PETCO IS HAVING A BEARDED DRAGON AWARENESS???

[lauraj1055]

So, I run across this event that the Petco I bought my lil guy from is having a Bearded Dragon awareness event June 4th and June 5th!! ARE YOU KIDDING ME?????? This is the Petco that told me that Large crickets are ok to feed baby drgaons that are maybe 7" in length!! And mealworms are the best feeder, and calcisand is a good substrate!!! SO, guess what I am doing????? I am bring both my dragons (1 year old and 9 months old) down there and handing out care sheets. Hopefully I don't get thrown out LOL.. I am also going to list this website on the caresheet.

Here's the event published:
http://www.petco.com/content/StoreEventsCalendar.aspx?storeNum=883&theMonth=6&theYear=2011

So... What is the best caresheet on here that I can print out? I will give some of my own bearded dragon awareness

 

[Slave2Scarlett]

Wow.. PETCO/PETSMART and BEARDED DRAGON AWARENESS are a complete oxymoron..lol

 

[volvotech]

Honestly, Petco's large crickets are pretty much okay for a small Bearded Dragon. They're such a rip off, however, that you might as well dice $20 and throw it on the Beardie's salad.

If I remember correctly, Daichu has a very good care sheet. You might want to figure out a way to include this as well: http://www.beautifuldragons.503xtreme.com/Nutrition.html

 

[Cocky]

It might be good to attend just to see if its also to educate the staff, not just the public.

As i dont work in the Pet store industry I would not know, but my guess is that they probably do not do a lot of training on individual animal needs, after all I am sure many just take it as a job and nothing more to pay the bills.

 

[lauraj1055]

It might be good to attend just to see if its also to educate the staff, not just the public.

As i dont work in the Pet store industry I would not know, but my guess is that they probably do not do a lot of training on individual animal needs, after all I am sure many just take it as a job and nothing more to pay the bills.

When I was there buying lil guy.. the guy who was telling me 'what I should do' did not like to be told he was wrong... he kept arguing with me.

But lil guy is doing awesome now 2 weeks later

 

[Sashee]

It's actually not "BD Awareness" it's the Reptile Rally. BDs are featured d/t their calm nature. And honestly, you may want to ask ahead of time if you can set up a booth or something. They may actually let you and it will keep them from calling the cops.

And no, there isn't alot of animal specific training. It's basically lumped into groups, i.e. dogs/cats, small animals, aquatics, birds, reptiles. Nothing breed specific.

There's ppl at my work that feed them the large crix when they clean the cages. I still refuse. Safer than sorry. I give them the little ones when I clean it. We only have three atm, too, so it's not too crowded for them. Not ideal, but not as bad as it could be.

 

[Beezer25]

Are mealworms actually bad to feed beardies? I talked to a guy at the reptile shop that I bought my beardies from and he told me that he has 11 full grown dragons and the only insect he feeds them is mealworms, and he's never had a problem. Should i stop feeding my guys mealworms?? :|

 

[volvotech]

Are mealworms actually bad to feed beardies? I talked to a guy at the reptile shop that I bought my beardies from and he told me that he has 11 full grown dragons and the only insect he feeds them is mealworms, and he's never had a problem. Should i stop feeding my guys mealworms?? :|

They're not necessarily bad, but the hard shells can be hard to digest. Insect variety is good, however, so feeding one insect perpetually is usually frowned upon by enthusiasts.

 

[Spiketheleucistic]

Wow.. PETCO/PETSMART and BEARDED DRAGON AWARENESS are a complete oxymoron..lol

Tell me about it! I'll be at the one in cary nc!the fact that they have the nerve to claim to be "experts" shocks me !

 

[gryphonsmom]

I really want to go to the one in Greenville, SC. I can't sit by and know that potential beardie owners will cause their own pets to suffer because they were informed by the misinformed. I will probably call ahead of time and ask if I may come in and answer questions or give a brief talk and bring in my big boy, Gryphon. Idk who they are claiming to present as a "specialist", but if it's an employee, s/he is probably just as misinformed as the rest of them. Either way I plan on showing up and giving the poor pet shop beardies a chance.

 

[TASTIGER]

how about i bring the bearded dragon i just rescued and show what their advice really does!! they fed him a pinky mouse once a month with some mealworms thrown in when they feel like it

 

[jortiz9758]

how about i bring the bearded dragon i just rescued and show what their advice really does!! they fed him a pinky mouse once a month with some mealworms thrown in when they feel like it

oh wow...That poor beardie.

 

[BadCon]

I plan on heading to my local petco on the 5th with my dragons in tow. I typically bring my male beardy out with me when I go to restock on supplies, and figure anyone at this event would benefit from seeing just how big beardies get. I also plan on handing out care sheets to anyone that wants one. I suggest anyone interested in going bring some care sheets with them...you just might help out a beardy who gets purchased at the event.

 

[Sashee]

I'm really bummed cuz I have a church convention I'll be at all weekend. Otherwise, I was going to be the "specialist" at my store. So upset! I would've taken Yoshi in and everything.

 

[bambichik39]

I bring Pablo with me occasionally (his outings have been cut back since he crapped on me while i was driving) and plan on taking him next weekend. I don't really care to stay for the whole thing but will go and get my usual feeders and he can tow along. If I do see anyone about to purchase I'll throw the website name at them. What really hacks me off is the 20L "Bearded Dragon Kit" they are selling at $50 dollars off.
20 gallon (long) terrarium 30"x 12"x 12" (76x30x30cm) with sliding screen top.
12" Terrarium Hood
ReptiSun® 5.0 Compact Florescent
Dual Mini Deep Dome™ Lamp Fixture
Repti Basking Spot Lamp (100 w)
Nocturnal Infrared Heat Lamp
Vita-Sand Outback Orange (10lb.)
Strip Thermometer
Water/Food Dish Combo Pack (med.)
Bearded Dragon Food (sample)
Care Book: Guide to Bearded Dragons
ReptiCalcium (sample)
ReptiVite® (sample)r

What a total rip off. It literally has about one thing thats actually useable on that list. I will let people know how dumb it would be to purchase. They'd literally have to change everything for proper care, and buy a new tank within 6 months. I just don't see the point. I'm not one to bombard people with care sheets, etc bc I do feel that an individual should do proper research before purchasing an animal (and by research I don't mean Petco day). But if someone asks, or happens to be around about to waste a lot of money, I will pipe in and share my thoughts.
FOR ANYONE LOOKING TO PURCHASE ANY REPTILE FROM PETCO
They also have another coupon on their website for next weekend for 50% off any one reptile. I am in no way encouraging you go to buy one, but if you have fallen in love with one it'd be a great chance to get it at a decent cost.