Your one stop reptile community

keller346 · #1 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 11:36 PM

I have recently went to another pet store because my regular one was out of rats (LOL). Anyway The name of it was Exotic Pets on hwy 60 Brandon FLA. When I entered it I knew something was wrong by the smell of the place and the sign on the door that said it was up for sale. Well I walked around looking at some of the cages and I was disgusted at the way they keep the animals. There was feces and mold in the cages. I was looking at the health of the snakes and most of them had mouth rot, caps still left on the eyes, stuff hanging out of thier mouths and even one was dead and had been for sometime. The only clean thing in the place was one mouse cage. The lizards were in very bad shape. A few look thike the wasn't feed for some time and others looked as if the tankmate had eaten thier leg. I told them about all the problems they had and they said "well the owner is selling it so he dosen't have time to take them to the vet." I asked to speak to the owner and they told me he was out of town on a trip. Well I don't have the money to save them all so I did get a few of them yesterday. I have lots and lots of work to do. Too bad FLA doesn't have a law against this. All they said they can do is tell them to keep better care of the animals which IMHO is a load of crap. Well just had to vent. I might be able to get pics.

haroldo359 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 11:42 PM

good job doing what you can. it is sad. i have seen that many times you can look at the lizards in a pet store to gauge how poorly the animals are being taken care of. and i agree that many states need to do more to make sure these things don't occur. i have seen some bad ones too.

John_White · #3 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 11:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by keller346

Too bad FLA doesn't have a law against this. All they said they can do is tell them to keep better care of the animals which IMHO is a load of crap. Well just had to vent. I might be able to get pics.

Not true! Contact you local humane society or SPCA. Also, animals kept in the deplorable conditions described pose a health threat to customers. Contact your local health department!

haroldo359 · #4 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 11:53 PM

good tip, john. you are always on top of things.

keller346 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2004, 11:53 PM

Tried that and and thats what they told me. Haven't tried the Health Dept though. Thats my next call then

keller346 · #6 (**permalink**) 05-26-2004, 07:51 PM

Ok the Health Dept. said they are going to send someone out Friday and want me to be there to show them the problems. They also said they are going to get the SPCA to come out there. Finally I get some help. I talked to at least 20 people from the Health Dept. and SPCA but I am getting it done. Went in there to take some pics today and I have to give them to the SPCA from what I am told. Well I have applied for my permits because I also noticed they had some baby alligators in the back room but don't tell people unless asked. They can't sell those unless they have a permit and only if it is to someone who has a permit to possess them. There where no permits displayed except the Biz lic. I looked at the laws in FLA and also noticed that you need a petshop permit also. Wel we'll see what Friday brings. Thanks for the tip about the Health Dept. John, that helped alot.

toker · #7 (**permalink**) 05-26-2004, 07:55 PM

Good luck! dont let them get wind of this or they will be all cleaned up by then... sad, but it could happen

herpkingdom · #8 (**permalink**) 05-26-2004, 08:58 PM

Another option is to get the media in on it. Call them and tell them about the situation. Let them know you are getting red tape from the departments that are supposed to handle this. See what they can do. Who knows, maybe you'll get your 15 minutes of fame.

Or call Oprah!!! Yeah that's the ticket!

I have seen local news stations do stories like this and it has a very quick effect. We have a lady here in Jersey called the "Tiger Lady". She has a tiger preserve on her property. Well she had one until someone reported that a tiger escaped. The local media came and not only reported the story but took a look around and reported the conditions, which in turn got her shut down. Sometimes the medai can be a useful tool.

Good Luck adn keep us updated.

Ravnos · #9 (**permalink**) 05-26-2004, 09:02 PM

I'd be absolutely amazed if the SPCA lifted a finger. They don't give a #$%^&#$%^&#$%^&#$%^& about reptiles at all. Of course, if there were fuzzy bunnies in there in bad shape, they'd jump all over it. If you don't get any action out of the health department, call Fox news. They will do a story on it, and then someone will have to do something. Why Fox? Because almost every other news station requires you to submit your story idea in writing like a week in advance. Fox will probably have someone out there in a few hours after your call.

Rav

keller346 · #10 (**permalink**) 05-26-2004, 10:00 PM

If the Dept. doesn't do anything then I will call the media. I will keep you all updated.

keller346 · #11 (**permalink**) 05-28-2004, 03:42 AM

Ok the update...They took about 10 snakes, all the lizards, a few rabbits, one dog, and gave them a court appearance. They also told them they would be back tommorrow and they had better have it cleaned...I drove by there and they are still working inside...JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED!
Oh and I have to be in court to testify on what I saw.

keller346 · #12 (**permalink**) 07-11-2004, 09:24 PM

They shut them down completly!!! The store is no longer in BIZ!! They took all of the animals and I even got to take a few of the snakes to care for. They have been fined a great deal one person was taken to jail and the biz lic has been revoked.. AT last some closure.

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