Petco, Bad Exp!

ReticRave · #1 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 07:23 PM

Well I go to Petco ALL the time for supplies. Hides, UV bulbs, bedding etc. I'll be honest I never look at the animals much. Mainly because If i do i'll want to take somebody home LOL! Well the guy was rambling about a new clutch of Columbian Red Tails. I had to tell him I had snakes err. So I say ok I'll look just so he'll leave me alone. I went over and they had a heat rock in the tank O.O. The guy talking to me swore up and down It's fine. Then I explained and then he said it wasn't a heat rock lol?? I know what a heat rock looks like you could (no joke) see little waves of heat coming off. It was WAY to hot for them. They have like a 10 gallon rack. They were babies but I was counting they had EIGHT baby red tails In a small 10 gallon. Then the frickin heat rock took up 3/4 of the cage. So they couldn't really get away from it. At this point I walked away, there the nearest store to me with some great supplies. I'm not about to ruin that for MY snakes because there lack of knowledge. I'll just leave and let It go, theres nothing more I can do. Then I've been wanting one of there African Fat Tail Gecko's for SO long lol. They had this one omg she was huge but the markings on her hehe so pretty. I passed because they wanted $59.99 and I promised I wouldn't bring anybody home. Well they had 2 more new one's big like her. So now there were 3 or 4 big Fat Tails in a small 10 gallon. At this point I was getting REALLY upset! I know the value of space, I'm a freak about it (sorry lol). I have BIG snakes anybody could understand I'm judgy about enclosure size hehe. Just my "thing" of all weirdness. But you have to admit, there enclosures are way to small. So then I told the guy and he said they have little cages because there sold so quick. LOL I was ready to soil myself laughing. I came in 2 weeks before hand and they had the SAME female fat tail (I picked her up, just incase your wondering how i knew it was a female). Which is strange, because most of the time Petco doesn't get adults in. Then oh lordy, they had like 3-5 Bearded Dragons in a 20 gallon tank, one looked like he was semi-adult. Prolly a little bigger than 1/2 a foot. So I asked how much they wanted for them because there was no sticker. I'm like that, I see a animal in need, I buy it and take it to the vet. I didn't get 6 snakes out of the sky LOL.

Working the places I have, you get an act for wanting to help them out. Its just not right to me sticking your nose up and walking away. I never due, because the thought of what my Nora girl was put threw. Its like I give grace to her by taking in unhealthy pets and regaining there health

. I know its stupid and not much. But I think it does, and all the animals got placed in good homes in the end. So then were blabbing and I said for the size of that Dragon him ALONE should have about a 35 gallon tank or so. Almost full grown he needs a big tank, an adult requires a 55 or larger. But 3-5 in a small 20 gallon NO way! Then he said its a 30 gallon. Thats odd because that 20 gallon your displaying on sale is the same size lol? Thats weird huh? Then he started rambling and asking me If i was going to buy an animal or not. I said sorry got 6 snakes at home that need me. At this time I can't handle more animals, specially one's that look ill. As much as I wanted to take one of the Bearded Dragons or Fat Tailed Gecko home. I couldn't afford the extra vet bills at this time. I'm not about to put my babies out because I wanted to save another animal. What If it dies or gets one of my others sick? Thats not fair to my babies, and I'm not about to put out there vet care in expense for a sick animals vet bills. Sorry for long ranting. I've always respected Petco, but now, no way! You can't tell me they can't afford the care, there a multi-million if not BILLION dollar company! They can pick up a few vet tabs. My friend bought a Leo Gecko and they gave her that little slip to sign blah blah. The girl put down there "vet". I told her, I'd call lol and ask them If they bring in any animals. Or if any he's seen were sick, I think she would have the right! I mean she would need to know If the animal she took home was in contact with other sick animals. Or Is sick. GRR stupid high chain worthless stores!

Brandon28 · #2 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 08:15 PM

Yup...There are threads full of these stories. Petco sucks when it comes to live animals! There are hundreds of petitions going around to stop them from carrying live.

C.Frankenstein · #3 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 08:23 PM

That's terrible.

Surprisingly, the Petco in my town is rather good when it comes to their reptile care.

The PetSmart, however, is disgusting.

I know what you mean about wanting to buy reptiles in need, though. It's not easy to have a big heart.

ReticRave · #4 (**permalink**) 02-09-2008, 08:31 PM

lol yeah. I was like, Petco's a good story, why's everybody hitting it up. Then when i found out how bad they did treat the animals. I wanted to go to the store next door and buy a hand gun LOL! Then the guy turned the story around when i corrected him. Don't think the blonde hair means anything buddy. You just said that, and when i protested you changed the story? Duh, how wouldn't i know that!

Jane · #5 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 09:36 AM

Ours doesn't seem so bad. We've got people who don't appear to be there merely for the paycheck. I got my boa there and have never [yet] had a problem with him four years later. The reptile guys here seem to have experience with reptiles and helpful advice.

ReticRave · #6 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 02:10 PM

Don't you wish they ALL were like that lol? This girl was trying to get a little Leopard Gecko for this people. I believe the little guy hissed at her and she started screaming lol. I was oh brother, I can tell she knows nothing about reptiles. "I Don't Want It To Bite Me!". Lady its as big as your index finger WITH tail. Believe me even if he did bite you it wouldn't hurt. 2nd he was warning you because your scaring him. As much as I'd love to work at Petco (all the animals

and stuff to goggle over). I wouldn't be able to put up with idiots like that all the time.

_Sam_ · #7 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 04:20 PM

haha, those little tough leos, they're always trying to scare you. I can't beleive someone would scream at that though...

and yeah- petco sucks, but not as much as the pet suplies plus that's around here. They mix species like none other. (juvi bearded dragins with hatchling leos?!?) grrr. petsmart isn't horrible, but it's not fantastic either. They rarely carry snakes, mostly tree frogs and little lizards/geckos and some baby tortoises.

ReticRave · #8 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 05:09 PM

Yeah our PSP hardly gets in anything but Fish and birds lol. Some Hamsters, Ferrets, Rabbits Chinchilla's you get my point. Fuzzy friends, but not many reptiles

.

Icicle · #9 (**permalink**) 02-10-2008, 05:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReticRave

Yeah our PSP hardly gets in anything but Fish and birds lol. Some Hamsters, Ferrets, Rabbits Chinchilla's you get my point. Fuzzy friends, but not many reptiles

.

What is PSP?

Our Petco has a couple of people who know there stuff about reptiles.
And they know what the correct way to house the gecko's and the snakes.

I had one little lady tell me she would never set her private tank up the way they are forced to in the store.

and she agreed the baby leo gecko's should be on newspaper and not the vita-sand. and the main office forces them to.
When I go in to buy my frozen rat for Sammy once a week the do sell a lot of leo's
I'm not condoning nor do I support there People. just the main office has them tied by the nuts.( hope thats ok to use )

ReticRave · #10 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 05:06 PM

PSP means Pet Supplies Plus, Its a petstore. Thats what a lot of people (atleast alot i know lol) call it

.

morti · #11 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 05:37 PM

I hate to be the bad guy but:

If you keep buying from them, they will keep restocking (Overstocking) the shelves with reptiles. It sounds cruel to say that it is better to let animals die in their care than to "rescue" them, but the truth of the matter is you have to speak their language. Death = loss of profit. The single best thing you can do for All animals in general is not to go anywhere near any PetCo (even the "Good" ones) and tell everyone you know not to as well and why.

Grass roots movements are more effective locally than large movements.

If you want quality reptiles, buy from a breeder. If you want to help reptiles in need, adopt from a shelter or rescue. If you want to support the poor conditions and sustained ignorance, buy from a Big-box pet store.

BTW... if you are doing it right, there is not a single "Pet Supply" that you need for your reptiles that you can't get at your local Big Box home supply store and/or "Super store". It'll save you money too.

/rant

vfoerster · #12 (**permalink**) 02-11-2008, 05:39 PM

Petsmart is a little better but horribly not well enough. Petco and the big chains no longer get my buisness Period. I know it won't be enough to put them out of buisness but still I don't even walk in there unless I have no other option. I hate to see there animals they all look so sad. Almost wanted to buy all of there snakes just so that they would have a good home. I agree with Morti though.

Jane · #13 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 04:27 PM

The rant rubbed me the wrong way a bit (with all due respect) but he has an excellent point. If you disagree with what they do, I wouldn't shop there. He's also right, if you think about it, about the supply thing.

morti · #14 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 04:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jane

The rant rubbed me the wrong way a bit (with all due respect) but he has an excellent point. If you disagree with what they do, I wouldn't shop there. He's also right, if you think about it, about the supply thing.

Wow... and I thought that was one of my tamer, less insulting rants.

Jane · #15 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 04:39 PM

Lol, I know you mean well and are very knowledgeable. It's harder though, when you don't see (or don't think you see) the bad others are talking about, you know?

justine · #16 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 05:23 PM

last time i went to a pet store the people in the reptile section looking at geckos thought i worked there. "whats the best lizard for my son?" hahaha.... "not one from here, here's the business card to the repexpo...." then i proceeded to sell proper aquarium supplies to the lady standing behind them. both couples seemed surprised to find i didnt work there LOL

owen.richards · #17 (**permalink**) 02-12-2008, 05:33 PM

at the petland near my house they had a tokay with a golden gecko, and a marble gecko. The golden and marble gecko were practically huddled in the corner to get away from the big tokay. Everytime I am there they have Leo Geckos and African Fat Tails together. They are too stupid to realise that just cus they have the same body shape, doesnt mean they can live in the same climate. They always have the AFT's and Leos in a desert set-up, and usually 2 adult leos and 2 adult fat tails, the leos look alright, but the fattails look like there clinging to life. The cages in the reptile section are ALL about 12"x24"x24", they are a Zoomed Display cage rack, and every animal has that small sized cage, usually 4-5, 8 inch beardies in one cage, 3-4 water dragons in another, 5-6 baby corns in another, the leos and AFT's in another, and a bunch of critter keepers crammed into another cage, with assorted turantulas and millipedes. They usually have several ball pythons in a 1'x2'x2' SCREEN enclosure too, for $249.99 each

_Sam_ · #18 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 01:07 AM

holy jeebus!?! a ball python for $250? that's how much my boss sells his pastels for.

wow.

owen.richards · #19 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 01:24 AM

yup, and you could go down the street and get one from us for $99

Stigma · #20 (**permalink**) 02-13-2008, 01:59 AM

they have ball pythons at my local prtco for 79.90...so it depends on where u go...its like morti said...supply and demand...they are in the RETAIL business..

i paid 179 for my BCI from petco and i hear most people only payin $99 - $140 so it just depends on what sells quick for em...the BOAs prolly sell quicker...so they up the price...

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