How to help a Tort

Yossarian

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I lurk around a lot and send a few people over from reddit. A member over there has posted some images of a tort that is being kept at a pet store in the US in pretty sad conditions, though there are probably no laws being violated. Question for the regulars here, whats the best way forward. I know what store and where it is, I live in another country so my ability to intervene is limited, is doxxing a Corporate brand pet store wrong?

The tort in question

 

wellington

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I would try to find out if they only keep him there during business hours. He should easily be able to get out of the enclosure on his own.
I would then ask them to raise the lights before they burn him and to get rid of the sand before it gives him an impaction.
Maybe post the state and city it's in and possibly a member will contact the store for you and educate them on the difference between proper care and neglect.
 

Blastoise

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Pet stores are the worst. My first tortoise was kept in a 40 gallon tank with 2 other tortoises of different species. That tortoise almost died the first month I had him from parasites. I would hope that this tortoise has a larger area in the back when he is not on display. That's pretty bad. I would e-mail them and see what they say about it.
 

turtlebean

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Wow that is just about the saddest thing I’ve seen on these forums so far. How could people be both so clueless and ignorant towards the housing of a living being?? Does anyone know what store this is, or where it is?
 

Yossarian

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I would try to find out if they only keep him there during business hours. He should easily be able to get out of the enclosure on his own.
I would then ask them to raise the lights before they burn him and to get rid of the sand before it gives him an impaction.
Maybe post the state and city it's in and possibly a member will contact the store for you and educate them on the difference between proper care and neglect.

The management of the store has been approached, they replied that they have an "expert" that cares for all the animals and it is fine. It is unclear how long it has been there but at least several years and my understanding is that it lives there full time.

This Tort is at the Pet World Warehouse in Madison Wisconsin. Apparently they claim to be specialists in reptiles and reptile husbandry.

I also thought he would be able to get out on his own but Im not sure, the second imgur page is a video of it and it doesnt even really seem to try. Maybe its learned helplessness.
 

Yvonne G

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Hi Scott! Long time no see! Thanks for posting the picture. Maybe if several different members from Wisconsin approach the pet store about the sulcata's care it might make them re-think what they're doing.
 

wellington

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An update. I called the store. Talked to a gentleman, didnt get his name or dont remember it, I'm bad at that. The tortoise no longer is on the sand, it's an older photo. She does get out to walk the store and on occasion someone takes her home. It's a good start.
I mentioned the forum and asked the person to take a look at all the care information. I also informed him there is great concern with her care.
Hopefully he will read our info and make even more changes.
 

Yossarian

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An update. I called the store. Talked to a gentleman, didnt get his name or dont remember it, I'm bad at that. The tortoise no longer is on the sand, it's an older photo. She does get out to walk the store and on occasion someone takes her home. It's a good start.
I mentioned the forum and asked the person to take a look at all the care information. I also informed him there is great concern with her care.
Hopefully he will read our info and make even more changes.

Thanks for doing that. I am skeptical that they will make changes but we can hope. I will try to follow this up again.
 

Yossarian

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Hi Scott! Long time no see! Thanks for posting the picture. Maybe if several different members from Wisconsin approach the pet store about the sulcata's care it might make them re-think what they're doing.

Hey thanks Yvonne, always appreciate your help. I dont post much here but I read a lot.
 
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