Bad Reptile Shops

[underdog]

Hi guys, didn't know what section of the forum to put this.

I visited a local reptile shop last week, it was the first time I had been there and it will be the last. It may have been me over reacting so I would like your opinion on if there was anything worth reporting, and if so, to who.

The shop was well kitted out, nice looking etc but things just weren't right.

First thing was the smell, the place stunk. There were two iguanas there, at a guess about 18 months old, both with half a tail missing, and there was no sign of re growth. I asked what had happend to them and the guy there said he had bought them like it.

There iguanas had nothing in their cages other than food bowl, there was no branches, they were on the floor.

There was a glass tank, in the window with 2 water dragons, on of them seemed to have a fresh wound on the back of it's neck, you could just see pink flesh.

Then when I went to another back room in the shop there was a faily large Bosc in a glass viv with no basking light on just a UV tube, no substrate on the floor, this was just in a dark corner of a passage.

So am I over reacting or is this something worth reporting?

[ukgeckos]

Name?
I know a few shops in south wales that are not worth going near

[underdog]

I wasn't sure if naming was acceptable on here. I have sent you a PM to be sure, don't want to be naughty on my first day here.

Could you name the others in the area or PM me so I can avoid them being in there really upset me.

[Dork Knight]

Are you talking about the one in Cardiff?

I went two two stores yesterday, Reptile Cymru which was fantastic, couldn't believe how nice it was after visits to other stores.

On the way out of Cardiff we saw another store in the Ely area, we stopped off to check it out as it didn't appear in the Yellow Pages when I searched.

I think you're on about this store as when I entered I couldn't wait to leave, I was petered throughout the visit and it felt like dodgy market traders in there - The one chap had a go at someone as he was taking a picture on his phone.

I'm only just looking at reptiles and my knowledge is next to none, but I've done some reading on Leopard Geckos and they seemed to be in a Viv with an extra bright bulb and sand substrate - The poor things were desperate to find dark shelter in their hide one disturbed.

I also noticed damage to other lizzards (tails and whatnot), but I don't really know what to look for to be honest.

[underdog]

Originally Posted by Dork Knight

Are you talking about the one in Cardiff?

No this one was just down the road in Porthcawl, although it sounds like a very similar experience to yours. I wanted to check if I was being over sensitive to the animals in there. Maybe if someone lives close by they could take a look and see what they think?

I am going to have to check out Reptile Cymru by the sounds of it, every post on here seems ot rave about the place. I normally head Swansea way for reptile stuff to world of aquatics as they have always been there to offer advice and the animals are well looked after.

[ukgeckos]

thanks. there are several around and the best thing is not to buy from them! I even go as far as eves dropping on conversations and then talking to the customers about why not to buy lol

[Lucifus]

Originally Posted by Dork Knight

Are you talking about the one in Cardiff?

I went two two stores yesterday, Reptile Cymru which was fantastic, couldn't believe how nice it was after visits to other stores.

On the way out of Cardiff we saw another store in the Ely area, we stopped off to check it out as it didn't appear in the Yellow Pages when I searched.

I think you're on about this store as when I entered I couldn't wait to leave, I was petered throughout the visit and it felt like dodgy market traders in there - The one chap had a go at someone as he was taking a picture on his phone.

I'm only just looking at reptiles and my knowledge is next to none, but I've done some reading on Leopard Geckos and they seemed to be in a Viv with an extra bright bulb and sand substrate - The poor things were desperate to find dark shelter in their hide one disturbed.

I also noticed damage to other lizzards (tails and whatnot), but I don't really know what to look for to be honest.

Agreed 100%.

Anyway yeh check out reptile cymru, Christy/Avathran is on the forums and shes the nicest lady you will ever come across. Its a really good store too with really friendly people.

[Berber King]

Originally Posted by underdog

No this one was just down the road in Porthcawl, although it sounds like a very similar experience to yours. I wanted to check if I was being over sensitive to the animals in there. Maybe if someone lives close by they could take a look and see what they think?

I am going to have to check out Reptile Cymru by the sounds of it, every post on here seems ot rave about the place. I normally head Swansea way for reptile stuff to world of aquatics as they have always been there to offer advice and the animals are well looked after.

Got a horrible feling i know which shop this is,recently sold them a largish bosc and adult red tegu.Hate to think of them living in bad conditions,somebody rescue them please!!!!

[Moshpitviper]

Originally Posted by Berber King

Got a horrible feling i know which shop this is,recently sold them a largish bosc and adult red tegu.Hate to think of them living in bad conditions,somebody rescue them please!!!!

If you dont mind me asking? if you know it was a shitty shop.... why sell them a living breathing animal?

[SNAKEWISPERA]

I Think I Know This Shop :@