I am really angry and disappointed right now.

There is a family owned pet store blocks from my house.
We have been going there since I was in middle school and bought products and services for all our pets over the years. The owner has always been friendly and knowledgeable.

After reading all the threads about Rep Cal Dry Iguana Food, I wanted to try it out. So today I went to the store, and two young women were there.
I asked one lady for the product. She couldn't find it, and so she turned to the young teen (?) for help.

Now mind you--I am only like 5 feet away. But in a loud, exasperated voice and condescending tone she sighed and said: "Why don't you just tell her to take her a@$ to the grocery store and feed her iguana a bunch of lettuce!"

And I almost lost it. It took every ounce of strength not to make a scene.
I said she was rude and unprofessional, and I explained that lettuce was nutrient deficient. She totally ignore me, and said: "Well, just don't feed them bug." And she quickly disappeared to the back room.

The other lady remained, and so I said: "Please don't tell your customers to feed iguanas just lettuce."
She looked me up and down and said: "It's okay as long as it is mixed with other things like a bunch of spinach and carrots."

At this point--I really thought my eyes were going to roll out of my head.
Very nicely I tried to explain why those other things shouldn't comprise the bulk of an iguana's diet. She just nodded, but I knew she was just waiting for me to leave.

For the completely rudeness to me and also for future iguana owners seeking diet advice, I want to go back and talk to the owner tomorrow, perhaps even bring some caresheets. OR maybe I'll wait until I completely calm down.
Because honestly--never had I wanted to slap someone so much.
Thanks for letting me vent.

We have all been there. Some people you can educate and some will never let themselves learn. All you can do is present them with the facts and it's up to them to listen.

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Answers are great. But I prefer questions!

Visit me at www.jaysreptiles.com

You can only do what you can. I have tried to help both of the pet stores here in town. I actually got removed from one pet store......the other I ONLY go into when I can't get hubby to go for emergency supplies. I went to buying everything online between big city visits every couple of months. Hopefully the owner will be more open and sympathetic...but don't be surprised if you get the same from him.

I actually wrote an editorial on pet stores and their lack of good information several years ago for the local paper. I now do a very small column called "Just For Pets" where I make sure when research is needed not to count on the pet stores. Get good literature and look online.

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Veronica
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Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~

Oh wow!! I probably would have smacked her myself. Then when it was done I would have politely told her to remove her @$$ off the floor, and then explained the proper iguana diet as I was awaiting the police to show up and arrest me, lol.

So do not take my advice, it will only leave you needing a lawyer, lol.

Good luck!

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I have sucker tattood on my forehead

After being spoken to in that manner, THAT "employee" would not have liked ME very much!
I would have a serious heart to heart with the shopowner!
I would inform him that his employee was intolerably RUDE and DISRESPECTFUL to a customer, using foul language to you and it upset you.
Not only that but the fact that she was giving out totally erroneous information in that attitude!
If I was the shop owner there would quickly be a loud THWACK!"
That would be the sound of the door hitting her backside as she headed out to go looking for another job!

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Merlin,
What's Life Without A Little Magic!

Jay: I'm happy..and sad to know that I am not alone.

Prism: Lol! That is awesome! Yeah---looks like online shopping is the way for me too. But this whole situation has got me thinking about more proactive ways I can help...I'll start researching any options.

Nicole: LOL!!!!!!!
Okay, here's the thing: I am a lawyer, and so the WHOLE time I was thinking: "How can I smack her and get away with it?"

Merlin: I think I just might have a talk with the owners, who have always been patient and helpful. It's a whole day later--and I'm still very upset.....ok--that's an understatement: I'm out for blood!

The ancient chinese warriors would on a daily basis, pound their knuckles on a hard stone or a piece of iron to deaden the nerves so when you really had to knock some sense into someone, It doesn't hurt as much! LOL

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Git'er Done!

I would take a care sheet to the shop owner.

I had something similar like this happen. There was a display tank on the counter at my local shop. Normally it just had a single fire belly toad in it named Frank. I went to say hi to Frank on my last visit and I noticed Frank had some new tank mates. A cuban tree frog and a white lipped tree frog.

I talked to the lady behind the counter and explained that both the cuban and the fire belly give off toxins from their skin and it would be best to either leave frank by himself like before or remove frank and the cuban into separate tanks. She kind of huffed at me and said she would look into it.

I went back yesterday and sure enough, frank and the cuban were gone and it now had a few white lipped tree frogs in it.

Go and talk. Explain and prove. You will get much further than if you had a shouting match.

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My name is Liz
Do what's best for the animal, not what's best for you.

So you're a lawyer huh? Send them a polite letter on your stationery explaining that the rude treatment you received has caused mental anguish and trauma. You may also want to explain that their husbandry advice is tantamount to animal cruelty.

Just a little legal "nudge" to get them thinking about store policy.

Oh... do they have caresheets available? California law requires that they do. If they don't... you could address that fact in the letter too.

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~~Steph

"This I believe: That the free, exploring mind of the individual human is the most valuable thing in the world." John Steinbeck

I like your way of thinking Steph! The laws for pet store animals are kind of tricky, though. Because these are only temporary holding conditions they are only required very minimum basics or food, water and vet care if sick. It doesn't state that the food be the best of the best. Maybe the owner doesn't know this, but I would bet he probably does.

I didn't know care sheets were required for CA pet stores though! Let's hope other states follow suit soon.

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Veronica
,,
/_^.)///////////,,,,,
...\\\_#_#_#_//_#_#_#_#_#_£_£_&_&_
..._//......_\\
Exotic Animal Rescue of Henry Co.
~~Rescue - Rehab - Rehome~~