Big Pet Shop Chains vs Local Pet Stores

[nazanova]

I have a query for you guys. So I fed my Corn Snake Pluto this Sunday gone a 1.4g pinky, but the Munson feeding plan says that you should feed a Corn Snake between 4-14g (Pluto is 9g) a 3g pinky, so obviously 1.4g is considerably lower. I got this pinky from a big chain pet shop so my question is should I be buying Plutos food from the big chains or local pet stores? Or does it make no difference and maybe this was just a one-off?

[sgtsnake]

I always try to find small local reptile stores to purchase everything from them if I can. If I must then I will hit a big box store for something

[eminart]

Originally Posted by nazanova

I have a query for you guys. So I fed my Corn Snake Pluto this Sunday gone a 1.4g pinky, but the Munson feeding plan says that you should feed a Corn Snake between 4-14g (Pluto is 9g) a 3g pinky, so obviously 1.4g is considerably lower. I got this pinky from a big chain pet shop so my question is should I be buying Plutos food from the big chains or local pet stores? Or does it make no difference and maybe this was just a one-off?

Every pinky in every store started out really small and got/would have gotten larger and larger until it was/would have been a fuzzy. They could be any size in any store. If the pinkies are too small, ask for larger ones. If they don't have them, go somewhere else, or feed two at a time.

But, personally, I always support the local stores when I can.

[nazanova]

Originally Posted by eminart

Every pinky in every store started out really small and got/would have gotten larger and larger until it was/would have been a fuzzy. They could be any size in any store. If the pinkies are too small, ask for larger ones. If they don't have them, go somewhere else, or feed two at a time.

But, personally, I always support the local stores when I can.

Yeah I was just seeing if there was a significant difference at all between stock in local pet stores or big chains. Thanks for the advice

[nazanova]

Originally Posted by sgtsnake

I always try to find small local reptile stores to purchase everything from them if I can. If I must then I will hit a big box store for something

I have been thinking about it and I guess I should be helpings the little guys out and when you think about pet store owners may have more care then the big chains. Thanks for your reply

[aaron_cg]

If I have to buy something from a pet shop, I prefer a smaller chain, or my local vendors like JPM Reptilia, etc... As far as Rats grow, I breed my own so I know what they are eating, plus I have 7 personal snakes, and at any given time 5+ rescues.

Definitely support local over national, and never buy am animal from a petco or petsmart. Only re-enforces them treating the animals badly for profit.

[StudentoReptile]

Better yet, find someone who breeds rodents in the area and buy directly from them. Believe me, there's always a few.

[nazanova]

Originally Posted by aaron_cg

If I have to buy something from a pet shop, I prefer a smaller chain, or my local vendors like JPM Reptilia, etc... As far as Rats grow, I breed my own so I know what they are eating, plus I have 7 personal snakes, and at any given time 5+ rescues.

Definitely support local over national, and never buy am animal from a petco or petsmart. Only re-enforces them treating the animals badly for profit.

I think I'm definitely buying from local shops from now on then. Thank you.

[nazanova]

Originally Posted by StudentoReptile

Better yet, find someone who breeds rodents in the area and buy directly from them. Believe me, there's always a few.

I never even thought of that, something I'll definitely have to look into. Thanks!