Just saved this little guy (petco :( )...Help me out!

[TokayKeeper]

could have been worse. I was shopping yesterday for work supplies and walked past the live reptiles at Petco. They had a little patty in there a couple of days ago that was starting to look thin. The leos also happen to be on sale, so curiosity had me for a little. As I got to the section with the leos I found a dead hatchling hypo tang at the front of the cage. The geckos are kept on calci-sand with no moist hide, most of the thin ones are impacted due to not only being on calci-sand, but also coupled with being dehydrated. While I was checking out one of the store managers was near by, but I couldn't get to her before she left. So, looking for a higher-up on the floor I found my ex-girlfriend and told her. I had told her to tell her manager and the GM back when I was dating her 5 years ago about how crappy they keep their leos and that the calci-sand is bad at that young an age, but it went no where. I find it hilarious and ironic that this same establishment is partnered with the Humane Society and various animal rescues (99.9999% of which are dog and cat rescues).

I'm contemplating a visit to talk with a manager before I go into work. Also contemplating calling the city animal control since they are taking over the Humane Society animal shelter here.

 

[Pacific Gecko]

I agree with Mel and Marcia, but good luck with your new patternless..it should be healthy in no time!

 

[KelliH]

I know we all have pretty much the same opinion of PetCo, but please keep in mind that we do not allow bashing of any retail pet store or breeder here. You can read the TOS regarding this here:
http://www.geckoforums.net/faq.php?faq=new_faq_item#faq_personal

A good place to post about your experiences, negative or positive, with a herp business or breeder is at http://www.faunaclassifieds.com on the Board of Inquiry. Thanks!

 

[StinaKSU]

It's NOT always Petco...trust me....It depends on the individual stores. Around here the Petco is nice but our competitor horrible...that's why I work at Petco. Petsmart actually recently had to suspend ALL bird sales because of psittacosis from a vendor.......a vendor that Petco refused to do business with b/c they didn't meet Petco's vendor standards/expectations.

As far as the sand...there is nothing the stores can do about that individually...that is one corporate policy that many would like to change. Unfortunately there are a few policies that are widely disagreed with...including the use of sand for the baby leos. At the store I'm at we actually have all of our current baby leos in the "back" on paper towels...b/c they came in as hatchlings that can't possibly have shed more than once, if that. I'm actually thinking about buying a couple before the sale ends (as far as lowered prices...the sales are nationwide...at least between styles of store... and it has nothing to do with the individual stores......if its something in the individual store that they feel needs to be at a lower price it will be labeled as a "manager's special," and that's generally with healthy animals that have just been there for a long time and really need to get out to a real home) as the ones from the last shipment look extremely healthy, we've not had any with illnesses come in since I started, and a couple are GORGEOUS.

Now I'm not defending Petco overall...believe me...I've been into some AWEFUL stores that should not be allowed to sell animals....I'm just saying that not every store is terrible and has unhealthy animals that they don't take care of. I seriously encourage anyone with concerns to call the hotline...repeatedly if need be...and get anyone else you can to call as well.

 

[johnnyboy4783]

Sorry Kelli!

 

[KelliH]

Sorry Kelli!

It's ok, I completely get it about wanting to discuss this but we want our website to be a positive place and threads like this can sometimes turn into ugly flame wars. Thanks for understanding!

 

[S-K]

yea i was mainly concerned about the leo's also but the others are a concern too because if they treat the leo's like that what makes the others any different.

Past this we need to get beyond the store thing, but keep in mind we have no idea what shape the animals were in when received. This store has typically been pretty good, but the prices are inflated so I usually don't go.

Normally all the animals are very well kept in very clean cages/tanks and all seem very healthy. I've even talked to their reptile guy, and he goes as far as holding back the balls from the shelf until they're proven feeders. How many chain stores do that?

The ONLY reason I mentioned the store name is because the rest of the animals are doing perfectly well. I talked to the manager, and he assured me this would be addressed, and I could come in tonight to make sure the changes took place. In my book, this makes me willing to re-visit the store, and happy that I picked this little guy up...especially before the sale ended ^_~

 

[S-K]

Oh, and Kelli, PM me your contact info. My friend is interested in some of your geckos for his store.