The "new" Petco

[Moxie]

Ugh I hate Petco! I went to Petco this evening to buy some bird food; I don’t like to go there but it was the only open place at 9:00 at night. Since the last time I had been there they did a huge remodel. The guinea pigs used to be in "decently" sized cages (about 2 feet X 3 feet) but now they have these pathetic tiny little cages that are about 1 foot by 2.5 feet. And the worst part is there are three in each! I don’t even want to even get started on the hamsters and rats new 1 foot X 1 foot cages! On top of that they now sell chinchillas, what next rabbits? I want to scream!

[dextersmycutegp]

That happened at the Petco near me TOO! The only difference it seems is at the Petco near me they have 5 guinea pigs in each cage (aquaruim) that size! It's pathetic!

[bee1101]

Perhaps writing to the company telling them you will boycott their stores unless their policy changes is the way forward?

[mkkayla]

All Petcos, Superpetz, Petsmarts, etc. should be completely boycotted until they stop selling animals. Putting ANY money in their pocket, for anything is supporting their continued abuse of animals. And yes, by all means, let Petco know you are boycotting them and why.

[Inrun]

Originally Posted by mkkayla

All Petcos, Superpetz, Petsmarts, etc. should be completely boycotted until they stop selling animals. Putting ANY money in their pocket, for anything is supporting their continued abuse of animals. And yes, by all means, let Petco know you are boycotting them and why.

This is easier said then done in many cases. Where I live when i'm at school, there is not a single pet store in the city that doesn't sell pets, and frankly the smaller mom & pop stores are normally the worse of it. I don't have paypal nor credit cards, so I can't order online (and I still probably wouldn't.). The only way I can get bedding, and dishes and the likes of that is by buying from either petsmart/petland or one of the mom and pop stores.
As well, in my world when i'm home at my parents from School, the closest place to me is a petsmart, and the mom and pop store that exists in my side of the city doesn't carry cavy supplies (just dog/cat for the rich folks). And in my situation, I can't drive 45 minutes across town and 45 minutes back for cavy supplies. Thats just nuts considering how much gas is.
Luckily for me, I now have fleece bedding, and all my other supplies are bought other then food. And I was lucky enough to have another Edmonton cavy enthusiest who ordered KM pellets but got too much; so I lucked out and was able to get some too. As well, I had started bulk buying Oxbow pellets when I drove through Calgary at one vet clinic. (if she reads this, again, thankyou)

But the point is, it's easier said then done in many cases. I don't enjoy buying from Petland/Petsmart or whomever. I try to avoid it whenever I can, but unfortunately money/time are a precious thing, and many people are unable to simply boycott the big chain petstores.

[mkkayla]

It is a matter of priorities. What is more important to you? It may well be your time and convenience, but for me it is doing everything I can to stop the support of animal abuse and neglect (and yes, I am a vegetarian). Do you have any feed stores around? Many sell the items you need. If you have people close by who are willing to order online for you since you are not, then perhaps you could work out something there. Sometimes you have to think 'out of the box'.

[little_russian]

Originally Posted by Moxie

On top of that they now sell chinchillas, what next rabbits?

Actually, they do sell rabbits now - I'd seen one at Petco in Seattle. Yeap, inside one of those aquariums. Sad situation...
I wish there was a more effective way to educate people, otherwise how would they know that it's not ok to purchase animals form the petstore? I didn't know till I got involved with this site... So much needs to be done...

[janetangel]

YES YES YES... A lot more needs to be done. I have not thought about before, but I will write to petco and petsmart to let them know it is not necessary to sell small animals when there are so many out there who need homes.
I get all my pet food needs between two local feed stores. One of them I had to look for that sold Timothy Hay for the piggies. That is why I go to two now. The new one does not sell the other items I get. I even get my dogs and cats vaccinations there and only take them to the shot clinics at Vetco or the feed store for rabies which is state law to be given by a vet. I cannot even tell you when I last stepped foot in the petsmart near me. Proly about 3 years ago. Even prior to this site I was against selling animals in pet stores and was upset when Petsmart got birds and rodents. The feed stores meet many of my pet needs and do not sell any animals. Plus they are less expensive in my area.
Last week I did step into a petco for rabies dog shots at vetco, but did not purchase anything else. That is not difficult for me to do. The only other time I have purchased from petco is when I got my son leopard geckos for his 4 times on honor roll in one year. I looked for adoption first for a long time, was not able to find any. I did find some on the internet, but they were super expensive and they would have to be mailed. I did not want to go that route.
There is no reason PetSmart and Petco cannot take in piggies, rabbits, ferrets, and other furry animals that need knew homes and adopt them out to help out the shelters instead of selling. They do not take in dogs and cats from outside breeders so they can do the same for are other small pets. They would still make their money on supplies. They can also be educated on the caging needed for these animals and start carrying the supplies to make CC Cages. They would probably sell more to other people who adopt.
The animal mentality has longed needed to be changed in petshops and it is mostly animal lovers who go there, so that is where we can start reform.

[aml1676]

Originally Posted by janetangel

YES YES YES... A lot more needs to be done. I have not thought about before, but I will write to petco and petsmart to let them know it is not necessary to sell small animals when there are so many out there who need homes.

For what it's worth, with Petco it's really up to the regional manager whether small animals are sold or not.

Originally Posted by janetangel

There is no reason PetSmart and Petco cannot take in piggies, rabbits, ferrets, and other furry animals that need knew homes and adopt them out to help out the shelters instead of selling.

A few HRS chapters, including the one I volunteer with, have actually worked with their local Petco stores to showcase adoptables. We work with 2 different stores -- a foster rabbit lives at the store in one of the hex-enclosures. It's carpeted and outfitted with a litterbox and a hidey box, plus as many toys as we can squeeze in :-) We have volunteers that go to each store on a daily basis to spend anywhere from 1.5 to 3 hours so the rabbits can stretch their legs in puppy ex-pens. It's allowed us to do a ton of education -- not only with the public, but with the employees! We point out to people that Petco is honoring their commitment to "adoption first", and we've been able to reach a lot of people that probably wouldn't think to go to a shelter. We do hand out cavy literature also, from GL, and we have a book in each store with a list of local adoptables -- not only our rabbits, but the local humane society's rabbits, guinea pigs, rats, hamsters, and gerbils.

After a year at one of the stores, I can't help thinking we've made an enormous difference. The regional manager here has even indicated that he'd be open to working in a similar fashion with a guinea pig rescue, but we don't have any locally anymore, and our local humane society doesn't appear to be able to get the resources together. I don't think it's impossible for Petco to improve, but there has to be a *reason* for them to do so. Corporate is all about the bottom line, so it requires some collaboration and compromise, but it's been worth it. I don't know exactly how many rabbits we've adopted out this way, but it's been many more than we've adopted through our traditional methods.

Edited to add: Please know that I think most of the stuff they sell is crap -- about the only thing I've bought at Petco or PetsMart is toys, cat food, cat litter, and bunny litter (when desperate). They're overpriced, the food they sell is absolute rubbish... I know I'm preaching to the choir. I can also say that I see a vast difference in care at the 2 stores. The newer store has the crappy teensy cages for their small animals -- even the hexi for our foster rabbit is slightly smaller. But the older store -- they have much larger enclosures, and the people really, really care about the animals. Just my .02.

[Inrun]

Originally Posted by mkkayla

It is a matter of priorities. What is more important to you? It may well be your time and convenience, but for me it is doing everything I can to stop the support of animal abuse and neglect (and yes, I am a vegetarian). Do you have any feed stores around? Many sell the items you need. If you have people close by who are willing to order online for you since you are not, then perhaps you could work out something there. Sometimes you have to think 'out of the box'.

Feed stores in the middle of Edmonton? I should think not. As I already stated, I do my best to avoid the stores if I can, and I have been finding alternative reasons. I do take slight offence to this post, because you seem to be implying that I don't care about the animals, and trust me I do.
I had my pigs rehomed to me, I rescued my dog from a terrible situation where she was being starved and crated to death. I rescued my horses from slaughter.
I do think "out of the box". I've got alterior methods to get hay. If you knew me, you'd know I work at a summer camp. Well, this year (the first year i'll have been there while I own the pigs), i'm making off with a bale of hay as part of my payment. I'm also able to get hay from neighbours at my farm. But thats only if i'm traveling through. And often I can run out before i'm traveling through again. (gas isn't exactly cheap up here)
As a student who finished her semester with 17 dollars in the bank, money is important to me. As much as i'd love to avoid buying my hay at someplace like petland, it's not always an option. I just said, it's not always an option to be able to drive across a city to go to a feed store. And thats true in many cases. So before you go jump on me for not doing my part, read it over again and find out that I do the best I can in my situation.

[janetangel]

Cool, glad you were able to make such a difference. I will see what I can do here locally with our petstores and information.
And since Humane Society already works with them I can talk with them too. I know some voluteers there so that may be a step in the door.

[mkkayla]

Inrun, I wasn't 'jumping' on you. My post was written in the same tone as your original post was written. I merely suggested options. Sorry if you misintrpreted me. I feel very strongly that the only thing that speaks to these stores is the bottom line-money. They will only look at changing their ways when their profits start hurting. Hopefully when you get out of school you can join in the boycott.

[Slave to the Wheek]

Here in California it looks like change is afoot! It looks like boycotting stores isn't the only option after all


I'm posting the entire link verbatim on a fresh thread because the word needs to get out, but including a portion here for your reference-

http://www.api4animals.org/actionalerts?p=768&more=1

Action Alert:

California Residents: Take Action to Protect Animals in Pet Stores

Published 05/04/06
Good News! AB 2862 recently received approval from the Assembly Appropriations Committee and now will move to the entire Assembly Floor for debate and approval. It is critical that your Assemblymember hear from you on this issue!
AB 2862 was introduced by Assemblymember Mark Ridley-Thomas (D-Los Angeles) to address the gaps and weaknesses in state law governing the care of animals at pet stores. AB 2862 would strengthen existing law by setting specific standards of care, filling gaps in the law, and providing tools for improved enforcement of pet store laws. The standards set out in this legislation will result in better care for animals and improved consumer protection. Please contact your Assemblymember to show support for this important bill.
If passed into law, AB 2862 would:

• require that veterinary care be provided to cats, dogs, birds, rabbits, reptiles and other animals who become sick or injured;
• set measurable standards for the cages in which pet store animals are housed;
• establish specific, reasonable sanitation measures to ensure the comfort of the animals and help protect against bacterial, fungal and viral illnesses; and
• require that pet store operators provide enrichment (nest boxes, exercise wheels, and other items that relieve stress and allow the animals to engage in natural behaviors).

<<the rest of the contents of this link I am posting on a fresh thread>>>

[TipiDancer]

Originally Posted by Moxie

Ugh I hate Petco! I went to Petco this evening to buy some bird food; I don’t like to go there but it was the only open place at 9:00 at night. Since the last time I had been there they did a huge remodel. The guinea pigs used to be in "decently" sized cages (about 2 feet X 3 feet) but now they have these pathetic tiny little cages that are about 1 foot by 2.5 feet. And the worst part is there are three in each! I don’t even want to even get started on the hamsters and rats new 1 foot X 1 foot cages! On top of that they now sell chinchillas, what next rabbits? I want to scream!

How dreadful! This is exactly what happens at the local PetCetera. The guinea pigs, chinchillas, hampsters, rats, rabbits, and hadge hogs have the smallest cages, no hay and are all stuffed together. They are treated like crud.

[mestes1999]

How about this...just don't worry about it. There are plenty of problems much greater in this world than the 'rodents don't have enough room in pet stores' problem.

[Susan9608]

How about this...just don't worry about it. There are plenty of problems much greater in this world than the 'rodents don't have enough room in pet stores' problem.

How about if that's your attitude, you take it and shove it far, far away from this forum?

How about you take a minute and read what a forum is about before posting snide little comments? If you had taken the time to read the mission and ideals of this forum, you'd see that animal rights are a very big priority around here.

Please, don't let the door hit you on your way out.