27 year old male Sulcata needs rescuing from PA pet store, he is not for sale

[Peachie]

A male sulcate at Pets Plus in Fairless Hills, PA is not for sale. He is essentially a prisoner. The Bucks County SPCA supports removing him from this situation. PA Law and American Tortoise Rescue believes that the tortoise is ok in this enclosure. I don't know how the sulcata got to the store nor how long its been there. Photos and video will be forwarded to a vet. Go to r/sulcata for photos and videos. I may need public support to remove him from his prison.

 

[Krista S]

Did you ask them about the tortoise or try to talk to them to see what the story is here? It clearly is inhumane, but I’m curious to know what they had to say. I looked at their website and it says “Now, in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States and numerous shelters, we have become a rescue center offering dogs, cats, puppies and kittens for adoption. Saving animals from cruelty, neglect and homelessness one new family at a time has become our key mission.” The photo you shared just doesn’t make sense when they say their mission to save animals from cruelty and neglect. Very sad ?

 

[Peachie]

Did you ask them about the tortoise or try to talk to them to see what the story is here? It clearly is inhumane, but I’m curious to know what they had to say. I looked at their website and it says “Now, in partnership with the Humane Society of the United States and numerous shelters, we have become a rescue center offering dogs, cats, puppies and kittens for adoption. Saving animals from cruelty, neglect and homelessness one new family at a time has become our key mission.” The photo you shared just doesn’t make sense when they say their mission to save animals from cruelty and neglect. Very sad ?

Their website is clearly BS. I have heard from several people on Reddit that they called the store willing to buy it but it's not for sale. I don't have a complete timeline on this sulcate in their possession. The SPCA doesn't either. So tomorrow I will make some calls. Since they are a "family business" in Lansdale, PA they could be Amish or Mennonite who own Puppy Mills too. So they could be that kind of business.

 

[Peachie]

I plan on taking more photos and videos of the sulcata at Pets Plus.

 

[ArmadilloPup]

Looking at the store's Facebook, the dog adoptions look legit and not like puppy mill pet stores (like Petland). Lots of adult pit bulls and mutts, puppies aren't designer breeds. It looks like they do order baby reptiles/frogs individually through wholesalers, but most pet stores do.

The pic on Reddit is heartbreaking though. Kind of sad that he is being used as a centerpiece. Give that man some veggies

 

[Peachie]

That tortoise is beyond needing veggies! I don't care about their other side businesses. I only care about this 27 year old sulcata that looks like it would hang itself if it could. The pet store is a franchise of Pet Supplies Plus headquartered in Michigan. They have stores in PA, Ohio and Michigan. What does that say to you? They are sketch for sure. They are part of the mixed breed dog adoption racket.

 

[Peachie]

And honestly, Facebook is not the place for ethical businesses or information. Surely you would agree?!

 

[Peachie]

Harry, The Sulcata at Pets Plus has been discussed very briefly on this forum. A sign that described Harry is no longer hung at Pets Plus. The store wrote that Harry was hatched there. So Pets Plus has had nearly 30 years to get it right for Harry and they failed miserably. There is no evidence that Harry roams the store as if that was adequate care. There is no evidence that Harry eats anything beyond pellets. There is no evidence that Harry gets to lay in water. There is no evidence that Harry has relatives in South Africa. Heck, Sulcatas are not native to SA!

 

[TaylorTortoise]

I am from the area and visit that store frequently,
I am surprised others know about Harry, I feel horrible for him each time I come to visit him.
He is apparently a year older than me. I am 25.

 

[wellington]

I am from the area and visit that store frequently,
I am surprised others know about Harry, I feel horrible for him each time I come to visit him.
He is apparently a year older than me. I am 25.

Be sure to bring up TFO and the proper care of a sulcata. Print out a care sheet if needed and give it too them. Ignoring what they are doing wrong does not help the animal. Ignore abuse is another form of abuse

 

[wellington]

Harry, The Sulcata at Pets Plus has been discussed very briefly on this forum. A sign that described Harry is no longer hung at Pets Plus. The store wrote that Harry was hatched there. So Pets Plus has had nearly 30 years to get it right for Harry and they failed miserably. There is no evidence that Harry roams the store as if that was adequate care. There is no evidence that Harry eats anything beyond pellets. There is no evidence that Harry gets to lay in water. There is no evidence that Harry has relatives in South Africa. Heck, Sulcatas are not native to SA!

Have you tried to educate them on proper housing/care? You can't make them change their way but you can try to educate them. Tell them about TFO and print out a caresheet if needed. Ignoring abuse is a form of abuse.

 

[TaylorTortoise]

Be sure to bring up TFO and the proper care of a sulcata. Print out a care sheet if needed and give it too them. Ignoring what they are doing wrong does not help the animal. Ignore abuse is another form of abuse

I have tried plenty of times. Even offered to come in to care for their tortoises.
They ignore my phone calls and a few employees have yelled at me for trying to get their attention for Harry to check something with him. I go there to check on the tortoises. If I see any issues I talk to the manager there to at least bring it to his attention.

 

[Peachie]

Pets Plus is a franchise. Maybe if we contact corporate we could help Harry. Also, I was told by the Game Commission to look into county ordinances for rules and regulations for a pet store to have a Sulcata. Also a call to the Department of Agriculture was suggested too.

 

[wellington]

I have tried plenty of times. Even offered to come in to care for their tortoises.
They ignore my phone calls and a few employees have yelled at me for trying to get their attention for Harry to check something with him. I go there to check on the tortoises. If I see any issues I talk to the manager there to at least bring it to his attention.

That's good and that's all you can do. I ask because a lot of people will complain, but not to the people that have the choice of changing things. We can't do much when they aren't our own, but we can be the animals voice.

 

[Peachie]

That's good and that's all you can do. I ask because a lot of people will complain, but not to the people that have the choice of changing things. We can't do much when they aren't our own, but we can be the animals voice.

So, I left a message with the Department of Agriculture Reptile licensing division.

 

[wellington]

So, I left a message with the Department of Agriculture Reptile licensing division.

Keep us posted. I'd like to know what they say and if they can actually do anything.

 

[Peachie]

Keep us posted. I'd like to know what they say and if they can actually do anything.

We need to see if PP has a Menagerie Permit, Section 2964

 

[wellington]

We need to see if PP has a Menagerie Permit, Section 2964

Contact corporate and they should be able to tell you if that store does. I don't have one of those stores near mr that I know of. People witnessing the abuse or bad care will have the biggest impact. Take pictures of what abuse you see. The more proof you have the better.

 

[Peachie]

Contact corporate and they should be able to tell you if that store does. I don't have one of those stores near mr that I know of. People witnessing the abuse or bad care will have the biggest impact. Take pictures of what abuse you see. The more proof you have the better.

ok. will do. thanks

 

[Peachie]

Pets Plus Natural in Fairless Hills, PA is a sketchy business! I can't figure out who is in charge of Dawn, she is the Animal Manager of some sorts. Some guy named Ryan is their so called Reptile Expert. I called their so called headquarters in Lansdale, 215-362-3178 and they told me that the store in which Harry has been tortured for 27 is the headquarters! Was told that "Mark and Bruce" were in charge but was not given their last name nor their contact information.