Giftcards?

[chexxy]

What would you do if you got a gift card to a petstore?
Is it still supporting them to use it if you already have it?
Because my B-Day is coming up and I have a feeling some realtive will get me one...So is it still supporting one, if the money is already paid?

[Percy's Mom]

Technically, the store already has the money. However, by purchasing something from the store with the giftcard, you're still telling them that it's ok to sell animals along side the other products because you purchased anything there. If you do end up with a gift card from a pet store, see if there are any rescues that work out of that store occasionally. They will typically buy things from the store anyway, and a donation of a gift card could be helpful to the rescue.

[Jess Z]

I don't know because I got like 20 zillion petsmart ones and I really wouldn't want to waste them but you can buy and use gift cards online that online store wouldn't count would it?

[Percy's Mom]

It would absolutely count. The online PetSmart is still PetSmart. The money still goes to the same corporate offices that still pay money to breeders to stock the "brick and mortar" stores with animals for sale.

[Jess Z]

Ok then, any suggestions of what to do with the gift cards? I don't think there is any rescues in my area. Thanks because I was about to spend them!

[PiggieMamaKelly]

The pet store is making more of a profit if you do NOT use it. Then they are getting twice the money and losing less merchandise. Using your gift card on an item prevents them from making a profit off that item.

BUYING the card is supporting the store. The damage has been done.

Just my $.02

[Susan9608]

You could always mail them to a rescue. Even if there isn't a rescue in your particular area, there are petsmarts/petcos all over the country and there are rescues all over the country. Rescues always need things. I'm sure they'd appreciate getting the gift cards.

[chexxy]

I do donate to the rescues, but I dont think my mom would let me just give it to them like that. At least I wont be directly supporting them.
I am donating Chex's cage when he gets his C&C cage to our shelter...

[PhoenixFeather]

I disagree that using it is supporting the store. The person who bought it for the original poster supported the store. That's a done deal. By not using it, the store gets to keep the gift-giver's money and not give up any merchandise in return. I would use it, or donate it to a rescue. Let the pet store at least have to deliver on the promise implied in the gift card.

If possible, during the year I would also talk to the gift-giver about how you prefer not to support stores that sell live animals. Let them know where you do do your shopping, so you are less likely to get a gift card from the same place next year, or for your birthday, etc.

[Ally has U's]

I am agreeing with PF. The card has already been bought and that person who bought the card supported the store. Use it or give it to a shelter.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Another way to think of it: If you use your gift card to buy a toy, then whoever got you the card supported Petco by purchasing you a toy. If you do NOT use your card, your friend/relative gave Petco a donation.

Neither of these is ideal, but which would you prefer?

[Ally has U's]

If your friend/relative got you an igloo for your piggies and they bought it from petsmart or petco would you accept it? Think of it like that. They just bought you a toy or hidey from a pet store in the form of a card. Or you could not use it and look at it as they donated to a pet store. If you give it to a shelter they are just going to go use it so technically if buying from the store and buying online is supporting them then wouldn't giving it to a shelter to inevitably use it supporting it still?

[chexxy]

Yeah, if I get one, I will duse it, because I dont want to just pay Petco.

[ferndalezoo]

Agreed. THe card is paid for. The money is already in their hands. If you don't want "dirty money", then by all means, donate it to a rescue, but the store is already supported, and the coorporate powers that be won't know if it's YOU using it, or a rescue. If there's something you want, use the card. But I'd highly suggest buying something that's on super-reduced sale anyway, since then they're actually LOSING money on your transaction. Example, I got a cage recently for my rats (it was marketed as aguinea pig cage, but it's not, of course), that was originally $80. I paid all of $10 for it (with a gift card) because it was marked down repeatedly. :-)

[Char-x]

If I needed something for my animals I would use it, I would rather like, others have said, the pet store had to give me something in return for my money than just simply keep it...
If I was not desperate for anything for the animals then I would donate it to a rescue, I too don't have a local guinea pig rescue but I would donate it to any animal rescue that you believe does things well.

The money is in the petstore right now, it's just up to you whether you make them give you or a rescue something for it.

[wickedrodent]

I agree that if you have a gift card, you should use it. However, if you are talking about something that might happen in the future, I would CALL any relatives that might end up getting you that and politely ask them to not get you giftcards to petsmart or petco. You could suggest a visa giftcard which allows you to purchase pretty much anything anywhere with it.

I got $150 in petsmart giftcards for my last birthday. I had been planning on not using them or donating, but honestly forgot and let them sit in the bottom of my dresser. Funny thing is, when I needed to get a cage for my ratties I ended up finally having a use for it. I only spent $10 extra dollars (with the giftcard) and they lost money because of it! I had them pricematch the online price at ferret.com which was $150 and their regular price was $200 and something! Pulled one over on them.

[Susan9608]

Personally, I'd just mail the gift cards to a rescue or shelter. Since it was a gift to you, you're not really out anything, and the person who gave you the gift can still have the pleasure of knowing that they did something nice for you.