Petstore..

[Valkea]

Well theres this gorgeous female at one of the petstores here (big chain) and she's a decent size. The reptile people seem fairly educated (i did work placement at the store so I got to know some of them) but their baby leos are in horrible shape (overcrowded, skinny, missing toes and tails) I'd love to "rescue" (so to speak, not technically rescuing since I'm spending my money which will encourage the store to get more in which will result in more geckos suffering in the long run..) her but I'm really torn. Normally I would never buy from a pet store simply because of how their animals are treated and the places the animals come from. However I'm more familiar with the places the rats/mice/dogs/cats come from. So.. are the reptile places just as bad?

I'd love to hear some opinions.. Would you buy from a petstore? If not why? Have you had any horrible experiences with animals you've bought from a petstore? I've read a few on here but would love to hear other stories.

Thanks!

 

[goReptiles]

You may be able to convince the pet store that the geckos are very ill and to give them to you for a discounted price.

I've had good an bad experiences, but I don't normally buy from pet stores. The first gecko I ever received was from a pet store, and she was healthy as can be, but my next pet store reptiles was sickly. As was my first and 2nd AFTs. After that I gave up on pet store reptiles for several years. Although, I have purchased one SHTCTB from a pet store recently, and she's been great, although, I did worm her when I brought her home.

Ultimately it's going to be your decision.

As for where the reptiles come from; it all depends on the wholesale company where the pet store purchases from. Some are terrible, some are ok, and some are good (generally speaking that is).

 

[moosassah]

Any leo you buy from anywhere should be brought to a herp vet soon after purchase for an exam & fecal & possible medication. Make sure you have the money to do that prior to bringing one home.

If you choose to buy from the pet store, no one here will crucify you. If you choose to wait & buy at a reptile show or buy from a breeder chances are the leo you get will have better care & therefore better health.

My geckos were purchased through pet stores (2 healthy, 1 not), reptile show (healthy, but small), breeder (day 2 in the house) & adoption (both are now healthy).

 

[Halley]

I'd love to hear some opinions.. Would you buy from a petstore? If not why? Have you had any horrible experiences with animals you've bought from a petstore? I've read a few on here but would love to hear other stories.

Well I can tell you the big chain that I bought my first leopard gecko, seems to do a good job of taking care of the leopard gecko, they have. At lest in that store. Expert the sand part. I know smaller pet stores that are HORIBBLE. If I feel that an animal is not getting proper care, I will not under any circumstance “rescue” that animal. As I fell that if I support the practice, by buying those animals. That I’m no better than the ones who take care of the leopard geckos, or other reptiles. As what I would basically be saying, is hey wow, great jobs with those animals, you should get more in. So although it is hard to walk by an animal that is having a hard time making through life, I fell that it is better, as if you “rescue” that one, you will just put more in the same position. If you don’t buy that leopard gecko, and nobody else does, then maybe you can stop the cycle. I would at least fell better that I didn’t contribute to the situation. Juts my opinion on things.

 

[NickOC]

I generally bypass all floor workes and go staight to the regional manager, then the general manager..... I buy from our local petco regularly as thier herps are generally in good shape latley. If you try to convince a floor worker of stuff it can tget you very far. Trying to reason with the GM and/or RM will yeild much better results, its tricky to get thier info but not impossible.

Well theres this gorgeous female at one of the petstores here (big chain) and she's a decent size. The reptile people seem fairly educated (i did work placement at the store so I got to know some of them) but their baby leos are in horrible shape (overcrowded, skinny, missing toes and tails) I'd love to "rescue" (so to speak, not technically rescuing since I'm spending my money which will encourage the store to get more in which will result in more geckos suffering in the long run..) her but I'm really torn. Normally I would never buy from a pet store simply because of how their animals are treated and the places the animals come from. However I'm more familiar with the places the rats/mice/dogs/cats come from. So.. are the reptile places just as bad?

I'd love to hear some opinions.. Would you buy from a petstore? If not why? Have you had any horrible experiences with animals you've bought from a petstore? I've read a few on here but would love to hear other stories.

Thanks!

 

[Valkea]

Thanks for replying! I pretty much have the same opinion as everyone.. I'm not going to buy from that store, even though she's in decent shape the others arent. I dont want to support and encourage the way they take care of their animals. And if I didnt know from personal experience that the manager is a COMPLETE idiot I'd complain to him. Also I tried to convince them to sell the geckos for a discounted price but they wont..

As for vet fees no worries there :] I always make sure I've got a good amount of money saved away for any emergencies (last vet trip for one of my rats was 80$ aha. And that was just for medication to treat the symptoms, he can't be cured..)

I actually bought a little female leo from a local guy who breeds them. I'll be posting pics of her in a second.

Thanks again!