Reptile & Amphibian Forums

http://www.petcocruelty.com/

http://www.peta.org/feat/napd/

That really surprises me, because both the Petco and Petsmart in my area are backed by the local SPCA, and I know for a fact that they have vet visits, because I have a friend who works there. I personally have never boughten any animals there, but I have bought quite a few pet supplies from them when I don't have the time to wait for them to be shipped from ordering online. I wonder if Petco is individually owned maybe?

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~*Chibi*~
Sir Iggy ( 1.0.0 El Salvador Blue Iguana), Ryo-ohki, Orion, Bud, & Finnegan (3.1.0 crazy kitties), Rosebud (0.1.0 cockerspaniel), Trixie and Kayko (0.1.1 leopard gecko)

Yes the petcos are individualy owned, I have to petcos I bop into now and then, one has great reptiles, well cared for, healthy, and the other is a typical petco, dead animals in cages and such. You just have to be smart, Look for things like is there runny fecal matter in the cage, and do any of them look way under weight. I personally have not had a problem with any of my leopard geckos I have gotten from there. But looking at this forum, there are lots of people who have had problems.
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"Life is a Safari"

I've noticed that. I wonder where all those Petcos are... It's really rare to see that kind of thing happen where I live. Petstores seems to get shut down pretty quickly if there is animal abuse involved. There is only one particular pet store I wish would be closed, and they're being investigated right now, so that's good.
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~*Chibi*~
Sir Iggy ( 1.0.0 El Salvador Blue Iguana), Ryo-ohki, Orion, Bud, & Finnegan (3.1.0 crazy kitties), Rosebud (0.1.0 cockerspaniel), Trixie and Kayko (0.1.1 leopard gecko)

Ok, first off, the stores may have vet visits, but keep in mind, the vet visits at petco are for customers' pets' shots, not to look over their animals. Most PETsMARTs have full service vet clinics inside their stores that see a variety of animals.

Secondly, keep in mind that both companies DO donate money to local resuce groups in the areas the stores are in. PEDA is not the SPCA. Totally different types of organizations.

Thirdly, both Petco and PETsMART are Corporations. They are not individually owned. I would also assume that, like PETsMART, Petco would also have corporate hired vets that they deal with in developing policy and procedures and proper care for the animals and housing them until the tight conditions we sometimes have. These are non-negotiable terms. I know that I'm always told if there is one thing to be wrong in my store, it CANNOT be the pet care.

Do you know that PETsMART actually TELLS you where to put each pet in our Small Animals and Bird habitats, and how many of what species can be placed in each cage?? Like that they can only house 12 Parakeets in a cage, or 6 Lovebirds, or 3 Guinea Pigs??

Did you know that out of all the animals that PETsMART sells OTHER than fish, we carry more different types of Reptiles than other creatures?? Did you know that most stores sell more reptiles than small animals and birds? If I were to count how many different herps I have right now, I have 25 different reptiles in my store (that does include 4 juv. leo morphs, and 8 inch Leos as five of those). That number has been as high as 35 at times, and has included everything from your run of the mill green anole to your panther chameleons. Everything from $5 critters to $200 tortoises. And everyone has been in fine health.

Did you know that out of all of the PETsMARTs I've been in, I've never had a complaint (and no, I'm not being biased because I would say something to the appropiate person since I stick up for the company so much)? I have had many about Petcos, even coming from associates and customers who have been there and choose to come to us to shop??

I don't know about other PETsMARTs, and I certainly can't speak up for Petcos, but I do know several PEDA people in my area, and do knwo that they think very highly of my store, and I take great pride in that. To the best of my knowledge, in the last 4 years, a PETsMART has never been fined for the care of their animals, or had to stop selling animals due to the selling conditions, unlike some other stores. And I believe I would hear about PETsMART having problems.

Anyways, just some things to think about. I would challenge anyone to come into my store and tell me that I'm wrong in the care of my critters, and if I am wrong, I will definately make a note to my supervisor and find out WHY we don't do things the way you suggest. I promise. Ask and I will find out. There is a reason for everything.
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Trish
1.0.0 Albino Leopard Gecko
0.1.0 Hypo-Something Leopard Gecko
1.0.0 Rat
0.1.0 Cockatiel
0.1.0 Pitbull/Golden Retriever
0.2.0 Cats
0.1.0 Horse
And who knows how many fish