Petsmart - Not very good with Geckos

[Monte]

I hesitate to post this, simply because I HATE saying negative things about people or a company. But after efforts to gently help the staff of Petsmart with their geckos to no avail, I need to express my concern.

It is my opinions that the Petsmart in Burnsville, Minnesota should NOT keep leopard geckos, because they persist neglect. I have been in this Petsmart on 3 separate occasions in the past 2 years - and each time I have been appalled at the condition and care of their leopard geckos. Here are my reasons:
1) The Juvenile leopard geckos had micro-thin tails, looked lethargic and close to death. I asked them (very politely) how much they fed the geckos. They responded that they fed them every other day. Juveniles, esp. ones in their poor condition should be fed every day.
2) Their tanks were horrendously close to various wild caught amphibians - and I would guess that these leo babies carried some sort of parasite load from their proximity to the wild - caught animals.
3) When I humbly and gently suggested some actions they could take to help bring the geckos back to health (and trust me - I had my "hat in my hand" when I suggested this) the most I could get out of them was a non-committal "We're watching them". (they also blamed the condition of the geckos on the wholesaler, saying "That's the way they came to us.") When I suggested that they separate them and take them off the floor until t hey are healthier - I got this "Are you nuts" look.

As I write this - I feel as though I'm beating a dead horse, because the names of chain-pet stores seem to be herpers favorite whipping boys. But after seeing this repeatedly - not only in Blaine, but also in South Dakota, I am at my wits end.

I share my observations to you as a caution - as I am not aware of the conditions of the other Petsmart stores in the nation.

Also - I will NOT "rescue" these animals and I encourage you to resist doing the same. It is my feeling that this will only perpetuate the problem. Hopefully, when there is no more money to be made off of leos for these companies, they will lose interest in carrying them.

 

[midnightline]

I've got to say that I have a very low opinion of the Petsmart near me's animal care as well... As an example, they had a crested gecko in a tank that was heated to 100F according to the thermometer... I would not buy a single reptile there as none of them ever look even close to healthy.

-Kat Hall

 

[Ricks Reptiles]

Its Petsmarts everywhere!

That is one company that does not have a clue how to take care of animals, or there customers! They hire people who have no clue! And it usually take for ever to get someone to help you.

I have been in a couple here in Oregon, and California, and they have there herps set up horrible! You would think a company that has so many stores would have there act together, but no!

I must say that the Petco's are not much better. They buy most of there WILD caught herps from Cal Zoo. I have been in some Petco's that have almost every cage under quaranteen. With mites everywhere going from cage to cage.

Stick to private breeders, or stores that sell captive bred animals.

Just my two cents!

 

[jons_reptiles]

They are not so bad here...

The Petsmarts(6) here in OKlahoma are not that bad at all. They have clean cages and seem to feed plenty. Their staff is somewhat knowledgable, Well for a 17 year old anyway. The only complaint I have about them is their bearded dragons. They were so small! Like 1 week old!!!! This of course is probly the wholesalers fault...Selling them so young. But overall they don't seem that bad. I might even recommed them to a person looking for a $34.99 gecko. That is if I did not already have a few for $24.99 lol! By far better than most stories I have heard.
Just my imput about my local Chain-Store. -Jon

 

[Pug]

I went to our local Pet Smart when our reptile specialy shop was out of Bed A Beast, and I nearly cried when I saw the condition of the animals. All were kept in small cages, were very dirty and all looked underfed. The most appalling were 3 10" or so savannah monitors crammed in a small 2' by 15" (approx) cage. 1 Monitor was fat and healthy, the others were really thin and looked like they were on deaths door. The store here has shown it has no idea how to take care of its animals. Needless to say, I didnt buy anything from them, and Im pretty sure I wont be in the future.

Chris Narayan

 

[Winter]

I have seen good and bad "versions" of PetSmart over the years in a few different cities. For the most part, though, even the ones that looked like the had healthy lizards or even snakes (haven't seen a PetSmart with a snake in a while now), their enclosures would meet the bare minimum requirements for the species, with improper temperatures, bad substrates, etc.. Not to mention that they will keep species together that are from completely different parts of the world. And those are the "good" ones. The bad ones can have serious mite problems, ill animals, and deplorable conditions.

Overall, I do not like shopping at chain pet stores that sell these animals, and I do my best to take my business elsewhere. Additionally, I always recommend that folks buy from a reputable breeder or dealer if they are able to, as they should be able to acquire healthier, captive bred animals, a guarantee of some sort, and the knowledge to help you should the need arise.

Regards,

Lauren Rost

 

[sputnik]

PETSMART - PETCO

These two stores (and there are a number of them) in my area also have a POOR understanding of keeping geckos and other reptiles in general. Bordering on cruelty to animals is what I call it and a lust for the mighty $$$$

It appears many other stores in areas also have a bad rep with reptiles also.

And they are VERY willing to sell you a leo that resembles a stick with a few days left to live!!

 

[mycurlylocks]

Petsmart

I am in NC. You have to try to talk to store managers. I helped the Petsmart in Jacksonville, NC clear up their hamster problems.
Do not talk to the lower employees, they could care less. All stores are provided very nice care manuals, just the employees do not take the time to read them or care to. Ask them to contact their vet, each section has a vet to deal with that area.
If this doesn't work you can contact the corporate offices. I have had good results with the one in Jacksonville.
Good luck,
Candy King

 

[Ken Foose]

Petsmart and Petco have over 1,000 between the two of them. They are here to stay, good or bad. Also, just for the imformation, both of these chains collect 70% of the money spent in the pet industry. That means they make 70 cents out of every dollar spent everyday on pets and pet supplies. This trend looks like it will continue, and possibly grow, as small independent retailers in the pet industry slowly die. My suggestion: buy from the home town folks, keep them alive, and stop contributing to the corperate coffers. People that open pet stores usually do it for the love of the animals. Petco/Petsmart opened for the money, they saw a niche, they filled it, they rolled over everyone else. Please support the little guys, it will only help all of us in the longrun.

Thanks, ken foose

 

[Draconem]

Although I have to agree that for the most part Chain stores are not very good, there is a petco here that does very well when it comes to herps. They take the snakes out and put them in feeder boxes in the back room to be fed and have their cages cleaned out, and I even overheard one employee said he wouldn't sell a cornsnake because it wasn't eating.

I think the problem is not the store itself, but the employees, and the management.

Apparently if you want a job there you have to travel to designated cities and take classes in animal care (I have no idea what these classes entail), but the managers -do not- have to take the classes that the employees do. I think this is extremely silly, and have seen managers on power trips "correcting" staff on the proper care of animals. One manager even told me that you can't hold bearded dragons until they are a year old because the oils in your skin will kill them (???).

Chelsie Romulo

 

[sputnik]

Draconem

quote:
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One manager even told me that you can't hold bearded dragons until they are a year old because the oils in your skin will kill them (???).
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Oh no!!!

I guess that means I have sentenced my three juveniles to death!! LOL

My local petco does a great job, the employees I personally know them and they are Herps!! which is why this store does well. Pitty it ain't like that in the other stores!

 

[Steph Scranton]

The Petco in my NY hometown hired for it's manager a man who has had at least one, might be two, pet stores closed down because of neglect. Several of the local pet clubs tried to step in and talk to corporate Petco and inform them of their new manager's past deeds. Take a guess as to what the response was....."We believe he has learned his lesson and paid his dues". Guess what? he hasn't. The conditions of the reptiles are deplorable. If you try to take to anybody in there you get the brush off. They had a cockatoo in there that was very sick and despite calls to the SPCA and Petco headquarters, nothing was done. "We'll look into it" was the response. It was an employee that finally took the poor thing to the vet and paid for the bill out of his own pocket. This happened in a store that has already been the source of one outbreak of clamidya.
The employees are young kids who don't know anything. The manager refuses to hire anybody with knowledge. If you know more than he does (not hard)...you don't get hired. Petco also has a policy that every so many months you get switched from department to department. This does not help the problem. By the time that somebody starts to obtain some knowledge, they get moved.

 

[sputnik]

Steph Scranton

These stores for the most part simply don't care!

They simply hire people who want to pat the fluffy doggy and nothing more.

Cruelty to animals is the one thing you could try reporting them for for. Look up your local or state laws for cruelty and next time you are in there, take a few pics of the bad conditions.... when Mr.Know it all isn't watching!

Write a letter to the petco headquarters and tell them what you plan on doing with the pics in regards to the bad conditions and poor managment, let them know they will be reported for cruelty to animals and all the appropriate steps you plan on taking so they know you mean business and don't just brush you off. Even mention reporting it to your local newspaper(i wouldn't actually do that), but the threat of bad publicity may get some action from petco.... you never know, they might hire someone else that will do a better job!

My local petco does a great job and all the reptiles are well cared for!

 

[Seamus Haley]

It's a matter of volume...

Most Petsmart/Petco stores will be a bit sub par for those who really know what they are doing, the store is not a "Pet Shop" it is a "Pet Retail Establishment"... They make most their money off dry goods under the course of normal operation, everything else is pretty much just added so that people have something to buy dry goods for...

Since they are profit driven (All stores are), the AVERAGE store tends to hire whoever will work for the lowest amount of money and can stack things properly on shelves. This tends to start a company wide trend where the animal care, which, while it should be foremost in importance, gets neglected to some degree or another.

Of course not all of the stores are like that, some have decent managers and decent staff who either convinced someone they were worth what they wanted money-wise or simply worked for less. I have seen stores from both chains that I would sooner shop from than I would some of the local places. Because of the sheer number of locations, it becomes very difficult to typify the entire chain, one can merely point out trends rather than speaking in absolutes about either corporation.

With regards to... "They came in like that"... Well, in most cases they probably did. Some of the bigger suppliers for both chains, depending on location... CalZoo (Crap animals) MidAmerica (Crap animals) Seagrest farms (Crap animals) Flukers (Plenty has been said about Flukers already) and, in actions that really make me have to sit back and think for a few minutes... Sandfire Dragon Ranch and C.R.A.P. (Center for Reptile and Amphibian propogation)... I've also seen shipments unpacked and it really makes me wonder if Mr. Mailloux and Mr. Tremper have sacraficed quality for quantity in supplying the big chains.

All in all though, unless you luck out and land a decent chain store near you, the best bet is usually your local place. MOST local places were started by someone who has a genuine interest and knowledge, trains and educated their own staff, works in their own store, knows the business from all sides and really does need the help of every avaliable consumer in order to stay open, because the chain stores are essentially like Wal-Mart in many areas. While the educated consumer can look at their options and pick quality over halogen lighting and snappy t-shirts, the avergage consumer is usually a new pet owner and they can't tell the difference between a detailed description of an animal's natural diet and "Here feed them these pellets" when it comes from someone who appears to be in a position where they know what they're talking about.

 

[Sue Henson]

I actually ::cringes:: work for my local Petco, only because the store manager is a good friend of mine, and he asked me to help head up the animal departments. The one thing I will hand him is that he is extremely open minded about the animals needs. If I tell him we need to change something he'll tell me to make it happen, and will do everything in his power to help me make my changes.

The whole operation was going well, up until we got a new CAC (Companion Animal Coordinator). Now, this guy is a serious JOKE. The animal rooms were sparkling clean. They looked really good (IMHO). The new CAC strolls in, takes a look around, and declares the reptile department crap, because I didn't have "dirt in ALL of the snake cages", because all of the water bowls were not identical, and they were not in the same corner of each cage, "too many plants in the cages," "Why do you have a Jacksons Chameleon in a screen cage? That isn't allowed." Now, correct me if I'm wrong, but aren't there, oh.....just a few species of snake that don't do well on moist substrate?

I was told to tear down all of the cages, and put in minumum planogram requirements. To sum it up, each cage has a scoop of "Dirt" (which is the generic coconut bedding) a HUGE water bowl, which is excessive for animals such as baby leopard geckos, and the lucky animals get a little half log hiding place. Two or three of the critters are allowed a "habba tree", but ironically, none of the arboreal species.
I got in trouble for doing things like keeping my baby cornsnakes in separate containers. I explained that a number of the snakes weren't accepting food yet, and I didn't want to sell the non-feeding babies, but I got torn apart, and critisized for not putting them all in a tank together. I was asked why I didn't have one of those hulking water bowls in with my dinky little hatchling veiled chameleons. Ever try explaining to the ignorant why you wouldn't want to put a 3 inch tall bowl of water in with an inch tall baby Veiled?

What really kills me through it all was that there was no concern as to the actual health of the animals. What a lot of locals considered to be the nicest reptile department around (I understand, that doesn't say much with this being Petco), has now turned into another Petco slum. The animals are still healthy, but there is an obvious lack of aesthetic quality in the store. We stopped getting compliments and started getting complaints about the cages. Dirt and a dish looks horribly sterile.

My point in this all? It isn't always the store employees. Some of us really do know better. Reptiles shouldn't be made to suffer thecorporate morons. Particularly the ones who don't know what "Nocturnal" and "Arboreal" mean. What is the point of having a guy in charge of animal departments in 10 cities if he doesn't know squat about animals?

By the way...there is no policy about us having to be moved from department to department. Yes, there are animal classes offered, but all are within the same area as the employee, and the managers have more advanced classes they are required to take. The problem here is that the same idiots tying my hands are the guys giving these classes.

Go higher up in the food chain and you'll find the causes of the problems. The trick now is how to fix them.

 

[Ricks Reptiles]

I agree 100% Sue!!

I used to be an assitant manager for Petco, and went through the exact same thing as you did. Having a herp back ground, I had all the cages set up the way they should be. And had the same COC come in and say it was all wrong. Everything had to look the same, for animals that needed differant set ups.

Plus he kept ordering all these garbage herps from Cal Zoo that were just down right Nasty! I saw so many herps die because of the way he wanted them set up. "to match all the Petcos".

I could go on and on but I will not waste anyones time.

There problem is they do not care about the animals. Just the Dollar!!!

They have a bunch of quaranteen problems in California right now to.

I could no longer work for that company and quit. I could not stand the animals loss!

 

[meretseger]

I did the Petco thing for a while too. The AC made us put clumping litter in the ferret tanks. Any of you guys with ferrets know what a wonderful (ie deadly) idea that is. Any way, our store manager was pretty cool and let us give the ferrets pelleted litter after one got a clump stuck in its mouth and almost choked. I think it was one of those blaze ferrets that ferret farms propogate on purpose even though they're all deaf. Luckily a local organization gave us some nice 'how to deal with your crappy deaf ferret' handouts. The AC didn't give a care about the herp's water dishes, ect. though. But the sad thing was that the herps and the fish and the small rodents and birds all came from the same crappy distributor, the same one that the local Walmart uses for fish. We'd get in 5 lacertas and they'd all be dead in 3 days. The only animals that got vet care were the ferrets and large birds, because it was just too much of an expense. And then corporate would autoorder 20 WC ball pythons even though we had tons of trouble moving snakes as it was. No matter how hard the employees work, the organizations defeat them at ever turn. The only good thing is that there AREN'T any good mom-and-pop stores around me (there is a privately owned herp store, but don't get me started on that one), so I just give my business to the closest evil chain store.

Erin Benner

 

[Glenn Bartley]

Steph,

I believe it was you who said that a local pet store was the source of an outbreak of 'clamidya' (your spelling). Hopefully you mean some other disease than the one I have in mind. I hope so, because I am pretty certain that Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease among humans. Just what were the employees of that store doing with those reptiles & amphibians or other animals?????

This happened in a store that has already been the source of one outbreak of clamidya.

If an outbreak of this disease was started in a pet store, I am pretty certain that the store would have been closed down quickly, and that the story would have made the national news. That would likely, in the eyes of the media, be even bigger news than the pet pyhton kills child sort of thing.

For more info on Chlamydia go to:
Chlamydia
Best regards,
Glenn B

 

[Seamus Haley]

I believe it was you who said that a local pet store was the source of an outbreak of 'clamidya' (your spelling). Hopefully you mean some other disease than the one I have in mind. I hope so, because I am pretty certain that Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease among humans.

Like many diseases, there are seperate and distinct strains of chlamydia Glenn... Many of which are carried or potentially carried by animals other than humans.

I'd suggest doing a google search for the term "Psittacosis chlamydia" for instance...

Let me know what you find, eh?

 

[bc_reptiles]

Petco, What's going on there?

Background:
I have a small website with some free caresheets. I offer my assistance (as much as I can) to anyone who wants to call or e-mail me with questions about their animals.

So far this month, I have gotten 4 e-mails with people who bought leopard geckos from Petco and they won't eat. I didn't think anything of it until I thought back to the ad for Petco that I saw in the latest issue of Reptiles magazine, May 2003 (p. 83, Petco Special: Baby Leopard Geckos).

I would just like to know what is going on there. I used to raise leopard geckos, and really didn't have that much trouble getting the hatchlings to eat?

Does anyone else take husbandry questions from the public, and do you get these "Petco Animal - Failure to Thrive" questions? If so, have they increased since Petco is having their "Baby Leopard Gecko Special"?

I'm not complaining, I love answering husbandry questions. I'm just a little concerned with the number of "Leopard Gecko not eating" questions that I get from people who buy geckos from Petco!

Brian Miller
BC Reptiles