Pet Store Safety?

[gay]

So the exotic pet store near my house is the pits. I've seen worse, but these animals here are still in unacceptable conditions-- it stinks, cages go uncleaned, the boxes they keep bp hatchlings in sometimes grow MOLD in them because of neglect... some ball pythons I can tell are kept in too-low humidity, because their shed comes off in little flakes, while others are much too wet. The employees seem to know nothing about what they sell and offer no care advice to obvious first-time owners. I was thinking of getting a job there, in hopes of improving the lives of some of these animals and helping new owners learn before purchasing pets. I'm worried, though, that their animals could carry mites. If I worked there, would I be running a risk of bringing parasites home to my BP? Is there any way I could work there and ensure she won't catch anything? I never plan to bring her to my place of work, but I worry.

[John Tobin]

From prior experience from massive chain pet stores, most of the things workers do (if they even are allowed to) is following a strictly written protocol. Unfortunately, going to get a job at that pet store probably won't do those animals any good.
I'm not so sure about if any parasites or diseases the snakes/reptiles/amphibians have will hitch a ride on you. Though workers don't handle the snakes frequently, if at all, and if they do, it's at the customer's request.

[gay]

I was hoping I could sneak in a little extra cleaning and misting. I'll probably still try to get the job if it's safe for my snake, and I guess if I get fired for trying to take better care of the animals... well. That's on them.

[tttaylorrr]

i wouldn't take any chances if i worked at a pet store. if i did, when i came home after work i'd immediately strip, throw the clothes in the wash, and shower off before getting near my snakes. that what i did after i went to NARBC.

[Lizardlicks]

You'd basically have to treat the store as being one giant quarantine protocol and follow the steps as tttaylorrr outline above. I also wouldn't go in expecting you can change things. If a store is that bad off, it's likely due to owner neglect.

[gay]

That's unfortunate, but I can definitely see what you mean. It is due to owner neglect-- this isn't a chain place at all, the guy who owns it just doesn't know how to handle them. Next time I go I'll just complain about the conditions they're in and see if that does anything.

[tttaylorrr]

Next time I go I'll just complain about the conditions they're in and see if that does anything.

that's not a bad idea at all. let the owner know that the animal's conditions are making you rethink supporting their business. money talks and makes people listen.

[Lizardlicks]

Yeah, if it's that bad off, I would honestly just complain to local official animal management type person of your area about the state of neglect and unhealthy animals. That's not just an issue for the animals in the store, but mold and feces and the like are health issues for the employees and customers that walk in there too.

[melcvt00]

Report it to your state's department of agriculture.

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