Is there such a thing as a better pet shop when it comes to the sale of live animals?. A new large pet store retailer has opened up by me and I was told they were selling baby torts. Now although I would not buy a tort from a pet shop I've never seen a baby tort in the shell and have always wanted to so off I went to have a nose. I spoke to one of the staff there, introducing myself as someone interested in getting a tort but wanting more info first. She was very thorough and although she advised me to add in the pellets with salad stuff and weeds and to keep the little ones in a viv until they were around 2 years when they would be big enough to go on a table and have access to the outdoors in a safe pen everything else seemed to be what is suggested on this site, even down to the daily bathing. They also said they don't allow anyone to just come in and buy them, you have to prove you have the right set up (bought from them was the impression I got) and they give you a little test of some sort before you can take them. You also have to buy a book from them (Mediterranean Tortoises by Lance Jepson) which apparently is approved by Andy Highfield of the TT. I asked if their torts were UK bred and they told me that although they were not UK bred, they were not wild caught but came from breeders who breed for the pet shop trade I think. The girl who I was talking to also said she had been on a tortoise course. Going by this do you think it's better to buy from this kind of pet shop as I know there is always going to be people who buy from them. They also said that the little torts would have to be microchipped, would this be because they were selling Hermans?. I must admit, they suprised me as I was expecting really bad advise. 

Hi Winnie

Sorry, but the advice given by this pet shop is no better than many others - keep the tortoise in a viv, feed pellets and salad stuff, and dont put it outdoors until it is 2 years old!!   Tortoises also only need to be microchipped if they are over 10 cm when sold, so yet more bad advice.

As for buying an 'approved setup' and book from them, this is more money in their tills, they probably make more from selling the viv, a variety of lights - I have seen blue 'daylight bulbs' red 'night bulbs' and more being sold in viv set ups, none of which are any use to torotises, pellets etc etc than they do in selling the tortoise.  If people continue to buy from pet shops, it perpetuates the trade - more tortoises imported from abroad, and more sold with inappropriate equipment and advice, all too often leading to illness and even early death.

Winnie, if you are interested in buying a tortoise, contact a breeder who will give you good advice, and a genuine UK bred tortoise, please dont buy from a pet shop,

all the best

Arlene

Hi Arlene,

    I have no intention of buying from a pet shop, never have done (except when I was about 10 years old and I bought 2 gerbils, which by the way I asked for 2 females and they sold me one of each, which then led to you know what) and never will do. I have at home 2 dogs, 3 cats, 40+ fish and Queenie my horsfield and every single one has been adopted through rescue. I do intend on getting another horsfield but only when I'm satisfied that I know enough to care for it and not have to depend on people like yourself for every question I ask (even though I know you are only to happy to help) and I don't want a baby one, but this is way down the line. I know from experiences through work when I have spoken to people that there are always going to be people who buy from pet shops no matter how much you beg and plead them not to. I just thought that a pet shop giving "some" advise was better then one that gave 100%  crap advise, obviously I was wrong so I apologise. I've not been on this site for that long and I value the help and advise that is given. The last thing I want to do is pee you off. 

Hi Winnie

Dont worry, you havnt pee'd me off  and I do apologise if I came across that way

I do find it a bit frustrating that if a pet shop gets some of the info right, why they cant get all of it right - especially when it is the basics of housing and diet that they get so wrong.  It is all about education really, and you are right, there will always be people that buy from pet shops and who will take it as read that the information they have been given is good

all the best

Arlene TPG

Hi Winnie
I so so agree with Arlene, please don't give your money to the pet shops, there are so many good breeders out there, and believe me when you get your tort it will steal your heart, so to end up with a sick tort will be so heart breaking apart from money breaking too. I have one from a breeder and one I rehomed. If I was ever in a position where I could have another one, I would definately rehome, as there are so many out there that need a home that can give them everything that they need. The book by Lance Jepson is a really good, I have it myself, but it is not a necessity, you have very good information here at the TPG site and on the TT site to guide you through, and they are not after your money. Hope I haven't come across soap boxy not my intention, just to re-iterate the story of the pets shops!!!
Good luck on your learning journey, it is lots of fun, just taking nice country walks will never be the same, you will be weed spotting, and learning about the wild flowers, BBC weather site will be your favourite channel, oh and lots of other interesting topics that you hated at school will now be on the agenda!!
Jane

OOPs sorry looks like whilst I was composing my essay you guys already sorted this one out, Sorry Winnie!! but great how you have high lighted how the Pet shop came across caring, if I am totally honest, before I brought my little one, if a pet shop spoke to me like that I would have felt that they cared, I guess the only thing I would have researched was the glass tank, when I think of a tortoise I think garden, when I think of a tank I think fish!!
Sorry again for the cross posting
Jane

Hi Jane, if it's any consolation your essay was very good. I did buy the book as I want to learn all I can about torts. I feel like I've learned lots since coming on this site and like I said earlier everyone seems really helpful.

Hi Winnie
Thanks, You have got me re visting my book now good isn't it?
Jane