Petco

[Aria2999]

I agree about the vet thing. I would never own an animal of any kind, including snakes, if I couldn't love them enough to take care of them. We were at the vet almost every weekend with our last one because she just wasn't right. I know the importance of a vet.

Aria2999
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[Aria2999]

I know these kinds of snakes are expensive, but you don't have to pay 300 dollars right out of your pocket at first. We have thermostats, a 20 gallon inclosure, and almost everything else needed. I have done more research then you are eveidently aware of. I have even done many reports on RTB's in college. I know what I am getting myself into. I am not a child and I know how to take responsiblity. I want a snake I can handle and will be affectionate towards me, my biologist husband informed me that RTBs are great first snakes. Maybe you should do some more research....

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[wendybird]

>>Maybe you should do some more research....

perhaps i should, like i said, i am a newbie too, and may not know what i am talking about. obviously i have offended you, i was by no means suggesting that you were ignorant or a child, i actually said that you sounded responsible and concerned, the fact that you are here asking questions means a great deal, so i was sure you would be a great snake owner. i just didnt know your reasons for wanting that particular snake or how much research you have done, it seems like it would be a perfect snake for you: this is why i was careful to say <i may be mistaken...> it is just in the last week, i have heard of two rtbs dying, one because the owner couldnt afford the electricity to heat it, so he stopped and it died of a RI and the other was simply put to sleep because it got too big, this is a trajedy and should not have happened. now that i have heard more from you i am not worried, but you never know who you are hearing form, it could be someone like you, or some one who just wants a big snake to scare their freinds. i am sorry to have offended you, i honestly didnt intend to. as for them not being great first snakes, that was what i arigionlly wanted to get, but was told by many people that it was not a good choice... i was just passing along what i felt was good advice, but obviously i knew much less than you do and it was just not a good choice for me. the reason i was told not to get them was mostly because of their size, and therefore the fact that i coldnt handle them on my own, they would need a big enclosure etc. but you and your husband can help each other etc, i live alone. so, like i said <i could be mistaken><maybe you know more than me><i dont want to offend you> by suggesting a corn etc i was not suggesting you were a child, to someone a knowlegable as you it might have sounded patronizing but it was not meant this way. also, my ball python is incredibly affectionate, i had no idea snakes could have that much personality until i got her. obviously though rtbs are good for first snakes, and i was mistaken, i apologize

**stepping off soapbox**

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[Aria2999]

I am sorry to have flown off the handle. I'm 6 months pregnant and all I have heard since we found out is how I don't need to get a snake and how it will eat the baby....of course I know these are myths. I had a RTB and it died in 2 months due to a parasite infection caught at the pet store. I go to another website, in which one of the monerators manages a Petco, so it is a little biased. That's why my husband said to try this forum. Losing our first baby snake was so hard, it has taken 3 months to consider another one. When I held him at petco, I cried and couldn't give him back. My husband had to take him from me. We want another one so bad. We know they get big and we think that is what makes them neat! I'm glad you are so passionate about the care of these beautiful animals! I only wish everyone was so loving!
Once agian I am sorry....I think we have decided to buy from a breeder. The breeders here are so much cheaper!!

Aria2999
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[pincess_wy]

Not only is the cost less, but it seems you are sure to get a better animal. I have never actually purchased a boa (all mine are adopted,) but I know if I were in the position to be looking I'd buy from someone who actually cared! Plus it's nice knowing the background of the animal you're purchasing. I'm sure any good breeder could provide you with birthdates, feeding schedule, etc.... and you know you can always go to them for help with your baby. [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif[/img] Just my opinion....
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[mirabelasunshine]

Aria -- you've got mail. We have 5 babies left, not bottom of the barrel at all. You can see their pics on the "bci babies -- $60 each" thread in the "Trading Post" forum. Good call not buying from Petco -- I'm sure among the bunch of us here, you'll find a snake you like, in good health, at terms that suit you.

- Matt
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[Dr.Oviparous]

ok, I'm going to say what *almost* everybody else already said: I would not buy an animal from petco. I try to stay away from petshops as much as I can. I really would suggest buying from breeders here on RTB. I've bought 2 RTB's off RTB, BOTH I am extreemly happy with, were shipped VERY well, in great health, and I got a great deal. the Tegu I just got from petland was bitten by a LIVE mouse they were feeding it, so it now has a huge scar right on it's nose. I also got ripped off. even after proving to the owner that he was selling a black tegu (tupanimbus teguixin) not a black and white (tupanimbus merienae) he still insisted on selling the tegu for the price of the black and white (I wouldn't have bought it, but it's a long story......). the beardie I bought from a petstore was sick and almost died.

WECOME TO RTB!!!!!!! glad to have ya, stick around, this community is the BEST!!! -Juggalo
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[Shrub]

Everyone else has pretty much covered everything but I thought I'd chirp in..My first snake was also a PetCo bought and unfortunately I didn't find this site in time to stay away from petco..my RTB died 2 weeks after purchase from petco, so definately do not buy from there..a breeder is 100 and 10% better than any petco on this planet, even if they appear to be clean and take care of their animals, they are still a corporation out to make a buck.


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[impermanentrage]

<TABLE BORDER=0 ALIGN=CENTER WIDTH=85%><TR><TD><font class="pn-sub">Quote:</font><HR></TD></TR><TR><TD><FONT class="pn-sub"><BLOCKQUOTE> they are still a corporation out to make a buck.

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Precisely. Not only are they a corp out for a profit, they will at times cut costs to an animals detriment, so as to increase said profits.
Also, if you are at all environmentally conscious, you'll no doubt be aware that purchasing animals of unknown origin is supporting WC animals which are invariably mistreated during transport, while simultaneously supporting the exploitation of wild fauna in central and south america. Not to mention the myriad of other problems, either medical , or ethical.
Breeders rarely make much money, if any, by the sale of CB reptiles. In essence they are simply trying to support their own addiction/hobby. Importers make money, breeders rarely do. Importers don't have to ensure healthy animals, nor do they have to rear them, care for them, provide food for them, housing with importers is temporary and crowded at best . Usually in small , cramped , cold cages with various other fauna which more than likely harbor parasites that can , and often do , reach critical levels.
So there's really never an excuse to support an institution that subscribes to theses paractices as legitimate, or &quot;just business&quot;. Nor do i really care whether or not one member of the branch uses appropriate husbandry practices. Comparitively better, or otherwise, these corporation's existense proliferates at the expense of an undereducated consumers pocket, and at times, emotions.
Entropy,
Alex

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&quot;We are destined to become the most well informed society to ever die from our own ignorance.&quot;
Edward Abbey

oh my Been having some fun with the ole pet store controversy I see huh ? Weell here's a few more cents on the subject...


I for one have &quot;tried&quot; to educate as may store personal/owners/mgrs. as possible whenever I have come across problem areas while in a store. For the most part the information I have given is taken and utilized. The only store that seems to NOT get it is the Petco located in Taunton, Ma. [ I have to go there when I can not find pinkies anywhere else locally]. I have had to go there for the last 3 weeks in a row even at this point. Each time I have spoken with the person doing the reptile area [ YEAh I have tried the mgr but either not available or the person hasn't a clue who it is exactly ususally.] I have also been told recently [ last week] that the person who is in charge and over sees the reptile area &quot;knows his stuff&quot;..AHEM...yeah right. Let's see.. Some of what I have gone over in regards to reptiles in the last week's time is...

**White's Tree frogs are NOT meant to be brown in color , they are GREEN. This came about after my 8 &amp; 10 year olds pointed out to the person working reptiles that there are 2 dead White's Tree frogs in a cage and all the rest of the 20 or so of them [ that were being housed in the eqivalent of a 10gallon?? appx.] are stressed out. I went over the proper care of them as well as pointing out that they do require water in order to live also [ water dish was bone dry]. [ BTW.. The person also informed me that these were NOT the only reptiles he has had to remove from caging today that were dead. he said he had removed something like at least 6 other reptiles which were dead today also].

**The cute lil turtle in the aquarium is NOT an ornate boxie, it is a MAlayan boxie. NO it is nOT a chinese boxie either. Malayan Boxies ARE an aquatic ss of the asian boxies. YES they should have UVB lighting just as should the Red-eareds and painteds that are being kept in the same aquarium.

**It is NOT a good idea to house a Tokay, red-sided skink, Leopard Gecko , Croc gecko and anole in the same enclosure. Also the enclosure should be larger than that 10 gallon?? appx. cage. YES they also need water in order to survive.

**Housing appx. 15 ball pythons in the eqivalent of a 20 long?? cage is NOT appropriate at all. YES they also need water in order to survive. Might want to throw in some hiding areas for them also. YES I would say that they seem to be stressed a bit.

**Iguanas also NEED water , as well as humidity to survive. NO it is NOT a good thing for them to have feces ALL over their food like that. NO it is NOT healthy for them to have layers of retained shed on them. YES , someone needs to treat the mouth infection that one has going for it ASAP. [ BTW, my kids pointed these things out to them].

**EXCUSE me....[ said to a customer that an employee was answering questions for] BUT NO A Tokay is NOT a good choice for a child as a pet. Sorry but I tend to disagree that it is. [ This was for a child about 4 years old Arghhh]

AND YES .. Every time I have to go into Petco..I do just about the same thing. I do it nicely BUT to no avail it seems. I think I am quite ready to file a complaint with the local F&amp;W, ASPCA or whatever it takes at this point.

BTW.. I have sent an email off to Petco through it's website ...They couldn't be bothered to answer it at all.
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[mirabelasunshine]

Do a search in the forum archives -- I've posted elsewhere how to reach the CEO directly, at home. His name is Brian Devine. He lives in Rancho Santa Fe, California. I've posted his address, and I think his home phone too. This kind of thing isn't as hard to find as you'd think.
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[holbeinjenn]

Originally Posted by Aria2999

We got a Petco today. They have a Columbian Red-tail. Beautiful! Is Petco a good source for boas? I held him and he was warm, lively, and had a very active tounge. In addition, they had a heat rock. Aren't these bad? We ARE going to get another boa, but we were wondering if an OTH (like a fishtank, but with 2 bulbs) or a clamp lamp was better. We want to do everything right this time. ( the sales person frowned at the place we got our last one, I guess they have a well deserved bad rep).
Please respond quickly, we really want one, but we don't want to rush into it.

Aria2999

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I wouldnt buy a paper bag from petco!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[herper5676]

see, this is why i hate working for a corporation. i feel inclined to defend the petco i work at (NOT neccesarily all of them though; a TOKAY to a four year old? I wouldn't suggest any rep as a pet for a four year old let alone a tokay)
ANYway just to let everyone know, my store isnt like that...i spend more time talking people out of buying reptiles than i do selling them. i try to get a feel for the customer, and a few things rule out a potential rep owner....

1. they are buying the animal for a child only (twice as true if the child is under 13 or so) and everyone else in the house is scared of it. Who will take care of it if/when the kid loses interest?
2. they try to bargain with me i.e. when i tell them what size cage an animal needs, they say something like, "O well couldn't i keep him in here just temporarily?" NO. Unless i see you walk out of my store with the right sized cage, how do i know you will ever get one? i'm not dooming a beardie to a life in a 10 gallon.
3. Same goes for heating/lighting. I use this as a factor to convince them NOT to buy the animal sometimes, like i'll start showing them our overpriced uv lights and heat lamps and pretty soon, when they are looking at spending 300 or so, they decide not to get one after all.
4. my store wont even sell iguanas. (i think this one speaks for itself) I am constantly AMAZED at the idiocy of the average iguana owner. Most of them are purchased at flea markets with no advice at all on how to care for them. These people dont know what they eat, that they even need heat, or uvb, or especially the fact that they can get 6 feet and are moody at that.
4. The first thing out of my mouth when a customer asks about an animal, wanting to buy it, is usually either "Do you know how big these get?" "These guys bite-HARD." "Have you ever had a reptile before?"

Bottom line, after working there for as long as i have i can get a feel within about the first 5 minutes whther or not someone would be a decent rep owner...and if they dont pass, they dont get the animal. All the other specialists (birds, fish, and small animals) have their own sort of "screening process" as well. As for how well my animals are cared for, well, my department's never had a complaint since i've been there, so that has to say something. Having 50 or so animals to care for is a big responsibility, and some people cant handle it or dont bother finding out about the animals they have to care for. i did. i went through a six week training course to become a specialist, and i still research research research. Reptiles are a constant learning process.

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