Petco

[squeekz1992]

So I went to Petco today.

They had a Jackson's there, had to be about 6 months old, He was laying in the Cocoa fiber substrate. They were using gauge thermometers and hygrometers. He had a water dish and no vines. He had a bearded dragon type basking tower.

I said "Mom. Something's wrong" so she got the guy, asked if I could hold him and the guy said no. Then my mom said "Well, she has had two chameleons in the past and I have to say she's worried about him"

The guy said "Oh, You have experience?? You can try to get him out I just thought you were one of those people who just want to see"

I told him why I was worried and he goes "well, he's been moving around all day." I said "But he's been on the ground the past 5 minutes"

I held him and he was really light, seemed dry too...Idk Jackson's that well, but I didn't think they were supposed to feel very dry(more so than a Panther or Veiled) His eyes seemed fine, and he was active once out of the cage. He was so skittish though. I know Jackson's are more fragile than Panthers or Veileds I was just worried.

Well, it turns out the guy who I was talking to wants to buy him. So He asked my what I thought and I said "He feels skinny. But other than that I think he's stressed and needs a better enclosure" The guy kept inquiring so I kept giving info, and he asked "what do you feed them?" So I gave him info, andtold him if he buys the baby to join the forums because it's great and helps with everything.

Hopefully he takes my advice, but that poor Jackson's was so stressed and unhappy

 

[maxttu]

Good for you! Hopefully this guy will take your advice and nurture this cham back to 100%! One cham at a time!

 

[Barb]

Very sad though if the guy works at Petco and doesn't know anything about the animals they are selling. Good for you though for filling him in. On the tort forum, I stress all the time. If you see a bad situation, say something and try to educate. If you don't, your just as guilty as the person (s) giving the bad care. You did good.

 

[squeekz1992]

I felt awful for the baby. He felt really weird and Idk. The guy seemed genuinely interested in learning but it broke my heart

 

[chameleonfan101]

Yeah I hate seeing chameleons at Petco or petsmart I tried writing a care sheet for there costumes I included their products so it would be easier for them to let me hand them out there. I left them there and I went back the next day and they had taken them down.

 

[squeekz1992]

Yeah I hate seeing chameleons at Petco or petsmart I tried writing a care sheet for there costumes I included their products so it would be easier for them to let me hand them out there. I left them there and I went back the next day and they had taken them down.

My guys care, but corporate is just a bunch of douches but Petsmart is better than Petco in my town. They go against corporate when they have chams. But it breaks my heart

 

[KatelinLovesCommah]

Petsmart

I am proud to say that I work for the Petsmart in my town. Fact is that's where I got my (healthy) vield, and how I got most of my inital Cham-advice. My petsmart's pet care manager is the most knoledagle pet person I know. She educates her staff thoroughly and we truley care about the animals.

Lets try not to judge those working for "corperations"... yes, Petsmart sets rules for us, but NEVER ones that adversly harm the animals. They just give us the tools we need to caretake for all the animals in our care. It's the people that are working in those corperations/stores (aka- the store staff) that make the decision to achually care about the aniamls, or to not care.

I have another pet store in my town (a locally owned buisness) and they constantly try to sell me HUGE crickets, dubias, and hornworms for my 4 month old chameleon and 3 month old beardie. They always tell me it'll "be okay". Obviously they know little about reptiles and are just looking for $. Their conditions are horrible, too.

All in all, Don't just judge a pet store by its name

 

[lovepicasso]

I am so glad that you spoke up for that baby and with all you told that employee maybe the poor thing will have a chance...thank you and I'm hoping every time any one sees something like this, we and I will speak up and make sure things are corrected for the care of these sweet little reptiles.

 

[dom1959]

how does that saying go...
"it is not knowledge if not shared"

i was touched that you shared and cared enough. good job by you!

 

[squeekz1992]

Thanks guys! I tried to be really nice, and I hope it worked. They always have chameleons at my pet stores, but they don't always take proper care of them. I made a huge difference at Petsmart, they even took supplies off the shelf to use for the chams. They keep them in the back and let me see them all the time. Its awesome

 

[Neonchams1]

Thanks guys! I tried to be really nice, and I hope it worked. They always have chameleons at my pet stores, but they don't always take proper care of them. I made a huge difference at Petsmart, they even took supplies off the shelf to use for the chams. They keep them in the back and let me see them all the time. Its awesome

2/3 stores in my town have oustalet's chameleons, they take good care because their private owned by reptile breeders. Then we have petsmart, which totally treats their animals like crap, they had a panther chameleon that my sister rescued. I went to buy it with my sis, I asked what locale it was and she started yelling at me saying their is only one type of panther chameleon and stuff, I'll post a pic over the holidays so you guys can hopefully help me figure it out since my sister is dropping to chameleon off with me while she goes to Hawaii (she's 24 years old)

 

[squeekz1992]

2/3 stores in my town have oustalet's chameleons, they take good care because their private owned by reptile breeders. Then we have petsmart, which totally treats their animals like crap, they had a panther chameleon that my sister rescued. I went to buy it with my sis, I asked what locale it was and she started yelling at me saying their is only one type of panther chameleon and stuff, I'll post a pic over the holidays so you guys can hopefully help me figure it out since my sister is dropping to chameleon off with me while she goes to Hawaii (she's 24 years old)

I know there are really good local pet stores out there, and a lot of bad ones too. I just hate how some stores just really don't care. Its really upsetting to me

Hopefully we can ID him for you

 

[SarahcoadunatioZac]

I went to the petco in town, not the one I used to work at. They had jacksons, females with males. Female was in constant stress colors, skinny and sluggish. Likely about to die. Turns out the female veiled that I fell in love with about a month ago but couldn't afford died about a week later.

Petco doesn't get my business anymore.

 

[Decadancin]

Sending out a few letters...

I know that this has been a recurring theme, and not sure if this will help, but I am going to send a couple of letters out to the corporate offices of the chain stores. Most of these places have bird enclosures, small mammal enclosures, etc., but tiny little glass cages for their lizards. To me, if I were a store owner, I would want to showcase these animals and offer items that will help with successful keeping such as screen or ventilated enclosures. Doesn't it make sense that a living animal will bring recurring business and a dead one will bring a refund? With some basic starting tips, many people will be able to make the right decisions when choosing a pet and be very successful.

I am going to post the letter in a blog, and if you would like to send out some letters as well, feel free to post them in the comments section. I will post the corporate addresses as well so it will be easy to send. Maybe if enough people speak up the CEOs will take notice.

 

[little leaf]

Thanks guys! I tried to be really nice, and I hope it worked. They always have chameleons at my pet stores, but they don't always take proper care of them. I made a huge difference at Petsmart, they even took supplies off the shelf to use for the chams. They keep them in the back and let me see them all the time. Its awesome

we have a petsmart a few towns over, and I do have to say..the do a pretty good job of taking care of their chams - they dont have them often, but I do know if ANYTHING comes in sick or hurt, it does get care - not just stuck in the back to die - I have adopted a few animals from them with health issues - and was given the vet records for some of them - my first was a one eyed water dragon ( I seem to have a thing for one eyed critters ) and whats more- they do not charge for these animals, and also ask what you know about them - so its not like just anyone can go in and get "free" animal - but it must be a "store X store" thing as to how they treat the sick/injured animals - and it may be just a lucky thing for them that they hired a few ppl who do know about chams- I was there a few weeks ago, a lady WAS going to buy her son a small male veiled - they knew NOTHING about chams- the employee explained that a cham may NOT be the best choice for her son, so basically they lost a sale that would have brought more $ to the store, but she did end up selling them a bearded dragon - I was so happy to see this - so my hat is off to the Petsmart in P-burg - but the many other pet shops......
I think your letter is a GREAT idea because they do however keep them in little glass cases ( but they mist them, and have a small fan running to keep the air flowing , and correct lights)

 

[squeekz1992]

I went to the petco in town, not the one I used to work at. They had jacksons, females with males. Female was in constant stress colors, skinny and sluggish. Likely about to die. Turns out the female veiled that I fell in love with about a month ago but couldn't afford died about a week later.

Petco doesn't get my business anymore.

That is just plain stupid! They even have signs that say "due to overpopulation we only sell same sex animals at any given store"! That's just awful...

 

[squeekz1992]

I know that this has been a recurring theme, and not sure if this will help, but I am going to send a couple of letters out to the corporate offices of the chain stores. Most of these places have bird enclosures, small mammal enclosures, etc., but tiny little glass cages for their lizards. To me, if I were a store owner, I would want to showcase these animals and offer items that will help with successful keeping such as screen or ventilated enclosures. Doesn't it make sense that a living animal will bring recurring business and a dead one will bring a refund? With some basic starting tips, many people will be able to make the right decisions when choosing a pet and be very successful.

I am going to post the letter in a blog, and if you would like to send out some letters as well, feel free to post them in the comments section. I will post the corporate addresses as well so it will be easy to send. Maybe if enough people speak up the CEOs will take notice.

I love that idea! I am really good with words, but when it comes to spoken word stuff I'm awful lol. I get so nervous! It does make sense to showcase the animals. I wish I could work at my petsmart because I know I could make a huge difference, but I might get fired lol.

 

[Decadancin]

I love that idea! I am really good with words, but when it comes to spoken word stuff I'm awful lol. I get so nervous! It does make sense to showcase the animals. I wish I could work at my petsmart because I know I could make a huge difference, but I might get fired lol.

You would need a bigger house for all the friends you would bring home!

 

[squeekz1992]

we have a petsmart a few towns over, and I do have to say..the do a pretty good job of taking care of their chams - they dont have them often, but I do know if ANYTHING comes in sick or hurt, it does get care - not just stuck in the back to die - I have adopted a few animals from them with health issues - and was given the vet records for some of them - my first was a one eyed water dragon ( I seem to have a thing for one eyed critters ) and whats more- they do not charge for these animals, and also ask what you know about them - so its not like just anyone can go in and get "free" animal - but it must be a "store X store" thing as to how they treat the sick/injured animals - and it may be just a lucky thing for them that they hired a few ppl who do know about chams- I was there a few weeks ago, a lady WAS going to buy her son a small male veiled - they knew NOTHING about chams- the employee explained that a cham may NOT be the best choice for her son, so basically they lost a sale that would have brought more $ to the store, but she did end up selling them a bearded dragon - I was so happy to see this - so my hat is off to the Petsmart in P-burg - but the many other pet shops......
I think your letter is a GREAT idea because they do however keep them in little glass cases ( but they mist them, and have a small fan running to keep the air flowing , and correct lights)

That makes me happy I'm so glad that some petsmart do the best they can. I think Leslie and John (my petsmart reptile people) finally won and got to put the Jackson's in 18x18x24 or something bigger than those glass boxes

 

[ChameleonMom]

I buy crickets from my local PetSmart every two weeks and often when I go in they will have new chams. (They know me so often they will hold a cham back thinking I may want to buy it. Right now they have a beautiful female panther with the most gorgeous coloring that they are trying to get me to buy!) however, they are kept in the little cubed glass terrariums! I always check to see what the conditions are like and being fairly outspoken I will always tell the reptile staff what needs to be changed. One thing that really bugs me tho' is that there is ALWAYS a standing water dish with various pieces of 'stuff' floating in it! I am constantly telling them to remove it, to no avail. Generally, other than that they keep pretty good care of the chams they get in! Another thing...my PetSmart has a low turnaround in staff in the reptile dept. so the people who work there have been there for at least a couple years so they know a thing or two. I think when you have stores that have a large turnaround in staff they don't seek out staff who necessarily know anything about the animals they are selling, they just want the shifts covered!

Good on you for speaking out Squeekz...it's starts with just one, right? Also, I'd be interested in distributing letters to the corporate pet stores in my area. I think that's a great idea!!