My grandson received a red eared slider for his birthday in June..It was not until i went onto the internet to find out how to care for it that I found out it was illeagle. The lil thing is doing well because we got the correct information on how to care for it but when it was purchased we were given no instructions and sold a bottle of turtle pellets..We have had the turtle for just over 2 months now, I just measured it, not quite 1 1/2 in. ( shell ) . We have it set up in a 10 gal. aquarium w/ floating dock some river rock and light. The employee at the 1960 & Eldridge PetCo could only tell me that they loved yellow squash..apparently only to lay on..I just wanted to write and say thank you for the information i found on your site..When the turtle was purchased they did not ask for any credentials about being a teacher ect..Actually my grandson was there and picked the turtle out that he wanted..Is there no way to stop these people ? If someone gets one of these and does not have the resources that I did the poor little thing would be ill and or die..this does not seem right..
Thank-You for letting me vent.
a concerned grandmother
DC Pet Center INC.
1908 Scranton-Carbondale Hwy
Dickson City
phone #489-2211
A person purchased a small iguana from this store only to find out it is ill. They called and went into the store many times and he said you bought you deal with it.
The iguana continued to deteriorate.
The owner of the iguana contacted us and we had them start the rehab process. It has been 2 weeks since the process started but not much improvement. We will keep you posted on the results of the iguana.
We at Pets Are Us Rescue personally called the pet store and were astonished at the owners response/. His lack of concern for the animals was disheartening. He doesn't care what happens to them. He was rude and obnoxous with our organization. We were calling to try and help. His employees are just as bad as he is. No one in the store cares yet he is still allowed to be in business.
We checked out all the areas of Traders Village and found the usual suspects in dealing with sick and illegal animals. They were selling baby red-eared sliders which were half dollar size. These turtle are not to be sold unless they measure 4 inches by bottom shell. The same people were selling them. There were some puppy dealers there with their puppies, many of the puppies had bloated stomach's which is a good sign of worms. We personally would not purchase any animals from Traders Village.
Exception the sugarglider gentleman he takes very good care of his animals and can give advice when needed.
DECEMBER 2005
In late December we did our rounds of the Petco's in the area
Here are the results
Petco
Highway 6--Copperfield TX
We waited 45 minutes and had to go to a register to request someone to assist us in getting one dozen crickets and they only had small. There was no sign up to state this. The room for the door where the sick animals and crickets are kept was wide open and it was a pigpen. The dirt and dead crickets, etc covered the floor. Everything in there was filthy. We also requested some frozen feeders but they only had one size. There was no food in any of the tanks. This is one of the worst stores ever and it seems to be getting worse!!!!!!!
PETCO
1960 & Eldrige--Houston (Cypress), TX
This Petco was just as bad no one to help you so you have to go the register and ask for help. Then wait another 10 minutes for someone to meet you over there in the reptile department. This store also did not have large crickets. We also requested some frozen feeders and had to go to the fish department to get them. The smell was so bad it made us gag, there was a tank of goldfish that had 50% of them dead and the smell was terrible. Walking around the fish department there was also a cichlid tank full of dead fish. The feeders were undersized and dirty. We proceeded to the checkout counter where there were 2 young associates chit chatting which left one person working in the store and he had just come on duty. We mentioned to the register girl the fish department conditions and a young male associate came over and said "Oh ya you should check out the dead cichlids tanks back there." This person was just chatting with the person at the register and could careless about helping anyone. He knew there were things to be done but stated "thats not my job". We asked what his job was since he was not doing anything but hanging around his response was "I work back there" and pointed to the rear of the store.
PETSMART PASSED
PET CITY
1960
Houston, TX
PET CITY IS A LAST STOP FOR SOME AND A HELLISH PRISON FOR OTHERS
WHEN I RECENTLY VISITED PET CITY I ENCOUNTERD A HORRIBLE SMELL AND A TANK
WITH DEAD IGUANA CARCUSES ALONG WITH MORE MALNURISHED LOOKING BABIES.
THREES ALSO A TANK FULL OF INJURED BABY BEARDED DRAGONS EATING EACH OTHER ALIVE.
IF YOU SAY SOMTHING THEY GIVE YOU A STUPID LOOK AND IGNORE YOU.
PET CITY ALSO HAS RED EARED SLIDERS FOR SALE WHICH IS ILLEAGAL TO
SELL LESS THAN 4 INCHES BY BOTTOM SHELL THIS IS A FEDERAL LAW. They ARE ONLY AVAILABLE FOR EDUCATION AND PROOF MUST BE PROVIDED. BUT THEY HAVE THEM AVAILEBLE FOR $12.99.
THE TANKS WERE DIRTY AND UNCLEAN.
I WOULD NOT SUGGEST ANYBODY TO BUY ANYTHING FROM THERE IF IT WAS THE ONLY PLACE TO GO.
LUCKILY IT’S NOT
S&S IS GREAT IT IS SPECTACULAR WITH A GREAT PLACE TO GO
UPDATED 11/26, 2005
PLEASE HELP US
STOLEN FROM OUR VOLUNTEER's home on 08/29/2005, they broke in the home and stole them
PLEASE HELP US FIND THEM MALE AND FEMALE ECELPYC
THE GREEN BIRD HAS SEVERE NEUROLOGICAL PROBLEMS AND NEEDS SPECIAL CARE.
PLEASE HELP US CHECK ALL PET STORES AND FLEA MARKETS TO RETRIEVE THESE BIRDS. THEY ARE BOT BREEDERS.
IF YOU HAVE INFO PLEASE CALL THE NUMBER BELOW OR IF YOU FIND THEM PLEASE CALL THE POLICE ASAP!!!!!
Lake Jackson Police 979-297-1101 or 979-415-2700
Officer Villanueva, Gabriel
case# 2005-01703
DETECTIVE ADAMS
Thanks Kim Pawelka Parrots and Paws Division of PETS ARE US RESCUE Lake Jackson, TX 77566
PETCO
During the beginning of September we checked out several Petco stores in the Houston area.
The North Eldride and 1960 store passed excepted for an issue of feeding baby bearded dragons meal worms. This
is no recommended to hatchlings and very young dragons. They stated it could not be changed corporate rules says
they must be in the cages of these baby bearded dragons or the employee will get fired!
They need to do more research and listen to their specialists after all that is what they are there for.
The Petco store on Highway 6 and 529 failed miserable as always. They had no crickets nor were there any employees
to assist the cuxstomers. The only people we saw in the store were a clerk at the register whom told us we would have to wait for someone ho was unloading a truck, 30 minutes later we were still waiting. Am assistant manager named Ed was busy chit-chatting
away and refused to acknowledge we were even there. Saw and turned his back. The animals were not fed the water bowls in the
reptile tanks were dirty. Same situation as always no service, poor animal care and bad staffing!
Traders Village has not changed if not it has gotten worse.
Petsmart
Passed
As of this date that is all there is to report.
More to come at the end of the month
PETCO
On a recent visit to several Petco's we have no improvement in the care of the animals. The stores are unkept and most of the staff have very poor attitudes. At all stores we order 3 dozen crickets and have yet to receive the proper amount. The crickets are always under count, 3 dozen usually comes out to between 13-15 dusting is not offered and upon request refused. We do not recommend these stores!
PETSMART
Highway 6
Houston, TX
We visited this store on July 30th and they were a little short handed but everyone was willing to step in and help. All the animals were in good health. The fish tank had several floating and decaying fish in them. Overall we would recommend this store.
PET CITY
Highway1960
Houston, TX
This store is so bad it should be closed down.
The puppies are very ill, the animals all look sick. this store has been in this condition for atleast the last 5 years but no one will address the issues. We have continually checked this store and no improvements have been made. Laws need to be passed tp prevent this form of abuse. Perhaps a special task force should be enaabled just for pet stores!
If you agree please send an email with your concerns so we may forward these issues tp the proper authorities and hopefully make a change!
Temperature was 51 degrees and colder with the wind
We found many of the dealers selling baby water turtles, and they were not being sold for education. Houston Pet Supplies toward the back of Traders Village had baby iguanas in a small 10 gallon tank no light and a chunk of lettuce to eat. They had birds out in cages in the cold. None of the animals there were being cared for correctly.
The rest of the dealers were all the same selling sick animals and exposing them to extreme cold! DO NOT BUY FROM THESE DEALERS
ON THE UP SIDE
There is a husband and wife team whom sell sugar gliders, we applaud them for their animals were all in heated areas and they were only viewed through a glass front. They love their animals and are referred by us. To contact them Email--- Email DORISRONALD@AOL.COM
Petco on highway 6 The sick room has an African Fat-Tail Gecko that was expecting eggs. Needless to say due to no one caring, the eggs were dried up, like the other female's before her.
There is also a Ball Python in the back room there and ever since his arrival back in either Nov or Dec 2004, he has refused to eat. He was being force feed one fuzzy a week but no one there cares to do that now. He has gotten very skinny though Ed the assistant manager stated "Yeah well, it still won't eat." And that was the end of trying to get the snake help. If the Managers don't care why should the staff. He probably doesn't even have a heat source on him anymore.
I'm not sure how to go about it, but that little boy needs to be confiscated before he is killed. You could have a field day at Petco now babies and animals look terrible.
This store needs to be investigated
Petco
Highway 6, Copperfield, Tx
APRIL 2005
None of the stores passed in this month!
MAY 2005
On a recent visit to the Petco on 1960 and Eldridge Rd in Tx we were very surprised to be served by a very knowlegable employee! But unfortunately he will be moving to management soon. There were a few issues in the fish department: the parrot fish had no place to hide and they were stressing out. There just was not enough in the tanks for the fish. The reptiles also needed more proper accessories in their cage but due to Petco rules it is not allowed!!!!
THIS PAGE WILL FEATURE NEW ARTICLES AND COMPLAINTS FROM CONCERNED CONSUMERS REPORTING PET STORES, PLUS PET STORE INQUIRES We have recieved complaints about the following stores
#1 IN COMPLAINTS PETCO WORST IN THE BUSINESS THEY HAVE MANY DISEASES IN THEIR STORES, ESPECIALLY MITES AND MANY OTHERS.
This store has had an enormous amount of complaints in all the states they occupy. The following is an example of our complaints Petsmart on 1960 Houston, TX had a dead fat tail gecko, dehydrated frogs, and sales people who had no idea on the background of the animals or how to set them up. We have been recieving complaints about them for over 3 years. above is a picture of a water dragon that expired due to the instructions given to the buyer by the sales person. When the purchaser got the correct info it was too late Louie had expired. One of our volunteers visited the Petco on highway 6 at the grand opening and what did they find? The iguana's had moldy food in their dish, the baby beardies had no water or crickets, or greens. All the animals in every department lacked food and water. They can spend all they want on the fancy decorations but lack of experience and poor animal care means they are out for the money only!! On openeing day of the store being made a millenium store this is what we found, baby iguana's had moldy food in their dishes, hatchling bearded dragons no crickets, no greens, and no water. All of the reptiles were in the same condition no water and no food. Nothing has changed: Updated 02/07/2005. UPDATED 03/25/15 nothing has changed, the workers haven't a clue, and don't ask for frozen feeders either they don't have them or they give you and large rat for a large mouse. They are afraid to go in the small animal cages to get an animal to look at. STAY AWAY FROM THIS STORE
PET FAIR WILLOW BROOK MALL HOUSTON TX
Selling baby turtles to young children which is against federal Law Unsanitary conditions, animals being handled by everyone without sterilizing their hands before touching the animals or in between. The small animals and roughly handled and are extrememly stressed out. The other exotic animals are in improper habitats and the cages are dirty. The puppies had diarhea and appeared ill. 09/03/2003 updated Conditions still terrible, selling turtles under 4" against federal law. Everyone including children handling the parakeets and cockatiels. The quaker parrots were in soggy wet cages prime for infection. No improvements conditions got worse. Order was increased. Nothing has chnaged at these stores all of the stores are bad. Updated 01/06/2005
LYNN'S FISH AND PETS 5321 S. FLORIDA AVE LAKELAND, FL
Improperly treated reptiles, over crowded tanks, bugs (non food) infestations like flies and maggots in food. No lights or heat rocks (no undertank heaters either). No heat sources for the reptiles. Tortoises seemed to have mouth problems (2 spurthighs). Over crowded mouse tanks that we feeding on the dead ones and each other. The over all general smell was really bad it didn't smell like a pet store but rotting food, feces etc.
SPECTRUM FISH AND PETS HIGHWAY 6 HOUSTON TX----------------------- CLOSED
Very offensive ordor upon entering, the floors and store was filthy. The reptile and small animal departments were terrible, the reptiles had rotting food in their cages and dirty bedding along with no water. The animals also had mites this was very visible. The fish dept. tanks were over run by algae and smelled terrible. The small animals you could smell from a mile away the cages were filthy the animals food was just thrown in the dirty bedding, that is the animals that actually had food. They were selling exotic zebra mice but there was no visible permit.
PET CITY I-10 & 1960 HOUSTON, TX
The store has a terrific odor that knocks you over when you enter the door. The reptiles are all sick, missing tails and loaded with scars. The puppies have diarhea and are not healthy. Very bad store. As of 07/07/01 conditions continued! As of 07/19/02 conditions getting worse As of 09/03/2003 conditions same 02/05/2005 no changes
MYLA'S SOUTHMORE PASADENA, TX
Sick mice runny noses, beaten up, mites and feeding on each other, You can smell the dead ones right away. The snakes are full of scars, ticks, and mites apear to be wild caught. The employees will not even handle the snakes, they have no idea what to tell you about each snake or any other animal in the store. The store smells like urine and feces. Not our kind of store.
PETCO 1960 HOUSTON, TX (COPPERFIELD)
This is the first complaint we have gotten from a Petco store. The sales person in the reptile Dept has given incorrect instructions for several different animals. Some of the animals have expired. The managment is not very friendly and would not co-operate at all. We are now getting complaints from all over. We have been watching 3 stores they are Highway 6, Eldridge, and 290 all of these are really bad concerning their animals. At one of the stores we recently saw an employee give a full size mouse (live) to a baby ball python in a 3x5 plastic tank. The snake was curled up in the corner. The employees have no idea the care or setups for these animals.The animals are sick, have dirty water or no water at all. They are literally expiring before your eyes. We recommend you stay away from these stores. Many of the mice and rats have mites and the birds are very ill. UPDATED 01/2005
ACCENT ON PETS 27744 TOMBALL PARKWAY, TOMBALL, TX 77375
Accent on Pets has dramatically improved, it smells clean, the animals are in proper cages. WE were very impressed, it's very nice to walk in there. UPDATED 02/25/2005
The smell as you walk in the store is overpowering. Mice and other small animals in deplorable conditions. Most animals in improper habits and looked very ill. Baby iguana's all bunched together in a small tank with improper lighting, food, heat,etc. Groomer was grooming a dog and she was rather rough with it. This store was evaluated on 07/07/01 one month from the first evaluation and conditions have not improved. Beware when buying animals from this pet store. Updated 09/03/2003
TRADERS VILLAGE TEXAS
Recently we checked out the dealers of exotic pets at The large flea market known as Traders Village. There were several dealers. We found none that met federal requirements concerning the sale of baby turtles. The turtles were being sold to children etc. they were hatchlings and by federal law no turtle may be sold as a pet to a private citizen. They are allowed to be purchased by scholls, educators, etc. They were selling many ball pythons that were ill with upper resperatory infections. None of the animals we saw were in extrememly good health and should not be sold under those conditions. Even some of the dog dealers were questionable. We do not recommend purchasing any pets from here or any other flea market. 09/03/2003 worse more dealers 02/05/2005
SPECTRUM FISH AND PETS HIGHWAY 6 COPPERFIELD, TX NOW CLOSED
On March 07,2002 we recieved a call concerning a very sick and neglected ball python, It was stated the python had mites, tics etc. When we went to pick it up to rehab it and make it healthy the store Manager Mandy refused to turn over the snake . Due to the conflict between our rescue orgnaization and the lack of concern for the animals from the store manager the snake will not get rehabbed and will probably die without proper care.
THE FOLLOWING STORES WERE INFORMED BY A PETS ARE US VOLUNTEER. NONE OF THE STORES IN THE ABOVE LIST TOOK ANY ACTIONS TO CORRECT THE PROBLEM. WE DO NOT RECOMMEND PURCHASING PETS FROM ANY OF THE ABOVE STORES UNTIL THE CONDITIONS CHANGE. THIS REPORT HAS BEEN PREPARED BY A SPECIALIST IN THESE ANIMALS.
S&S EXOTICS HOUSTON, TX
We recieved several complaints on this store by customers concerning the knowledge and assistance of the staff at the store. Plus over crowded tanks with @ 20 ball pythons in a 10 gallon cage.07/2003 We do recommend this store for the experienced person to purchase their animals from, They have a wide selection and they are all healthy upon on recent visit. updated 01/05/2005
PETS A PLENTY HOUSTON, TX
We have also recieved compaints about purchasing small baby snakes that died within 3 days of purchase. They have a venomous room and charge for you to look at mostly common animals from the region. We feel charging is wrong for education. It would be cheaper to go to the zoo and actually learn about the animals UPDATED 01-2005
PLEASE IF YOU SEE THIS TYPE OF ABUSE PLEASE EMAIL US WITH THE INFORMATION AND WE WILL POST IT ON OUR SITE! If you would like a care sheet on a particlular animal, please send SASE to
PETS ARE US RESCUE
SUITE 519
11330 HUFFMEISTER
HOUSTON, TX 77065
along with a donation of $5.00 PLEASE HELP US KEEP UP OUR IMPORTANT WORK SEND DONATIONS PETS ARE US
REPORTS FOR MARCH 2005
