PETsMart Impressed me

[SerpentLust]

Wow, I was so impressed when I went to petsmart in Barrie the other day. I went to look at the herp section and in each gecko enclosure they had a very innovative way to make humid hides that were not only functional and practical, but they were visually pleasing. Furthermore, talking to the girl working in that section, she really knew her herps. She showed me the Fat Tails, and the only thing I didn't like was that not one of them had their original tails, but I mean, for all I know, there are many reasons for that to have happened. The Fat Tails and Leos all appeared healthy, she was very friendly, so all in all, very happy :D

They're reptiles seemed to really know her and were accustomed to her, I was very impressed. So I went and bought my Kingsnake a new hide! lol

I just thought I'd share that I was happy to see a pet store taking good care of their animals :)

Jenn

[LISA127]

wow. that is impressive. i always get so angry cuz our petsmart will not give humid hides. and absolutely no one is reptile knowledgable. they give out all the wrong info. to customers, and when im there i give the customers the right info. lol i think it upsets them, but oh well!

[HetForHuman]

Originally posted by SerpentLust
and in each gecko enclosure they had a very innovative way to make humid hides that were not only functional and practical, but they were visually pleasing.



What was the way they did this and what did they use?

[Wuntu Menny]

Its good to hear some positive testimony about a bigbox store every once in a while. I certainly can't be so generous regarding the local outlet. It makes a person wonder why they can't take that best case and use it as a template for the other stores.

WM

[SerpentLust]

HetForHuman: They had those rock bowls that alot of people get for water dishes. And they had a big one on the bottom and then a smaller one covering half of it vertically. Then they had the bottom one filled with damp sphagnum and the geckos were all hiding comfortably in there and the top one was their water dish. It was really quite a nice site and it worked.

The only flaw I could see was that they may have to remoisturize it moreso than if you use a tuperware container :)

Jenn

[HetForHuman]

Sounds like a good idea, but i think ill just stick to the rubbermaids ;)

[drewlowe]

That's good news to hear. I have 3 petsmarts around me and 2 of them are good. They keep a low amout of herps and the care given is very good. Haven't seen a problem yet, and hope i won't.

[V.hb]

the AFTS you saw were probably wild caught, which usually leads to the tail problem. probably didnt even happen in the store.

[SerpentLust]

V.hb: Exactly, so as I implied, I can't really pass judgement on the store for the tails because these things happen.

[Invictus]

It most certainly is good to hear nice testimonials with all of the abuse that's out there in pet stores. We have a few big chain stores here in Calgary that do an exceptional job of taking care of their herps. One example is the Northeast Petland location here. Their water dragons are kept in huge, extremely moist enclosures, the snakes are kept one per cage (adequately sized) with hides, all of the reptiles are clean... it's such a relief to see. There are a few other stores here that do a good to great job with the herps.

[rwg]

I think the quality all depends on who runs the reptile section. I've seen some good ones and some poor ones, and it doesn't seem to matter much if it's a big-box or a mom and pop outfit. Get someone running it who is knowledgeable and cares about herps, and it'll most likely be a good one.

I have never been to a pet store yet that had proper caging for veiled chameleons. Even the good ones dont seem to provide adequate ventilation.

rg

[SerpentLust]

RWG: Actually I went to Paulmac's in Barrie that same day, and they had the Veiled Cham in one of those screen cages that are sold for chams, they gave it a dripper dripping onto a leaf which then dripped to a water bowl and they had vines everywhere, and it was generally a really nice setup.

[mykee]

Isn't it unfortunate that when we walk into a pet store and we see that the reptiles are given their basic requirements we're happy enough to proclaim it on a Forum? While we're on good pet stores, I would have to give a BIG two thumbs up to the reptile manager and subsequent area at the Superpet in Kennedy Commons in Toronto.

[Dragon_Slave]

That's good that you found a good PetSmart.

The thing I don't understand is that the employees try to sell you Calci-sand or Repti-bark, and it's not safe. When reptile carpeting is a MUCH better, safer option and around the same exact price! It's sooo stupid!

[Bartman]

I guess they dont have the knowledge of knowing that sand causses impaction...hey i didnt know until i read a lot of stuff on this site. Even if you hear it once, you dont really buy into it, but when you hear everyone telling you sand is bad then you will agree, and get something else. I guess they take care of the reptiles but dont have enough experience or that specific knowledge to know it causses impactions....anyways im happy to finially see a GOOD post instead of a..they did this and kept them like that kinda post. :D nice!

[skinheaddave]

Originally posted by rwg
I think the quality all depends on who runs the reptile section.

That plays a big part, but management also plays a role. I know of a couple cases where truly knowledgable employees have not been given the freedom or resources to make a difference.

Cheers,
Dave

[SerpentLust]

skinheaddave: Exactly, I was fired for it. lol The management told me that reptiles were not a priority and therefor I should water them and leave them be. If they're on sand, leave them on sand. Etc.

I was also yelled at for giving them hides because then the customers can't see them.

Jenn

[Vengeance]

I would have to give a BIG two thumbs up to the reptile manager and subsequent area at the Superpet in Kennedy Commons in Toronto

I too have shopped at that SuperPet and they seem to know what they are doing in comparison to some of the other places I've seen.

[TheRedDragon]

I'm very impressed with at least two petstore chains here in Calgary for the conditions that they keep their reptiles in. The animals enclosures are always CLEAN and they're NOT wading in their own feces, and HEALTHY. I really think that the pet stores here that keep their reptiles in concentration camp conditions (we all know who they are) should use that as an example on how their reptiles SHOULD be treated.

[Dozer]

Someone from the site works at Kennedy Commons SuperPet repti section. I wont give out his or her name, but I must agree with everyones comments about that place. Keep it up :D

Mike

[krrc]

I work at a petsmart and I must say I am very lucky to have an Immediate manger (which is the specialty manager) and a store manager that let me do what I need to do. also my specialty manager lets me order the reptiles so we get what we can take care of. (she isent all that well educated on the reptiles side of her job) I must say in the support or defense, depending how you look at it. that the people who are knowleageable about reptiles at petmart are at a dissavantage for two resons. the animals we order are mostly low qulity (although I did order two crested geckos that we are getting from sandfire dragon ranch and I had the option of getting a giant leo stright from ron tremper, but i dident because no one who shops at petsmart for reptiles whould have bought a $200.00 gecko. it was still tempting just to check it out for free :)) second the habitat is too small provides just about no venitaltion whatsoever, has a central lighting control with very poorly positioned lights and is extremely easy for house geckos to excape from. well enough rambling seeing as I just gave away petsmart's secrets and I'm going to get fired from my job :)