So I applied at Petco...( rather long)

[RoyalGuardian]

Then don't expect to have your job for long. Chain pet stores have very strict rules as far as housing the "product" is concerned. The animals are given habitats that are sufficient enough for the animals to survive, but little else. There is really nothing you can do to impact the number of animals per cage. The stores lose all their profit in having all those cages cleaned and bedding replaced twice a week if each animal had their own cage. Ever think of why big breeders use more basic paper bedding in rack set-ups than expensive aspen in glass cages? If they kept all their snakes individually in "fancy" cages, they'd be in red ink fast. Thus Petco has given maximums per cage, and for ball pythons, I believe that number is 8. If you started to work at petco, and used up all the alotted bedding for that store housing the snakes how they should be caged, there will be no bedding left for the small animal cage cleanings, the animals that truly are sick and need to be set-up in wellness. Other animals that come in as overstock. Because each Petco is only allowed 6 bags of carefresh and 2 bags of aspen per week, and believe it or not... that's barely enough to get by housing the animals as is. Further tearing apart the habitats and putting even fewer per cage... you'd run out of bedding, quite simply. The problem is much greater than individual pet stores, but the bureaucratic red-tape of the corporation and loss prevention teams. Unless Petco was to purchase snake racks for their snakes (which they won't because racks don't sell all the other products as vivariums do), there is no cost efficient way to house the snakes. And the stores would have to stop carrying the snakes all together. Which is actually being looked at by Petco. There is a very good chance Petco will stop carrying animals all together. Many are losing their bird habitats, and most other animals sections are shrinking or "right-sizing". However, I believe this to be a very negative thing to the animal community, and even for the ball python community. How many new members to this site bought their first ball from a breeder? How many from a store like Petco? Petco and other chain stores are the cost efficient/easy way to get into pet ownership. And if the team is knowledgeable about the animals, they can point out that there are better ways to house animals to the customers while understanding the necessity of the current housing conditions. Not great, but could be worse. I believe there are individual stores that need work, just as in any business, but temporarily housing 8 snakes in one cage isn't the worst scenario. Keeping a snake habitat at a constant 86 degrees isn't necessarily a negative. If I'm not mistaken, there are quite a few keepers who do the same through space heaters and not heating individual cages. Thing is, if the stores followed policy, you'd find stores like the petco you visited (minus the anole, as that should have been spotted by an associate before a customer). When Policy isn't followed, you get stores like the Petsmart you went to. So, back to the original quote... Breaking policy means you won't be able to make much of an impact. Following policy, and helping customers gain valuable information is a much better use of time and energy on the animals behalf.

But... word of advice, don't skip class, you won't get anywhere in life with that attitude.

My schooling is none of your business. I am an adult and can handle myself. If I choose not to go to a class that I know we are doing nothing I will skip. I wasn't expecting everyone to flame on me. I'm going to do my best so that the animals get what they deserve. I can do Quick and accurate unlike some people. I am going to try my very very best to help these little guys out. These stores where I live, their policy is If it dies it dies. I AM going to change that. If I have to buy food for the snakes and a hide a log I will. If I have to go to the store on my days off to check temps and humidity I will. I DO NOT halfass anything I do and sir. If they cant pay for more cages they shouldnt have all those animals. I am going to help owners and potential owners so I know that people arn't buying them with out knowing what they are getting into. I will NOT stand by and watch innocent animals die for nothing. My policies are, Take care of the animals, instruct and help the owners, and by the gods I will save these little lives. I could care less about you haters. To me you arn't worth my time. If you arn't going to support me then you are against me and you are just as bad as they are. You SETTLE, you never ask for more or what it could be. I can change people, animals can change people. I've poured my heart out for these little beasts and I will do EVERYTHING and ANYTHING to help them. What do I suggest. DON'T GIVE UP HOPE! If I've learned anything in my life its that NO ONE tries harder than me if I put my mind to anything. So all of you thinking " Your going to be like all the others... your going to fail.. your not going to save any of them they are all going to die anyway." YOU have given up hope . Not me. NEVER. I'm not there for the money. I'm there for those little flicking forked toungs and those cute little tails. I will not stand by and watch animals suffer because of store policies. You can sit with your healthy snakes and feel sorry for those less fortunate. or you can be like me and actually try to do something about it.