Pets at home selling tortoises - Page 13

janedoe · 12-12-2008, 07:34 PM

I don't know which pets at home your talking about, but this one had a pile of lovely leafy greens and were bathing the tortoises (in warm water, i asked) to ensure they were hydrated and defecating properly.
All I'm saying is that just because you've had a bad experience in one store doesn't mean the company as a whole should stop. Did any of you contact the store manager and voice your concerns, or ask to speak to one of the trained tortoise staff to see if there was a reason behind the strawberries and cabbage? Are you sure it was cabbage and not spring cabbage (also known as collard greens as spring cabbage is good for tortoises)?

Kirkie · 12-12-2008, 08:01 PM

I'll try and find out if store staff were approached. Maybe the tortoises were on a "treat" day as advocated in the Pets at Home Tortoise booklet. Lots of strawberries, apples, broccoli, red pepper and spinach. Mmm mmm.

I've said that I've had to take a gamble on this, I contacted as many tortoise organisations as I could when I found out about the Pets at Home venture, I hope some good comes of this move. The petition is just another way of letting Pets at Home know that there are people that are concerned about tortoises, would it ever prevent them selling, I doubt it. Read my comments on this thread you'll see that my stance has evolved over time.

Iggynut · 12-12-2008, 08:16 PM

I too am an employee at a pets at home store that sells tortoises and would like to assure you that staff are trained in how to care for these specialised animals. I feel i too should stand up for the company as they have taken a lot of time and listened to a lot of advice on tortoise care before taking on this venture, i personally specialise in herpetology and was very impressed with the training the staff received on the tortoise course, (though please bear in mind some staff are still in training) so if you are concerned about the welfare of an animal in one of the stores politely talk to a member of staff who will be happy to explain their reasoning behind their actions. I too would like to know if anyone voiced their concerns over the feeding dish with strawberries? As someone may have rectified the situation later in the day. I agree with 'Jane doe' that as a company we can revolutionise tortoise care. I've worked in the pet trade for 5 years, during which time i've had 100s of people telling me their tortoise or other reptile wont eat and finding out they weren't given any advice on heating and lighting let alone housing and nutrition. So i am concerned with how many of you are willing to 'ban' one of the few pet stores who are actually trying to improve the health and welfare of our animals.

Kirkie · 12-12-2008, 08:37 PM

Hi Iggynut. I have approached the person in question and I'll pass on any details to you by PM.

In the course of a month I've seen some positive actions by Pets at Home and I understand that these are early days but the negative experiences will be reported as frequently, if not more than, the positive ones so the onus is on Pets at Home to get it right I'm afraid.

Kirkie · 15-12-2008, 12:35 PM

Iggynut,

I've just PM'ed you the store details and the persons in store experience.

Iggynut · 15-12-2008, 09:21 PM

Thanks

alicia · 15-12-2008, 09:28 PM

went to pets at home on the isle of wight today and no sign of any tortoises or plans to get any

alice

Kirkie · 15-12-2008, 09:57 PM

Iggynut, appreciate your help today. Good on you.

15-12-2008, 09:28 PM	#127
alicia Senior Member Adult Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: waterlooville, Hampshire Posts: 2,328	went to pets at home on the isle of wight today and no sign of any tortoises or plans to get any alice __________________ 0.0.2 graeca ibera

12-12-2008, 07:34 PM	#121
janedoe Junior Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 3	I don't know which pets at home your talking about, but this one had a pile of lovely leafy greens and were bathing the tortoises (in warm water, i asked) to ensure they were hydrated and defecating properly. All I'm saying is that just because you've had a bad experience in one store doesn't mean the company as a whole should stop. Did any of you contact the store manager and voice your concerns, or ask to speak to one of the trained tortoise staff to see if there was a reason behind the strawberries and cabbage? Are you sure it was cabbage and not spring cabbage (also known as collard greens as spring cabbage is good for tortoises)?

12-12-2008, 08:01 PM	#122
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	I'll try and find out if store staff were approached. Maybe the tortoises were on a "treat" day as advocated in the Pets at Home Tortoise booklet. Lots of strawberries, apples, broccoli, red pepper and spinach. Mmm mmm. I've said that I've had to take a gamble on this, I contacted as many tortoise organisations as I could when I found out about the Pets at Home venture, I hope some good comes of this move. The petition is just another way of letting Pets at Home know that there are people that are concerned about tortoises, would it ever prevent them selling, I doubt it. Read my comments on this thread you'll see that my stance has evolved over time.

12-12-2008, 08:16 PM	#123
Iggynut Junior Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	I too am an employee at a pets at home store that sells tortoises and would like to assure you that staff are trained in how to care for these specialised animals. I feel i too should stand up for the company as they have taken a lot of time and listened to a lot of advice on tortoise care before taking on this venture, i personally specialise in herpetology and was very impressed with the training the staff received on the tortoise course, (though please bear in mind some staff are still in training) so if you are concerned about the welfare of an animal in one of the stores politely talk to a member of staff who will be happy to explain their reasoning behind their actions. I too would like to know if anyone voiced their concerns over the feeding dish with strawberries? As someone may have rectified the situation later in the day. I agree with 'Jane doe' that as a company we can revolutionise tortoise care. I've worked in the pet trade for 5 years, during which time i've had 100s of people telling me their tortoise or other reptile wont eat and finding out they weren't given any advice on heating and lighting let alone housing and nutrition. So i am concerned with how many of you are willing to 'ban' one of the few pet stores who are actually trying to improve the health and welfare of our animals.

12-12-2008, 08:37 PM	#124
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Hi Iggynut. I have approached the person in question and I'll pass on any details to you by PM. In the course of a month I've seen some positive actions by Pets at Home and I understand that these are early days but the negative experiences will be reported as frequently, if not more than, the positive ones so the onus is on Pets at Home to get it right I'm afraid.

15-12-2008, 12:35 PM	#125
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Iggynut, I've just PM'ed you the store details and the persons in store experience.

15-12-2008, 09:21 PM	#126
Iggynut Junior Member Egg Join Date: Dec 2008 Posts: 2	Thanks

15-12-2008, 09:57 PM	#128
Kirkie Senior Member Adult Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 4,887	Iggynut, appreciate your help today. Good on you.

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