tactful pet store rescue advice

[dadmccabe]

hey all,

So I found a great source for crickets. small Mom & Pop pet shop. My WTF goes crazy for their crickets! I was kind of amazed - thinking most crickets must taste the same...Anyway, I was in there back in April when I saw a large adult WTF. It's in a 12x12x12 w/ fish tank gravel + an inch of water as a substrate, and a skinny suction cup fake plant dead center in the tank... pretty sad... so last week I noticed it was not clinging to the top corner anymore, but had it's rear end in the water (like it had given up)

I totally want to try to rescue this little dude, but I'm not going to pay the $39 list price, especially since I will need to buy , and setup, a whole new viv. My current WTF is way too small to be housed w/ this giant.. Also, I'm a total novice still

Anyone ever "go there" and tell a shop owner that they are about to lose a frog? AND THEN offer to pay a fraction of the list price to rescue ?? I'd imagine this will be quite an insult... They actually have a pretty impressive reptile / amphibian area. I've also heard them refer to their "reptile Guru" who works there. So I would prefer to tread lightly. Plus their crickets are delicious, apparently!! Don't want to burn that bridge...

advice ???

[pinkcloud]

i recently rescued a uromastyx from such a store.....i casually brought up that it'd been there for quite some time ........and i was interested in taking him if they could bring the price down a bit.......we negotiated for a bit and i got a good deal on a now happy lizard ......good luck with the tree frog

[Heatheranne]

Yes, I have told the local pet store here that their frog is sick and needs vet assistance. I have taken home 3 on discount and one free, and am currently treating 3 for ailments from these situations, one of which would have died very soon.

If you keep a calm but direct mannered approach you can get your concerns expressed and they will usually offer the sale price, or free adoption. It is cheaper for them to give sick frogs away than pay for their health treatments. But, keep in mind, an adoption of a sick frog requires dedication and the vet bill out of your pocket. If the frog does not appear to have any infections or lesions, but is just underfed or dehydrated, this can be an easier task for you to revive him.

If the frog needs vet care, know who can help you prior to purchasing the frog. Dr.Frye is a vet in Michigan that will provide medications and guidance via email and phone. He is very nice and responds very quickly. If you ever need him let me know and I'll link his information.

Just be ready for your choices. We can help guide you, but you will have to be caregiver and there are no guarantees of the frogs improvement or survival.

I am currently rehabilitating 3 retf's, and have rescued another in the past with success.

Good luck if you decide to do so! There is nothing better than the feeling of rescuing and saving lives .

[dadmccabe]

No Dice said they'd, "pass along my concerns" to their "reptile person" but she's "been doing this for years" and they "aren't concerned"

...pardon all the "quotes"