Is this good or bad? Perhaps evil pet shop???

R

rheann

Guest
http://www.erdingtonaquatics.com/amphibians.html
Does anyone see anything wrong with the pictures in the above link. Please post your opinions. Personally, I think it's wrong to house soo many different species together, the firebelly toads are toxic for one, aren't they? hmmm... I think it's wrong. There are also Axolotls in the water. Please post your opinions.
 
Personally, I think that calling this pet store "evil" is a little far-fetched. Yes, it's upsetting that they're mixing species, but you have to remember that almost all pet stores only keep animals long enough to sell them, and are often quite misinformed on proper husbandry. In reality, most pet stores do that sort of thing all the time and a lot of people often create threads complaining about them. Though there are a few people who "rescue" these animals (who are generally under a lot of stress from importation/being in the wrong environment,) they create higher demand for these animals, so it creates a vicious cycle. The pet store turns profit on an animal, then buys/imports more to satiate the demand.

It takes up less space to house all of the amphibians together, to make room for more merchandise (ie: other animals,) than to house them correctly. With few exceptions, pet stores do not know/care for the animals they sell. They're only looking to turn profit.

Time and again, people ask on the forum questions regarding their animal's welfare, having been told something completely different by a pet store clerk.

For instance, not only are they housing Firebellied Toads with Axolotls, but they've also mislabeled what looks to be Paramesotriton as "Firebellied Newts" (Cynops orientalis.)

Also, not only is this pet store located in England, (if any of the British patrons of this forum want to stop by and complain, that's fine,) but the page hasn't been updated since January, so who knows if those animals are still there, still housed together or still alive.

Personally, I think the lynch-mob mentality that people take against pet stores is somewhat silly. Most pet stores are just like other retail stores - they sell merchandise to appease public demand. Their main priority is to turn profit and will do so regardless of the toll it takes on the animals. They hire apathetic and/or uneducated employees, who can/will/are taught to tell a prospective customer what they want to hear to make the sale.

I'm not saying all pet stores are like this, but a lot of the chain stores are. There are definitely good ones out there, and once you find them, don't go anywhere else, but a lot of them aren't.

Just my .02 cents.
 
Well, I didn't call the pet shop evil, I asked if it was evil in the thread's heading, referring to people's opinions. I gave my opinion of it in my thread post. When I saw the pictures online, I knew I had to post the link, because I want to know if it is right or not. Thanks Dot for posting, I hope others will post opinions too
happy.gif
If I had a pet shop, I wouldn't house them like this, and I wouldn't over stock my animals either. But then again the might have bought the animals at whole sale
sick.gif
 
I'm curious as to why we should not get mad and judge a pet shop to be evil if it's business practices are not only sloppy but causing suffering and death?

Numerous shady and often illegal business "sell merchandise to appease public demand." Does this make it somehow something that we shouldn't complain about? Or is the prevalence of this practice that makes it less objectionable?
 
You can get as mad as you want and you can complain all you want, no one will stop you from doing that. The fact of the matter remains - most pet stores will continue their business practices to move their merchandise.

For instance, my local Petland Discounts store has, in one 10 gallon tank, the following: Paramesotriton, Pachytriton labiatus, Bombina orientalis, Egyptian toads, Fire salamanders, green tree frogs and Cynops orientalis. Everytime I went in there, I said that the Pachys would kill any other animal in there, including each other. I even complained to the manager and the manager flat out told me: "They're generally not in there long enough to fight anyways, because people buy them."

Yes, the store linked above has questionable husbandry methods - there's absolutely no question about it. However, taking into consideration that the web page linked ALSO hasn't been updated since January, there's no way of telling whether or not those husbandry practices have changed.

No where did anyone mention about how it's not objectionable, and perhaps I, personally, have grown apathetic to this topic, (about which, to be quite honest, I've held back on expressing my true personal opinions regarding this particular thread.)
 
That's a wonderful point Rafael
happy.gif
I agree on the point that it is wrong. this is why I wanted to post the link. A lot of the time when different species are housed together, they become very sick, disease is spread around, and animals become unhealthy because they don't get enough nutrition. The weak animals will hide away from the bigger ones, thus getting their fair share of the meals provided by the pet shop workers, and usually the workers wont stay to watch and make sure the weaker animals will get their share. Bigger animals will also bully the smaller ones, as I watched an experiment over the tv in my biology room where a large Hamster was put into a cage with a smaller hamster. The larger hamster bullied the smaller hamster until he has completely phycologicall abused it so much, that it left its whole behavior completly changed. after which the larger hamster and the smaller hamster were removed. promtly afterwards, the smaller hamster was put into a cage with an even smaller hamster, and the bigger of the two acted his aggressions out on the smaller one, treating it in the same manor when it had been abused. A lot of the time people will go into pet shops to buy animals, and not even know what is going on. I think pet shops that do these sort of things should be shut down. It to me, is really unforgivible, concidering the animals feelings and well beings, and this is my true feelings on the matter. Animals shouldn't have to suffer, just because they are caged for human pleasure. They should be treated with kindness, love and above all else respect. Thank you Rafael for your opinion
happy.gif
It was really an excellent
one at that.
 
although it is wrong we don't have much right
to judge, we don't know the full story
they could have just put them all in to
take pics so it looks better. it dose look
good like that i recon anyways. but you do
have the right to worry though rheann.
 
I worry because the animals are caged together, and I can see where I would come off as being a bit judgemental, I just worry for the animals sake. I can't help it
happy.gif
I'm an animal lover.
frog.gif
 
Yes, I agree, it's very important
happy.gif
The more people that care, the better off the planet is, I still have some faith it's not totaly doomed to distruction by man kind.
 
Touch subject again
happy.gif
. Although everyone has made good points, Dot has stated the reality of petshops.

The best way to handle this, is to contact the site, and KINDLY, share your knowledge with them re: your concerns. It may, or may not, change the way they house their "products", but at least you have not only "vented", you have taken action and shared your experience and insight.

I do think that their setups are lovely, roomy, and look clean. That at least is a plus regarding the site.

If it weren't for petshops, most of us would never have been exposed to the animals that we now so dearly love, and keep ourselves.

NB I am not condoning supporting those shops that are filthy and obviously not caring for the animals. These types of proprietors can be put out of business by not supporting them, and contacting the humane societies for investigation.
 
Ok well my girlfriend works at a petstore. And as many other people said most of the people working there don't know how to take care of the animals specific needs. But most animals are sold within around a weeks time period (some more expensive animals last longer). But a couple weeks ago my girlfriend went into work and she saw some firebelly newts just put into a tank with some frogs with only a water dish. She took them out and made up a new tank for them to fit their needs. I am pretty sure most shops would do this if they just knew what they needed to do.
 
General chit-chat
Help Users
  • No one is chatting at the moment.
    There are no messages in the chat. Be the first one to say Hi!
    Back
    Top