I got a gig!

[Strutter769]

Next Saturday, May 26th 10am-3pm @ the PETCO in Schaumburg, IL, Windy City Reptiles is putting together a mini (ok micro) "expo," with some of us hobbyists bringing in some of our snakes. I'll have at least one Mad Boa and of course a Rainbow with me. (Someone else is bringing a BCC.)

Really, really looking forward to this, especially since I couldn't get anything going for the inaugural Snake Awareness Day.

I'll follow up with pictures. (I heard you guys/gals like pictures.)

Just tryin' to do my part.

Stay tuned.....

Same Boa time, same boa channel

[Gungirl]

My only concern with doing something like that is you are promoting the store.. these stores do not take good care of 99% of the animals they have. You are also exposing your snakes to a lot of bad stuff. I know around me the " pet stores" are notorious for having mites and other things.

I hope it works out for the best but I would not be doing it.

[Valvaren]

Yeah I have to agree with Kat, as much as its nice to get out there and talk about things more people are just going to see it as "Oh wow I can get that from a pet store!" and really learn nothing. Also as Kat stated gods knows what you might risk exposing your animals too.

[Strutter769]

Well that's a bit of a downer. I brought it up to the group, and received replies that this is the reason we're there, to educate... the public, employees, whomever.

Other than hand sanitizer (and not attending), not handling their animals, what other precautions would you take? Should I PAM the tubs etc. beforehand?

[Trollbie]

That's exciting!!! Make sure to edumucate tons of people!!!!

[Lankyrob]

I think its a great thing to do - the more people that can be edumacated about our scalies the better :)

[SSSSnakes]

Where ever and when ever you get a chance to educate the public take it. I see very little risk of your snakes getting anything as long as you don't handle the stores animals. If you educate the people properly, most of them would not want to buy a snake from Petco anyway. Tell them about private breeders and the expos. I use all kinds of places to educate the public. I think what you are going to do is great.

[BarelyBreathing]

I think it's a great opportunity. Seriously, own it. If you don't handle the snakes at the stores and have anybody touching your snakes wash up first, the risk is minimal.

[Strutter769]

Awesome! I'm really looking forward to it. I just called Petsmart corporate offices to try and set up somethin' similar at the local store here. They said to expect a return call in 48-72 business hours. Nice.

[jarich]

Education is always a good thing. Plus, you never know, you might have a very positive effect on the pet store and/or some of their employees too. Go for it Strutter, and take lots of pictures!

[hellosugaree]

Education is always great. I think it's a fantastic idea. Don't put your snakes in the pet store cages and I don't think you will have a problem with mites. I wouldn't spray chemicals in the tubs a prophylactic.