PETCO Beardies Looked TERRIBLE!

[dragonxxxx]

The reason why more people would complain about the dog is your feeding it lettuce and tomato and putting in on a cactus, the beardie is closer to its natural habitat on sand, eating lettuce and mealworms. I said closer because sand although natural should not be used, and lettuce either (what tomato has to do with any thing, I don't know). Now lets imagine a 30 pound dog spending its day in a small cage steppinng on its own feces waiting to be adopted or put down, how many bearded dragons were put down last year compared to cats and dogs. Sure there is much room for improvement for reptiles at these pet stores, but I would rather be a beardie than a dog when it comes to care at those stores. One last point the reason why these pet stores don't sell dogs or cats is because of the public complaints about where they were coming from (puppy mills) and the way they were housed (small wired cages) so people started going to private breeders. So maybe they won't sell beardies any more for the same reasons, ie lack of proper care and public outcry.

 

[jamesraby]

I'm not saying there aren't any dogs in this world being mistreated. I'm simply saying that they get away with mistreating reptiles." They don't sell dogs because of all of the complaints". That should tell you right there that dog are held above reptiles. They shouldn't be allowed to sell reptiles, but they will continue too because 90% of the pet store attending population does not know its wrong or will simply go about there trip there without saying a word about it. they are a franchise and they should have simple standards that they go by when it comes to housing reptiles. Sorry if I offended you by comparing them to a precious dog. " But they don't sell dogs in there because of the complaints".

 

[Brokenwings]

Sadly, you're right James. ^
Because people don't know squat about reptiles, they don't see any problems. but we see everything wrong. it's sad..

 

[dragonxxxx]

When these stores stopped selling dogs they were losing a big chunk of change pure bread dogs sell between $300.00 and $2000.00, a beardie sells for $60.00. Evan losing that market those stores still didn't think change was necessary. But I do agree with you and those stores (most not all) don't have a clue, and shouldn't be selling beardies. But there are probably many beardies that are purchased from the best of circumstances and cared for by thier owmer like crap. Education is the key.

 

[RolandKyramere]

Just take fish as an example of treatment. So often, people will just buy the fish that looks the prettiest so that they can show it off, without knowing anything about how to care for it. Often, this leads to fish that should be in larger tanks ending up in smaller tanks, or even bowls. Goldfish are the prime example of this, as even those little 25 cent goldfish can grow to 12" long, and live over 10 years with proper care. Just today I had someone in who I explained this to when she wanted to get her daughter a goldfish for a dorm pet. She just blew it off, not caring about the health of the goldfish, as "just a dorm pet". Same thing happens across the board, its the "Human/Shiny factor", when people see something they like and they think it will look good in their house, they get it, not caring if its a tv or a lizard.

 

[articwolfgirl]

Just take fish as an example of treatment. So often, people will just buy the fish that looks the prettiest so that they can show it off, without knowing anything about how to care for it. Often, this leads to fish that should be in larger tanks ending up in smaller tanks, or even bowls. Goldfish are the prime example of this, as even those little 25 cent goldfish can grow to 12" long, and live over 10 years with proper care. Just today I had someone in who I explained this to when she wanted to get her daughter a goldfish for a dorm pet. She just blew it off, not caring about the health of the goldfish, as "just a dorm pet". Same thing happens across the board, its the "Human/Shiny factor", when people see something they like and they think it will look good in their house, they get it, not caring if its a tv or a lizard.

I agree with you completely im gonna repost my anwser that i explained to brokenwings when she asked "why do they create it?" (calicum sand) in the petco forum.

I can awnser that as ive noticed and surely ever else here has some people ever very opioionated. Some people do things becuase its healthy for the dragon others do things becuase it "looks good".

Sand is the bigest debate really its "looks" verus "risks".

People who distribute to the market want to make cash there are those who sell things to appeal to thoose who want to play it safe and keep thier beardie happy (also i add some objects apeal to the beardie. I found a new way to feed my beardie calcium. Theres a thing called liquid coral calicum. its falvored like vinlla so he sits the and loves liking it off his nose [he refuses any food dusted]) And then there are marketers that appeal to people (you) as the buyer. Such as colored stones, play sand, weird yet neat directions to make the viv look cool, water fall directions and such. Not saying any of that is bad per say but it appeals to the buyer more than the dragon.

Although some dragons like certain colors and certain directions (not saying they dont).

Sorry for making the exsplantion so long but really it all comes down to money. Corprates thought: What can we do to make you want to buy are products? Do we appeal to your tastes of gothic, natrual, or sea life looking things, or do we appeal to regular zoo aproved things that can be proved useful to your beardie.

(not trying to come off rude or one sided just trying to prove its all about money and marketing)
hope this helps

 

[Brokenwings]

Yeah, completely true. Worst is, i've never really much paid attention to this until i joined this site. You guys are like my second family haha i kid you not
Just educate people. I do, whenever someone comes see's him. (Mr.Lizard) Its the best we can do for others.
I have already, and will keep doing so.

 

[Spoonhead]

I dunno, I don't think all PetCOs are predisposed to care poorly for their animals.
I bought my Beardie, Weyoun, from a PetCO in Kitsap county.
All of the reptiles seemed active, happy, bright-eyed and well fed. The people that worked there were very knowledgable about what they were doing, one woman in particular had 6 Beardies at home, a couple of snakes and some other reptiles.
There were people in there frequently, cleaning the glass; spritzing the Dragons, replacing the food.
There was a man there that made CERTAIN to remind me not to buy Calcisand, and offered me plenty of substitutes.
Then again, he kind of looked like a Gecko himself, and seemed to be treating the reptiles like they were his babies. :lol:
I'm a first time Dragon mother, but I do have pretty decent experience with animals; and the animals there were looking good!
And the employees were very nice! I've been able to go back time and time again for advice about Dragon care, often to the same people, and a few of them have gone so far as to remember Weyoun by name, and suggest that when he gets bigger, I bring him back here to pick out a harness.

On the other hand, I purchased a box of "36 Crickets" there and only 3 of them were alive.
And there are places I've been where the animals are cared for TERRIBLY! One place, in particular, I saw fish that were so neglected that they were eating the corpses of other dead fish! It was sad, and disgusting.
I guess it just depends on the branch. I'd heard enough nasty things about the treatment of animals at pet stores before I purchased my first pet hooded rat that I almost considered shunning PetCo altogether and finding a breeder. If I'd done so, though, I guess I would never have met some of my nearest and dearest little friends.

 

[auggie]

A couple of thoughts:

1.) Forum-goers here seem to be oriented away from the big-chain pet stores. Which is fine, and in a specialized hobby like caring for and breeding bearded dragons, that's to be expected. However, I think it biases people to a large degree. For example, a friend of mine might coo and purr over a cute, little juvenile who's missing 4 toes and being sold at a discount when at a breeder's house ("Awwww, poor thing!"), but get indignant and upset when seeing the exact same thing at a PetCo. There is a double standard.

2.) If there is genuine neglect and abuse for these bearded dragons (or any of the other lizards being sold), why aren't we seeing more pictures of the abuse? Whip out a cell phone and document the conditions, don't just observe something you think is wrong and then leave the store. Who doesn't have a cell phone camera? Nothing will change on PetCo's end until their business or reputation is being challenged, and if there's a reason for it to be challenged, then it's up to us to create the pressure. This website gets some serious traffic from people thinking about getting a beardie.

 

[sara24354]

I'm not saying all pet stores are bad.......
I live about 45 miles(give or take about 5 miles) to the nearest BIG pet store Petsmart,etc.....about 20 miles from me though is a local "Mom and Pop" store. About ayear agowent to the local store to get crickets(when I bought mine he was almost old enough to go to worms full time,he was a little older) They had 2 of the cutest little babies at the store and I just had to look,looked healthy,etc....... I have been using this pet store and educating them on proper dragon care for almost 2 years now(we have spent hours discussing proper lighting,feeding,housing etc.......The next time I went in the little guys had not grown even 1/4 of an inch(3 weeks later),then next time I went in was grabbed the minute I went in,Please come look at the babies they are not growing,et.......and have knots on their legs(one of the girls who worked there had already taken one home to try to help it,the manager asked me Will you please take this little guy home with you and see what you can do for him,we will supply food etc....(NO vet care) I couldn't afford to take this little guy to the vet myself as I have 2 of my own to care for) I told the owner I wouold do what I could and she agreed. I asked questions only to find out he had a reptisun2.0,70*temps,fed crickets only sometimes veggies only on other days bathed 1 time a week,only calcium sprayed on food once a week. The dragon dies later from MBD...........So I have a poor opiinion of any pet store.
BYW When I brought him home I was cleaning his cage and my hubby came home. He held the baby while I was cleaning his cage. My hubby is a BIG man and this little dragon was about 4 inches long and about as big around as my little finger. My hubby told me,he'll never go back to the pet store,I stopped and looked at him thinking the little guy had already passed,I was about to cry,I asked if my hubby thought he was that bad,he said "No honey,but he'll never go back because you see Tob Thumb now has a forever home...........(we were gonna work to get him better then just tell the pet store we weren't returning hm,but wanted to buy him,sadly the little guy didn't make it to stay with the family that loved him.
Sorry so long of a post,I just have a poor opinion of pet stores and wanted to share my reason why.
Sara

 

[fuzz]

There is a complant line where you can complan about stuff like that . I turned in the Petco near me,the beardies were in bad shape an the ball pythons had mites bad you could see them all over them after that they cleaned up.You may want to call the local animal control there might be something they can do!

 

[TheFray1997]

yeah, i agree w/ james.... dogs are definately held above reptiles and people dont know anythin at petco...