The Iguana Spot On The Pet Trade

The Pet Trade

What is the "Pet Trade" and why do you have a webpage about it?
The pet trade is anything having to do with the commercial sale of animals, in this case iguanas. On this page we will discuss our views of the pet trade and explain measures you may be able to take in order to see that pet shops comply with federal and state regulations.

    Let us take this moment to say that NOT ALL PET SHOPS ARE EVIL. We have found several excellent examples right here in New England that actually care about the animals they sell. In one instance, the proprietors were more than willing to listen and learn about iguana care and feeding when it was found out that they weren't 100% up to speed on the husbandry. Unfortunately, shops like these, "mom and pop" stores for the most part, are few and far between. Most pet store chains, even those who tout that they are making a difference by not selling particular species of animals, somehow manage to abuse what animals they DO carry. In our opinion, corporate America currently has no business trying to sell live animals of any species. While they claim that they have "department experts" it has been our experience that the so-called "experts" have little or no relevant knowledge of the animals that they oversee. Granted, this is an extremely broad statement and there will always be exceptions to the rule. Guy, if you read this, please disregard this last statement..;)

One example of stores simply not knowing what they are doing...
    While they have been in business for X number of years as a corporate pet chain, one company has only recently (within the last year) introduced an actual herpetological training program for it's employees. How this is possible or allowable, who knows. This is also the same pet chain that was rumored to have taken in a shipment of snakes without completely knowing what they had on their hands. In feeding the newly arrived merchandise someone witnessed a particular snake strike it's prey and release. It is rumored that, within 5 or so seconds,the prey went into convulsions and ceased breathing. It was only then that the particular store thought that it may possibly have a venomous snake on their hands and measures were taken to remove it.

What you can do to make a difference...
    If you happen to run across a shop that you feel is not keeping their animals in the best possible conditions there ARE a few things that you can do. The following suggestions can be used for ALL pet stores, including major pet store chains. Whenever dealing with issues such as this keep in mind that NO ONE likes to be told that they are wrong. This is pretty much what you are saying to the person in charge and while some simply don't care, others simply do not know. There IS a difference, and while neither one is excusable you may be able to get further along in a conversation with someone who is not aware that they are doing something to harm an animal that they have for sale.
    Start off by introducing yourself and making sure that you are talking to the "right" person before you jump into a conversation with both feet. As sympthetic as some employees and assistant managers may be, they may very well have little or no authority to affect any changes around the store. Always try to find out who the person is that is authorized to make store policy. Then find out the best time to reach them. If necessary, make an appointment if you want to speak to them face to face.
    Personally, we have found that it is best if you present yourself in such a way that tells whoever you are speaking with that you are simply concerned about the condition of a particular animal. "Hi, Mr./Ms. Store manager, my name is _______. I'm concerned about the condition of an iguana that you are keeping. Do you have a moment to talk ?" Once you determine their reaction as well as their response to your question then you may have a better idea of just how productive your conversation is going to be. If they seem receptive and are willing to discuss the conditions of their store with you GREAT! You've opened the door to possibly making some changes within that store. At this point, you want to go slow and only focus on one issue at a time until you see just how interested this person is in making any changes.
    First and foremost, if you have issues with a particular pet shop there is no reason why you can not approach the owner/manager and discuss whatever issues you may have with their store. HOWEVER, you must remember that you are finding problems with THEIR business and they may very well take your concerns as accusations if you do not present them with the right attitude and manner. We can pretty much guarantee that you will get absolutely nowhere if you approach a shop owner from an "animal activist" point of view. You know the point of view of which I speak. Red paint on fur and midnight raids to "liberate the abused" usually get you nowhere except an all expense state paid "vacation". There are MUCH better ways to accomplish an objective.

   If you have found a shop owner/manager who is interested in what you have to say then by all means do whatever you can to make sure that they are properly educated on care and feeding as much as possible. Keep talking for as long as you feel you aren't wearing out your welcome. If you think you may have more success by coming back again to contine your conversation then try to arrange a time that would be beneficial for both of you. If they are interested in learning more there's no reason to try and accomplish this during peak business hours as not only will you be potentially taking this person away from customers and thereby costing the business money but you very well could be making yourself unwelcome in the future. Find out what slow days/times are for that store and then try to work it into YOUR schedule. Remember, the shop owner/manager doesn't have to listen to you.

If you are dealing with a retail pet "chain" store...
    These can be just as easy or as difficult to deal with as "mom and pop" can be. Fortunately, there are businesses that have realized that there is no need to contribute to the overpopulation of green iguanas and have voluntarily taken them off the market. To those businesses we say, "THANK YOU!!!". There are others, however, who not only choose to continue to contribute to the problem of iguana overpopulation but they further add insult to injury by not bothering to correctly train their employees in the proper care and feeding of not only iguanas but the majority of the reptiles and amphibians that they sell.

A quick example...
    of the lack of training received by some employees. As little as only a few weeks ago (January 2001) while perusing a reptile "condo" in a major chain store I decided to ask the "reptile expert" just how difficult it was to keep iguanas, what they ate, etc..Kep in mind that these questions were asked while wearing short sleeves so as not to hide the "traction marks" as one friend calls them. What I was told absolutely shocked me and at the same time almost sent me into a fit of giggling because it was so far from the truth. "...Iguanas are VERY easy to take care of. They can start out in a 10 gallon tank with a basking light and a heat rock. That should be good for a year or so. Other than that, feed them lettuce, other vegetables... In fact, mine likes chicken a lot. Just keep their tank clean and they'll be fine...". It's reasons like these that we make a conscious choice NOT to shop at the "chain" stores. We annually spend between $2500 and $3000 just on supplies for the igs we take in. We know at least a dozen people who also make the same choice that we do. Even if they only spend $1000 a year do the math. That is at minimum $13,000 that we alone can account for that the big chain stores are NOT making. If any of the "big store chains" read this, do the math. If one person can account for over $10,000 worth of business how much are you REALLY losing ???
    If you decide you want to try and tackle the problems found here, just as with the "mom and pop's" make absolutely sure that you are talking to the right person. You can try beginning with the "reptile expert". Follow the method outlined above. If you get nowhere with this you can then move on to the store manager. Use the same form of approach. "Hi, my name is____. I realize that you're busy but......" It's usually here that, if someone runs into problems, they usually give up. Keep a running tab of everyone that you have talked to in the store as it may be necessary to reference that list in future conversations. "Future conversations ?" you say. Of course ! You don't think that there's no one above the STORE manager do you ??
    Should you decide that you need to speak to someone further up on the ladder ask the store manager for the contact information of the regional coordinator for the store. They may not want to give you this information most likely because by asking this question you alert them to the fact that you have an idea in your head and that it may not be in their best interest to give you that information. Fear not. With a little research on the web you should be able to find the appropriate websites (store chain "home pages") that should give you all of the information you need to begin tracking down the appropriate regional management. Now, it may take a few long distance phone calls but if you are troubled enough to go this far then it should be worth it to you.
    Again, once you have the regional management's ear use the same professional attitude that you've used all along. By using this method you are creating credibility with people along the way. If you yell and scream and jump around they dismiss you as an "activist" or a "fanatic". If you're always calm in presenting yourself this can open more doors for you than any amount of screaming. In other words," Smile, people will wonder what you're up to."
If you've made it this far and still haven't accomplished what you set out to do...
    Letters and telephone calls can be placed to corporate offices but at this point it may very well be easier to begin a different plan of action.

   Pet stores are governed by the United States Department of Agriculture. If stores decide to deal in "exotics" they must be licensed. The parameters for this license then extend to the entire shop as opposed to just those "exotic" animals that they sell. Any licensing usually comes from here. A telephone call to the local USDA office can usually get the ball rolling if you have any concerns about a particular shop. While the USDA licenses shops it is usually the State Veterinarian who handles inspections. Understand that these departments are usually understaffed and are doing the best possible job that they can with what they have to work with. We are currently looking into whether or not there are ways in which organizations and/or individuals can assist these deparments even on a volunteer basis. If anyone has any information regarding this please feel free to contact us here at The Iguana Spot. We currently have several groups interested in offering their services if the opportunity arises.
    Also, if anyone comes up with other departments or alternative plans we would be more than happy to add them to the list of options. As with everything else, we are always open to suggestion. If anyone has any information that they feel would be beneficial to make known here we welcome the opportunity to examine it. If we feel that it can be useful as well, we will be more than happy to examine it. Please note that submission of material does not mean automatic publication on this site. The Iguana Spot retains the right not to publish any material that it feels is not in it's best interest. In the long run, we just want what is best for the iguana.