Ok, I don't understand how stores that are absolutely appalling even exist in this country (US). Last night I visited one that smelled strongly liked dead things and ahve 50+ reptiles where 75% had NO HEAT WHAT SO EVER. The majority of the animals were housed inappropriately. Many had completely dry water dishes (these weren't small water dishes either, so they had been neglected for many days). And this is in the city where the local herp society meets and the state capital.
Another store close to where I live there is mouse feces everywhere. Dust is covering the shelves. And reptiles are housed on the feces of the 6 animals that died in that cage previously. Iguanas are on sand. Tortoises and bearded dragons are kept together. Leopard geckos looking like they are dying of crypto are on display.
I'm not from here originally. I've only recently moved here for school. Yet, from what I've heard these stores have been like this for DECADES! How can a state with a herp society tolerate this type of care? How can the public ignore the smell of decay when they step in a store? How can state public health officials leave these stores open? (obviously these aren't just a risk to animal health, but human health as well).
I came from a town where stores were inspected by a local "humane officer" who had expectations they had to meet as far as cleanliness and animal care guidelines. If a customer walked into one of these stores and even saw a cricket floating in a lizard's dish would report them for inspection. Sure the stores were perfect, but they were forced to at least try. Either that or they'd be closed.
So tell me... WHY DO WE TOLERATE THIS? HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED? WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THE ONLY PERSON NOTICING THESE PROBLEMS? I mean, I have friends within the society and outside the society who before I went to these places told me "oh that place is really cool, nice store". Are they BLIND! Or is this the standard we're setting... none at all?
On top of it, we give large chains stores such a rap. But here, they are the only stores that are CLEAN. Husbandry leaves a few things to be desired, but the animals aren't being cared for as bad as these two mom-and-pop joints. Maybe that's why those chain stores are able to drive small stores out of business, they are CLEAN and don't SMELL!
So if you walk into a store and are made nauseous by the smell, disgusted by the caging, sadded by the animals' conditions. DO SOMETHING. DO NOT JUST LET THEM DO THIS.
Write your paper, write your ASPCA, write someone.
It's not about the stores just not knowing, it's about the stores not caring. Let them know that's not acceptable.
Why should we care? Can't we just ignore them? No. This poor care makes the whole reptile pet industry look bad. It allows for organizations like HSUS to have issues with reptiles in captivity and threatens are ability and right to keep these animals. We need to stand up and take responsibility NOW.
But someone will do something, I don't want to. The majority has that thought, does nothing. The few people who do things look like crazies and are blown off as such. I know, I've been labeled as that here. I write the letters and confront the stores. I get blown off cos no one else seems to be complaining. This is why you can't just leave it to someone else! The more people who complain the more action we will get!
So the ball is in your corner now. I've written my letters for these stores already, your turn.
Another store close to where I live there is mouse feces everywhere. Dust is covering the shelves. And reptiles are housed on the feces of the 6 animals that died in that cage previously. Iguanas are on sand. Tortoises and bearded dragons are kept together. Leopard geckos looking like they are dying of crypto are on display.
I'm not from here originally. I've only recently moved here for school. Yet, from what I've heard these stores have been like this for DECADES! How can a state with a herp society tolerate this type of care? How can the public ignore the smell of decay when they step in a store? How can state public health officials leave these stores open? (obviously these aren't just a risk to animal health, but human health as well).
I came from a town where stores were inspected by a local "humane officer" who had expectations they had to meet as far as cleanliness and animal care guidelines. If a customer walked into one of these stores and even saw a cricket floating in a lizard's dish would report them for inspection. Sure the stores were perfect, but they were forced to at least try. Either that or they'd be closed.
So tell me... WHY DO WE TOLERATE THIS? HOW CAN THIS BE ALLOWED? WHY DO I FEEL LIKE THE ONLY PERSON NOTICING THESE PROBLEMS? I mean, I have friends within the society and outside the society who before I went to these places told me "oh that place is really cool, nice store". Are they BLIND! Or is this the standard we're setting... none at all?
On top of it, we give large chains stores such a rap. But here, they are the only stores that are CLEAN. Husbandry leaves a few things to be desired, but the animals aren't being cared for as bad as these two mom-and-pop joints. Maybe that's why those chain stores are able to drive small stores out of business, they are CLEAN and don't SMELL!
So if you walk into a store and are made nauseous by the smell, disgusted by the caging, sadded by the animals' conditions. DO SOMETHING. DO NOT JUST LET THEM DO THIS.
Write your paper, write your ASPCA, write someone.
It's not about the stores just not knowing, it's about the stores not caring. Let them know that's not acceptable.
Why should we care? Can't we just ignore them? No. This poor care makes the whole reptile pet industry look bad. It allows for organizations like HSUS to have issues with reptiles in captivity and threatens are ability and right to keep these animals. We need to stand up and take responsibility NOW.
But someone will do something, I don't want to. The majority has that thought, does nothing. The few people who do things look like crazies and are blown off as such. I know, I've been labeled as that here. I write the letters and confront the stores. I get blown off cos no one else seems to be complaining. This is why you can't just leave it to someone else! The more people who complain the more action we will get!
So the ball is in your corner now. I've written my letters for these stores already, your turn.
