The local petco...

[millertime89]

I know what you're all thinking, with a title like that, this can't be good, well it isn't.
They have these three ball pythons (used to be four, I think they sold one, kinda hope they did because that would mean its hopefully in a better home). They "look" really nice, some nice orange mixed in with the yellows and browns. Here's the enclosure...
http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq191/KKMpunkrock2011/2012-02-20_17-05-15_921.jpg
Apparently the tanks are set up by their "vet". Yeah right...
Anyone wondering what substrate they're on? So was I, so I went and found it. Its this stuff.
http://i447.photobucket.com/albums/qq191/KKMpunkrock2011/2012-02-20_17-07-23_432.jpg
I asked to speak to a manager, the employee asked why and I explained the complete failure in husbandry and he said he would pass on my concerns to his manager. I think I'm going to back in tomorrow and see if I can speak with the general manager and their "vet".

edit: only reason I went in there was to buy cypress mulch since the hardware stores are all out for whatever dumb reason.

[Bradyloach]

Wow that's said... I use the same stuff for my ferrets!! N

[Gungirl]

I have to say that I would be happy if the petco near me kept their Royals in that nice of a set up... Yes that is the wrong sub= straight but the one near me puts 5-8 in a 10 gallon or smaller with a tiny water dish that they wouldn't fit in if they wanted to. Also I have spoken to them about old sheds, poo and all sorts of other issues. So If I where you I would be kind of happy that is the only issue seen there.

[alessia55]

Oh, Petco....... :no:

[CK SandBoas]

Are you kidding me??? Pellet litter????

[Caylan]

I'm not positve, but i don't see the problem with pellet litter... How they keep snakes in general though is rather appauling... But I had my first ball pythonset up similarly and he thrived, plus he was way smalelr then any of those balls. He could curl up on the hydrometer lol. But what I do want to say... theres really little point in trying to get them to change their ways. They think they know best and will do what think whether we say otherwise or not... Just realize most snakes don't stick around at petstores very long, and hope they go to better homes... all I can do now, I've done what I can, and my mom was the manager at the place... all I managed was to have a boa constrictor sent back to edmonton...

[millertime89]

the sad thing is, last time I went in the only problem with their husbandry was that they were keeping 3 or 4 in one tank.

That is a bad cellphone pic, but there's uncleaned poop and urate in there, old shed, and all 3 of them had stuck shed. I'm honestly not sure if they were all 3 alive. I think I might've seen one move its head slightly.

[youngster]

I'm with Caylan, it's obviously not ideal but how bad is it really?
We use newspaper. *shrug*

[DragonsEye]

I'll admit to being curious as to the consternation over the paper pellets. As Eli mentioned, many folks use newpaper ....

Personally, the first thing I noticed was the lack of any hides.

[millertime89]

There was a jumbo hide in the corner, and I mean huge, maybe suitable for an adult BP.
There are so many chemicals in that stuff. First thing on the list was "baking soda". Hell you can even see it in the picture I posted.

[Skumbo]

we should hold an annual "go to your local petco and tell them how bad their snake enclosures are" awareness day xD

Luckily the only pet store near me is a family owned place and they have one employee whose sole job is to take care of the reptiles, he has all the snakes in proper enclosures with enough paper towels to hide under/etc, are all heated decently well and whatnot. they have a really nice boa in an awesome custom cage that's usually hanging around or soaking or whatever every time I go there (for feeders, ~$1.25 for anything a hopper or smaller and $1.50 for anything up to an adult rat, not bad)

I wish all pet places were like that place, there would be some happier animals in the world methinks.

[Lankyrob]

I would guess those pellets arent exactly good for humidity either :no:

[Skumbo]

the worst part about these kinds of places selling snakes is there is almost zero chance someone who comes in and buys one wont think "oh that's an appropriate way to keep the snake".


there has to be some kind of class action animal abuse lawsuit that can come from EVERY petco not treating their reptiles correctly. They need to enact an all-encompassing standard for proper snake care, every other company has to do that for certain things to ensure consistency, why is petco exempt?

[DragonsEye]

Hell you can even see it in the picture I posted.

Not without my glasses. ;) Yep, had not noticed that.

[millertime89]

the worst part about these kinds of places selling snakes is there is almost zero chance someone who comes in and buys one wont think "oh that's an appropriate way to keep the snake".


there has to be some kind of class action animal abuse lawsuit that can come from EVERY petco not treating their reptiles correctly. They need to enact an all-encompassing standard for proper snake care, every other company has to do that for certain things to ensure consistency, why is petco exempt?

the thing is, I've been to other PetCo's where they do treat the animals right, and this one local to me usually has acceptable (if not ideal) setups. So if the community were to go this route, how would he identify specific stores?

[Skumbo]

the thing is, I've been to other PetCo's where they do treat the animals right, and this one local to me usually has acceptable (if not ideal) setups. So if the community were to go this route, how would he identify specific stores?

*shrug* if they're doing stuff right that's a good thing.. but if you have a lot of customers across a lot of stores complaining about animal housing, the higher ups will take notice, my father is a franchisee and he hears about any consistent issues with customers, no matter how small.

Petco is a franchise, so they have franchisees who most likely look over 5-20 stores each, usually within the same areas, so if one are has all good petcos, usually its the franchisee's doing as they are in charge of all the hiring/firing of managers/etc.

This will apply to bad ones as well, they will hear from each manager that people are complaining about their reptile employees and will order them to make it right at risk of losing money.

[Strutter769]

I had a similar experience today. PETCO had three (3) Ball Pythons in what was maybe the equivalent of a 20L enclosure, one hide, a bowl of water (big enough for one of the snakes) with an aspen substrate. Worse, each python had a significant amount of shed retained. When I got to the checkout I asked, who takes care of the reptiles and amphibians. "We all do." she said. I politely said "Well you're not doing a very good job on the Ball Pythons." After explaining to her the above, she kindly smiled and said "Ok, thank you."

We'll see. One of us is in the area pretty often, so I'm thinking of appointmenting myself Secret Shopper, and check in on those BP's.