58 replies to this topic

[Jellyfish♥]

I walk into petsmart and the first thing i do is look at the hamsters. Of course, syrians are housed together. Then I went over to get a twenty gallon long tank. I asked a guy where the wire mesh lids were, he asked me what animal I was getting and I said hamster. Then the annoying lecture came.

 

"I don't think that's a good idea. For one a tank doesn't have any venilation and the hamster will get very sick and die. Also, the hamster will chew all of the silicone off, it will poison it and the tank walls will become very wobbly and my even fall down." 

 

Then the guy walked me over to the crittertrails and started a new lecture.

 

"These are perfect for hamster. They provide great venilation, and a lot of room to play! They also come with everything you need so you don't have to buy anything else."

 

The guy then walked away, thankfully. I ignored his "advice" and got the 20 gallon long. When we asked him to get the chinese hamster out, he saw our tank and said "Since the hamster is going to live in a dangerous and a very improper habitat, we will have to void our seven day health guarentee. I'm not responsible for the death of your pet." 

 

That place really knows there stuff. 

Spoiler

Yeah... not really

 

Also, if you check the petsmart website, they say you can use a tank!!!!!!!

 

 

[Allison]

I don't really think it's fair to call an entire store "stupid land". Most of the time workers tell you things because they have to. Sure, a lot of them probably don't know about "proper" care for the animals (especially when they have to know about so many different kinds) but we all have to start somewhere, right? For all we know they think they are spreading correct information. I know that when I got back into hamsters last year I thought 10 gallon tanks were fine for hamsters to live in, and that's what I got. I didn't know it was too small until I came here. I also think it will depend on your store, because my petsmart did not do that to me and when I told them I was putting my hamster in a 20L they were surprised and said that my hamster was very lucky!

[Mika]

I have to say that I second Allison, especially after my most recent adoption of Lacie.

 

The petsmart I went to, had their hamsters in amazing conditions, despite the enclosures that they're required to use

They never put syrians together and they gave each hamster their own set of things, despite there only have been 2

in the store at the time. Lacie, who was in the back, was given, what was believed, to be a 15 gallon acrylic tank since

she was returned for being 'aggressive'. Petsmart was very through in explaining all that they knew about her and did

also let me know her reasons for being returned, they didn't once try to pull the wool over my eyes about her. 

 

Sure, some pet stores take less than acceptable care of their animals but that shouldn't affect the chain itself. Some do

pride themselves over their animals and I think they deserve to be given credit for that, not be lumped into the general

outlook of the store. ^_^

[4 little hamsters]

You also need to know that petsmart does know how to care for them but you may have not been talking to the right person ^_^

[Joeys-Syrians]

That was horrible what he said :o

 

You should complain! 

[MandysHamsters]

I see your frustration, but I agree you shouldn't call the entire chain "stupid land"

 

I worked at PetSmart and knew a good amount about hamsters thanks to the forum. However, my employees weren't as knowledgeable. Unfortunately all they knew was what management told them, which was incorrect in many cases. The workers are pushed to sell Crittertrails, salt wheels, mineral wheels, and other things that actually aren't good for hamsters - but they didn't know any better. It's unfortunate, but luckily I brought in evidence and posts from Hamster Hideout and quickly turned it around. Now, the majority of the employees know plenty and actually recommend tanks. Even my manager started pushing people to get large tanks, better food, and solid wheels.

 

Basically what I'm saying is, most of the employees at PetSmart absolutely love animals. They aren't purposely trying to spread misinformation about hamsters, they just don't know any better. The majority of our training was on dogs and cats since they're our most popular animals, and yes, we were trained on the healthiest foods and proper care. I've also found most employees get trained more on fish and reptiles since they require more upkeep. Unfortunately, emphasis on the small animals just wasn't as good.

 

However, I will give PetSmart credit - they probably give their hamsters the best care of any pet store chain in America. They have their faults, but all in all they generally care for them to the best of their ability. I actually saw they are even feeding them Oxbow now at my local stores. They receive vet care at Banfield if any of them get ill, or if they are extremely ill they get a proper euthanasia and are mass buried or cremated (not thrown away like some horror stories at low-quality pet stores).

 

I will say in your defense, them refusing you the return policy is absolutely insane. I would call corporate because like you said, even in the pamphlet and on their website they say tanks are a suitable environment for hamsters.

[Jellyfish♥]

OK, It was a little mean to call them stupid land. I just wish that they would educate their employees better. Like when they get hired, they have to take an animal knowledge test, if they pass then they can get hired, if not, good bye.

 

 

But I have to say, Petsmart is defintely the best big chain store. All of that talk about them abusing animals isn't true. It really depends on the exact store, not the company

Edited by ((Hamluver)), 06 October 2013 - 07:48 AM.

[Mika]

As much as a test would be a good thing, I personally would say its not exactly the best method of suggestion.

 

To me, I'm knowledged in the care of rabbits and hamsters, and not as experienced with cats or dogs. If I had

to take that test, surely I wouldn't do as well in those categories than i would in the ones I know a lot about. I

also know zip about reptiles, so that would hurt my chances quite a bit. If anything, I say that petsmart does do

a good job about their hiring process, but their protocols are what needs some updates, rather than the staff.

[Lon]

a test would be ok but how would you know about every animal? a couple animals sure but cats dogs rodents rabbits fish amphibians and reptiles? I bet anyone would fail the test

[Jellyfish♥]

Well, the person could have a certain area to work in. If they are only good in cats, then they work for cats. Same ofr every animal. If they want to work for all, then they can

[♥Hamsterloveandtlc♥]

Well, the person could have a certain area to work in. If they are only good in cats, then they work for cats. Same ofr every animal. If they want to work for all, then they can

The thing is that there is not enough people to actually specialize.
The best thing for them to do is to recommend hamster hideout forum to everyone who buys hamsters.

[Dusk]

Well, the person could have a certain area to work in. If they are only good in cats, then they work for cats. Same ofr every animal. If they want to work for all, then they can

I agree, I was in the hamster section one time and someone told me to ask a member of staff with "Reptile Expert" on their badge....

[Jellyfish♥]

OMG! Today I went to petsmart to get fish, and the same guy who gave me all this trouble was the person who scooped out the fish for me! I wonder if he rembered me

[Petlover500]

I know I feel the same >:(
It makes me want to cry at times, listening to the pet store employees horrible advise.
But thankfully, at my pet store there are usually people there that "specialize" in that animal. For example, they would know about hamsters, or budgies, or Colombian red tail boas, etc.
but they aren't always right.. Hehe

[tbiM20]

I will say in your defense, them refusing you the return policy is absolutely insane. I would call corporate because like you said, even in the pamphlet and on their website they say tanks are a suitable environment for hamsters.

 

I agree that I don't think that employee shouldn't void anything (did he even have the authority to do so?) Though I've contacted Petsmart corporate before - not complaining about an employee, rather complaining about a product with the support and agreement of both an employee and a manager - and after countering my initial complaint as "unfounded," simply haven't responded to my reply email. So I wouldn't expect corporate to do much, other than perhaps a "we're sorry, here's a coupon."