Pet store blues

[Kurt]

Did you tell them about your observations?

[missclick]

im not sure of any humane society type organizations around here but i will check around.

I will probably call tomorrow and let them know how i feel about their store

When i went in the store one of the women poked their head out the office door said hi then i didnt see either of them until i left

[StephenLS]

I tried telling the owner of an aquatics store that there Dwarf Clawed Frogs were being kept in too greater a depth of water and that they may be more comfortable if it was dropped a few inches - this was greeted very defensively with 'they don't need to get out of the water' and general dismissal of my comments!

I responded with 'that's not what I was saying but they still need to breathe air'!!!

I now boycott this particular establishment!

[scribbles]

I know how you feel, Kat. There is a small pet shop I visited recently in Hanover, MA called Fin Fur and Feather (the sign on the front of the building simply says "Pet Shop"). Their reptile and amphibian cages are very dirty and full of poop. They cram large reptiles such as Green Iguanas, tortoises, and Bearded Dragons into way too small enclosures, and mix species such as Green Treefrogs and Oriental Fire-Bellied Toads, or Leopard Geckos and young Green Iguanas. Many of their set-ups are completely inadequate for the species housed in them, and the cricket bin has other bugs flying around in it. The rabbit cages are lined with poop at the bottom. I am overall disgusted with this pet shop, and want to file a complaint to the Better Business Bureau.

[Kurt]

Unsanitary conditions should be reported to the Board of Health.

[scribbles]

I am reporting them to the Board of Health of Hanover.

[Kurt]

Where is Hanover by the way?

[Kurt]

I would go in person and explain who you are and what your credentials are. I have no problem confronting these problems because I explain who I am (batrachologist/herpetologist, director of NEHS, deputy administrator of the Frog Forum, former employee of both MoS & HMNH, former worker/manager in the pet industry itself, and a major keeper of fish, amphibians, reptiles, and various invertebrates). When talking to them don't get emotional and explain your points clearly. Do not go on the attack, this will just make them defensive. Go in as an educator and not an accusor. Say something like "You know, I noticed that you were housing Spanish-ribbed newts with frogs. Did you know that ALL newts are toxic and so are most frogs. Also, all amphibians have porous skin and easily absorb toxins. So basically, by keeping these two species together they are slowly poisoning each other. You could end up with very unhealthy or even dead animals. I would seperate them as soon as possilbe." For now, drop the algae issue. Algae is harmless, it just looks awful to most people. Just go after clear issues of animal neglect or ignorance of proper husbandry. Make sure you know what you are talking about, before opening you mouth. You don't want to come off like an idiot, because everything you say after that will not be taken seriously. Most importantly, be friendly, act like you are their friend and that you are trying to help them.

Most of the time, what I say is taken seriously. I can only think of one incident in recent memory where my advice was scorned. I was in a Petco and their rosy boas were in a sopping-wet substrate as were their hermit crabs. From the hermit crab enclosure was the unmistakable smell of rotting flesh. I tried to explain that they had a dead hermit crab somewhere in the cage, but I was told that's just how they smell. The employee was very defensive. I was told by another employee they had a new guy who just started and he was taking care of the reptile department, not really a valid excuse, but better than arguing with me. I have been working animals longer than these people have been on the planet. So be prepared for a defensive attitude, even when you go out of your way to be nice.