Another pet store...

[EasternGirl]

Oh sorry...the link worked before when I tried it...here:

Thanks Marnie,

I think that must be a result of our switch to a new site from an old one, and it resurrecting old data on a few items overwriting more recent information. The garters we sell are actually eating frozen thawed rosey reds at the moment.

I will have a look at your site for additional information, and I thank you very much for pointing this out. I will react to this right away.

Sincerely,

John Flynn

Live Deliveries Manager

PetSolutions.com

1.800.737.3868

[EasternGirl]

I already wrote back to him about the fish. I told him what he should be feeding the garters and gave him a copy of the unsafe/safe fish list and told him to contact me if he had any questions or needed any help.

[EasternGirl]

Another response:

I read through all of the information on the page yesterday and already adapted our feeding instructions to reflect the salmon, trout, and tilapia yesterday and had already removed crickets. Goldfish were already a given, that's something I don't even recommend to fish keepers for feeding piscivores let alone reptiles or amphibians. I'm already familiar with the vitamin B absorption deficiency issue that can occur with thiaminase. To be honest, any fish of any type which is fed whether it is on the "safe" list your forum has generated or not is going to contain a wide variety of other contaminants, and the long term feeding of fish on the "unsafe" list then becomes almost secondary. I'm actually somewhat surprised that hasn't become a discussion on your forum site already.

Even after almost 30 years of keeping and breeding reptiles, amphibians, and various fish, I'm always open to learn new things and discuss best practices. I appreciate your input.

Sincerely,

John Flynn

Live Deliveries Manager

PetSolutions.com

1.800.737.3868

My response to that:

John,

We do discuss the potential for problems with feeding a diet of fish alone...certainly. We have had many threads discussing the problems with a diet that is not varied, a diet that is vitamin deficient, the B vitamin deficiency, calcium deficiency, and the use of supplements to aid in such deficiencies when necessary. If you pop into our forum regularly, you will find that we have many members who are experienced keepers and breeders of many years and have a vast knowledge base. We have many threads and topics...feel free to look through them. l appreciate you being so open to my suggestions and taking the time to listen to my input. It makes me feel good to know there are pet stores that do actually care about the animals they sell. I wish you the best of luck and hope that you will contact us if you ever need assistance.

[snakehill]

Maybe Petco should be next! They have goldfish and crickets listed on their care sheet too!

[PINJOHN]

Another response:

I read through all of the information on the page yesterday and already adapted our feeding instructions to reflect the salmon, trout, and tilapia yesterday and had already removed crickets. Goldfish were already a given, that's something I don't even recommend to fish keepers for feeding piscivores let alone reptiles or amphibians. I'm already familiar with the vitamin B absorption deficiency issue that can occur with thiaminase. To be honest, any fish of any type which is fed whether it is on the "safe" list your forum has generated or not is going to contain a wide variety of other contaminants, and the long term feeding of fish on the "unsafe" list then becomes almost secondary. I'm actually somewhat surprised that hasn't become a discussion on your forum site already.

Even after almost 30 years of keeping and breeding reptiles, amphibians, and various fish, I'm always open to learn new things and discuss best practices. I appreciate your input.

Sincerely,

John Flynn

Live Deliveries Manager

PetSolutions.com

1.800.737.3868

My response to that:

John,

Well done John Flynn a person who seem's to have the interest at heart of the animals in his care

[EasternGirl]

This was his most recent email to me in response to that last email I sent. I have to say, I am very pleased with the outcome of all of this and impressed with this manager.

Email response:

That is great to hear, it sounds like it must be a very fun and interesting forum to participate in. I'll have to set aside a little more time and go through and read some of the threads there. I'm actually planning to go in and add more to the descriptions of both of our garters, and flesh out their information a bit beyond what we have now.

Too many online and brick and mortar pet stores view their animals as a commodity, an item. My personal feeling is that I have the responsibility to do everything we can for our animals to be safe and as well cared for as possible both on our end, through the shipping process, and upon final delivery. Yes this is a business, and business needs to keep costs and efficiency in mind, but there can and should be a balance between profit and responsibility. I am at this company doing this job because I love coming to work every day, and when I go home at the end of the day I'm usually still in a very good mood. I'm certainly not going to get rich doing what I do, but if I wanted to go to a job I hate but make a lot of money at I would have kept working in finance as I did years ago.

Have a great afternoon Marnie, and thanks again!

[mikem]

good work marnie!

[EasternGirl]

Thanks...I felt like I did a little in my effort toward helping the animals.

[indigoman]

Good job Marnie! John Flynn has my respect.

[aquamentus_11]

yeah, sounds like a good guy. great work, marnie.