118 replies to this topic

[Christmas_hamster]

More information on large scale suppliers, a picture story of a rat mill. Hamster mills would be quite similar: http://www.brecklagh.com/petshops.html

[amberdyan]

A couple of years ago in Kansas, a massive rat breeder was shut down and I fostered a mom and her 3 daughters. they had been bred in what they called "rat racks". Over 300 rats were seized. These ladies (along with her two sons) were living in a 2ft by 2ft box. It's so sad. I know lots of pet stores care for their animals (we've got a great one where I live that I buy all my supplies from) but i've got to say, ADOPT!

[jewelkat14]

I'm rather squeamish so I just read the article... I was shocked on how bad their living conditions were and the way they were treated. But still, this is only one PetSmart. Thankfully, the Pets Unlimited where I live (yes, it's a chain pet store but they can be trusted) sells happy, healthy animals, about three of my friends got hamsters from there without a problem, no doubt I will too.

[Christmas_hamster]

Once again, you have to look at the bigger picture. The pet store itself may be ok but what about the supplier?

[Kirbi]

I actually find that PetsMart is actually better than Petco. Every animal that i have bought from Petco has died and the Petco's around here are vile. The cages are dirty and there are dead animals everywhere!

[meltshow]

I work at PetSmart.

Go ahead, attack me.

However, I will say in the Company's defense that it had very, very good policies. Yes, it does get its hamsters from mills, but that is honestly a necessity. I've been trying to find a hamster breeder in NJ, PA or NY and have had absolutely no luck.

However, what you can be sure of is that PETA <rubbish> backroom behavior is completely wrong. Yes, we have treatment logs. TREATMENT logs. A well run store checks its hamsters twice a day. They are quarantined for four days once we get them in. If ANY hamsters are sick, we bring them to an isolation room that's kept warm and dim and sanitary. Depending on what the Hamster's issue is, we treat with antibiotics (TMS for wet tail) or ointments or a vet trip.

If a hamster is beyond saving or not responding, it's taken to the vet (every petsmart has a vet it is associated with and partnered with) and euthanized humanely.

The Hamsters are fed a pretty generic Hamster mix, but they are also given Pet Blocks (unsure of the brand). Two chew sticks per hamster, and SAFE fresh food every other day (usually just carrots, some stores do carrots and romaine or carrots, parsley and romaine).

They are monitored and if they fight at all, they are separated. We never sell to someone who is going to keep their hamster in inhumane conditions, and that is the company's policy. I can tell you that my store, at least, follows it. While in store, they are provided with houses, fresh water and food replenished twice a day, fresh bedding changed at least once a week, wooden chew sticks, and a wheel.

One legit complaint could be that a lot of the employees aren't the most knowledgeable, but when you consider what we "need" to know (Everything about many species of reptiles, everything about hamsters, everything about parakeets, everything about finches, everything about conures, everything about tropical fish, goldfish, semi-agressive fish, large tanks, small tanks, bettas and ciclids, everything about rats, everything about guinea pigs, everything about gerbils, and everything about mice... whew!) it is obvious that certain employees lack knowledge on certain things.

I have never met a PetCare employee that did not care about the animals. They chose that job for a reason and they often try to learn as much as they can on their own.

If a PetSmart employee gives you incorrect information, politely suggest a correction. It's not our fault - a lot of times customers will share info with us or books will give us incorrect information. It's hard to keep a full brain about every different animal we sell, and even those we don't sell (ferrets, rabbits, etc).

I would say that 90% of our hamsters that DO end up sick or in the Quiet room end up healthy. I've been there almost three years and I have never, ever witnessed inhumane treatment or a hamster suffering.

The Company has good policies in place that are dedicated to the well being of every pet in the store.

[Christmas_hamster]

*attacks*

I wanted to work at petsmart, but they aren't hiring.

I know that the store has good policies and it's great some of them do try and follow them, while others don't try quite as hard (or at all). I typically don't have a problem with pet stores if that location itself is good, clean and at least somewhat knowledgeable employees.

I am sick of coming across employees that really actually have no idea about any animals, though this isn't just petsmart this is of course happens in nearly every store at some point.

And no store needs to get from mills or back yard breeders, they could stop selling live animals all together. The main profit of stores doesn't come from the animals anyways, but the supplies right? Not that this is going to happen, at least not any time soon but mills aren't necessary.

[Kirbi]

Keep in mind that it depends on the location. ;)

I got a lot of my hamsters from petsmart and even a mouse with only one problem. Now, however, I prefer to adopt/rescue though.

I got my first hamster, Cookie, from Petsmart, as well. She was a beautiful, healthy girl and she lived out a wonderful life. Even though i do rescue now, i wouldn't say that my local Petsmart is horrible. It is actually very nice, and keep in mind, the animals only stay in the smaller enclosures for a little while before being adopted.
Bella

[Darkally]

The PetSmart near us did not seem that bad, in fact it seems better than most of them..I have seen some terrible petstores! Overcrowded,sickly looking animals, the whole deal. I saved a few that I felt sorry for..I know it is supporting them, but what can you do? I didn't want them to die either..The only thing I noticed was the other day one of their mice looked like it had mites..so I am betting it will infect the others..sad to say. They only keep a few to a cage, but you can tell they are unsocialized..just living their lives with no human interaction except for when they clean out their cages, it is sad. IT looks like the same ones are in there every time i visit just waiting for someone to take them home..Someone I know bought a Robo from there and still has been unable to tame it, i saw the way they guy got him out of the cage to give to put in the box and it was terrible. Once she got it home she realized it had some injuries probably from getting into a fight..

[Plesiosaurus]

My Petsmarts are really nice and all the animals seem to be really well taking care of. I got Cocoa from one for my birthday and she was and still is perfectly healthy and happy.

However I find that the Petcos in my area are trash, and that they don't have people who know about the animals, or even work. Everytime I walk in, no one is working and I have to go looking for someone to help me.

[Kirbi]

Excatly!! Thats is just how it is around here. I love my petsmart, but petco is another story :I

[Drowzy_Keeper]

The pet smart near me is the bomb. For people that live in smaller towns the pet smarts aren't as bad (normally).

However I will say I'm naturally inclined to disagree with TC because I HATE peta.

[chocoNIKKI]

I bought Momo at Petsmart, and the worker who helped me was quite well informed, and she was caged appropriately... I wonder if the supplier for pets at Petsmarts in Canada are different than in the States though... Since I live in Canada, maybe it's a different one?

[princesshamster]

Really? Is that real? Oh I love petsmart! They are always so nice there!!!!

[Christmas_hamster]

Reading through the rest of thread might help. :P It was found out to be staged for the most part. But it's what happens at the suppliers that make chain stores not so great.