MUST READ: What to do when you visit a crappy pet store!

[ChameleonMom]

This subject has been a bit of an issue for me this week; I've read multiple stories on the forum and on Facebook about disgusting cage conditions, lack of proper lighting, humidity and feeders and general lack of correct husbandry in pet stores in various parts of the world. Some animals are even found dead and the pet stores just don't care! We all know the bottom line is profit and if the pet stores can cut corners, they will and its the lizards & reptiles that suffer.

I have been thinking of what could be done; start a campaign to have legislation passed that will protect our animals legally; begin visiting various Pet Stores and report the conditions to the Batter Business Bureau; start a letter writing campaign to the Head Offices of the big box stores to advise them of the proper care of reptiles and arrange an educational seminar for their stores; my last thought - begin a smear campaign on offending pet stores (legally this will be difficult!) and 'out' them! In trying to come up with ideas I've been doing some research and found the following (fantastic) information on our own forum, in the Health Section; Veterinarian Resources. Here is the link: http://www.anapsid.org/pettrade/index.html

There are other links at the bottom of this article that are equally interesting and helpful and I thought that if anyone else was as interested as I am in trying to educate these big business reptile killers, maybe we could come up with a plan!

Even if you are not interested in saving those living under horrible conditions in pet stores , the information is very intersting and sHould be read simply as an FYI .

Thanks for your interest!!

 

[StreetMoggy]

I am always reading horror stories about pet stores, I've seen some on this forum, and on the bearded dragon forum I browse.
Personally, I have yet to have such experience, and I'm in a pet store almost every week getting feeders.

The local university is head of agriculture for all of Ontario, and also specializes in veterinary science so that COULD have some influence on how the community and stores view animals, but that's just a thought.

If I did see a condition I didn't approve (and if the store is super busy then I might give the the benefit of the doubt that they just haven't had the time yet)
I would speak to a manager. POLITELY
I also work in retail, and manage a department, and let me tell you, if a customer is being rude, then it's very hard for me to bow down to them...even if they are right!

but companies want you to come to their store, don't think they don't. So have a conversation, and I bet they will welcome the feed back. It's also good if you can try and find something to complement the company on as well.

If I went back, and things didn't change, than I might start a local petition (one of those "is this the kind of thing we put up with in our town???" kinda things),
and explain to the same manager that I really think they could do a better job.

 

[Barb]

On the tortoise forum I belong to, we have this kind of subject come up often about not only petstores, but also craigslist ads. My first comment to someone complaining about the care of any animal is as follows.

Did you offer some guidance? Ignoring to offer some polite, constructive non-judgmental advice is not helping the tortoise or it's new owner. They (person selling) it will pass on the same poor info they probably were told.
Don't forget, it has only been a few years that the majority of correct info has been available. I mean this in the nicest way, but to complain about someones care without offering some friendly advice does nothing and is pretty much just as bad. Email them some friendly info. Tell them about TFO. Even ask if they would pass on the sites and/or advice you have given them to the new owners. (Wish them luck and say good bye- pertains to CL ads or any ad, not stores. Stores need to have continued guidance until they change the conditions) Now you have done something to help that tortoise. (Whether s/he takes it or not, is not on you. Again, Ads., stores, you continue until changes made) Doing nothing, is on you.

Now, we have had great success doing the above with petstore. Even a restaurant with aquariums got an education from one of our members and made great changes. I have gotten great feed back and (thank you's) from many CL ads I had kindly gave correct info too. Not all feed back has been good. However we have had more good then bad. Some places it took a little more persistence then others, but if you don't give up, give nice corrective critasisium, and references to places that they can look up and actually read that your info is correct and theirs is not, many changes will take place and many animals can be helped. We definately have found that you can get more accomplished with nice helpful suggestions then plain quick care lashing.
We have also found that most animal welfare agencies do not know enough about reptile care to know the difference from good to bad care. Plus they are so busy and short handed, your better off doing the above and will get quicker responses.

 

[ChameleonMom]

Thanks for your input guys! This issue is a huge bone of contention with me and I do believe educating the companies is key!

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