S.O.S

[Seany]

Hi... I have a very important question for you all. My wife and I had a day off together and decided to go to the Reptile Museum in Hicksville, NY.
I can only describe what we found there to be shocking borderline criminal. The Reptiles were ALL underfed, some of them had no water and by the looks of it haven't had their cages cleaned in years.
They have a petting area where people can hold snakes and lizards. a lady that was helping us (a volunteer working there) took a snake out for us. When noticing it was in the midst of a bad shed (again, no water...) she ripped off the dry skin!!!
There was a turtle in a big tank... at least I think he was in there as he was surrounded by dead fish... at least 20-30. there might have been a couple of live ones, the water was too green to tell for sure. I pointed this out to a worker there and all he did was shrug and say (they like dead fish, it's easier to catch.)
I have many more stories like these... freezing cold snakes with almost no heat, I can just go on and on...
What can I do to stop this???!!!
Please help me... I was in tears...

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[Woapalanne]

GAH!! That's horrible [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_frown.gif[/img] Try writing a letter to the management of the museum. If you don't get a response, call. If that fails, we can all send them letters until they're annoyed enough to do something [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_wink.gif[/img]

How far do you live from said museum, btw? And is there really a Hicksville NY?!
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[trinitywolf]

You can write the museum a letter...but you should call your locale branch of the A.S.P.C.A. and let them know. File a formal complaint against the museum for the condition that the animals are in. The ASPCA will check the situation out and that should at least let the museum know that someone is seriously watching the condition of the animals under their care!

Keep us updated on this one!
Good luck!

Ted
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[Seany]

I live 30 minutes away from Hicksville, NY. and yes, it's really a place [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img]
as for your idea, I will write A.S.P.C.A right away and keep you posted. I've had friends go there and they all came back with horror stories... I just didn't picture I'd find what I found there.
they have a web site, www.reptilemuseum.com. maybe you can find a way I can deal with them through there.
Again, I will write them and contact the A.S.P.C.A as soon as I can.
Thank you for your support, do you think I could start a petition here if other things don't work?
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[Seany]

Ok, I just e-mailed the ny branch of the A.S.P.C.A enforcement@aspca.org
I'll keep you posted.

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[Woapalanne]

*cheers* Go ASPCA! -_- I didn't even think about them - I keep associating them in my head with rabbits and cats...
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[Seany]

I hope they do something. ARG! I can't tell you how mad I was/am...
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[Dr.Oviparous]

please remember to keep us updated! GGRRRrrr
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[phaedrus]

Is Hicksville near Commack - where the real Amityville Horror house was rumored to be located? Or was that another Urban legend thingie? The house, not Commack, that is. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]
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