Reptile Forum, Reptile Classifieds - CaptiveBred

miffikins · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:37 pm Post subject: Garden centre troubles

I went to my local garden centre yesterday because they are really cheap for dry goods, I was getting exoterra backgrounds as it happens.

They have always had fish and more recently got leo's. Last time I went the leo's had mealies and chopped veg in a bowl, think they got the diet a bit wrong.
So I went back yesterday, they have crix and mealies and a moist hide BUT they were on what looked like calcisand but a lot more coarse, like little shards of glass, not the sort of thing I would put any animal on, espcially not 2 tiny leos which were living in there.

They also had 6 torts in an exoterra, not tiny baby torts either, about 6" long. And 3 sub adult beardies in another exoterra which didnt have enough hides to accomodate all 3, who were also on that horrible flourescent substrate.

So my question is, how do I go about complaining....letter?? Go in and see someone?? I know they could just be misinformed substrate-wise which is easy enough to fix by someone pointing it out. All the vivs are clean and all have water etc

I can explain what they leos need, but I have never kept torts or beardies so I feel I can't criticise their housing as I have no experience.

Opinions would be welcome, hope I'm not overeacting Very Happy

Cheers

Kate

Cleef · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 12:57 pm Post subject:

Veg is sometimes put in mealworm dishes to keep the worms gutloaded, that may explain that one.

As for the substrate, that doesn't sound too good.

I'm not sure how would be best to go about complaining. Personally I would write a letter, that way you can make sure you get all of your points across properly.
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Steve P

Jezz · CaptiveBred Addict! Joined: 03 Dec 2007 Posts: 727

I'd go in and ask to speak to the person in charge of the animals. I wouldn't write a letter, as they tend to take more things in like that in person, a letter is just disguarded.

If you speak in person, they have no choice but to address the issue there&then, head on Wink

Good Luck

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x.Jessie.x

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Lynne · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 8:13 pm Post subject:

i went into a garden centre recently that kept fish. they were really filthy and the water was green, no filters or anything. so i grabbed someone and told them. they said they would get the tank cleaned, so i warned them i would be in next day to check. next day it had been done. just tell them, make your mouth go. thats what i do!!
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miffikins · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 10:59 pm Post subject:

Ha! I'm rubbish with people so next time I go I'll take the other half, hes good at that sort of stuff.

I did think about the veg for the mealies, but there were about 3 mealies and tonnes of veg! But when I went yesterday there was no veg and mealies and crix.

The substrate looked like a death trap and at the end of the day I'm sure they want all their stock to survive so we shall have a word Very Happy

Cheers guys!

Lynne · Posted: Fri Dec 21, 2007 11:56 pm Post subject:

just get them told miffkins. say you will be back next day and i they have not fixed it you will get in touch with the relevent authoroties!

it sounds good even if you dunno what authoroties to get in touch with!
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mark68 · Contributing Member Joined: 02 Mar 2007 Posts: 160

My advice would to offer some friendly advice first in person, to who ever is in charge. Maybe suggest saying something like "I know that leopard geckos need some moisture in their hides, would XXX substrate be better for them." Maybe explain how the geckos may have problems shedding and can even lose toes when the skin is left around feet, unshed. Try the friendly approach first. If no luck it might be worth writing to the garden centre manager. Maybe suggest that you might have to speak to "the authorities" if nothing is done. Often the pet part of a garden centre is not owned by the garden centre itself. So the manager of the garden centre might not feel too comfortable if the RSPCA make a visit.

Lastly I would say if things aren't changed fairly quickly, do you want to maybe be getting your exoterra stuff in future from a shop you think deserves your support ? I don't mean this to sound rude Miffikins, but we all should try to support the shops we think give the hobby a good name !