Reptiles in NSW petshops

[castellano]

HI all,

i was wondering why is it illegal to sell reptiles in NSW pet shops. it is kind of silly when almost every state in Australia permits the sale of reptiles in pet shops.
I also reckon the NSW license system should follow the Vic license system in have exempt common species such as the eastern bluetongue which is a common as a garden skink.

Cheers Aaron

[meshe1969]

Hi I'm from Vic and think you are fortunate that your pet shops aren't alowed to sell them!!!
The pet shop staff constantly give out very bad advice, the ones I have seen are poorly cared for and the prices are 3 to 4 times more expensive sometimes more!

[jimbo]

yeh, im glad our pet shops dont sell reptiles. I have been to some pet shops that sell reptiles in other states and they arnt kept to well. so we should be thankful!
But i dont know the reason why NSW pet shops cant sell them.

[danw]

i think its just as easy finding reptiles to buy on the internet than going to a pet shop...and i wouldn't want to see pet shops with reptiles any way after the stroies i have heard

[Moreliaman]

Originally Posted by meshe1969

Hi I'm from Vic and think you are fortunate that your pet shops aren't alowed to sell them!!!
The pet shop staff constantly give out very bad advice, the ones I have seen are poorly cared for and the prices are 3 to 4 times more expensive sometimes more!

Can't you report the bad shops ? Over here if a shop gets too many complaints the local council have the power to close the shop down & have a vet inspect the livestock, all cost's involved being paid for by the shop owner,(usually £300+) the penalties (if found guilty) could be a hefty fine or a revoke of the shops license/permit to sell livestock.

Also with regards to price.........Higher electricity costs, local council rates, rent, building & contents/stock insurance, public liability insurance, wages, telephone, advertising, theft, livestock loss, Bank charges, Accountant fees....the list goes on & on !! So you should pay higher prices in shops....they are trying to run a business..........not a charity ! :wink:

[misky]

Originally Posted by Moreliaman

Also with regards to price.........Higher electricity costs, local council rates, rent, building & contents/stock insurance, public liability insurance, wages, telephone, advertising, theft, livestock loss, Bank charges, Accountant fees....the list goes on & on !! So you should pay higher prices in shops....they are trying to run a business..........not a charity ! :wink:

Exactly right!!

Most of the comments in this thread seem to make it sound like all pet shops that sell reptiles are keeping their reptiles in less than ideal conditions and I think that is a little unfair. Yes, some pet shps keep their reptiles (and other animals for that matter) in appauling conditions but there are some pet shops that keep there reptiles in fantastic conditions. It's not fair to assume that all are doing the wrong thing based on a few dodgy people.

All that being said I am quite happy that they don't sell reptiles in pet shops here in NSW. Think about all the people that go in to pet shops and "impulse buy" a puppy or a kitten because it looked cute, they felt sorry for it... etc. only to send these dogs off to the pound a year later because they didn't really think it through. I think that with reptiles not being available in pet shops people who want a snake have to find a breeder and do a bit more research which in my opinion can only be a good thing.

But that's just my opinion.

[Mangles]

In Qld the Petshop must meet certain criteria to get a commercial licence to sell reptiles and then the list of reptiles allowed to be sold is quite restrictive with the only snakes being the main 3 Childrens family, basic Dragons, Bluetongues and Geckoes and a few basic turtles.

However this does not stop the animals being treated poorly and the staff at the shops having little or no knowledge of the animals. Recently saw a hatchling Stimsoni housed in a large enclusere, probably 4 feet x 3 feet with half a small ceramic plant pot in the centre. In such a large tank, this was the only hide and there was no water. Saying that there are some good shops up here as well, but the EPA up here need to be much more stringent on who they give commercial licences to.

I would prefer them to crack down an the shops selling reptiles, but amybe at the same time increase the list of species that can be sold.

Anybody experienced in Herps would generally not buy from a pet shop anyway as there are generally better quality animals at cheaper prices to be found on the internet and through the Herp societies.

[Jason]

i just got a job in a petshop and i still wouldnt want them selling herps, although i must agree that they are trying to sell animals they are trying to make money so it would be hard to make money on certain reptiles while selling them for a reasonable price and looking after there individual needs. i say they should never be sold in NSW pet shops!!!!!

[da_donkey]

I reken if somone cant get off there butt, and apply for a licence then find a breeder (reptuable) and do a little bit of ground work, then they dont really want or deserve the animal.

To many reptiles would be neglected (like alot of petshop animals do allready) if any joe blow could just walk in and buy a herp without giving it a second thought.

JMO

[Rennie]

There are places like Lidcombe Reptile and Amphibian centre, Kellyville Pets and St Mary's Reptile Barn in which I've seen classified boards. This is good enough for those without computers and saves the problem of poor housing. Pet shops have enough problems looking after the pets they have already, can you picture the average check-out-chick feeding a python regularly and cleaning up after it?

[Moreliaman]

Just thought I’d add............yes I know there are bad retailers out there, you get them in all trades, you need the people who issue the licenses (whoever they are) to follow up complaints made & take action. I would certainly help in anyway in could in the closure of any outlet that puts profits before the welfare of the animal, as it gives the shops that are making an effort a bad name.
Unfortunately as with most things...... it’s always the minority that spoil it for the majority !

Perhaps licenses to sell reptiles should only be given to experienced people that can show a good level of previous experience in dealing with this type of pet, also restrict the license to only allow the sale of reptiles/amphibians/insects etc, thus making it a dedicated/specialist shop.

may interest you to know that Pet shops over here aren’t allowed to sell cats & dogs.

[Rennie]

may interest you to know that Pet shops over here aren’t allowed to sell cats & dogs.

So what do they sell? Not much? Aren't cats & dogs what most people have?