One of those complaining threads (with pics)

[RobM]

So today I went to a local aquatic shop, which was not my normal one where I am a regular. I had been in it before, and knew it had a wide selection of aquatic plants, which I was after. While I was in there I thought I'd have a browse of the fish...and what did I see...you probably guessed it, newts. In a lunch box sized tank within the tropical fish section I saw:
10x what I think was Pleurodeles waltl
2x Pachytriton labiatus
1x a very skinny Cynops orientalis

Now I had always suspected that this shop overcrowded its tanks, but I am not a fish expert so have never been in a situation where I could say what was right or wrong. It is also no secret that a lot of shops do not provide adequate care for their animals, but there are probably 101 things wrong with the way they are keeping the newts (such as, temperature, tank size, mixing of species etc etc). There is no way the shop owners can even for a moment think that what they are doing is acceptable...

Now I know its been discussed a 100 times how poorly some shops treat their animals, but its always worse when you witness it. Those "red bellied newts" and "spotted newts" that they have are destined to die, either in the shop or at the hands of owners that are not correctly informed...

I kind of feel disappointed at myself for storming out and not saying anything, however I also think that not providing them with my custom may be my only form of protest. Now I could have kicked up a fuss about it to the shop staff, but at the end of the day, they must know what they are doing is not right... and have already chosen to ignore it.

Now like most, I say to myself that I plan to write a letter... but realistically I feel I don't know who to write to, and doubt that anything would be done about it anyway.
Of course doing nothing would be worse though, so does anyone know where is the best place to write to? or shall I just spam everyone who will listen?

I know its unlikely that someone else is near by, but if you want to know what shop it is, it is in Barnehurst and is called Aquacadabra...
Being a computer scientist and somewhat involved in web marketing, I don't even want to post the website, but it is easy enough to find through a google search.

Apologies for the quality of pictures, they were taken on my phone.

 

[DeCypher]

If I were you, I would certainly talk to the manager about this. This is entirely unfair/wrong for those poor Caudates!

 

[Bellabelloo]

I would send a letter to their head office and a copy to the store. Explain how distressing it was to come across such negligence and advise them in an non aggressive manner how they should be kept. It is horrible when you come across such things.

 

[Molch]

I agree with the others. A courteous, but strongly worded letter will likely get some attention.

I have shot my mouth off in more pet shops I care to remember. The thing that got me most, is that I have always been polite, but in return I get indifference, arrogance and rudeness from pet shop owners and staff.

Would animal control want to hear about this? I mean, they are supposed to take care of abused animals, right? Even though your typical animal CO wouldn't know a newt from a dog turd if one jumped up and bit him on the privates.:evil: