jazyman":5kkm1wmf said:
ComicBookMama":5kkm1wmf said:
It's definitely unfortunate that most pet store employees don't have any experience with reptile pets outside of the basic training the store provides, which is, as Tracie noted, driven by the bottom line - move 'em out of the store as quickly as possible, make as much money on them as possible (which makes me wonder why they don't advise more feedings of a respectable amount; they'd make more money on crickets that way). The company won't change unless we, the consumers, demand that they change.
BUT - if you go to a store where the employees have pet reptiles of their own, like my local Petco does, you will often get different and better advice. I'm in and out of Petco several times a week buying 100 crickets at a go for Figment, the stomach on legs, and I've never been told that I'm feeding him too much - in fact, I've been asked why I don't order in bulk online instead of coming in to the store all the time!
The sad thing is, they all say they have beardies. Before going to PetSmart (we got there because crickets are cheaper), we were looking at the beardie supplies at Petco. We asked for a heating pad because our house gets around 50 or less degrees at night and we were afraid of the effects on him. We told them we would have carpet over it and it would just raise the temp a bit so it’s not as cold. They told us that they keep their bearded dragon at home in 60 or less all of the time. They said they feed their babies mealworms and they’re fine. I just try not to listen to anything they say.
The one that told me about feeding them 2 crickets per feeding said that she has a few babies at home. I feel like beardies and all pets are too easy to buy. Most people see them and go “oh that’s cute! I’m going to get one” without any research. I hate that they are impulse buys. Almost makes me want to get a job at one of these stores to help in the proper care of them!
I know this wont happen in your country - too many vested interests will oppose it, but you really need a system like we have here in Australia (where ownership is restricted, and not a right but a privilege).
We have 2 levels of permit applicable to most keepers -
companion pet ( can be a reptile but only allowed ONE ) on the licence,
general keeper ( can keep more than one so long as it's not classified as dangerous or advanced (requiring special training / experience ) on the licence.
No licence sighted , no sale PERIOD , no iffs no buts.
Plus it takes several weeks usually for the state government agency who handles wildlife licencing to "process" licence applications here , so this gives a "cooling off period" between the application and being able to actually purchase the reptile/s.
And only specially licenced pet shops can stock and sell live reptiles ( not an easy licence to get and requires staff to all be licenced keepers ( possibly even advanced level keepers ).
No one can walk into a petshop here , see a hatchling or baby or juvenile reptile , decide on the spot "ooo … cute !" and then hand over cash or a credit card to walk out with it in a tub or box WITHOUT proving they are a licenced keeper first and they MUST exchange details with the shop ( licence numbers, contact details and then update their keepers' log with these details ( online ).
Like said - too darned easy for people who are clueless to buy and sell reptiles over there and the reptiles pay the price especially when clueless shop staff or sellers give very bad advise to NOOBs who think they are knowledgeable / experts.