So I'm visiting home and figured I'd stop by one of the local pet stores. I noticed, among other things, that their red-eared sliders had a glass lid and that their "Asian forest scorpion" was really a female olive-keeled flatrock scorpion from Africa (BIG difference in care and habitat). The scorpion was also under a blacklight, which looks cool, but isn't good for the scorpion long term. I was in a rush and they were busy, so the next day I came back to inform them of their errors. Man, was I too late!

They had already sold the scorpion (for an insane $25 no doubt), and when I told them about their mistake the guy shrugged it off like he wasn't even listening to me. I got a similar response when I told him about the turtles needing a UVB light and a screen lid too.

And then, since they had hissing cockroaches for only $2, I got two, but when I showed him how easy it is to sex them (useful information I thought) he wasn't even paying attention. Plus the cockroach habitat had some dead and partially eaten roaches in it.

I hate these kind of pet stores. Just a rant really.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

I was just in one this afternoon...not quite so bad as that, but similar. They never listen, and they just don't care about how they care for or handle the animals. I once saw a definitely dying snake in one of the cages, and they informed me that it was simply shedding. There's a huge difference between shedding and dying ...they don't look anything alike

I've reported them and so have others, but it doesn't come to anything...

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~Juliane~

I hate those too. Especially when they clearly couldn't care less. Unfortunately, the chances are that the kid who bought the scorpion won't know the difference anyway. All too often they're seen as disposable.

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"Let's eat, Grandpa!"
"Let's eat Grandpa!"

Punctuation. It saves lives.

I feel your pain matt. I too hate petstores. Especially the big chain stores. (There is some humor there as I work at one of the big chains.)

As we were christmas shopping, I had entered a "Debbies Petland" in our local mall and saw a Ball Python in the middle of a horrible shed. There was a water bottle resting nearby so I stepped up on a stool and started misting the incredibly dry habitat. A girl that was no older than 19 came over and asked me to stop misting the snake, and informed me that it was in the middle of a shed. I then informed her that I was misting the snake because it was in the middle of a BAD shed, and attempted to explain why it was in a bad shed. She actually cut me off and said that if the snake wants to get wet, it will use the water bowl. lol

Needless to say, I got angry (it typically doesn't take much ignorance to set me off) and decided to make a nice loud announcement regarding how MOST of the animals in their care were not being cared for properly and that a snake should shed in one piece and not in pieces. Had this animal been given the PROPER care to begin with, I wouldn't be misting it in the first place. If you are going to sell animals, you should at least know the animals basic care. Apparently you people don't.

Angie just shook her head as by now everyone was looking at me and I had apparently got their attention. I finished with "I own 3 of these animals and your husbandry isn't even close to being adequate. Do a little research and THANK the person next time when they attempt to help keep your animals healthy. As I walked out I recall stating something to the effect of "$%#ing Morons".

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I may be joining you soon. I'm thinking of combining a part-time position at PetCo with another part-time job. In my experience though, the big chains are better than the locally owned stores in North Dakota...not exactly the exotic pet capital of the world.

I think I might go back and see if I can get a different employee's attention. I haven't checked out the rest of the stores yet.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

Good one Rich. If I'm in one of "those places" I like to linger around the reptile section and give my advice. I just eavesdrop and then when the store employee walks off I provide some accurate advice. I need to make up some Herp Center business cards.

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Mike
"Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you." - Mother Teresa

I've been thinking of doing that too, actually. It's really a great idea. You might even be able to persuade some pet stores to keep a stack of them near the register or something...maybe.

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+5 bonus points to whoever finds me a job!

"Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines." - John Benfield

I will try to toss together a small business card template this weekend that can be printed and cutout. I myself actually need to start carrying them as I write down our sites URL more than I care too. lol It would be much easier to just hand them a card with our URL. lol (It would have to be on the sly of course as my boss isn't even happy with me pitching HC as much as I do now. lol)

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When I start my Pet store you guys can all come visit and be amazed by how it is actually possible to provide adequate or even great habitats for animals, educate the people buying them, and still make a living... Matt even said he would come work with me!

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that way I get the 5 point bonus for getting him a job!!! ;P

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