Inside Petco... - Page 5

**wheeky-UK** · #81 10-11-07, 03:24 pm

I am in no way asking for support for my job, i have said countless times i wish to leave as soon as i can.

As for being hypocritical, no business, pet store or not, cant just change from one thing to something else over night. Money is going to good places, which is a step forward.

**Calliso** · #82 10-11-07, 03:32 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheeky-UK

I am in no way asking for support for my job, i have said countless times i wish to leave as soon as i can.

As for being hypocritical, no business, pet store or not, cant just change from one thing to something else over night. Money is going to good places, which is a step forward.

I understand how you feel about your job. I know it is easier said then done. And while leaving might make you feel better as you won;t be supporting the pet industry by working there anymore. Unfortunately good feelings and morals donlt pay the bills if you know what I mean!

I also agree with you on how things can;t change over night. I think people need to realize that while yes Adoption events are but tiny steps towards the bigger goal they still do some good. And we can;t expect things to change over night. Big changes rarely happen that fast.

**daftscotslass** · #83 10-11-07, 04:42 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by wheeky-UK

As for daftscotslass, I set up a charity fund raising event in the store not that long ago. We raised £210 for the "support adoption" charity. This charity involves all the local rescue centres, in particular Janes Rabbit Rescue close to our store. The money goes to these local rescues, not back to the company. So like i said they are moving in the right direction.

How do they designate local rescues? I spoke to the manager of one local store shortly after the "support adoption" scheme began. I gave her details of my local rescue after she asked for them and the rescue was not contacted. I know of no other local rescues that have received funds from them, either. 100% of the money goes to local rescues? Why can't the management of my local store tell me where the money goes yet yours can?

Susan has a great point - it's dishing out the animals to anyone old enough to buy them at one end of the store with a "recycle-a-rabbit-or-a-rodent-if-you-get-bored-of-it" at the other end. It's a bit like visiting a hospital that breaks your leg at one end and tries to fix it with a band-aid at the other.

**ortal** · #84 10-11-07, 05:04 pm

Do you think she is lieing to us about where the money goes? I don't understand, it seems like nothing Wheeky can say will be good enough. I hate pet stores too but she is TRYING to make a change in the way that she can. She cannot overnight shut down the industry.

**daftscotslass** · #85 10-11-07, 05:16 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by ortal

Do you think she is lieing to us about where the money goes? I don't understand, it seems like nothing Wheeky can say will be good enough. I hate pet stores too but she is TRYING to make a change in the way that she can. She cannot overnight shut down the industry.

For goodness sake did I say she was lying? No. I want to know why one store knows where the money the adoptions bring in goes and none of my local ones do. Why is there no standard? Why can't they tell me if 100% of the money goes to charity or if "administration costs" (i.e. profit) are deducted? Why do MY local rescues not see a penny?

It's sad that you don't think one person can make a difference by not supporting what pet stores stand for. If each of us as one person stand together that makes a whole lot of people. A whole lot of people together makes change.

A pity you can't come and see the 6 stores within an hour of me, ortal. I'm sure you'd change your tune then about how these changes "benefit" the animals. Buy a pig for £17. Get fed up with it. Return it. Someone buys it for £5 (recommended minimum donation for one of their adoptables) to feed their snake for a couple of weeks. Yep. "support adoption" really is a step forward for guinea pigs.

**ortal** · #86 10-11-07, 05:20 pm

I dont think that stores are good. Im not advocating. I know the horrors of petco, petsmart, and many more mom/pop shops.

I am just saying, that she is TRYING. What do you propose that these three do. Quit? What will that accomplish? for a couple of days/weeks they will be short staffed untill some ignorant person like the ones at the pet store by me come and replace thm.

I never once said that one person cannot make a difference, that is not what I intended. I just said that she personally cannot shut down petco/etc. Does she shop there? no. Does she get her pets there? No. so why not commend her for at least TRYING to make it better. She set up something with the intention of helping, and because you had a bad experience you are comparing what she did and not seeing the potential positives.

**Susan9608** · #87 10-11-07, 05:22 pm

Quote:

I hate pet stores too but she is TRYING to make a change in the way that she can.

I suppose it comes down to what you hate ... do you hate the way animals are treated in the pet store or do you have the whole idea of having animals sold as merchandise in pet stores?

If you're opposed to the idea of animals being sold as merchandise, then I don't see how you can think a pet store employee, who is actively engaged in selling those animals, is helping the situation just by giving the animals adequate care and by giving out info (without any way to see if info is being utilized).

**ortal** · #88 10-11-07, 05:24 pm

I hate the way animals are treated around the world in general. Pet stores, etc. Thats the reason I became a vegetarian and am working towards being a vegan.

I also dont like the idea of animals being sold. I think she is making the best of her situation. I don't see why that is so hard to understand, but I guess I am just not expressing myself correctly. It is hard to express what you really feel sometimes through text.

**thalestral** · #89 10-11-07, 06:20 pm

People keep saying that nothing will change overnight? Why?

What is it that you are then doing yourself to bring about the end of selling live beings in shops?

**ortal** · #90 10-11-07, 06:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by thalestral

People keep saying that nothing will change overnight? Why?

What is it that you are then doing yourself to bring about the end of selling live beings in shops?

I dont buy animals. I dont shop at stores that do. I complain when I see ignorance. I write letters. I give managers helll when I see ignorance.

Listen, I am not arguing how horrible pet stores are. I dont think anyone is here to do that. I was just trying to help the people who got jumped on for trying to make the best of their personal situations. It is hard for people, if they have a family, etc, to just quit because they become more informed about the truth behind their company. I know I couldnt, if I was in that situation. I'd actively look for another job, but wouldnt quit in the mean time.

I'm done, everyone here is very set in their ways, and there is nothing wrong with that.

**thalestral** · #91 10-11-07, 06:43 pm

I think perhaps you're missing the difference that many people would no sooner sell animals than they would sell humans for a living. Also, no one is telling people to quit their jobs right now without another job lined up, just questioning how important they see looking for another job really is.

There is a big difference between saying, "I work for a living but I don't agree with what I do", and "I work for a living and don't agree with what I do BUT...".

**ortal** · #92 10-11-07, 06:57 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by thalestral

There is a big difference between saying, "I work for a living but I don't agree with what I do", and "I work for a living and don't agree with what I do BUT...".

I think what they are saying is ""I work for a living and don't agree with what I do BUT..." I am going to try to make a difference while I am here, and make the best of a bad situation.".

**wheeky-UK** · #93 10-12-07, 12:47 am

Wow ok, REALLY wasnt expecting all this to erupt like it did. All i did at the beginning was to compare Pets At Home with Petco.

"Also, no one is telling people to quit their jobs right now without another job lined up, just questioning how important they see looking for another job really is."

Looking for another job is very important to me ,but even finding this one took months. Do I really need to give my life history for you people to trust me? I have learnt so much from you guys, but you seem very quick to jump on people who circumstances alter slightly differently from the way you all live. I will get there eventually, but will take a while and its the trying that counts.

I would like to thank ortal for seeing my side of the story and understanding what I was trying to say. You didnt have too.

""I work for a living and don't agree with what I do BUT..." I am going to try to make a difference while I am here, and make the best of a bad situation.". My point exactly.

**crazywiggy** · #94 10-12-07, 04:05 am

Hmm... I'm sure no one reads my posts.....

Let me put this simply. MOST people DO NOT CARE!!!

For every person that believes it is wrong to sell animals in pet stores there are hundreds if not thousands of people who don't care.
For every person that is knowledgable and compassionate about proper care of animals there are hundreds that either don't know, or don't see the point.

In terms of employment a boycott is a waste of time. You will never convince enough people (many of whom have no interest in animals) to avoid the pet stores for a reason they neither understand nor care about. There will always be more than enough people to fill the gaps created when people quit.

So what do you achieve? You won't actually cause the store to shut down or change policy because you will never have enough impact. All that will happen is they will continue to sell animals - only now those animals will be in the care of people who don't give 2 cents what happens to them... You won't stop animal abuse, you'll add to it!

**thalestral** · #95 10-12-07, 06:36 am

How defeatist. I do not understand how people on an anti-pet store forum can be so negative about what differences they can make. Are any of you at all involved in activism? I just don't understand this attitude at all :/

Oh, and it doesn't matter what comes after the "BUT..." as they are just excuses. "I sell children for a living BUT....". No excuses validate what you are doing. If it is just a job and it earns you a living then fine, I don't think ANYONE has a problem with that.

It's the defence of what pet stores do, or how pet store employees can make things "better" for the beings still being sold that is getting peoples backs up.

Why defend what you do if you don't agree with it.

**Ly&Pigs** · #96 10-12-07, 11:18 am

Thank you Calliso, for this useful post, say these 2 members:
ortal (10-11-07), wheeky-UK (10-11-07)

Thank you thalestral, for this useful post, say these 2 members:
daftscotslass (10-12-07), Susan9608 (10-12-07)

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