PetCo

[smkie]

decided to look for spider breeders...here is some of what i found
http://www.botarby8s.com/
http://www.tarantulas.com/
aha an honest to real for real spider breeder..glad his stuff isnt in my closet http://www.bighairyspiders.com/
and finally a spider forum..http://zarozinia68.proboards3.com/index.cgi?board=spid
now i know more then i ever wanted to about them
guess botarb is in my own backyard..my friend Kelly has a one of these spiders..i will have to send her the link. I have to admit that red legger is a beauty.
not a bad reading! http://www.eightlegs.org/general/sling.html
an insect forum that includes spiders and others as well..
http://forums.insecthobbyist.com/forum.php?catid=17
has a nice photogallery
breeders/dealers list..who knew..i didnt.. http://forums.insecthobbyist.com/view.php?id=9691,9692
here is a qoute from one part that i labeled not a bad reading...

Tarantula breeding is a very, very new thing. There are few spider breeders that have been around more than a decade, so many types of tarantulas that were the first of a species to be born in captivity are only now reaching maturity (captive bred king baboons are an example of this). If those that sell captive bred are supported and are thus able to thrive to produce second and third and perhaps tenth generation tarantulas, then the demand for wild caught individuals will be all but stemmed. Such a plan may require a few decades interim in which wild caught individuals are used by established breeders to variate bloodlines, and thereafter a small amount may be selected by qualified personnel (zoos, scientists, etc.) to further provide new DNA, but such numbers wouldn't even register in comparison to the importation that takes place today. Ponder for a second about the need for "wild caught" mice and hamsters and crickets and horses and dogs and cows- once a species established, its population in captivity could exceed that of its population in the wild (sad truth, but that is some animals' only hope of averting extinction).

Another reason for having a few baby spiders is that it is simply fascinating to watch them grow and change!

 

[amymarley]

I have put calls into several rescues regarding snakes (and I put just as many calls inregards to the tarantulas and scorpions...again, none), just awaiting calls back. I was going to rescue one from animal control that had mouth rot, but (honestly), it was adopted out that very same day before I got there. What got me upset was, the snake had been there for several months....UUURRGG!

Anyway, as for the tarantula, I have to be able to handle it bare hands, therefore, I test it. I look for stress on the abdomen and the temperment in general. Basically, the overall general health, which I can't do over the internet. And, there is not rescue any where around here for tarantulas and scorpions. Everything else I am getting, I am getting through rescues.... I have lots of pet professionals/animal rescue looking out for me.

As for teaching kids about "cool" animals, I did the same with my shows and exotic birds. I can still teach children about these critters, have them respect them, but still say why they might not be the best pets. I am also offering this free to schools.

But, I must say, I only started this thread to tell people about my experience at PetCo, not to start a fight. Also, these chains and other stores that sell them, DO GET THEM from interested individuals that breed them. These stores buy them from the breeders......I know this because I spoke to several people (breeders) in Arizona and a few other states that have a "genuine interest" in these critters, so I don't get your point.

I have 2 abused 6 week old pups that I am fostering as I write this, and I have the support of several animal organizations about this "critter business" so, I kinda think I am doing a little good here. Not be double-standard about anything. If I can educate 100 people about this (which I include rescue), and 99 people don't "buy" from the chain, than I think I may have made just a tad of a difference.

 

[smkie]

if you ever wanted me to check some out at that guy that is from here and told me what to look for i would be happy to do so ANimal biz! i would find that very interesting indeed.

 

[amymarley]

That would be great smkie, I will keep you informed. Also, the stuff about snakes, I also have seen such horrible abuse. We rescued about 15 large pythons and boas for our creature feature shows. ALL came with a lot of problems. We were able to pay for the medical care, housing etc and then provided them with great homes. I still get pics from the owners once and a while.

 

[mojozen]

We get our fish from a local chain pet store called Animart. I'm generally pretty against buying animals from pet stores - but the reason we do this is because the people working there REALLY know their stuff, even more so than the local specialty Aquarium stores!. They aren't just trying to shove products down your throat or giving bad information out. My boyfriend has even struck up a sort of friendship with one of the guys working there.

Every sunday for the past 2 months we make a trip out to Animart to see what they've brought in as far as fresh water plants go, and so my boyfriend can talk to Andy about the fish, the plants for fresh, and the corals, invertebrates and fish for the salt. He, my boyfriend, has promised Andy that he will get all of his business when he starts his salt water tank. It's really neat listening to them, and I've even managed to cram some fish facts into my dog crazed brain so I can sort of keep up with their conversations.



Plus it's neat to be known as "regulars" and be greeted by the employees - who are generally happy to see us because we know what we're talking about regarding our various animals interests. For my boyfriend that would be hedgehogs, reptiles and fish, and for me dogs, hedgehogs, (a little bit about) ferrets, and cats. They have figured out that they don't need to dumb things down for us because we already know a lot, but are willing to learn too.

I refuse to shop at Pet Co., Pet Warehouse, or Petsmart. I definately prefer the locally owned shops.


PS: Point to my post is I do not like the big chain pet stores but i do like the smaller local ones because they seem to have more knowledgeable (sp?) people. Although my one point of contention with Animart which I have voiced is that they sell "rescued" mix puppies for $500+ - this does include spay/neuter/3 rounds of shots/vet visit and training discounts... but it still doesn't make me incredibly happy in that department.

 

[amymarley]

Hey, mojo, I know it's a pretty common pet store name, but is it by chance in Georgia? If so, I love that store...(a guy named Diego owns it).
Also, Petco, and Petsmart came into Reno and drove out the mom and pop pet stores out. The woman who owned a great reptile store, and took in rescues got booted out and now works for PetCo, which I find really odd. But she knew her stuff and had some great rescue and other animals there. I just used to pop in and look around. The few other stores here, only sell dog food/cat food etc. There is one specialized place for fish and a specialized parrot store, but that's it.... so really, I had no choice but to get Zoomy, Cactus and Richie (2 scorpions and 1 tarantula) from Petco.

 

[mojozen]

Hey, mojo, I know it's a pretty common pet store name, but is it by chance in Georgia? If so, I love that store...(a guy named Diego owns it).
Also, Petco, and Petsmart came into Reno and drove out the mom and pop pet stores out. The woman who owned a great reptile store, and took in rescues got booted out and now works for PetCo, which I find really odd. But she knew her stuff and had some great rescue and other animals there. I just used to pop in and look around. The few other stores here, only sell dog food/cat food etc. There is one specialized place for fish and a specialized parrot store, but that's it.... so really, I had no choice but to get Zoomy, Cactus and Richie (2 scorpions and 1 tarantula) from Petco.

Well, there's the chains here - Petsmart, Pet co, and Pet Warehouse - but we have Animart, Mounds and MadCat's (no website).

Animart and Mounds are I believe Wisconsin based chain stores. I've only been to the Animart in Madison - so I can't really say what the other stores are like. I go to MadCat's for dog supplies, and Animart for fish and hedgie supplies. Mounds I don't really like as much, but I'd probably use them for grooming if I could figure out which stores groom at what time.

Good pet stores are very hard to find. I really would like to see Animart stop selling puppies and cats and birds... but I've been saying that for several years. If MadCats had a knowledgeable fish department (which they don't - they don't sell any animals) I'd probably put all my business towards them... but yeah anyway...

 

[amymarley]

Oh, no, this AniMart is in Georgia, and is owned/operated my a hubby and wife. They do not sell dogs or cats there. They are very knowledgable and friendly. I miss them....(I'm in Reno).
but i know what you mean about really good pet stores...

 

[amymarley]

You might give those guys a good home, but it's the same thing as with puppy mill puppies and any other animals sold in stores - as long as there's a profit to be made, the suffering will continue. For every single animal they sell at a pet shop, more are mass produced under horrible conditions, so no, you're not really doing anything to help them as long as you fork over the money.

Why not buy from someone who's genuinely interested in the animals and cares about them, instead of from any shop? Of course it's not instant gratification like walking into a store, picking what you want and walking up to a cash register, but there are so many special interest communities out there who would be able to point you towards someone who is breeding the animals for the love and dedication of it, and not for sheer profit.

Last but not least, what does the whole thing really teach the kids you want to be educating? If they ask you "Hey Lady, cool critters, where'd you get them?" do you really think they are going to hear anything past "I got them from Petco" when the whole sentence would perhaps have been "I got them from Petco, but that's not really a good idea, you should get them from a responsible source".

I just don't get the double standard.

Also, we don't have over 7 million tarantulas and scorpions getting put down each year in the U.S.....like the dogs and cats. I am trying to do something good, except that you want to dispute. (And yes, I know the reasons why, and now so do others....)

I am done fighting with you....your a mod. be professional, not personal.

 

[amymarley]

Amen!

 

[amymarley]

smkie...i wish there were more rescue for snakes here... I am still looking for one, even one with medical issues, that's fine.. let me know if you hear of any.
Again, I do have some calls out there, but not getting much luck. I like getting the "problem" animals, becuse not many people want them. So, I don't mind having snakes with "issues."
Talk to you soon, Amy