(I'm going to do my best here....the nyquil is kicking in)

I confess...I was an mis-informed, uneducated impulse buyer of a bp! I've learned a lot but not nearly enough, yet.

In my case, I think everybody involved is/was to blame...

--I didn't do enough research and feel horrible about it!
We started off researching corn snakes but at the last minute changed our mind to a bp because that is what my son really wanted.

--The rep really should know more about what s/he is selling
I realize now that the rep didn't have a clue what he was doing/saying but pretended he knew all there was to know about bps
When we made our final decision we told the rep to go ahead and set us up with whatever we need. He even agreed to setup the tank so all we had to do was add water once we got it home. Basically we said "here is a credit card, hook us up". It wasn't until I found bp.net that I realized the set up was all wrong. But, he mimicked the tank in the store. This is where I blame the manager.

Management should be responsible for providing proper care to the animals prior to the sale. I'm guessing the rep followed in store care and procedures.

Corporate should care just as much about the animals they sell as they do the money they bring in. Sell better, healthier animals, educate customers, make more money. Is it that hard?

My sister is the type who will get an animal (dog, cat, lizards, whatever) and not do a bit of research. Her son's all have lizards and the last time I was there none of them had water or hides. I've even gone as far as doing research for them and begged them to give the lizards their proper care. But, my sister doesn't care, couldn't be bothered and probably won't spend the money for proper husbandry.

In the last 7 years she has had as many dogs and 3 or 4 cats, most of which were bought at pet stores for big bucks. With an exception of the two dogs and one cat she still has, she has given them all away after only a year at most. Even if the pet shop provided the necessary information on the breed doesn't mean that the owner will follow it. My sister is now considering on getting rid of her King Charles mix and Chow because her husband is going through Chemo. I pray to God that she doesn't get another! We can't afford to rescue any more of her pets!

Sorry to ramble on!

I will do whatever I can NOT to be like my sister! Unfortunately I started off on the wrong foot but have since spent HOURS upon HOURS on the internet to learn all I possibly can about Foster! I want only the best for her and will give her the best or find a better home for her if it has to come to that.

It would be great if there were laws protecting pets against poor owners before they actually purchased them!