Need Help with PETCO petition ..UPDATE new problems!10/21/09

[Alaska Beardie Gal]

Hi,
It was a real joy for me to read that you take such good care of the reptiles in your Petco. But unfortunately your store is a rare one amid thousands of others that take bad care of their herps. If you do not beleive the petition, I and many other people I'm sure will send you photos to prove it.

 

[vickson420]

Hello, Okay I feel as though I have to disagree with some of this being a Retile Specialist in a Petco store..... Some of this is not the practice of the company I can tell you that... it must be the managers and store employees that are doing wrong So, I response I will asay what I feel is not right....

Hello,

My name is Vicky Fradella and I am a concerned bearded dragon owner and handler. I have been caring for bearded dragons for a number of years and I would like to express some concerns on practices that I have witnessed PETCO using in their husbandry and care of bearded dragons that not only myself, but a number of other beardie owners feel are incorrect and would like to see adjusted.

This is understood, but where are you located and what Petco? I am just wondering where our sister companies are not doing the correct practices in the husbandry department.

I recently visited your store and have noticed a number of things that need to be changed. I have been an avid researcher over the past few years and have been keeping as up to date as possible on the changes in the standards of care that have taken place in regards to bearded dragon husbandry.

I was very disheartened to see on my last visit that the baby beardies were being kept on calci-sand which has been linked to causing major impactions especially in young bearded dragons. I truly believe that no baby or juvenile bearded dragon should be kept on particle substrates of any kind in order to reduce the risk of impaction.

I happen to know being a Reptile Specialist for Petco and taking care of all the reptiles that Cali- sand is not NOT used in our stores and not allowed to be used in our stores... We use reptile carpet in tan... I know this because I am the one who takes care of the husbandry on these babies and own two of my own as well as am babysitting my best friends Durkin/Lawson....


I also made notice that there was no food of any kind in the tank. The lighting in the tank was also in my opinion incorrect. There was an infrared heat bulb in the tank instead of a bright white basking bulb that is the current standard that many care sheets advise should be used. There was a uvb bulb, I don't know the exact specs on it however I do know that the beardies couldn't get within the 6-8 inch proximity that all fluorescent uvb bulbs require for proper exposure.

Wow, where are you all from this is all wrong too... our beardies have green at all times... trust me I have to do that tooo... it is fresh water twice a day and fresh greens twice a day and crix twice a day...... Which is the same as I feed at home... and what is told that is appropriate for feeding.... and I belive is appropriate for feeding.... most people feed twice a day as many as can be eatten in 5 to 10 minutes and remove the ones not ate.... look anywhere it will tell you that As far as bulbs I have a updated system that is ran off lights and computer timers.... they have a repti sun 10 and also a 75 basking light that runs on timer 16 hours a day and we provide a basking log that provides the height that is needed for the basking to be 108-110 in that area... I check this daily and am there all the time on my days off to make sure that all the habitats are correct, since that is my time to spoil my babies and buy them things... the humitidy is sometimes off but corrected and the temps are right on...

When I expressed my concerns to the store personnel, I was advised that there was nothing they could do because it was company policy. I called the PETCO customer service hotline and was advised I would receive a call back to discuss their care and have yet to receive this return call. That is why I have created this petition on behalf of myself and other concerned bearded dragon owners.

Okay someone lied to you... we dont use that substrate, there is a food with veggies and water that is declorinated at all times and a basking log that in my set up hits about 7 inches from the lighting...

We respectfully and urgently request that PETCO change its continuing practice of what we consider outdated husbandry practices, specifically the use of calcium based sand or any other particle substrates. The only type of substrates acceptable for bearded dragons are solid substrates such as reptile carpeting, ceramic tile, papertowel or non-adhesive shelf liner. Anything other than solid substrates, is unacceptable and most certainly will increase the risk of impaction which is a major cause of bearded dragon fatalities.

Reptile carpet is the standard company policy for substrate ....

We also ask that PETCO change their policy on lighting and heating and commit to using bright white basking bulbs during daylight hours and ceramic heat emitters in the evening in place of infrared heat bulbs and strictly adhere to the use of linear fluorescent uvb bulbs that the animals can get to within 6-8 inches of. We ask that they also consider using a more accurate method of checking the temperatures in the tanks to ensure that the bearded dragons have an appropriate basking spot temperature of 95F-105F to ensure the proper digestion and growth of the animals as well as an available cool spot of 75F-80F to allow for proper thermoregulation. This can be simply accomplished by using a digital probe thermometer or an infrared temperature gun in lieu of stick on thermometers, such as the round gauge or strip type.

We do have the round stick on them's just to show that the temps are correct to customers ... everything we have in our store is regulated by computer...

On the topic of feeding, we ask that baby and juvenile bearded dragons, only be fed appropriate sized feeders specifically crickets that are no larger then the space between their eyes to avoid risks of impaction, that they be offered an adequate supply of such feeders and we also ask that they discontinue the use of mealworms as a feeder in the baby and juvenile animals for the same said risk. We ask that a fresh and continuous supply of appropriate dark leafy greens be made available to them on a daily basis such as Arugala, Collard Greens, Dandelion Greens,etc. In regards to supplements, we recommend that the bearded dragons are offered an appropriate amount of vitamins to ensure proper bone growth specifically a calcium vitamin with D3 and no phosphorous like Rep-cal, as well as a weekly multivitamin if this is not already a practice PETCO has in place.

At our store we feed crix two times a day and they are small crix... pinheads We do not over feed our beardies but there is enough placed in the tank and watch them eat to know that they have enough crix a day to satisfy their feeding needs and I continue to feed them until noone eats anymore of 8 minutes is up and everyone look satisfied ....

We have also viewed larger bearded dragons in with much smaller ones and are requesting that only babies be kept together as some adults have been known to eat smaller ones which is very upsetting.Please also consider upgrading your tank size as well as limiting the amount of baby beardies that are housed together.The current standard for an individual adult bearded dragon is a 40 breeder size tank and only 5-10 babies should be housed together in a tank of similar size.

You are joking... this can not be a Petco cause they never never order adults ... no no no... I know this I do the ordering all our beardies are 6 to 8 weeks in age.... there is no no no way this can be true.... I want you to take pics of the petco and the beardies in there that are adults .... we dont order again until sold out... and trust me they are there maybe 3 weeks tops before they are put up for adoption for free, we never have adults in the tank they would be there almost a year NO NO NO NO BULL you are so lying out your teeth on this one... we put them up for adoption for free after a certain amount of time.... sorry no way you all should not believe this... and we use a 20 gallon long for the babies and they are there maybe ummm three weeks tops in a extreme case most go in a week....

The practices we have requested above are the minimal standard of care that most experienced handlers use today and are used to simply ensure the health of the bearded dragon species. We believe the current husbandry practices of PETCO when it comes to bearded dragons, is sub-standard and needs to be changed in order to avoid any further animal losses, especially the use of any and all particle based substrates, including calcium based reptile sand and vita-sand as we believe that these substances are extremely hazardous and carry a very high risk of impaction and/or death.

Also in my store we have NEVER NEVER had a death of a beardie due to care... actually we have never had a death of a beardie at all... one Iguana and it came to use with a skin virus and I nursed it everyday and it still passed in the night ... with tons of love and commitment I might say... and yes he went to the vet the day we got him and vet said he was not going to make it (he had 3 days of love and kisses and snuggles from me) but we could try and we did .... I tried my heart out and cried ... he came in sick it made me so mad... and we dont order from that breeder anymore.... my foot went down... he did not care for his babies and I wont order from him ever again.....

I would like to thank PETCO and its representatives for hearing our appeal and please ask that you take these recommendations under serious consideration. Thank you for your time.

I guess that is all I have to say because a lot of this is just not right and wanted to make you all aware of this....

Hi
Well I am not sure what store you work in but IT is company policy to use and recommend calci sand.Here is PETCO's care sheet directly from the website http://www.petco.com/caresheets/lizards/Dragon_Bearded.pdf
http://www.petco.com/caresheets/lizards/Dragon_Bearded.pdf

I have already been advised by multiple people that this is what they use countrywide and have specifically seen it with my own 2 eyes in the Levittown,NY store as well as carle place and glen cove so I am not exactly sure why you would say this.Would you like photos?In the levittown store they were a minimum of 12 inches from the uvb bulb and its the same set up I have seen in several stores.You say no beardies become ill?Two weeks ago I held a dying beardie in my hands while one of the clerks tried to assure me there was nothing wrong with him as if I was some ignorant fool who couldnt tell the difference.Last week when I visited the store the smallest beardie of the clutch who was at least 2 inches smaller was missing his foot and had huge bite marks on his head(fresh wounds) and yet was still in the tank with the others.I dont know what the policy is in your particular store and I am happy to hear that at least one may be correct but I am sorry to say you are seriously incorrect in making these statements.I have known people who worked for Petcos in my area that were fired for speaking up about the incorrect practices but you dont need to believ me its in your care sheet in black and white.Please dont come here and try to blow this over with some incorrect comments.If Petco truly has finally changed their standards then prove it because no one here has seen any of it EVER or I wouldnt waste my time with this.Feel free to email or PM me and I will give you contact info so you can furnish it to anyone in Petco that needs more info from me.Being as I have emailed and spoken to custmer service multiple times and gotten no where I doubt I will ever get a response unless of course this is Petco's version of a response.

Vicky

 

[vickson420]

You are joking... this can not be a Petco cause they never never order adults ... no no no... I know this I do the ordering all our beardies are 6 to 8 weeks in age.... there is no no no way this can be true.... I want you to take pics of the petco and the beardies in there that are adults .... we dont order again until sold out... and trust me they are there maybe 3 weeks tops before they are put up for adoption for free, we never have adults in the tank they would be there almost a year NO NO NO NO BULL you are so lying out your teeth on this one... we put them up for adoption for free after a certain amount of time.... sorry no way you all should not believe this... and we use a 20 gallon long for the babies and they are there maybe ummm three weeks tops in a extreme case most go in a week....

Sorry for the double post.I have to respond to this.I am Lying???
Seriously are you kidding.Do you really think people will belive you?This has happened several times to several BD members here so maybe your stores need a reality check, not me.I have NEVER seen beardies up for adoption in any of our local stores so who is lying now.BTW it doesnt necessarily need to be an adult.If there is a major size difference between beardies even from the same clutch they shouldnt be housed together as you could see from last statement to you.The same beardies have been in the tank for weeks now.I smell a rat trying to steer people away from signing this petition to protect Petco.Thats what I got from your message.

Vicky

 

[KairaandTaz08]

You are joking... this can not be a Petco cause they never never order adults ... no no no... I know this I do the ordering all our beardies are 6 to 8 weeks in age.... there is no no no way this can be true.... I want you to take pics of the petco and the beardies in there that are adults .... we dont order again until sold out... and trust me they are there maybe 3 weeks tops before they are put up for adoption for free, we never have adults in the tank they would be there almost a year NO NO NO NO BULL you are so lying out your teeth on this one... we put them up for adoption for free after a certain amount of time.... sorry no way you all should not believe this... and we use a 20 gallon long for the babies and they are there maybe ummm three weeks tops in a extreme case most go in a week....

Sorry for the double post.I have to respond to this.I am Lying???
Seriously are you kidding.Do you really think people will belive you?This has happened several times to several BD members here so maybe your stores need a reality check, not me.I have NEVER seen beardies up for adoption in any of our local stores so who is lying now.BTW it doesnt necessarily need to be an adult.If there is a major size difference between beardies even from the same clutch they shouldnt be housed together as you could see from last statement to you.The same beardies have been in the tank for weeks now.I smell a rat trying to steer people away from signing this petition to protect Petco.Thats what I got from your message.

Vicky

THANK YOU YET AGAIN VICKY! Somebody stood up and did what needed to be done.
As for modinlarson, I'm so irritated with you right now, I'm going to try to keep my mouth as quiet as possible, BUT THAT'S A BIT DIFFICULT!
First of all, I live in Kansas, and Vicky's right, PETCO DOES NOT PROVIDE THE CORRECT CARE. Maybe you store does, but NOT A SINGLE STORE that I've been to has ever cared for beardies properly. And if your store does, good but don't post something like that on here, especially towards a person that is well-known and very helpful. I will go take pictures and post them on here also...if that's what you'd like? I have a so-called "care-sheet" from PETCO showing that they are doing as Vicky claims and not caring for their beardies correctly. They had little bugs flying and crawling all over the baby beardies the last time I was there. It was so hard to look at. That's why we are trying to do something about it. We want to stop the abuse that the big-chain pet stores, like PETCO, are doing. So maybe your store does provide the correct care, but many don't.
And yeah, it does sound like you are calling Vicky and the rest of us liars. Like I said, if you want pics, I'll get them, but please don't post threads like that.
One more thing, PetSmart may be bad, but PETCO is soooooo much worse. Sorry, had to say that in general.
Abi

 

[vickson420]

Thank you Abi. It just goes to show that this petition is not the opinion of just myself but a worlwide network of folks who just want to see things done correctly. I guess your right we are all being called liars just to protect the almighty dollar.What a shame.

 

[cjdickey]

I agree with everything you said Vicky except one thing. The PETCO in my area has and still does take in pets for adoption. Anyhting from birds to reptiles they will put for adoption. They even take names for people looking for specific animals and if they happen to come in from an outside owner, they give the person a call and then give them the animal. This is why I was so FURIOUS when the baby beardie died b/c they refused to adopt him to me and died the next day!! But yeah, other than that, PETCO is like limbo or even hell for the animals!!

Christy

 

[diamc]

modinlarson, we are glad that you know about this petition because all of us feel that it is extremely important for changes to be made at ALL Petco stores. It sounds like the one you're talking about is in the minority as most of us on this forum, if not all, have visited Petco's in our different areas and we were appalled by the reptile care.

Vicky and a lot of the members here put a lot of time and effort in the details of the changes that need to be made. When you refer to Vicky as a "liar" you are calling the rest of us a "liar" and that is certainly not appreciated. Beardies are our lives and we will do everything we need to do to help them get the care they need especially at the Petco and PetSmart stores.

We do appreciate your input but please don't ridicule another member here when all she is trying to do is enforce this petition which means so much to all of us.

 

[KairaandTaz08]

modinlarso, we are glad that you know about this petition because all of us feel that it is extremely important for changes to be made at ALL Petco stores. It sounds like the one you're talking about is in the minority as most of us on this forum, if not all, have visited Petco's in our different areas and we were appalled by the reptile care.

Vicky and a lot of the members here put a lot of time and effort in the details of the changes that need to be made. When you refer to Vicky as a "liar" you are calling the rest of us a "liar" and that is certainly not appreciated. Beardies are our lives and we will do everything we need to do to help them get the care they need especially at the Petco and PetSmart stores.

We do appreciate your input but please don't ridicule another member here when all she is trying to do is enforce this petition which means so much to all of us.

Sorry, I couldn't put it in a nicer way when I first read it but that's what I was getting at.

Vicky, I feel the same way and am glad you took the time to write the petition. Thank you!

Abi

 

[modinlarson]

Okay first off you all took that whole.....omg you are lying thing why out of context ... ummm hello i meant like no way... your are kidding right... wow i cant believe that... and when you are attacking all of petco okay fine but not every store is your store... okay and my store is not like that... i suppose i was trying to say that not every store is evil as yours... the oh wow you are lying was a disbelief statement... you all really need to get a grip... and stop attacking me, i get 7 bucks a hour okay, nothing and dont even need the job... really... I have a well enough income to take care of me and everyone in my home... animal babies included.... ummm did you all not noticed i said things like I only work there cause i am bored... hello my husband happens to be in iraq right now fighting for your freedom to be mean to me and take everything i am saying wrong... i said MY STORE... WHERE I AM AT... WHERE I WORK.... AND I WOULD THINK THAT THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TALKED TO ME KNOW BETTER THEN TO THINK I WOULD DEAL WITH SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS.... you might not know me but I am honest.... in my feelings and what I am saying.... I was not not calling Vicky herself, who ever she is and i have never talked to her... a lier... I was like in the context "like omg you are lying" is I can not even believe that is going on and omg I am sickened by that.... I mean really people... come on... you guys really need to stop taking things out of context and out on people with a different veiw then yourself... I am not no stupid petco rep they dont pay me enough okay.... I am just saying hello my store is not like that and i was told repti carpet is policy.... maybe it is diff here then there... fine but i know my store is diff.... not all petcos are evil but what I take offense too is I have read many a post ..... MANY A POST on here that said they dont hire knowledgable peeps to take care of the reptiles.... ok yeah call me stupid and dumb and I am gunna be kinda offensive about it, when what you are saying does not apply to the place I work.... or to me... I happen to hand out those cute little cards for this site you can print off to give peeps a place to hang out and talk to other beardie owners to learn even more... I mean please I dont hate on you all... I make one stupid statment... in disblief and you all attack me like I own the company or something or I am stupid.... you know that is so flippin petty... like so petty... seriously... I told you all I would be willing at work in the morning to take pics of all my habitats... I get there at 8 am I can even time date and stamp them if you all would like .... I have no issue with proving what I am saying... I can not believe that adults are ordered and placed in those standards... I mean I just drove 3 hours (there and back) to save a beardie from horrible conditions.... please dont even act like I am evil... would you all do that...would you all start a beardie rescue... I mean come on... you alll act like I have no heart and dont care... ummm have you seen my babies and their vivs?
Have you heard me talk... do you even know me.... at all? talked to me? I bet I have 100 more pics of my babies then most peeps not all but most...
And the sad thing is that you all want to jump on me and be pissed at me cause I am telling you what I was told and what I do in my MY STORE.... wow that is pathetic... if your stores are so jacked up then you need to direct you anger and hate on them... I am only a employee.... no anything more... and one who loves reptiles... and told you how I take care of my babies.... and OUR STORE policy and what I was told is company policy.... okay.... so every single one of you that are hating on me can kiss it... really cause if you have nothing better to do then to attack a petco employee that makes 7 bucks a our and happens to love and care for her babies she takes care of then you all have major hate issues... seriosly and you know why you all never see one up for adoption cause I happen to know for a fact when they do go up for adoption the reptile specialist normally take them home... I know I do.... as well as all the baby fish born in the tanks to pg mothers (who will end up eating them if left in there) ie why I got a 75 gallon tank ... as well as 6 mice I have in my house from rescuing, ash took home a guina pig the other day who will need medical attention all its life.... most the time the employees there take them home and love on them before they have a chance to go in the paper or anything cause all of us at my job happen to love animals... you know working there you do happen to get attached to the babies you are taking care of... I mean how can you not...

But anyways... if you all want me to leave fine cause honestly I dont care if you all are going to be that judgemental and mean to me when I didnt not say "Vicky, YOU ARE A LIER" I said "OMG, you are lying" like in disbelief and shock...

 

[KairaandTaz08]

i said MY STORE... WHERE I AM AT... WHERE I WORK.... AND I WOULD THINK THAT THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE TALKED TO ME KNOW BETTER THEN TO THINK I WOULD DEAL WITH SUBSTANDARD CONDITIONS.... you might not know me but I am honest.... in my feelings and what I am saying.... I was not not calling Vicky herself, who ever she is and i have never talked to her... a lier... I was like in the context "like omg you are lying" is I can not even believe that is going on and omg I am sickened by that.... I mean really people... come on... you guys really need to stop taking things out of context and out on people with a different veiw then yourself... I am not no stupid petco rep they dont pay me enough okay.... I am just saying hello my store is not like that and i was told repti carpet is policy.... maybe it is diff here then there... fine but i know my store is diff.... not all petcos are evil but what I take offense too is I have read many a post ..... MANY A POST on here that said they dont hire knowledgable peeps to take care of the reptiles.... ok yeah call me stupid and dumb and I am gunna be kinda offensive about it, when what you are saying does not apply to the place I work.... or to me...
I mean please I dont hate on you all... I make one stupid statment... in disblief and you all attack me like I own the company or something or I am stupid.... you know that is so flippin petty... like so petty... seriously... I told you all I would be willing at work in the morning to take pics of all my habitats... I get there at 8 am I can even time date and stamp them if you all would like .... I have no issue with proving what I am saying... I can not believe that adults are ordered and placed in those standards... I mean I just drove 3 hours (there and back) to save a beardie from horrible conditions.... please dont even act like I am evil... would you all do that...would you all start a beardie rescue... I mean come on... you alll act like I have no heart and dont care... ummm have you seen my babies and their vivs?
Have you heard me talk... do you even know me.... at all? talked to me? I bet I have 100 more pics of my babies then most peeps not all but most...
And the sad thing is that you all want to jump on me and be pissed at me cause I am telling you what I was told and what I do in my MY STORE.... wow that is pathetic... if your stores are so jacked up then you need to direct you anger and hate on them... I am only a employee.... no anything more... and one who loves reptiles... and told you how I take care of my babies.... and OUR STORE policy and what I was told is company policy.... okay.... so every single one of you that are hating on me can kiss it... really cause if you have nothing better to do then to attack a petco employee that makes 7 bucks a our and happens to love and care for her babies she takes care of then you all have major hate issues... seriosly and you know why you all never see one up for adoption cause I happen to know for a fact when they do go up for adoption the reptile specialist normally take them home... I know I do.... as well as all the baby fish born in the tanks to pg mothers (who will end up eating them if left in there) ie why I got a 75 gallon tank ... as well as 6 mice I have in my house from rescuing, ash took home a guina pig the other day who will need medical attention all its life.... most the time the employees there take them home and love on them before they have a chance to go in the paper or anything cause all of us at my job happen to love animals... you know working there you do happen to get attached to the babies you are taking care of... I mean how can you not...

But anyways... if you all want me to leave fine cause honestly I dont care if you all are going to be that judgemental and mean to me when I didnt not say "Vicky, YOU ARE A LIER" I said "OMG, you are lying" like in disbelief and shock...

I took some comments out of my quote...
We weren't attacking you. The way it came across it seemed like you were launching an attack on Vicky and what she believes in, therefore what most of us do. We are in no way saying you are incompetent when it comes to taking care of beardies or any animal for that reason. I (and a lot of us on the site) are worried about the way the beardies we have seen that are in the large pet store chains, one being PETCO, are being cared for or should I say, "not being cared for". It's great that you have a store that provides the proper care for all of your little sweeties, but that's not what I have seen and that's why Vicky has created the petition.
I think a lot of this is an "internet/typing misunderstanding"...no reason to "go off" on us. We didn't tell you to quote: "kiss it...". All we did was defend our reasons for not liking PETCO and what we have seen. I believe you should take into consideration how many of us have seen these things and how few have seen stores like yours. I'm glad that your store has changed its policy and has started to do things correctly. However, something still needs to be done about the other stores.
As for everything else said in that post was unnecessary (why I edited the quote)...we don't need to get too deep into personal lives on this topic...there's an "Off Topic" forum for that. I will say, thank you to your husband and to you for taking in every member of your family (I don't like to say "pet") that was in need of a good home. It sounds like you genuinely care and nobody was doubting that. I think myself, Vicky, and diamc were simply stating our case and felt that your response to Vicky's petition was...well rude. The lying thing WAS taken literally...I'm taking the issue seriously and wish their were more well-enforced laws in Kansas and a lot of other states about pet store abuse...that's why any statement concerning this subject with the word "lying" is not taken lightly. I don't think we were saying anything about you having a different view on things than us in general...I think that was a bit of an over-statement. Possibly, more so, we are just wanting to get the PETCO stores we have seen to change their care of beardies and their "care sheets"...the one Vicky posted is the one given to people in Kansas also. And I think you would have to agree that *just* about everything on there is incorrect.
Personally, I don't think you are "stupid or dumb". I read all of your posts and think you know a lot about beardies. I also don't think anyone was insinuating that. But do you know us, either? No...and that's not even what this is about. This whole thing is ridiculous. This is about the health and safety of beardies...yes at PETCO in this case and the lack of care they are getting, in the stores WE have seen, not YOURS...not about personal issues.
I don't "want you to leave"...just maybe restate some of the things you say/type because they can come across as offensive and rude.
Abi

 

[modinlarson]

You all need help... your anger is way out of control and hate meif you will I know who I am and what I do... VICKY, there are no adluts in that tank and you madeit sound that way read your words, and I am sorry if I offended you all and your I have to hate Petco policy... my bad... hate em all you want I could care less at 7 bucks a hour... I have babies to take care of which I do... period I could care less if you believe my sotre is not like you alls... sorry ... you choice but do not put me down in the mix... you all started this not me realize and read your posts ... you are all judgemental towards reptile specs and all like they know nothing ... whatever I would not be here if I did not care so I will stop handing out the little cards for this site when someone buys a beardie from ME .... I will just give em my number on a sheet of paper... no reason to promote a site that hates ME.... and has nothing but anger towards me cause I am a employee that hates be be called stupid... and does not agree with their being adults in a tank and Ali, please you talk about not attacking... I never called Vicky a lier I was in disbelief okay ... ummm hello those beardiues to be adults have to be there how long... get a life you all beardies are not in PETCO for almost a year at a time.... please... you all mad it sound that way and that is how it was taken ... NO ADULTS IN SAME TANK.... BABIES OF SAME CLUTCH..... BABIES>>> BABIES>>>> BABIES.... geesh you did not say that in the petition... the things was adults ... bam so attack me to make your selves feel better cause someone is not seeing that in the store they work in and knows babies are orders not adults .... I dont care what you think of me... honsestly... I was speaking my mind and telling you all the truth I want to see a pic of a adult in a tank with babies
and remember I have 3 beardies nad know what a adult looks like so provide these pics .... please prove it to me... I smell a rat... I can quite tomorrow and it wont hurt me ... but someone calls me stupid in so many words yea I get mad...wouldnt you?

 

[KairaandTaz08]

Who called you stupid once? I didn't. I don't think that and I specifically said I didn't want you to leave the site. Please don't, it's a great site and you do have good info.
That's all I can say...this isn't what the site is about. Just please know, that I do not want you to leave and I do not think you're stupid in any way.
Abi

 

[modinlarson]

Okay here is what I am saying... I came on to put my 2 cents worth and said how it is in my MY STORE... noone elses... period and the next thing I know I am attacked for calling Vicky a lier... I DID NOT SAY VICKY YOU ARE A LIER... I said maybe in the wrong way your are lying cause we do not order adults... no way... no how is there a adult in the tank with babies... the way it read was that they are housing adults who are ravish and eat babies in the same viv... noway... I am sorry that is not true... it was not a bigger beardie from the same clutch... it was not even taken that way when I was reading it... there was a total adult saying in there... so I am sorry yes that is a LIE... a big one... now maybe bigger babies of the same clutch I agree with that but no no no ADULTS... then the whole attack is going to fall on me all the sudden I am evil... well fine I am evil... a adult would have to be there atleast 10 months... ummm eating pinheads... and greens ... noway... they would not make it... they would die... there is no way there are adults who are going to eat the babies which is dishearting in the viv... sorry... I dont agree... so think I am evil... I said what I felt and you all attacked me... ie all the other stuff came in... I just said not all employees are stupid like some have made it sound... I happen to love every baby I get in and they are well handled and loved, even the snakes... all of em turtle, snakes, beardies, iggies, water dragons, even my fire bellies and geckos get lovin... I can say I am not allowed to handle the spiders and scorpions for their saftey as well as mine because of poision issues.... I can say that .... you say this was not a person attack but it was you just didnt realize it until I read how stupid us reptile people are and saying the wrong things... and for you all info our care sheets are not like the ones shown... so maybe you all have done some good (Awesome too you cause I would hate working in the store you all are complaining about, actually I would not work there)... I am saying we are not all stupid and not all stores are like you alls and there are no adults in the cages with babies... they are adopted out at a certain age in which we take em home or give em to people.... they wont last 10 months in that 20 gallon viv and we know it... atleast around here... but then I think somethings wrong with a baby and to the vet I go... I could care less... I actually own one of the ball who came in shedding and ever extended herself and bleed ... she is mine now... and it was nothing but a scare from shipping... I am not saying everyone is like me cause I do not need the job I do it cause I love the reptiles I take care of not the job itself I dont need it... and yes there are larger babies but not adults... period that is a lie... we dont order adults... and if you al think it is a adult then something is seriously wrong with that store cause they should notice right away that there is a adult with the shipment...

I am sorry for upseting anyone one but we all know that adults are 12 to 18 inches long and in a 20 gallon breeder even a smaller 12 inch adult would take half the tank... spike takes half the 40 gallon I just got him at 17 inches and 10 months old... I mean really the adults in a tank is a lie... and if they ate the babies there would be no baies in the next morning for peeps to see... that is just not true... I am sorry, just think about it... no adult would be house with tiny babies... they would eat them all before you got a chance to even see the babies... hate on me all you all want but there are NO ADULTS in the tank... it is impossible... imporbable and not even acceptable... it is unrealistic to be honest... sorry it is the way I feel hate me if you want too... I feel what was said was unbelievabkle and there for the you are lying statement (omg you are kiddign, what the blanck, there is no way a disbelief statement) ... sorry I might be like a total ***** but a adult at 12 to 18 inches long in a 20 gallon ... NO WAY... Spike took up almost his whole 20 gallon long... I mean come on that is like way way off base you all have to know that or you dont own beardies and if you do it is those little tiny lawson/durkins like cricket....

Can you not see my point here... there is no way a adult is housed with a baby... it is not possible to do so... not in the pet store... that has to be over exagrated, maybe a larger baby beardie but still a baby none the less, not a adult just cause of size if that were true muffin at almost 6 months would be a adult at 12 inches ..... noway is muffin a adult...

Anyway I am going to sleep hate me if you all will for voiceing our polisy's at my store and my total disbelief of adults in tanks with babies... sorry ... it is how I feel... there is just no way...

HUGZ TO YOU ALL EVER IF YOU ARE ANGRY.... MISSY

 

[beardielover360]

So I have read most of what you all have written and I understand where you all are coming from. .I myself own a Bearded Dragon, fish and a cockatoo. I am a manager for PETCO and I am truly disappointed in each and every store you all have visited. It is not going to do any good to tell you how well my associates take care of our animals, because the first (or 5th or 20th) impression you all had was not in my store. I agree that the “policies” of how to take care of some of the reptiles should change. I choose to break the rules when I think the life of an animal is at stake. That is why my dragons and leopard geckos are currently sleeping on reptile carpet rather than sand. Just yesterday we took a mouse and a hamster to the vet. We sell mice for $2.39 and my associates know they don’t even have to ask me to make them a vet appointment. Unfortunately not all stores have the same standards. That said, I agree that if you see sick animals in the habitats you should call the corporate office or SPCA on them!!!!

I assure you all that the company does A LOT to help animals in need. I read a comment that we should get PETA involved in the fight for Beardies. PETCO works hand-in-hand with PETA to raise money for animal rights. The primary food for Bearded Dragons according to PETCO policies is small crickets and fresh veggies (cut up). They are allowed to have small mealworms as a treat. I think if you sent the petition to PETCO, giving facts and statistics about proper substrate, they would listen. In fact… assuming the petition contains facts and possible suggestions… written in a professional manner… I will send it to the right person.

A little side note. My store is in California. The amount of people we have to choose from to work for us is far more than a smaller store in lets say… Kansas. I went to a pet store in Kansas that was attached to a DMV!!!

I’m not sure if any of you are frequent PETCO shoppers, but in the last few months the number of animals in each store were cut by about ½. The company would like to lean more toward adoption. And yes… we do adopt out animals. The problem is, they go so fast. I have a list of school teachers in the area that want me to call them as soon as any animal goes up for adoption, for there classes. I have adopted out a 14 inch red ear slider, skunk geckos, Dragons, hermit crabs, fire belly toads, tree frogs, chameleons, tarantulas, and that is just reptiles! I probably adopt out 10 hamsters a week! I think in the somewhat near future they will stop caring animals completely. My store does cat and dog adoptions both Sat and Sun. In conclusion, I hope you all don’t think it’s the company that does not care. They do. It’s the ****ty managers :evil: that give them a bad name! Don’t give up!

 

[KairaandTaz08]

Ok, I'm done. I give up. One person thinks I hate her and another is saying that the stores KS are different than their stores in CA. Never heard of a PETCO being attached to a DMV, but ok, suppose it's possible because of where I live???
I'm truly happy to hear that there are people that are working in the stores and changing things. I never meant any harm with what I said and never meant that the employees didn't care...it was directed at the "bad" stores (not individuals) and the corporation.
I've got to quit replying to this thread or I'm going to lose it and get in trouble :? ...and I've never been anything but nice to people on this site and don't want to change it because of a petition that someone started to help solve serious problems that a lot of us have seen ourselves, this isn't the place for what's being said. I also don't want it to be locked because of my arguing with people.
Vicky,
I still support you and I'll look in to see how things are going with the petition.

beardielover360,
Sorry, if that comment offends you, but we aren't just talking about KS. And I agree, it's not people like you that are doing this, it's the "other" managers...you may want to edit your post and get rid of the language, no offense at all...some words I've wanted to say of the sort...but the moderators don't care for it.
Abi