitting them harder.
Unfortunately here in the US the animal "rights" groups (think lobbyists) manage to pull more cash from donors than the groups truly involved with animal welfare and rescue efforts.

At the very least, they should be sending care sheets to the stores with the animals (for staff use, but maybe also to give to customers?). Or do they do this, but they are ignored by bad or over-worked staff?
I'd have to find it again, but the last big box store care sheet I found for ball pythons had so many inaccuracies it was essentially worthless.

Frankly I'd just as soon the big box chain stores stop selling reptiles completely. They carry tons of dry goods for dogs and cats, but good luck purchasing a dog or cat at one of these stores. If they carried more reptile supplies but no reptiles I think they would be more profitable overall.