I'm boycotting PETCO

[DavidBuchan]

THIS is how to affect change! It won't hurt the store much if you refuse to by an animal but still buy supplies there. If you are going to boycott them you need to refuse to buy ANYTHING! They make their profit from supplies, not animal sales. When I boycott a store or chain I do it entirely and send them a letter explaining why.

That's half the way to affect change (ok, so it's a capitalist democracy, just like us ). There seems to be disagreement about the laws.....but you have different state laws......which seems to be the most likely state to make and enforce an animal welfare bill like we have?
California? Bunch of hippies over there, right? Oh, wait - the Governor is still Arnie? Send him loads of letters telling him not to let inept pet stores terminate Chameleons/exotic animals? Worth a try?

 

[DavidBuchan]

I have seen many veileds for sale in various Petcos here in NJ. They are always sickly-looking, and always have the setup you describe! Not to mention their other reptiles are just as bad. And their birds! It made me sick to my stomach. I have personally boy-cotted them a long time ago, and it's sad that other locations are just as bad.

Texas Ranger does have a point in that the employees really do have very little say. Strict guidelines in large corps meant to curb merchandise loss make it impossible for any employee, even store management to change policy on store displays, etc etc.

**However, these large companies seem to go in the complete opposite direction when it comes to dogs and cats - to the point that Petsmart and Petco (in our areas, at least) do not even sell puppies or cats, and instead are crazy about adoption - in the attempt to assure their customer's they stand strong against puppy mills, selling sick dogs, abuse etc. Yet on the other side of the "adoption loving-eco warrior-super animal friendly" part of the store you have a big glass box of lizards, like some 1800's World Fair attraction.
That's because these companies have been BLASTED by animal rights groups, anti-abuse movements and everything else until they STOPPED selling sick dogs and cats. Otherwise, it would still be profitable and they would still be doing it.
It's just the "save the lizard" movement isn't as big as the "save the puppy" movement... yet. The more we converse about things like this, and the more we complain to anyone who will hear it, the better the chance is for change.

Those are my thoughts, anyway. lol!

Agree completely, so where do we sign a petition?

 

[KarmaChams]

Ha, thanks! This was a good thing to bring up. Here, I guess! These huge chains need to completely revamp their thinking - take advantage of the countless number of shelter reptiles and go the adoption route - hire people (in management and corporate) with real knowledge of small animal care who are enthusiastic about animal life - or stick to being a supplies store, which is fine and great in and of itself. Something! They won't budge if not pushed!

 

[hbskeet]

So true...I myself have turned a cheek but when I saw those chams like that it hit a soft spot. The worse thing is I appiled for the manager position a couple years back and to see that was horrible. I mean even as an employee, take pride in the animals under your care and if you see something wrong fix it or ask if you can fix it. It doesn't take very long to add a vine or two, maybe put some water in the dripper, something....

 

[PeriTanz]

I have seen many veileds for sale in various Petcos here in NJ. They are always sickly-looking, and always have the setup you describe! Not to mention their other reptiles are just as bad. And their birds! It made me sick to my stomach. I have personally boy-cotted them a long time ago, and it's sad that other locations are just as bad.

Texas Ranger does have a point in that the employees really do have very little say. Strict guidelines in large corps meant to curb merchandise loss make it impossible for any employee, even store management to change policy on store displays, etc etc.

**However, these large companies seem to go in the complete opposite direction when it comes to dogs and cats - to the point that Petsmart and Petco (in our areas, at least) do not even sell puppies or cats, and instead are crazy about adoption - in the attempt to assure their customer's they stand strong against puppy mills, selling sick dogs, abuse etc. Yet on the other side of the "adoption loving-eco warrior-super animal friendly" part of the store you have a big glass box of lizards, like some 1800's World Fair attraction.
That's because these companies have been BLASTED by animal rights groups, anti-abuse movements and everything else until they STOPPED selling sick dogs and cats. Otherwise, it would still be profitable and they would still be doing it.
It's just the "save the lizard" movement isn't as big as the "save the puppy" movement... yet. The more we converse about things like this, and the more we complain to anyone who will hear it, the better the chance is for change.

Those are my thoughts, anyway. lol!

Kudos. Time for the "Save the lizards" movement to get some acclaim.

 

[Brandon10]

Not only is is the Reptiles, but the Saltwater Fish. I have never seen such a waste of such beautiful animals. Every time my wife and I go in there, we go look at the marine fish so that I can pick out all I see wrong with them. Oh lets see, Ich, black velvet, aggressive species housed with peaceful species, pop-eye, you name it. THEN the idiot that takes "care" of them wants to try to give people pointers on how to take care of certain fish. REALLY?! Petco pisses me off on more than one level. And to think that most of these fish were wild caught, swimming nicely on a natural reef, just to die in a Petco 12"x12" display tank!