Postby Fatal_S » Sat Jan 12, 2008 8:03 pm
If you see another like that, point out there mistakes, don't give in. If they don't fix it, or try to, make a scene. If you want to save it, try to bring the price down.
If they say he's doing fine, give them a challenge. Dare them to keep the lizard, exactly the way it is, same food, for a few years. It'll be dead or dying by then, guaranteed. I like to make my scene when there are people around, makes the store owners sweat.
Pryce is also from a pet store, and when I first saw him, he was being treated much the same. He was given pinkies, crickets and lettuce. I spoke with the store owner, and he told me he was following the care sheet it came with. The supplier had send him this info telling him how to kill the animal. I gave him this site, gave him lots of info, and went back often and saw a huge improvement. The owner actually became very interested in Pryce, got him a new tank, UVB, good food, all that. I was so impressed. I was willing to pay the $200 for Pryce, though I'm sure he would have been willing to sell it to me for less. This spring I'll have to take Pryce back for an update. The man also began to question his care of certain other animals, though most of his were common. He actually only had Pryce because he'd had room, didn't know what to get, and said 'surprise me'.
Maybe your pet store didn't know, maybe they did. They still ended up getting your money for doing a shi**y job. However, you can look at it as a win/win/win situation. They got their money and can buy another animal, you got an amazing new pet, and Larry got a wonderful new home where he will be loved and treated right. I think the best thing is that you got him, and you wont be following the pet stores advice. Otherwise, some random person would have likely got him spur of the moment, and poor Larry would live out the rest of his (short) life as he was in the store. He definitely came out the winner in this situation.
If you happen to go into that pet store again though, talk to them, tell them they were doing it wrong, give them the information. They may not care, or maybe they will, and you'll end up rescuing many other animals too.
Go to a vet, make sure he's healthy, and enjoy your new friend. Make sure to post pictures often too. More videos too.