Hi
Yesterday I went in to our local Pet shop who I have been keeping an eye on, regarding the sale of tortoises. The conditions that we are all aware of , on how the petshops keep them, was true to form,  and the advice for new owners was appalling. I questioned the diet, no water, big wood chippings etc  and there was also about 6 boxes of live food e.g crickets put into the glass cage with them. By the way there were about six torts, rough age 3 months old, Hermans & Spurthighs.. He quoted that DEFRA had said to him that tortoises do not drink, he had been to a big convention and was told that if you put 6 people into a room they will all have different opinions on how to rear torts. I did ask would all of the six people then say that torts don't drink. Anyway without going into this too deeply as I think you probably have the picture, I would like to take this further as he is expanding in the sale of exotic pets and I really think those poor animals will suffer. I know I can't take on the petshop industry,  but I do feel I can't walk away from this knowing I haven't even tried to help those poor little torts. Please could you advice me of the correct steps to take, so that someone investigates them.
Thanks
Jane

This is so difficult and frustrating, Jane, and we hear similar stories all the time. I think it all depends on the personality of the manager, and how pig/headed he is. I would first print out some of the care sheets (for hermanns and ibera from this website) and take them into him, and ask politely if he would hand them out to his customers when they purchase a tortoise. A few petshop managers have been receptive to that, but if he baulks at that, then you can tell him that the Tortoise Trust and the British Chelonia Group, which are the two most authoritative Tortoise organisations in this oountry would approve of these care sheets, and also that they are unanimous in their advice that tortoises do need to drink. You can explain that this is especially important when they are kept indoors under hot lights, as that is particularly dehydrating.

Failing all that, if you think that the conditions these torts are being kept in are cruel, you could contact your local police wildlife crime officer (we have a list of all their contact numbers).e

Nina

Hiya Jane,

I have had a similar experience to this - it makes you sick to think that someone would treat animals in this way to make a bit of money. You can report the pet shop through this website. Click on the 'Contact Us' button on the left of the screen and fill in the form. Include the name of the pet shop, the address and why you are reporting them.

Joanne xx

Hi

I did give them care sheets from the TT site on a previous occasion but they were not interested. I asked him if the TT, the TPG or the British Chelonia have said no water, and he said DEFRA had said that, and that was good enough for him.. He was not willing to listen,as far as he is concerned, he has had tortoises for 15 yrs and that is how they have been reared, I was sooo tempted to come back at him, but decided that keeping my cool and jus said  that to say tortoises don't drink at all is just so wrong. One example he used was that dessert tortoises don't drink, there isn't any water available to them hmmmmmmmmm Hermans done come from the dessert!!!  as far as he was concerned he was right and that was the end of it.

I have also just learnt that a tortoise died on an owner which I think came from that petshop, so once I have that confirmed by the person, I will contact the local police wildlife crime officer to investigate them. This petshop has a bad reputatation but still people use them, I really don't understand it.. Anyway lets hope I can help those poor little chappies..
Jane