Other Turtle Discussion :: Grr the people they hire at pet shops...

[djaaconn]

i went to petco to get my turts a dock to bask on and the guy asked how big was they and i told him and he jumped my case said it was ilegal to have them under 4 inches and yeald at me how rude but i just wont go there again and he was wronge it is ilegal to sale them under 4 inches not own them big differance oh well

[cam722]

Well instead of being upset with him be glad he at least knew about it, most people don't even know that much. You could have just corrected him and thanked him for caring

[djaaconn]

oh i was still polite to him i just went home and was telling my husband that i got attacked by the turtle police

[TexasJagsFan]

Wow local pet stores where I live are very nice, they are usually helpful on advice. What Petco know's would fit into a thimble, and there would still be room.

[Jen182]

We have two main malls here and both of them sell turtles in little kiosks. They are so stupid about everything. I asked all these questions already knowing the answer and he kept giving me these halfway answers. I asked how much bigger they would get (they're very small...about an inch) and he told me 2 more inches. lol. I almost laughed in his face. And they were selling the deathbowls with them and told me that I didn't need a light or anything. Just feed it everyday. I was disgusted. I went up to a girl looking at them and told her she should save a life because he was killing them. I called and asked all these questions about it being illegal and he was like "no! no! It's not illegal!" hm yeah. makes me want to call the wildlife foundation here and complain.

[marisa]

Why don't you?

[cam722]

I wonder if you could go to the Owners of the Mall and complain about it and explain the LAW to them. Maybe they'd not want to be involved in anything like that either.

[Jen182]

I thought about going to the heads of the malls but I want to know what the law is first. That's why I plan on calling the wildlife people here. I called the humane society and they referred me to them. That and the fac that they're sold for "educational purposes" only...all the people have to do is get folks to sign a paper saying it's for educational purposes and they've done no wrong. It's really quite upsetting.

[TexasJagsFan]

Hmm maybe I should visit my local mall.

[Jen182]

Hey I just wanted to tell everyone that I got in contact with some people regarding the RES being sold at the malls here. I found out the law in my state (Florida) is that they cannot be sold under 4 inches unless it's for "bonafide" (their words) scientific or educational purposes. When I told them that this was not the case with these turtles they then referred me to someone at the FDA I believe. I called and left a message with a lady as to what I was concerned about. I left my name and number so I'm not sure if I will be recieving a call back or not. I just hope they check into my concerns.

[flutterby]

If they don't call back, call them back. Be a pain in the butt til they listen to you.

[Jen182]

They called me back this morning and told me that they had had similar complaints about the people selling the turtles. They said that they have talked to the people about making the "appropriate" changes or whatever. I don't understand. It's illegal. How can they just make changes and it be okay?

[STRAYKINGFISHER]

They probably meant that they were going to let them know that they can't sell the turtles under 4 inches. I don't know what they will do with the smaller turtles, probably tell them not to sell them until they are big enough, it doesn't solve the problem, it just keeps things legal.

[TexasJagsFan]

Seriously why wouldn't the SPCA get involved.

You could always contact PITA, pain in the butt they may be, but they may be able to do something.

[marisa]

Don't know about PETA, but in yesterday's paper I read that the national Humane Society was involved in a cause to protect sharks off the coast of MA (I think it was). I don't know if this org is related to the SPCA, but they might be another resource.