Rescuing a ball python from a chain store?

[ReptiMoto]

I just took a visit to my local PetSmart and they had a hatchling bp that was skinny and has a bad shed. I told the person working there but they didn't seem to care much. I didn't take any pictures but was pretty sure it was a pastel listed for $34. Any opinions on saving bp's from these chain stores? On one hand you are saving a bp, on the other you are helping the pet store...

[Hannahshissyfix]

A sale is a sale and as well intended as you are it only adds to their supply and demand and will just be replaced by another unfortunate snake. If you want to make a difference the best you can do is stop giving chain stores your $ and attempt to educate the employees but for the most part they have no control over poor corporate inforced policies.

[bcr229]

A sale is a sale and as well intended as you are it only adds to their supply and demand and will just be replaced by another unfortunate snake. If you want to make a difference the best you can do is stop giving chain stores your $ and attempt to educate the employees but for the most part they have no control over poor corporate inforced policies.

This. All you can really do is contact their corporate HQ about the condition of the snakes, and spend your money elsewhere.

Fortunately anything you can find at the big box stores you can find online, usually for better prices even with shipping.

All that corporations understand is $$$$$. They have to start losing money before they will change their policies.

[StillBP]

All you can really do is contact their corporate HQ about the condition of the snakes, and spend your money elsewhere.

Fortunately anything you can find at the big box stores you can find online, usually for better prices even with shipping.

All that corporations understand is $$$$$. They have to start losing money before they will change their policies.

This and keep in mind anything you buy from a breeder will be of better quality than petsmart

[PitOnTheProwl]

That's not saving or rescuing. That is just purchasing.

[Eric Alan]

This and keep in mind anything you buy from a breeder will be of better quality than petsmart

To be fair, there are plenty of crummy breeders out there, just like there are plenty of quality animals that can be found in chain stores. Due diligence on behalf of the buyer is a must regardless of where a potential purchase comes from.

[Jabberwocky Dragons]

This and keep in mind anything you buy from a breeder will be of better quality than petsmart

Where do you think petsmart buys their ball pythons from?

[Rob]

Where do you think petsmart buys their ball pythons from?

Mostly large importers. Beats me why anyone would buy a $20 snake from what I see not in the best condition for $200.

[ReptiMoto]

I heard they buy them from overseas

[Willowy]

The big-box stores here get their morphs from semi-local breeders. They'll tell you who if you ask. Probably the normals come from importers though, idk.

They put a sign on the enclosure that says "locally bred!" I don't know what they consider local. . .probably Minneapolis, lol. The sign isn't up all the time so they must get some from importers and some from breeders.