Any advice on confronting an LPS about the poor care of there tarantulas?

[DannyH]

The LPS I get my crickets from keeps tarantulas in a really awful way. Last time I went they had a "Goliath Bird Eater" that looked like a MM to me. It was being kept in a cage for a lizard, and he kept on trying to get out, but when it got to the top, its tibial hooks would get stuck on the wire mesh covering the enclosure, leaving him to flail around until he fell. I told one pf the workers, and she said that she is to scared to go near it. About a month ago, they had an Avic sp. in a cage that lacked proper ventalation, and it was almost swampy looking. The next week I came for crickets it was on a death curl at the bottom of the elclosure, and it looked like it had been dead for a few days. I told a guy working there and he said "Yeah, we really don't check on the tarantulas." They currently have a few tarantulas with generic names like "Striped tarantula" in cages with woodchip substrate, constant roaming crickets, and a sponged water dish. They even have a Hap Liv being kept in a cage with woodchips. I really want to speak up, but I hate confrontation, and the owner of the store in known for being very stuburn. I think it would even be helpful tot hem if they improved there care because if a hobbyest ever walked in and saw that they took good care of their tarantulas, they would be more likley to buy one.
Have any of you guys ever confronted a petstore about the care of their tarantulas, and can you give me some tips?

 

[Kayota]

Man I was going to be like don't bother until I saw the thread! One of the LPS I checked out keeps them on cork bark chips but aside from that they were doing pretty well so I was going to assume it was the same kind of situation... NOT!

I would ask to speak with a manager and then take him/her to the T cages and show him/her everything that's wrong. Occasionally at Petco I will point out when a rodent type of pet is sick since I have a lot of experience with them and they'll usually take care of it unless it's the rats (sad!). Also make sure you explain that you've had Ts for x amount of time (make up something big and believable), or, if that's not impressive enough, tell them you've had Ts for x amount of time and have read Tarantula Keeper's Guide and cite the author (Stan!) as an expert in the hobby.

 

[catfishrod69]

Is this a chain pet store or local owned?

 

[Ahmet29992]

Man I was going to be like don't bother until I saw the thread!

Same. Many pet stores here can do a better job at keeping tarantulas as well, but they will probably be fine. As for the LPS described here, damn. I would actually try to see if I can do something about it.

 

[DannyH]

Its local owned.

 

[Ivymike1973]

Do the animal welfare societies do anything about inverts? If it was some cute cuddly kittens being kept in deplorable conditions it wouldn't be hard to pressure him to fix it just by threatening to get them involved. Tell him to fix it or you will call in the Americam Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Arachnids
But seriously, it really depends on the guy's attitude when you talk to him. If he doesn't give a $&"! about taking care of their animals then he probably isn't going to listen to you unless you can pressure him to with bad press or legal action.
On the other hand, he may be receptive to you offering to help him set them up properly if you explain how it would help sell them and keep him from losing profits from dead Ts.
No way to know for sure unless you talk to him about it.

 

[le-thomas]

Then politely say "Hello, you're stupid".
In all seriousness, let them know that you're experienced with tarantulas and find their care to be insufficient, and, if they seem defensive/stubborn/offended/suspicious, then talk to another employee or *GASP* give up. Sometimes people are too prideful and narcissistic to change their care or take any advice of any kind regarding their methods. It's sad, but it's true.

 

[catfishrod69]

If its local owned, you might get lucky telling them a thing or two. Give it a try.

Its local owned.

 

[Ahmet29992]

Keep us updated on how it'll go, should you decide to do something. I won't be able to sleep at night knowing that somewhere out there, there are tarantulas in need

 

[nfronk13]

i would start by not buying crickets there, find somewhere else. i went through a less severe situation but i no longer do business with my LPS, and i gladly pay alot more for my crickets.

 

[freedumbdclxvi]

i would start by not buying crickets there, find somewhere else.

this. I would go elsewhere and let them know why.

 

[Beardo]

You could maybe print off a few care sheets and show those to them, maybe encourage them to keep them on hand for employee reference points.....maybe they carry any good books on Tarantulas? Those are another good direction to go.

You can also show them more appropriate products to use for the spiders (such as cocofibre substrate, which most pet stores carry)......that way they can sell their products in conjunction with the animal (retail is alllll about "add ons" for purchases).

And if nothing you do works, inform them that because of this you will no longer be purchasing your crickets there and will tell your friends to not shop there also.....sometimes the only way to get through is by hitting them where it hurts: their wallet.

 

[jarmst4]

Don't see why it really matters. If he wants to kill his profits that's his business. You don't see a lot of pet stores that know anything about what they are selling. I haven't been to one in years. I either make what I need or get it online.

 

[axle37]

i hate lps. i was at a petco and told them they needed to at least trade the sand they had there inverts on for coacoa fiber ( wich they sell in the store!!) and they told me that i was wrong about what was best for a rose hair. sad for the poor t.s

 

[DeidraDisaster]

I had a similar situation with a mall pet store. They kept their t's in tiny Kritter Keepers with barely any room for them to move along with the "evil" watered spnge. Not to mention, the guy let anyone handle them and actually told a customer that they like to be blown on!!!!! I corrected his mistakes and mentioned that I had several T's. He chose to blow me off completely. I also rescued an a. seemani from a petco (I know, I should've NOT given them my money....). His abdomen was shriveled and he was climbing the walls trying to get away from the 10 crickets that were roaming around. I had to kill the crickets and hand feed him, he was too weak to catch them. He survived and I gave him a nice new enclosure with plenty of room to dig.

My advice, I'd do what Beardo said and bring some care sheets or AT LEAST tell them to get rid of the sponges. Those are just scary!

 

[Anonymity82]

All you can tell them is what you know. They probably wont give two craps but it's worth a shot. Find a new pet shop or order online.

 

[marcfrick2112]

It's so sad this this seems to be a common theme with how lps' keep tarantulas. Even more sad, that a few of these T's are bought by new keepers, and kept in those same horrid conditions.

A year ago, I bought a chaco from the only LPS here that sells T's with any regularity... coarse wood chips, the nasty sponge in the water dish, and no hide, of course... I felt bad for that chaco (Gabby, who hooked out about a month later), and bought him... I know , that was just kinda encouraging the store, but he looked so sad in there But, at least, he's cared for now... he was bred by a friend, I have 46 of his babies, and is now spending his last days in a pleasant retirement! :biggrin:

I agree with the statement about 'hitting them in the wallet'. Even tho, this store is the only one I know of that sells adult crickets, I will never go back there... (Besides, I have roaches for my bigger T's)

One thing I do.... as this store is primarily a fish and reptile store... is I tell herp and fish fans I know of the apalling conditions that some of thier pets are kept in... and this goes for the reptiles as well....

 

[wierdscaryguy86]

This has worked twice for me, Go to pet store, find manager, say "I have been breeding and selling T's for a while, me and a few friends run a site-make up fake company name-Im low on a few species and I'd rather buy local than pay shipping and risk a DOA...BUT, seeing how I breed and sell T's myself I trust maybe you can understand "I know a thing or two about the PROPER care and housing of T's. I know what happens when Rose hairs and Red-knees fall from climbing the tanks every day, when 10 crickets are put in every 2-5 days, when u leave dead crickets and sponges in the enclosure...I went on and on the whole time looking the LPS owners in the face while I spoke and I calmly pointed out EVERY problem, I honestly went all out bc I was tired of watching the same 5 T's waste away in a crap home-both LPS had printed online care sheets that were close enough(except for feeding) so I handed them one of their own care sheets and said "Thats what your people should read if you want to every sell these crazy priced Tarantulas." The lone salesman of the first LPS said "I will give my boss your # and he'll call you". Two days later I had 3 new T's and I spent $10 on each. The last time I had to take a drive but I talk to the salesman on his smoke break and said almost the same stuff, and I got a total of 75% off bc I informed them that it wouldnt be long till the T's died and their money was wasted. All T's are alive and Happy. Both LPS are back to crap enclosures although one of the LPS puts less crickets in now.

 

[Kayota]

I love stories where people manage to save pets at a discount or free... So you aren't giving them $50 bucks a T.