Reptile Cruelty in Pet Shop?

[morgan.mac814]

I apologize if this does not belong in this category, but it does regard the health of corn snakes/living conditions.

I went to check out a reptile and aquatics store that I've never been to before, and was absolutely disgusted by the living conditions of the animals. When I first stepped through the door I was blasted with the smell of ammonia (it even started to hurt my eyes after a bit). But to keep this corn-related, I will just explain the conditions of their tanks. There were about 15 10 gallon tanks with 3 or more corns in them (all yearlings and small/larger sub-adults). They had no hides to go under and their water dishes either had very little water, or they had feces in them. The substrate was Care-Fresh bedding for small-animals and was completely saturated with the snakes' feces, so much so that the bedding was no longer fluffy, but instead compressed into a thin layer. There were also 2-3 sheds in each tank per single snake. Some snakes had mites, partial sheds, or damaged tails. When I asked what he was selling them for (maybe I could save one), the store clerk was asking $150 for normals and amels. I am so disgusted with how these animals are being treated and how they are being forced to live, but I have no idea what to do about it. I don't have enough guts to say anything, and most people do not think the same about cruelty to animals when it is in the case of a reptile. A life is a life.

Has anyone else encountered mistreatment like this? And what could I possible do to help them?

I tried to get pictures, but it was too dark in there and my phone is really bad.

 

[Alicia P]

I'd call animal control and report them. If you don't have animal control agencies in your state, then you can call the non-emergent number for either your local or state police. Tell them what you saw and ask where would be the best place to report the store for animal abuse/neglect?

 

[Skully23]

Some smaller owned "pet shops" end up that way. I have a local one that I have been looking at. I've got many photos too. Several people confronted them, sent a letter to the mayor, called authorities etc...Depends on how strict your area is with laws etc. Contact someone that has the authority to actually do something.

Spread the word! Get them noticed for their horrible care and outrages prices. Try making a bad BOI on fauna and try to get some pics. http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=884

Every time I say I want to help at least "one" in this situation, people come back and say it will only allow them to bring more into that situation. It feels good to help but in all honesty it is true.

Don't give in, don't give up.
-Skully-

 

[anerybree]

I was at a PetLand and was looking at their animals. Surprisingly, all of the mammals and birds were well kept and looked healthy and happy. And then you go back to the reptiles section.

Why is it so hard to take care of reptiles?? They're easier than most of the animals they were selling, yet the reptiles were in the worst conditions and they were housed entirely wrong. The first thing I saw was a spotted python and a rainbow boa (???) in the same cage--only them in one of those little ExoTerra cages, no hides or water bowls or anything. There were three corns in one cage, but I was used to that, and then I saw the DEAD corn. There was a bloodred, a snow, an amel, and a caramel, and a dead classic.

Usually I'm too timid to talk to the keepers about things, but the dead corn got me really upset. I told one of the workers, he said, "Weird." I never did talk to them about the other snakes, but I should of. Don't buy them, that'll only make it worse, but I think I'm going to try talking to them next time I go on the proper care requirements.

 

[Isoldael]

You can report these things anonymously if you're not happy about letting them know it was you who complained. I'd definitely report it though - you might save some lives or at least make them a hell of a lot more pleasant.