|
Post by Sherry on Apr 24, 2011 18:23:37 GMT -5
Good! Hopefully, that clerk will have a wee bit of a hassle for being so crass.
|
|
|
Post by hails on Apr 24, 2011 18:31:31 GMT -5
I used to work at a pet store so I know how it feels to have PETA loonies telling us how cruel we are and whatever so I didn't want him to write me off in anger. Establishing a rapport with business that sell pets is important for their well-being and leads to an exchange of knowledge which is a win/win for the animals involved.
One of my local stores has a manager who always asks me about ferrets and is genuinely interested in learning more so she can answer customers' questions. And they don't even sell ferrets!
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Apr 24, 2011 18:50:39 GMT -5
You're absolutely right. It is SO important. After all- if you start making someone defend themselves because they perceive they are being attacked, you won't get anywhere.
|
|
|
Post by Heather on Apr 24, 2011 19:04:21 GMT -5
If it wasn't for "diplomacy" and knowing when to bite my tongue and use a bit of subtle manipulation, Minion....would have been returned to the holding center where he would have probably been euthanized as a defective product as he was unable to be sold without vet intervention. He could very well have become snake food as the "supplier" was a snake and reptile supply distributor ciao
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Apr 24, 2011 20:10:35 GMT -5
The owner has responded to me via email. Here is his response: Hi Sherry, Thank you for contacting me directly. The allegation is absurd. I will check with my employees, but I seriously doubt that any of them would have said anything like that, even in jest. Ferrets that bite are handled regularly until they are socialized. We have never euthanized a ferret in any fashion, much less fed one to another animal. (We don't even feed live prey to the alligators, just frozen/thawed rats and chickens). With your permission, I will check out your forum and post a response there. Take care, Bryan Bryan Swinney Alligator Alley / Amazing Gardens www.AlligatorAlley.com Oklahoma's Reptile Experts! www.AmazingGardens.com Winter-Hardy Palms etc. 4636 NW 10th Street, OKC, OK 73127 Phone (405)949-2553 Become a fan of ALLIGATOR ALLEY on FACEBOOK for exclusive updates and specials!
|
|
|
Post by hails on Apr 24, 2011 20:17:47 GMT -5
He's probably like 'good gravy, why are all these people talking bad about me? D: ' The employee who said that sure has caused a lot of folks some trouble. Also, yummy frozen chickens and rats! Wonder if they'd be open to getting their ferrets on raw, too.
|
|
|
Post by bryan on Apr 24, 2011 20:21:03 GMT -5
Hello all,
I arrived home this afternoon to find several confusing emails, accusing me of animal cruelty--specifically of feeding live ferrets to alligators.
After opening several, I found some less vitriolic and more informative ones, including one from Sherry which led me here to find the actual allegation in Selantra's post.
For those who just want the short version, we do not feed ferrets to alligators. We have never euthanized a ferret for any reason. Ferrets that bite are handled regularly until they abandon the behavior.
Selantra says there were two ferrets in the shop when she visited. That means that it was over two weeks ago, as the white male was sold soon after he quit nipping. The sable female (with the exclamation point mark on her head) has also stopped biting (except occasionally when someone puts a finger through the bars of her cage or playpen, (contrary to the posted rules) and is still at the store, awaiting a new home.
I have trouble believing that any of my employees would make such a statement, even as a joke. I will discuss the alleged incident with each of them regardless.
We do have a breeding pair of 18 year old American Alligators (which would have become leather and meat 15 years ago, had they remained on the farm). They are carnivores, but are never fed live prey, just frozen/thawed rats and chickens raised as feeders, not pets.
Selantra, (or anyone else) feel free to call, email or drop by to discuss any concerns you may still have. Perhaps a customer on your side of the counter might have made such a quip, and not one of the staff? I will be happy to reply to any queries that are civil in tone, but I won't acknowledge hate mail.
I've attached a picture of our personal (home) pets, Arlo and Fred. Fred is actually a girl, but my wife said she looked like a "Fred" even before we brought her home, so that's her name.
|
|
|
Post by hails on Apr 24, 2011 20:29:45 GMT -5
I'd like to say thank you, Mr. Bryan, for putting our fears to rest. Sadly, we've heard far too many horror stories about seedy pet shops, as I'm sure you have as well. I'm glad you have the animals' interests at heart and are willing to handle them in preparation for a new home because all too often they are left in their cages and grown up with behavioral issues.
I've removed my post on your Facebook page and would like to apologize for not going to a private message first.
I wish you and your family a happy Easter and the best of luck caring for your reptiles. I have a Leopard Gecko myself and she's got enough attitude for me! I can't imagine how two big gators can be when they're in a mood.
|
|
|
Post by Sherry on Apr 24, 2011 20:43:56 GMT -5
I also thank you for the time you've taken to come and respond to this issue It truly is appreciated!
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 24, 2011 21:57:36 GMT -5
Although its useless when I do it, I spread the word as far as I can by email. Hope it helps. I have a rather lousy attention spane, never say anything untell you read all post even if theirs 900000. Please noit i reemailed everyone and told them to read the last post first.
|
|
|
Post by fearless on Apr 24, 2011 22:11:35 GMT -5
Thanks Bryan for clarifying... we do appreciate it! We hear too many horror stories about these things and we're quick to make a hasty generalization, this I know. However, I hope you would still discuss with your employees about how this kind of humor is better not used around customers, despite who may or may not have said it. Word travels lightly and could be very bad for business. Again, thanks for caring about the little guys!
|
|
|
Post by shilohismygirl on Apr 25, 2011 6:28:23 GMT -5
Thank god, Bryan! I would probably have a conniption if I heard someone say that-and it's good to know that the person who said that was just joking. As gullible as I am, I would have believed it!
|
|
|
Post by fearless on Apr 25, 2011 11:48:10 GMT -5
I would have too... I just see too much harm and neglect to animals.
|
|
|
Post by Deleted on Apr 25, 2011 18:58:34 GMT -5
I heard that somtimes people will say that as a tactic to get some one to rescue ferrets that are about without hope.
|
|