Please sign this petition against calcium sand!

[XoVictoryXo]

Leopard Geckos and Sand Petition
thank you!!

 

[XoVictoryXo]

for the record, I did not write this one myself! But I plan to start one soon!

 

[Harley_Davidson]

Signed it!

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Trying to collect names of calcium sand brands... so I can start my own petition and make it VIRAL. so far I have:

Repterra
Florida Maine Research
Top Dawg
Reptilite Calcium Substrate
Central Aquatics
Estes Co: Granite

 

[KTyne]

Sending a petition just to PetSmart isn't going to change anything anyways. You'd need to send the petition to every pet store there is or directly to the supplier. :|
As well, it's not only Leos that use the stuff, other reptiles do as well that aren't harmed by it.
I honestly don't think a petition will change anything. As long as people are buying it they aren't going to stop selling it.

Also, I'm not trying to sound cold or anything but if you had researched suitable Leopard Gecko substrate extensively you would have seen that it says specifically NOT to use calcium sand because they will ingest it to get the calcium. It's not the stores fault that you decided to put the stuff into your Leo's enclosure...

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Maybe there should be a large sign on these bags that say fatal to leopard geckos? Something! I did research, and asked pet store for help, thats the main problem is pet stores arent educated in this species... Your not cold, you are helping with another opinion which I need, I feel something must be done for this epidemic, because apparently I am not the only one.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

KTYNE: let me know if you have any ideas on how to get the suppliers to label their products FATAL to leopard geckos. Send them a bill? a petition? and contact PETA? These are the ideas I have come up with so far. It really bugs me how many geckos have been injured or died because of this product . What other species can not use this substrate?

 

[KTyne]

I think the only way that they would have a warning label on the package is if they were sued. These companies are so big and make so much money off of their products that I doubt they'd do anything if they got a petition.
Sand isn't healthy to keep a lot of critters on because of the impaction risk but I think that the Calcium sand is 100 times worse because most of them eat it or lick at it and ingest it for the Calcium.
Write to your local pet shops maybe, e-mail your local news, make a big fuss if you feel it's worth it! If there is a lot of bad things being said about the product and company they would most likely recall it at least especially if they want to stay on the good side of pet owners.

 

[josabby]

It's not just sand that's dangerout, but a lot of animal shelters they sell are very heavy and can cause serious injury or death. There's also the fact that the stores use very intense light bulbs to display leos. This hurts their eyes and causes stress (especially to Albinos). They are also in very small inclosures so they can't really thermalregulate and overheat. Same goes for many other lizards. I saw a Jackson's chameleon in a very smal enclosure once with an exoterra desert buld. It was way too hot(jacksons are a mountain species and need cooler temps). I politely said something to the employees and they didn't listen so I wrote to corporate. People who run pet stores should pick up the books they sell before they sell various animals.

 

[XoVictoryXo]

I have seen my fair share of cruelty in pet stores. I saw a lizard (a species I have never heard before) dead, bleeding from the mouth on a woodchip, I went to the register and advised them right away.
Ktyne those are great ideas, for some reason my heart is invested in doing something about it. I want to gather as much info as I can, and make a big stink about it. Thank for your input!

 

[KTyne]

No problem. I hope you make a difference! I'm sure there are a lot of pet owners whose geckos or lizards have died from impaction and they didn't even know the cause because pet stores sold them sand.
Good on you for being someone to do something about it!

 

[XoVictoryXo]

Just look at this!! This is what makes me angry!!

Replicate your desert-dwelling pet's natural environment with this pure calcium sand. This safe, soluble alternative to natural silica sand, gravel and corn cob bedding features a nontoxic additive to provide a colorful appearance.

Simulate your desert friend's natural environment with this All Living Things Premium Calcium Sand. Ideal for snakes, lizards and a variety of other animals, this pure calcium carbonate material is a safe, soluble alternative to natural silica sand, gravel and corn cob bedding and replicates your pet's natural desert habitat. The nontoxic coloring gives the naturally white sand a colorful appearance.

Pure calcium carbonate material replicates the feel of desert terrain
Ideal for Bearded Dragons, Leopard Geckos, Sand Boas, Crocodile Geckos, Collared Lizards, Uromastyxes, Curly Tail Lizards, Greek Tortoises, Fat Tail Geckos, Tarantulas, Scorpions and Hermit Crabs
Safe, soluble alternative to natural silica sand, gravel and corn cob bedding
Nontoxic coloring gives the naturally white calcium sand a colorful appearance
Evenly spread 2" of sand on the floor of the terrarium (4" is recommended for large pets)
Use a sand sifter to scoop waste daily, and completely replace the substrate monthly or as needed; if waste material is allowed to collect on the surface, your pet can develop skin and intestinal infections
Made in USA

CAUTION: Not recommended for juvenile lizards under 6" in total length.

Always wash hands after handling a pet or cleaning a habitat.

If needed, the humidity and temperature can be adjusted by changing or combining substrate materials; consult a pet care guide for your pet's humidity and temperature requirements.

Available in 5-lb. bags

Available in brown and black

 

[KTyne]

That's ridiculous, I'd definitely write a letter to the company as well stating that they are providing false information. Calcium does not dissolve easily in the gut...