Horrific Conditions in Alberta Reptile Store

[Theresa20]

I don't even know where to begin describing the conditions of this store. If anyone lives in the Red Deer area, please stay away from Red Deer Reptiles on Gaetz Ave South. I don't know much about snakes, but from what I've read on other boards, these snakes are not kept properly and are sick. The bearded dragons, however, I do know a little bit about, and the conditions really were appauling. NO WATER in any of the tanks, NO UVB LIGHTS in any of the tanks, more than half a dozen babies in one tank with one little tree to climb on, and an open tub of small crickets in the corner of the tank, one or two left scrambling around. One baby appeared to have a broken tail, one almost looked dead in the tree, there was a moldy piece of paper towel crumpled up in one corner. Not to mention feces everywhere! It looked like the tank hadn't been cleaned in weeks. No thermometres in the tank or anything. None of the animals had any water. Something needs to be done about this!!

To read more about this, view these threads. Everything they are claiming is true.

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=95958

http://redtailboa.net/forums/pet-reptile-suppliers/39336-red-deer-reptiles-worst-store-ever.html

Oh yeah, not to mention that the owner is a creep and was constantly and shamelessly hitting on me the entire time I was there. YUCK!

 

[Jasper's Mom]

Can you call the Alberta SPCA? Do they investigate things like this?

 

[haleygirl272]

this is horrible! You need to call ASPCA

 

[Theresa20]

I have just finished filing a complaint with the Better Business Bureau and am now going to see what I can do about contacting the SPCA. I encourage anyone in Red Deer to go into the store and see the conditions for yourself so that you too can file a legitimate complaint. I would advise against offering the owner any constructive criticism about the way he is housing his animals, as this apparently makes him very angry.

This kind of stuff breaks my heart!!!!!!!!


Thank goodness for all you people on this site who love your animals and do everything you can to care for them properly.

 

[TazzysMamma]

Lemme at him!!!!!

I hope he gets CLOSED!!!!!!

 

[MAJ]

Even living in Ontario, I pretty much knew by reputation what store this thread would be about as soon as I saw the title.
The faunaclassifieds.com thread above is a sad read. that thread started two years ago, there are reports that the store has been reported to the SPCA right from the start of the thread. Unfortunately, reports look to keep coming in.
Keep reporting them and giving the SPCA statements to keep them on their "hit list." Hopefully, someday it will improve.

 

[PuffMagic]

Wow I am appalled. I read those articles and was crying....that is unbelievable that someone can care so little. People like him are the reason that they are trying to make reptiles and amphibians illegal to own. I cannot comprehend how he is still in buisness. I am surprised what he is doing is not illegal. All those pets are income to him nothing more. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

 

[haleygirl272]

Wow I am appalled. I read those articles and was crying....that is unbelievable that someone can care so little. People like him are the reason that they are trying to make reptiles and amphibians illegal to own. I cannot comprehend how he is still in buisness. I am surprised what he is doing is not illegal. All those pets are income to him nothing more. :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

Ditto.
Theresa, have you contacted the ASPCA yet? I know you contacted the BBB, that's good.
I read about the beardie in the pizza box. THATS HORRIBLE! I was bawling.

 

[tyryce]

Wow!!

I can't believe that this place is allowed to be operating like this. Is there something that can be done? I mean people have been criminally charged for animal abuse. Is this not the same thing? My sister lives in Red Deer...I am going to give her a call to see if she has ever been to this place. So right now is there anything rolling that has raised any flags with the authorities about this? Just wondering if there is something that I could do to help. I haven't ever been there myself but from what I read in those threads it sounds really bad! Next time I'm up there I should go see...even though it will probably make me sick

 

[Veritas]

I found this on a reptile breeders site http://www.invictus-exotics.com/terms.html

We are more than willing to wholesale our animals to RESPONSIBLE pet stores and wholesalers. Be expecting us to inquire about you within the community if your store is too far out of the way for us to check out ourselves. Please note, we will not sell to anyone who is in any way associated with:

Red Deer Reptiles and Such
Riverfront Aquariums

We feel that the aforementioned stores have completely substandard conditions, deplorable quarantine practices, and in the case of the Red Deer store, conditions so horrible that we feel the owner deserves jail time for his abuse and neglect of reptiles.

Ive been reading posts on this site for a few weeks. Im looking at getting a beardie when I start college and was just researching. When I saw this thread I thought I would post my own view on this place. I havent been to the new place but I have been to the older building a couple of times. When I was there I knew nothing of reptiles but I could recognize a clean cage and they were few. The owners sons step daughter who I knew showed me around the store. She told me not to get to close to this one lizard because it could bite me, this lizard was left outside its cage to roam around. The owner was well extremely crude and rude and a ......... I should not post words like this on a pg-13 website. I was able to go into the back where they kept the live feed. Again terrible conditions for the mice and small rabbits. Marijuana sitting on the table......no suprise. Like I said back then I knew really nothing about reptiles but it was easy to tell the store was in terrible condition and the animals were not giving the care or aid needed.

If anyone ever needed any help with a protest or something I really dont know. I would be more than excited to help out.

 

[beardedwizard]

I thought you lived in Florida? I must have been mistaking...

Anthony

 

[lacy_black]

I just read the 66! pages on the fauna site...this man is horrible and i'm actually glad i'm in the states and not anywhere near red deer. I'm sure he would be in a pizza box and i'd be in jail

 

[Rufus468]

My heart goes out to the creatures victim to this abuse. Does anyone have a recent status on the store?

 

[Theresa20]

I don't have any updates on the store... I could get one if you all want me to but I'm very reluctant to go back in there. Dan creeps me out... I don't want him hitting on me like that again...

I'm a little tempted to go back in there and try to sneak some pictures though... Does anyone think this is a good idea/ have any ideas on how I can do it? It would give me some evidence to take to the SPCA. I never got a response from them or the BBB. Don't know if I should file again.

 

[haleygirl272]

I think you should file again and save those poor babies!