So Angry with Pet Shops !

[MichaelJ]

My wife has been joking lately that I've turned into a Leopard Geek and she's right. I've done more reading in the past two months than in most of my collegiate career. And I was in College for Seven Years and have a M.S.

Therefore, she's right. I've turned into a fanatic about Leos because they are just so many things to love about them.

In preparation for my four new ones I'll be getting this week I went to Animal House Pet Shop in Saint Petersburg, FL. They told me on the phone they had visionariums for 30 dollars ! Well they had aquariums for thirty dollars and had no idea what a visionarium even was.

Their conditions were deplorable and I asked to speak to the owner or manager immediately. All the geckos were in sand substrate, no hides, no warm and cool side, all uv lights, water bowls were disgusting if not empty and this didn't stop with the Leo's. I had an hour talk with the owner and showed him Gecko Forums and told him I'd be back next week and things didn't change I'm calling Animal Services on them. He had fear in his eyes and genuinely concerned and apologetic. I'm 6' 3" and he was around 5' 2" so that may have had something to do with it. We shall see.

I noticed they had three or four hatchlings that were hanging by a thread and probably very sick. There was also what they called a, "Jumbo", which we all know means near full grown; Carrot Tail. Now although I'm still somewhat of a novice I know a carrot tail has some orange and most likely a carrot tail !! This guy is looks like a true patternless albino. You can see his eyes through his skin and there is no pattern, pigment, or spots whatsover. They wanted a hundred dollars for him and I told the manager that I'd give him 20 dollars to allow me to rescue him. He's already missing two toe tips because of shedding issues.

We have him home now and got the skin off of his toes and he's resting now after being released from hell. I will snap some pics tonight and post them. Maybe everyone can help me decifer what he is.

I was so happy to save him, but still furious over the conditions. I will back in that place Saturday and will report him if he doesn't shape up. I even offered to help and show him the proper ways.

 

[TheHiddenGecko]

I'm glad you we're able to rescue the little guy. I'm also surprised that the manager was a little scared. Usually most of them just blow you off and don't do anything about it.

 

[ReptileMan27]

That stinks , atleast now he has a good home . I hear alot of people complain about how bad large chain pet stores(petco,petsmart) are but their really not that bad compared to some of these smaller pet stores, like ones in malls.

 

[curiousKathy]

I know that alot of the petstores treat the animals they sell poorly, but what I try to remind myself is that it isn't the animal's fault. If they had a choice they wouldn't choose to be there. They can't choose who breeds them, sells them or buys them...thank you for saving one more!

There is a female that I am smitten with at my local petsmart. She is housed with a male and could be taken care of much better. I am purchasing a leo for myself (I bought my daughter's from a different petstore) from a well known, reputable breeder, but I still feel guilty for leaving the other at the petstore. My husband doesn't share my enthusiasm for animals so I can't just go get her (it would be a total of 3 leos, 2 dogs, 2 cats, a goldfish and a horse). So I hope someone kind buys her and gives her a better life. I am trying to buy a used set up, but it's supposed to be for my daughter's leo when he gets bigger...the female at the petstore could fit in there nicely, though <grin>...I wish we could save them all....

curiousKathy

 

[MichaelJ]

here are the pics of him

here he is.. we've cleaned him up and fed him about 6 mealies.. and he's now calm and happy..

his tail is nice and full but his his body is what is lacking right now.. and you can see his ribs slightly..

I'd say he's around 6-8 months old.. any guesses to what he is ?

 

[Val]

He looks like a blizzard to me! I'm sure in no time he'll bounce back

 

[MischiefManaged]

I am glad you brought the little guy home and intimidated that petstore owner into taking better care of his leos.
That looks to me like a little blizzard. Once he warms up and starts living the good life, he should brighten up nicely for you.
Good luck with him!

 

[MichaelJ]

I was hunting around at picks of morphs.. He's definitely a blizzard..

 

[MichaelJ]

After some hunting around at Pics; he's most definitely a Blizzard.

Not a drop of color on him anywhere. He's more see through right now but I'm hoping that he'll whiten up with nourishment and a rise in his health. He's really sweet and already seems more comfortable.

 

[Megan1985]

Good Job!

You did a very good thing by saying something about it:main_yes: With that said we have to remind ourslef that sometimes the animals come in sick from the suppliers and while sick animals should be put in back and off the sales floor for the vet to keep a close eye on, sometimes new and poorly trained employees dont recognize the signs of a sick pet. This happends more often in vaction spots because the have trouble keeping people and alot of employees are new. Does that justifie it? Certainly Not:main_no: but it may shed some lit on why some petstores carry sick pets. Now I'm not saying that why every pet store is that way and some may just have employees that dont care! Either way it's best to say something about it to them and if that dont get them to take better care of animals then contact the animal police....but you did everything right MichaelJ :main_thumbsup: :main_thumbsup:

 

[brandy101010]

Looks like he will be a very nice blizzard when he starts feeling better. I hope they take your advice and start taking better care of the animals. I used to work at a pet store and it's not always the employes fault. Sometimes the managers just don't care. So you talked to the right person. The managers would never listen to me when I would tell them things needed to be changed. It was hard trying to tell a new owner of a pet how to take care of the animal. They notice that your information is conflicting with how the set ups in the store are. For example: They keep the small mamals in pine bedding. When a customer asked what the best bedding is I said carefresh or aspen. I told them pine was harmfull to the animal. "they said well you are using pine." My reply was simply that the manager will not take my advice to switch it. The customer then bougt the pine anyway because it was cheeper. To make a long stoy short I could not take it anymore and quit.

You did a good job. Keep us updated on the gecko and the stores progress.

 

[MichaelJ]

the gecko is doing great !! After a nice soak in a small amount of warm water on a paper towel we got all of the excess shed skin of his feet, tail, underbelly, there is still some around his eyes and lips but I'm hoping he'll rub that off on the rocks in his cage or his moist hide (now that he actually has one) I posted a thread about helping him with that if possible. It looks uncomfortable.

After the wash he seemed exhausted and fell asleep. We went for dinner and came back and he ate 5 meal worms without a breath in between. After that he seemed great, walking around exploring, walking on top of his hides, let us hold him without riggling, and this morning he was even better. Alert, exploring, liked being held, and looked at us and almost seemed to smile...

He also left us a nice little present to let us know he's digesting just fine. :main_laugh:

We've decided to name him, "Chance", because it was by chance that we stopped in; and we felt like it was a chance taking him in because he could be sick, but it was worth it to give him a better life.

 

[lil_katiedan]

Aw, great story of success. Let us know what happens when you go back to the store later, I'm sure we're all anxious to hear if you got through to them. Good luck!

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Chance is a nice little blizzard, and it's GREAT that he is now in your care!

 

[KiKi]

im glad hes doing better and you are doing a great job

 

[MichaelJ]

Thanks, and my wife got the skin off his eyes with a q-tip. She has a much more gentle touch than my Andre The Giant Like hands..

Trust me I'll be in that store Saturday morning to check on that idiot.. I'll keep you all updated and thanks again for the Kudos.

 

[nwheat]

Great job, Michael!! Do you know if he's really a male? You could produce some blizzards with that little albino that's on her way to you!!

 

[MichaelJ]

yeah he's a male. It's visible. I'd say he's around 7-9 months old. He's a bit longer and larger than the two I got from you today. But thats exactly what I was thinking when I thought Blizzard. Breeding will be fun..

 

[MichaelJ]

Chance is doing very well. He's starting to enjoy being held and comes to front of the cage if I make chirping noises when I come in the room. He'll even follow me back in and fourth if I move side to side making the noises.

He's got a lot of energy now and eats like a horse,and all the skin issues are resolved. I think I may have gotten lucky and saved him. He's also got such personality it's a real gift to have found him.

We'll get him nice and big, and in a few months ( and of course after quarantine) I'll have him mate with my females and see what happens.

I'm also going to make surprise appearance at that pet shop today and see how they are doing. If they are bad I'll call Animal Services from the store.

I'll let you all know how it goes...

 

[MichaelJ]

I stopped by today and he'd made vast improvements but still has quite a bit more to do..

The leo's were all on carpet and had moist hides and warm sides with UTHs. They are back in order. The rest of the reptiles need some attention and you can see he's trying.

I told him I'd be back in another week to check up..

He's trying and thats better than most so I'm happy with the improvement. I'll keep an eye on him.