I too work at PetCo and we adopt animals that people no longer want to have or take care of. Most of the animals never even came from our store, meaning we did not sell them to the customer. All animals are cared for, feed and even taken to the vet should the animal be in need for medical attention. They are not treated any less different then our other animals in the store. Should any animal be sick we quarintine and seek out medical treatment.
When I work with people who want to adopt animal from us I find out what they know about the animal and get a general feeling about them. If you get a bad feeling you don't have to adopt that animal out to that family.
If the adoptees already have all the items at home that they need they are not required to buy additional items. They can adopt the animal and pay a donation amount for them. That donation is entered into the PetCo Foundation where all Rescue Groups that are affiliated with them can obtain grants and funds to care for sick animals.
I don't agree with that we are freeing up any more space to sell an animal statement at all. Also where would these GPs, hamsters, lizards, etc... that we take in go. At least they are warm, fed and taken care off. More so then what their previous owners probably did. Otherwise they would either end up out in the road or in a shelter that would most likely euth. them.
I am not trying to start anything here but this is just my opinion on the matter.
Note.... please do not take offense to what I am writting.
People say they are against selling animals in a Pet Store. I can see the reasons why and I agree with most of the posts about them not be treating them correctly. But... Look at the flip side of the coin. You stop pet stores from selling animals then you promote more back yard breeders or just people who want to breed the animals to sell. In one way or another it still is not a win win situation. Rescue groups for all animals are always going to be out there because even if you elimante on source for people to obtain an animal they will find the resources and means to buy it else where.
Sorry sorry if I went off topic here... Ok... I am off my soapbox.
Again so sorry, but this is just one topic that I feel strongly about. Just like everyone on this forum.