Evolution of Pets/Koi Pet Store, Edmonton, Alberta

Daggit_Columbian · Honored Member Joined: Oct 10, 2006 Posts: 251

I contacted the ASPCA based in New York....

good luck Sedated!

-j

WyvernWyrm · Posted: Tue Nov 21, 2006 4:52 pm Post subject:

For the love of everything holy and sacred.... I am completely disgusted im sorry but i would definantly have reacted angrily if I had been the one who walked in there. I commend you for ur patience but i would have went completely nuts. someone needs to do something.

Sedated · Member Joined: Sep 30, 2006 Posts: 31

I've been in there before so I knew the conditions of the store before hand. Us going in there this time was strictly a picture taking mission. Yelling at the owner and trying to reason with her has not worked in the past and certainly would not do much more than have us thrown out. Instead we went in acted "dumb" and took as many pictures as we could before being noticed. Our main purpose was to take these pictures and post them in hopes that it would anger people enough for action to be taken...and it most certainly has.

If you would like to read more information on what is being done feel free to check out some of the other threads we have made:

http://www.reptilescanada.com/forums/showthread.php?t=12771&page=5&pp=15

http://www.faunaclassifieds.com/forums/showthread.php?t=90966&page=1&pp=5

I'm ecstatic to see the reaction that this has caused in people from around North America, as well as to see so many people taking action. It's definitely a great thing when everyone comes together to have a situation fixed.

There it an Edmonton Reptile Society meeting tonight in which this issue will be discussed yet again...I'll be sure to update you all on what was said.

Daggit_Columbian · Honored Member Joined: Oct 10, 2006 Posts: 251

http://www.evolutionofpets.com/ here is the site for the store, nice looking skate shop next door too....

Sedated · Member Joined: Sep 30, 2006 Posts: 31

Well good news...we've got the media's attention!!!

They've requested an interview with ther persons that took the photos! They will also come down to our picketing area on sunday to do a follow up on the store

DaremoAlpha · Posted: Wed Nov 22, 2006 10:57 am Post subject:

As I stated before it was also brought up at the TARAS meeting in Calgary and I know there has a mumber of letters drawn up from down south and sent to our sister city.

As TARAS cannot really do much more than offer to help educate people the resonse from the society is as follows...

As a result of the current outrage voiced by a large number of TARAS members and by other concerned reptile hobbyists, TARAS (The Alberta Reptile and Amphibian Society) has been asked to state its position in regard to a certain pet store currently operating within this province.

This store is retailing animals, and in particular reptiles, which are routinely kept in deplorable conditions that are extremely detrimental to the health and well being of those animals.

We have been made aware of and shown photographs which provide evidence of general neglect, overcrowding, malnutrition and the failure to properly administer to the needs of the many animals in their care. Many of the animals seen seem to be very sick or near death.

As a society we have no legal recourse other than to alert the local branches of the SPCA and hope that they in turn, will take whatever necessary action they see fit

TARAS would therefore like to issue the following statement:

As a society whose objectives include responsible pet ownership as well as providing education in the husbandry and conservation of reptiles and amphibians, TARAS does not condone the mistreatment of any animal. We would therefore advise our members and all other concerned hobbyists to refrain from buying animals from this or any other source which does not provide reasonable and acceptable care for the animals which may be in their possession.

By TARAS refusing to support those pet outlets deemed guilty of mistreatment or cruelty to the animals in their care, we would hope that those outlets will be forced to change their method of care or run the real risk of losing the support of the community and its customers.

Meanwhile, until the husbandry methods employed by this particular pet outlet improves to an acceptable level, our members should continue to advise others to avoid purchasing sick or dying animals from this or other questionable sources.

I know it may not seem like a lot but by everyone taking notice of this and reading the BOI at Fauna Clasifieds they all know the store in question and I believe that with the already mentioned media attention and boycotts by a vast majority of people will either correct this issue or drive this person/ business to close doors permantly.

Thanks to everybody that is taking part in this no matter how big or small... It shows that we as a community will stand together.