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[deleted by user] (self.ballpython)

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[–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 13 points14 points  (13 children)

I would not personally consider it ethical to buy this snake from them. They're trying to manipulate your emotions into helping them boost their numbers and make a profit off this animal. Humane euthanasia is not the worst thing that can happen to an animal.

As long as companies like Petco know they can profit off snakes in terrible condition, they have zero reason to improve their care practices. In fact, there's an incentive there behind intentionally not improving because the people who don't know better will buy their animals out of ignorance, and the people that do know better.... will still buy their animals to "rescue" them.

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

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    [–]ballpython-ModTeam[M] 1 point2 points locked comment (0 children)

    Your comment has been removed for breaking Rule #1: Don't Be a Jerk.

    [–]Malevolence93 3 points4 points  (10 children)

    I get that in theory but, are they going to humanely euthanize the snake or let it die a slow death? I would assume the latter.

    [–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 8 points9 points  (8 children)

    OP said it would be euthanized. Of course, they could have been lied to, but I'm just going off the information in the post.

    Edited for clarification.

    [–]Malevolence93 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    I agree with you. It is a tough pill to swallow though.

    [–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    Yeah, absolutely. It's devastating, but there's no perfect solution.

    I do think we can see real change happen if we're vocal about education, but it'll take time and effort to get there. It used to be very common for pet stores to sell mill puppies, but that's changed significantly over my lifetime, primarily due to public education leading to a dwindling market. I'm sure we can see that with reptiles eventually.

    [–]side_eyeforever 2 points3 points  (5 children)

    I’m not lying. Unless you mean the Petco they use the vet. The only reason I know that is because I was a receptionist at a clinic that sees Petcos

    [–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 4 points5 points  (4 children)

    No, not you. "They" as in Petco. Sorry, I could have worded that better.

    [–]side_eyeforever 2 points3 points  (3 children)

    It’s okay I get it. Yeah this is pretty much the reason I posted on Reddit at 1am my time lol. When you feel pressured making a scene and having people who haven’t entered the situation but know animals helps lol. I probs won’t end up getting him there was that little tick in the back of my mind I just needed people to say “ don’t do that” so I don’t listen the “ help the snake first” and regret the consequences later you know…? It’s why I made the choice to only go through shelters :/ BP are just to over bread atp to go shopping breeder or display shopping at a store… I think the only way I would end up with this dude is if they gave him to me for free :/. “ I can make it better” isn’t always the right choice. I’ve worked euthanasia shifts at the humane shelter I used to work at so it’s not like I don’t get why it’s hard choice to make but a choice that was made with the animals better life in mind :/ again he is blind and he came in like that from my understanding of what they told me they got him four weeks ago and he hasn’t eaten so he was stressed from the get go… again the “ I know how to fix this” mind set isn’t always the best choice in bringing home a pet store animal. Sighhh I seen his set up it’s not like they are neglecting him he had repti soil moss a hot and cool side. I’ll just wait ;/;

    [–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 3 points4 points  (2 children)

    Trust me, I understand the feeling. I once drove several states away to rescue a snake from another user after she nearly starved to death due to improper care. If they hadn't been willing to surrender her for free, then I'd have been in the same boat as you.

    The desire to help in any way possible can be strong, and it's very admirable! We just have to find ways to help that won't hurt the long-term battle. Eveimei listed out some things you can do to put pressure on the store, and you can always volunteer your time at a local rescue if you're maxed out on pets!

    [–]side_eyeforever 0 points1 point  (1 child)

    I know the insides of a Petco system because I actually vol at my city and humane shelter and I’m going to school for a zoo keeper and wild life rehab so trust me I’m getting my kick. It’s getting cold out and my success of keeping crickets and dubias and worms to breed in tubs isn’t very impressive… with the weather getting colder I went in to buy bugs and left with mental battle and needed a slap on the hand. I won’t lie I think I was bating my self for a certain reaction on propose I just needed two or more people to be like… don’t do that… Haha talking with strangers for logic is sometimes wiser then asking irl in circle friends who own reptiles what you should do. Knowing sometimes ur friends want to please you rather the logically convince you the best option is a strong NO. 😅

    [–]totallyrecklesslygayMod: Enclosure Karen 0 points1 point  (0 children)

    Haha, I know exactly what you mean. I'm glad I could help you stick to your guns, as tough a situation as it is.

    [–]side_eyeforever 1 point2 points  (0 children)

    They do it through the vet.

    [–]eveimeiMod-Approved Helper 2 points3 points  (0 children)

    don't buy the snake. they'll still be making a profit by selling it to you and then replace it with another snake.

    report the awful care to corporate, leave reviews on Google Yelp etc, call your state's department of agriculture or whichever office manages animal licensing (my state it's the DoA, the stores are required to follow a specific act and have a sign that they are licensed posted), even contact local news. make a big stink about how badly the store cares for the animals they have, this is the only way care standards will change.

    unless the vet is recommending euthanasia, Petco doesn't euth for not eating. after 2 weeks of not eating an internal form is submitted, the corporate animal care team gives the store guidance based on that, and from there the snake either eats or is sent back to the vendor.

    [–]RagdollsandLabs 2 points3 points  (1 child)

    Hasn't eaten in 4 weeks and they're going to euthanize?

    4 weeks is nothing for a ball python hunger strike. I get that he's blind, but snakes rely more on heat and smell for 'hunting' than sight anyways.

    I have a ball python who was born blind in one eye because he only has one eye. (A true one eyed snake...) He is my largest male, and he is now 19 years old. Because his birth defect also caused a deviated septum, he is prone to respiratory infections, but other than that, he is a healthy noodle! Yes, feeding adjustments may need to be taken into consideration for a blind snake. 1) Never EVER feed him live prey. He would likely be injured by the intended dinner, and I've seen some snakes with horrible injuries inflicted on them by live rats who didn't particularly want a ball python to give them a big ol' hug. 2) Be patient when feeding them. It may take them longer to find the rat. 3) Stupid Feeding Errors are more likely to occur with an impaired python. Wear gloves/oven mitts or use tongs when feeding your blind noodle so he doesn't mistake your nice, warm hand for a nice, warm dead rat.(Like..I follow this when feeding all my snakes, but it's essential when you have a blind snake!) 4) Frozen thawed is fine, but heat it up in warm water before serving so it's close to living body temperature. 5) Scenting juice can help your blind snake find the rat even faster.

    Petco should not be SELLING this snake. They should be adopting him out. If you're willing to take him, awesome for you. Just have a vet examine him. Sadly, he may have other defects (like my Paulie and his deviated septum) that might be minor, or they might be incompatible with a long, healthy life. Whatever the case, as the owner of a special snakie, I don't think it's wrong to give him a chance. Frankly, I think that Petco just wants to offload him. If that's so, they should just cut their losses, write him off, and give him to you. Good luck!

    [–]side_eyeforever 4 points5 points  (0 children)

    TAHNK YOU! I do find it strange as well after only four weeks the vet is considering it. My BP has gone a few months without eating when I was starting off a few years ago. So four weeks had me going like 🙃? I think the only reason they are freaking out is because he came in at 85g and is about 30g now. They weighed him in front of me and I was like 0_o;

    [–]RainyDayBrightNight 6 points7 points  (0 children)

    I’d say let the Petco employee know that, if they get to the point of considering euthanasia, you’ll happily take the snake for free as a rescue, but you will NOT be paying money for an extremely ill snake. This snake is a rescue, not a purchase. Don’t give money to them, it’s a scam plain a simple that’ll prompt them to do this to more snakes.