In defence of Pet Shops

[superbiker]

Hi all.
I have notice when looking around the site and discussions (which I have found very helpful) that whenever someone comes on and askes for advice almost every one says ''stay away from pet stores, the animal will be sick,parasitic or ill treated in some other way'' This is grossly unfair to many small shop owners. My better half Pauline manages a small store and we sell most small animals including some reptiles. All of the little lives in the store are watched and loved as if our own. we have a hospital wing at home where any sickly animal is treated and comes here for rest and recuperation until fully recovered. We give as much of the latest adviced on ownership we can and point people to info sites such as this. We even go so far as to refuse to sell any creature to a person who (in our opinion) does not seem as if they will be good owners. I would advise anyone who wants to buy from a store, first visit and look around, is it clean, animals well housed, well fed, then ask questions not only about owning but the origin of a particular potential pet, finally before deciding, ask around and see what reputation the store has for after care and in general. We are not all money grabbing unscruplious people, I agree that there are some terrible stores about but it has to be said that there are some pretty unpleasant breeders about who also have no scruples.
Mike. Republic of Ireland

 

[GoFast]

You have a valid point Mike and it is good to see that there is at least one good pet shop out there. Perhaps when blanket statements are made about pet stores we should insert a qualifying phrase such as "typically" or maybe "generally" to give good shops like you a fair shake.

 

[citrusdragon]

I think what sometimes misses being conveyed is the need to go into a pet store armed with some facts from your own research. It is like anything you buy, when you rely on a salesperson without doing your due diligence, you can get steered wrongly. I think sometimes pet shop workers get put into the position of knowing just a little more than the buyer and simply sell what they've been directed to sell.

I think everybody on this forum would acknowledge that there are pet store employees that know what they are talking about, in fact some are members of forums just like this one.

Jeff

 

[superbiker]

Sounds pretty fair to me, you cannot imagine the times Pauline closes up in tears because a baby something has died, and we deal with them all day mind you its nice to get home to our own beautiful beardies, ancient old dog and manical cat cos we can indulge ourselves with them. selfish or what !!!

 

[carmdac]

Hey Superbiker! I personnally have made comments about Big Franchise pets shops, ie... petsmart, petco, paws+ etc... There are several private owned petstores that are very creadible. I purchased my son's beardie from a petstore in Neptune, nj that is also a rescue for all reptiles. Mike was very knowledgable and stood behind what he sold. He owns and runs the store and answers all questions.

 

[Aznrainbowdime]

Yeah not all petsores are bad. I got my MJ from a small 'mom and pops' pet store. And when I got her.. I didn't have the proper set up and the pet store owner REFUSED to sell me MJ until I was able to get the proper set up, etc... and he wouldn't do my homework for me !! I was upset at the time but now that I look back.. I was glad he did so. Now Pestmart/ Petco... they're a different story