i hate petsmart! my gma got her hamster & two gerbils there healthy, but i'm so terrified for these animals.
dont they get it that they have feelings???

how bout we put them in a cage and let them slowly die? see how they like it!

Posted by: Amber Falobas | January 23, 2008 08:41 AM

I don’t know about all Pet smarts, but I thought all of them had vets on site....why if this is the case is this bird not given medical attention? This is not uncommon though Pet stores do not seek medical attention very often for they do not want to spend the money it cuts into their profit. Pet smart is the worse too for none of their employees know nothing about nothing...a lot of time their managers are very young with no experience in how to handle animals at all. Years ago I worked at a mom & pop so to speak pet store we did carry a few animals, but not many at all we focused more on supplies. Now don’t get me wrong I know a lot of smaller pet stores that did awful things, but for the most part they did things on a much better ethical level than these big chain stores that have come in, and ran all the little guys out of business. The guy I worked for after Petsmart came into town would not stoop low enough to carry dogs to make extra profit so we closed...but these big chain stores are like all “big” things full of greed & lack of compassion. There needs to come a point where animals are not a part of their inventory.

Posted by: Dana | January 23, 2008 09:06 AM

This news about mistreatment of animals at Petsmart makes me sick to my stomach! I have 2 pet birds and it is just disgusting the way they treated that cockatoo. These are such intellegent creatures that need love and attention for flockmates. In addition, since birds are so different from cats and dogs, they really need to be seen my an avian vet. In all the bird care books that I have, none of them say that an untrained person should give medical treatment to a bird. We always consult our avian vets before doing ANYTHING! I am so disturbed by this. I don't think I can ever shop at Petsmart again, even for bird food!

Posted by: Christina | January 23, 2008 11:22 AM

"We're committed to the proper treatment of animals blah blah blah" That's not what the video shows!!!! Just another attempt to fool and mislead the public.

Posted by: K | January 23, 2008 11:57 AM

Why is it that places like this and these torture chambers animal farms are able to do these kind of things with the animal cops out there that are suppose to do so much for animals let this happen? This is suppose to be a crime so why are none of these groups going in there and helping these animals? I have seen pretty much every animal cops episode on animal planet maybe they should also start to target companies an these farms but it seems that they are turning the other cheek to this kind of cruelty. No matter if its in a home, pet store, or animal farm it should be considered a crime an they should be fined an punished. Why is it not? I wish people that did this to animals could be treated in this manner see how it feels. Also, these farms that don't fully kill the animals humanly and these animals are getting tortured like that being skinned alive an all an that Chinese farm with raccoons. i could only watch 2 seconds of it and couldn't watch anymore. All that is happening in the United States, why isn't it considered a crime an why are these people not fined or jailed? The united states is suppose to have a law that you are to humanly put down an animal! It's sad an horrible :(

Posted by: Jennifer | January 23, 2008 12:41 PM

Okay, first of all, this is not happening at a Petsmart store. This is happening at a facility that is associated with Petsmart because they provide animals to the store.There is no way Petsmart could know what was going on becuase the animals are delivered to Petsmart, so no one from a Petsmart store could have seen this happening at the Rainbow facility. I work at a Petsmart store, and I know that the animals in our store are happy and healthy, and they DO recieve veterinary treatment whenever needed, no matter what the cost. I cannot speak for other stores, but the one I am at does NOT mistreat any of the animals. I strongly agree that Rainbow should be put out of business, because what they are doing is cruel and wrong in many ways, but don't blame Petsmart for what a supplier(to many other pet retailers, I assume...not just Petsmart) does to their animals. And I am fairly certain that Petsmart will cut ties with Rainbow even if they are still around after all of this. Pets bring joy into many people's lives, and even if Petsmart didn't sell them, someone else would, so give it a rest.

Posted by: Anonymous | January 23, 2008 12:43 PM

I was just at my local petsmart last week looking at the caged animals. The birds were missing patches of feathers and some had bloody rashes on their backsides. I saw three chinchillas confined to a tiny 2x3 cage and the hyper little things were literally bouncing off the walls. They had knocked over their water bottle which was leaking into the bedding. I came back to the same spot a half-an-hour later and the waterbottle was still lying at the bottom of the cage. No employees were around so I could only plead the cashier to tell someone to fix it. Why do I feel like the only person who cares?

Posted by: Kerry | January 23, 2008 01:04 PM

I just finished e-mailing Petsmart's CEO after watching the disturbing video about the pain this poor bird had to have been in - and what other birds in their "care" and the "care" of their suppliers are going through right this very moment. I know I'll probably be receiving Petsmart's "form letter" response about how much they "love" the animals they sell. I will just respond to that e-mail if they send one.

No matter how much Petsmart tries to sugarcoat and justify their sale of animals, it is so blatantly obvious they have no business doing so. That'll be the day when Petsmart decides that it's not such a good idea having their name dragged through the mud due to the horrendous way they and their suppliers treat animals.

I applaud the crucial and heartbreaking work the undercover investigators do. It has got to be so absolutely difficult to see the condition of these animals go untreated and uncared for; only to watch these animals parish before their very eyes.

I was sitting here feeling so helpless that all I've done is send an e-mail and wondering what difference it'll really make. But then I was comforted by the thought that there are so many others out there as outraged as I am about what Petsmart is getting away with. And these people are speaking up and letting their voices be heard as well.

I thought back to our PETA demonstration in front of Petsmart headquarters while they "test marketed" the sale of rabbits (for which we received fantastic local media coverage). And after all the ensuing bad publicity from all of PETA's supporters and rabbit rescue/adoption groups, Petsmart decided against implementing the permanent sale of rabbits. Guess it also didn't help Petsmart's cause that it was reported by the local humane society that during the time of our demonstration, they had more than 50 homeless rabbits awaiting new homes - this in one animal shelter in one city. I can't imagine the total numbers in all of the U.S.

Also, I know that my family and friends are making a difference simply by not spending a single dime at Petsmart.

Hit them where it really hurts - that's what I say!

Posted by: V | January 23, 2008 01:39 PM

The vet in the Today video said it best - deplorable and unacceptable. Congrats PETA for getting on the Today show, I hope millions more see it!

Petsmart are a bunch of liars, as are most pet stores. Boycott!!

Posted by: Maya, CVT | January 23, 2008 01:47 PM

who the hell is taping this? just standing there watching this happen

Posted by: Kerry | January 23, 2008 01:52 PM

GET A GRIP. FOR GOD'S SAKE. GOD GAVE US ANIMALS. YES, FOR US TO USE.

HE NEVER SAID THAT WE COULD ABUSE AND TORTURE THEM.

Posted by: LESLEY EATOCK | January 23, 2008 02:10 PM

I know several employees who work for Petsmart and they love animals. There are girls there that kiss the birds on their beaks and take care of them. They LOVE animals!
ALSO, it's NOT Petsmart who's hurting these animals, its the other company, so it shouldn't be known as "Petsmart Cruelty" Thats just wrong... Petsmart takes care of the animals in their care.
There is NOTHING in this video that says or looks like Petsmart either, so this could be falsified...

Posted by: Smc | January 23, 2008 02:52 PM

I still can't get over the treatment of that Goffin's cockatoo. This is exactly why I'm always lecturing my friends not to buy anything from pet stores that sell animals (and almost all do)

The things seen on that video can't possibly be legal. I couldn't even imagine treating a mosquito that way. Disgusting.

Good work Jack and PETA, please stay on top of this for the sake of all wild captive animals and captive bred animals like that cockatoo.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | January 23, 2008 03:53 PM

It is important to note that PETSMART also neglects the animals in their store. Loving an animal is completely different than taking care of it.

From the time the animal is born, to its life in the pet store, to the time someone buys it, these exotic wild animals are given the wrong nutrition, the wrong care, and the wrong medicine.

Unacceptable.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | January 23, 2008 04:56 PM

Ok for all of you that claim to work at Pet Smart...It is up to Pet smart to make sure where their animals come from, and that they are received by a reputable place. You act as if this big chain store cares about this, and the fact is all they care about is money not the well being of the animals they sale...if they cared for animals they would not sale them at all plain & simple. Now let me tell you a little secret about selling birds at pet stores...your customers are not always responsible and these birds or any other animal could be going to live a life of h*ll...Let me tell you 3 stories to clear up just a bit of what pet store purchased animals go through...

We ended up with an Umbrella Cockatoo that had pulled everyone of her feathers out except a few It looked as if she had on a bikini, and she could not reach the ones on her head...she was a loving little thing, but abused by a man so she hated men...she had been stuffed in a closet for 3 days before a neighbor came over and rescued her.

We also ended up fostering a sun conure he was pretty loud, but extra friendly his owners left him out on a outside porch no matter what the weather, and wild animals often ate out of his cage...He was for the most part ignored unless you count his wild animal friends.

Once a rabbit was sold to a woman who had the sweetest looking little boy who seemed so loving..Wrong the rabbit came back into the store the next day neck snapped the little boy who looked so sweet decided to see what would happen if he broke the rabbits neck. Telling his mother “I wanted to see it bleed”

So no matter how well your intentions are with in this pet smart I hate to tell you, but you are working for an organization that is contributing to a very bad problem...Small animals really suffer at the hands of children. Birds get so stressed out so quickly that even being in the pet store of 2 hours is bad with all the drama going on,....customers screaming at them..harassing them, and we both know this happens. Now lets talk about how the animals get to the store that in itself is a traumatic event.....They need to stop selling animals plain & simple. Birds are spur of the moment buys just like dogs, and they end up being too much for just anyone to handle.....

Posted by: Dana | January 23, 2008 05:01 PM

I work for Petsmart, I know for a fact that our store, I can't speak for others, takes great pride in our animals. When they have a cut they see the vet. We follow the policies and procedures that are in place to ensure our animals are well cared for. This is not a petsmart, I beleive this is one of the suppliers which I know we do not use for birds. If you read on the web you will see that.

Posted by: Laura | January 23, 2008 05:17 PM

Anonymous, re: your post on Jan. 23, 2008 12:43 PM:

Your statement that you cannot speak for other Petsmart locations other than the one you say you work at is correct. We can only take the rosy picture you portray of your location at face value, and for the sake of the animals there, we can only hope that your statements are true.

Unfortunately the abuse of Petsmart animals is not limited to its suppliers. First, they are housed in atrocious conditions while under the "care" of these suppliers, in housing akin to puppy mills, only to get sick at Petsmart stores and be left to die in some back room. This is not acceptable.

Petsmart has been proven unwilling and unable to police itself, let alone policing its animal supply companies - this is one of the most obvious reasons why Petsmart needs to get out of the business of selling animals - period. Storing sick and dying animals without vet care in the back room away from the eyes of its customers is no way to treat animals and this is exactly what happens IN Petsmart stores.

At this point, discontinuing its animal sales can only help restore Petsmart's crumbling image and give the small critters awaiting homes at animal shelters & small animal rescue groups a second chance. Which, incidentally, could very well have been originally purchased at Petsmart, or other pet store, only to get the boot once the novelty of a new critter wore off.

Posted by: V | January 23, 2008 05:33 PM

To everyone complaining that it's not Petsmart's fault: Actually, it is. Not the individual Petsmarts, but Petsmart as whole. They have a responsibility to know where their animals come from and how they are treated. Petsmart is making Rainbow money, therefore supporting what they do. It's the equivalent of a meat-eater saying it's not their fault animals in slaughterhouses are tortured.

Plus, Peta has done plenty of Petsmart investigations before; if those weren't reasons to stop selling animals, then the least Petsmart could do is make sure they aren't contributing to any more cruelty.

Posted by: HH | January 23, 2008 05:34 PM

This is Rainbows fault, not Petsmarts. Look at the video again... there is nothing there that shows it is from Petsmart. I know people from several Petsmarts who love and adore the animals and take care of them... This information being used for Petsmart is Wrong and Incorrect... It should be just against Rainbow, not Petsmart... Lets see some real proof against Petsmart first. This is rediculous!

Every Petsmart I've been to the birds and animals are healthy... I always look at them. Not once have I ever seen an animal in poor condition...
IN FACT! I went to a Petsmart the other day and a bird was not in the cage due to it being sick AND BEING TAKEN TO GET CARE! Yes folks, they do get help!
So THINK BEFORE YOU WATCH THESE videos...

Posted by: Smc | January 23, 2008 05:45 PM

For every healthy animal sold there are hundreds that never made it to the point of sale who suffered and die.
Good work exposing Pet Smart and all other stores that sell our animal friends. Boycott them all.
Thank You Peta.

Posted by: Holly | January 23, 2008 06:36 PM

Yes, it's very wrong how a SUPPLIER FOR PETSMART is treating these animals and I'll repeat what a few have said on here already. It's NOT PETSMART that is mistreating the animals it's the vendor... even though PETSMART does do suprise visits to the vedors, doesn't mean vendor can't hide a lot of things before they have a chance to see it. PETSMART cares for the animals they have... they are NOT A PROFIT. Believe it or not they loss money when they sell an animal because of all the shipping costs. They sell them so people have a chance to have a wonderful pet. The associates get trained about every animal in the store and they make sure that people that adopt a new pet have everything they need for it... some customers get mad even at the associates that they are wasting their time with the care. First thing they teach all associates that animals come first then customers. I wish people would pay attention to more detail then just look at what people like PETA say... I think everyone has forgot about what happened a couple of years ago when PETA threw out about 10 dogs in trash cans instead of getting them properly taken care of... I agree that Rainbow is a bad place if this is actually all true... (video could have been pieced together from a couple things) but if Petsmart didn't know.. they couldn't stop it.. and they will now that they know... I really hope this message goes out. Thank you.

Posted by: Ann | January 23, 2008 06:48 PM

pets should be free of charge.

And Pet stores would fare better if they were Pet SUPPLY stores.

Posted by: Caboose | January 23, 2008 07:20 PM

They dont even care AND THEY SHOULD. All petsmart wanted was MONEY. They dont even care enough to take care of the anmials thats SAD! The pets should be loved not neglected and tourted. Its so sad the animals are hungry enough to Cannibalize each other! They shouldnt even bother trying to cover up the stoy. Petsmart said "the video was misleading" WRONG more like true. I really think that the should be taken out of business. Deffinalty going to Boycott!!

Posted by: Faith | January 23, 2008 08:37 PM

note to the person that said that this was only in the suppliers place and not petco: check out what has been found in petco. they may not know exactly what goes on in those places but words like to travel.theres no way that they are completely blind to these actions. and they are just as bad! turning their backs on animals. any place that has a guarantee for animals, probably shouldnt be selling and have note how long they will probably last [[not long]]

Posted by: Erin E | January 23, 2008 08:37 PM

"I know several employees who work for Petsmart and they love animals. There are girls there that kiss the birds on their beaks and take care of them. They LOVE animals!
ALSO, it's NOT Petsmart who's hurting these animals, its the other company, so it shouldn't be known as "Petsmart Cruelty" Thats just wrong... Petsmart takes care of the animals in their care.
There is NOTHING in this video that says or looks like Petsmart either, so this could be falsified..."
NOT TURE IF IT WAS ON THE TODAY SHOW ITS NOT FALSIFIED!! THANK YOU

Posted by: Faith | January 23, 2008 08:41 PM

On PETSMART it says 3,191,387
As of January 23, 2008 anmials saved,but how many died?

Posted by: Faith | January 23, 2008 08:47 PM

Why did not the PETA person contact someone other than the worker to do something other than filming this poor bird. As far as I am concerned no one did anything but watch this bird starve to death.......Shame on everyone......

Posted by: alma | January 23, 2008 10:41 PM

I love birds, been around them for a long time. While Petsmart may be at fault for doing business with this supplier{hopefully they will drop them} this neglect and abuse isnt at Petsmart or from Petsmart employees...this is at the "mill". Peta is trying to deceive everyone in the video. And what does this say about Peta if they are sendng in and undercover investigator to watch a bird die. Whoever taped this did nothing. Nothing but document that poor birds death. That my friends is worse then anythiing,

Posted by: Jen Healy | January 23, 2008 11:00 PM

Anon--

Please help me out here...

Since you work at PetsMart...do ALL the animals received in your shipping/receiving department arrive alive??

Do all the animals arrive healthy???

By all I mean EVERY LAST ONE OF THEM....

Thanks for your prompt reply.

Posted by: Tamara | January 24, 2008 12:33 AM

BTW, didn't watch the video. I don't have the stomach for it.

As I've written 50 million times (ok, it feels like it)I have 3 rescue parakeets. I would have 300 if I could afford to take 300 to the vet when they are sick, for their yearly check ups, and for grooming. I had $900 surgery done on one of my little girls last summer, but we still lost her.

Everyday, and everyday for the past 5 years, I've lived with an emotionally damaged parakeet. He was bought as a gift for someone who did not want him. He was neglected and abused. He did not know a toy for months.

He was bought. At a store. Just emphasizing that.

Maybe he wasn't an impulse buy, as so many animal purchases are. Maybe the person put some thought into the gift. If they did, My guess is...they kinda ran out of ideas and said, hey, let's buy her a bird. A living being that she has to care for and nurture. One that has intellegence and feelings.

Impulse buy or not, living beings should not be bought and sold.

I SHUDDER to think of the others who suffer. I know there are thousands.

My guy is one of the "lucky" ones. He was rescued. He was not let go in the wild or left to wallow in his own feces and starving.

By the above posts,it looks like there are those who are just discovering about these chain pet stores.

Uh, no, DO NOT shop there. "Even" for bird seed. And PLEASE tell the employees why.

There are plenty of wonderful places online to shop that do not sell living beings.

Thank God for the PetsMart Campaign page, it's about time!

Oh, and Anon, I'm waiting for your answer...thanks.

Posted by: Tamara | January 24, 2008 12:37 AM

I work at a PetSmart and honestly we have no idea what was or is going on. The PetSmart I work at take such care of our animals. Seriously we take care of them as if they where our own. we try our hardest to keep them healthy and we pretty much just clean all day, i honstely wish i could say that for all PetSmarts but sadly their are some that just dont care. But my PetSmart cares sooooo much. and no not all PetSmart have vets on site. my store just got a banfield last Feb. and for the people that say why didnt we get vets to help them, well they dont do that in our store. they are delivered to us. and granted yes some of them are not in the healthiest of stages but we try and help them as much as posible. we are only supposed to sell them when they are healthy as for the PetSmart where the birds had spot and bleeding well sadly thats them not caring. we just had a conure finish malting. hes finally fully feathered. funny how you really think its us that does this. and that PetSmart really knows about all this. I didnt know anything about it till i got to work today and read something my manager past out. and for all the people that say your not going to shop at another pet store. wondering where are you doing to get your animals food. since well the only way to get it is well from a pet store.

Posted by: ashley | January 24, 2008 01:35 AM

So maybe I'm a little unclear but the Peta investigator allowed this to happen too? Because that really makes him and who he represents no different except he was video taping the torture. I just know if it was me I couldn't just stand by and watch.

Posted by: Samantha | January 24, 2008 02:28 AM

I was so shocked when I saw these investigative videos about these beautiful birds. Who is doing the hiring at Petsmart? These people do not know how to handle exotic birds or any animal for that matter. THIS IS AN OUTRAGE! I once was a loyal shopper at your store. NEVER AGAIN!!!

Posted by: Stef Calkins | January 24, 2008 09:22 AM

Its so sad to watch this poor baby cockatoo looking up as a baby does for food and help from the very person who is feeding it to death.

Posted by: Holly | January 24, 2008 12:31 PM

I tried to post a much more detailed comment last night but it did not go through. First of all, PETA is requesting that PetSmart stop the sale of live animals but continue the sale of pet products. Where does PETA intend to have the pets sold from, a magical pet store of joy and happiness? I work at a PetSmart, and we do not sell cockatoos, in fact very few PetSmart stores do. Rainbow is a completely seperate company and should be held accountable for their actions, which is precisely why PetSmart is doing and investigation of the company. All the animals in my store get vet treatment if needed. We do not hide them in the back to die if they are sick. We take them to a back room where it is quiet and we keep charts to track their progress and give them all medicine needed. Secondly, PetSmart does not sell dogs or cats due to the large homeless population and most stores do not sell rabbits or ferrets for the exact same reason. :) We also have done upwards of 4 million adoptions. I cant speak for all stores, but at mine we are all trained and have been tested for our positions. We follow strict care rules. I have worked at other Pet Stores and PetSmart is a relatively well run store. So do your research before jumping on the bandwagon of hating every company PETA attacks. PetSmart is doing a ful investigation of Rainbow, and we can only hope that they will be shut down or reformed. Thanks and feel free to comment, I would love to answer any questions that I can.

Posted by: Amanda Rigby | January 24, 2008 12:46 PM

Jennifer: Just for info purposes, Animal Planet's "Animal Precinct" did feature a piece about chickens and how they're transported. The driver got a fine and the owner got a fine, for transporting animals improperly. It's not much, but it's a start! I think the ASPCA tried to stay out of the farm animal situation, but now they're getting on board, especially since HSUS got into it. Expect more on the problems of farm animals in the future.

As for PetSmart, I've said it before and it bears repeating: NO chain store should be permitted to sell ANY animals at all. Period. They are not equipped to care for them properly and their staff isn't trained adequately to do so.

Posted by: Susannah S | January 24, 2008 01:08 PM

horrible!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by: Anonymous | January 24, 2008 01:24 PM

PETA is so stupid. I guess they actually think people are going to believe this when they probably staged the whole thing. For one the baby's crop is not being flushed, he is being gavage or tube fed and only PETA would stoop so slow as to watch a helpless baby suffer to it's death since they are against all pet ownership.

Posted by: Anonymous | January 24, 2008 02:38 PM

Here here, not ALL petsmarts are that way! I know what you guys saw was sick, in-humane and sad but there are plenty of petsmarts that do things right! The petsmart down by where I live has the best of animal care. Cages cleaned, animals fed well. I bought a perfectly healthy rat from petsmart free of sickness and he still lives on today.

Posted by: Brina | January 24, 2008 03:23 PM

To Samantha from January 24, 2008 02:28 AM:

There are always going to be people like you who will find fault no matter what.

If the person taping the torture stopped taping in order to intervene, there would be no definitive proof that anything bad was happening, and so PETA would have little to no credibility, and the abuse would continue.

Yes, the person had to watch this happen, but now because of this person's amazing ability to do this without having a mental breakdown (I would never have the guts to do what these investigators do - they are just fantastic!!), more animals WILL be saved.

Posted by: Michele | January 24, 2008 04:25 PM

Brina, I'm glad your rat was healthy when you bought him and is living a fun, happy and healthy life with you.

But what about the others around him that suffered and died? The ones at the other Petsmarts that are suffering and dying?

Just because YOUR Petsmart is allegedly just heaven on earth for all mill-bred animals, doesn't mean they all are.

Think outside your own little world. You rat is healthy. Good for him and you.

What do you think about all the others that are mistreated and abused at other Pets Marts?

And here's a clue for you.

The same stuff goes on in your PetsMart and the supplier they use.

Just because you don't see it doesn't mean it doesn't exist.

I'm getting a little tired of all these hit and run posters who don't answer my questions.

Where is Anon? And Brina? are you coming back??

Posted by: Tamara | January 24, 2008 04:28 PM

Amanda Rigby:
"Secondly, PetSmart does not sell dogs or cats due to the large homeless population and most stores do not sell rabbits or ferrets for the exact same reason. "

There are rescues for EVERY KIND OF ANIMAL Petsmart sells.

Birds.

Iguanas/lizards/ snakes.

Rats/mice.

Guinea Pigs.

Hamsters/gerbils.

If you'd like I can tell you how to find each and every one. They are all over the country. All you have to do is Google and you can find one.

You can also find them in your local shelter. Everyone of those type of animals are housed in shelters.

Oh, they may be low on iguanas or birds right now. But they will get some in. I can almost guarantee they have a rat or mouse or hamster right now. Those are pretty popular.

Now, if Petsmart stopped selling dogs and cats, rabbits and ferrets because they were overpopulated and in shelters, they NEED TO STOP the above listed animals as as well.

Care to comment?

Or just another corporate policy spouting hit-and-run poster?

Posted by: Tamara | January 24, 2008 04:42 PM

Ashley,

a bird does not bleed when it's missing feathers from a molt.

And a bird is not supposed to molt to the point of having bald spots.

THat was a bird that was NOT molting, it was obviously ill or injured.

And as for buying pet food--there are DOZENS of wonderful places online to buy your pet food. I buy all of mine there.

You can even buy dog food online. Most online sellers have deals on shipping. And once you get used to buying online its much easier.

Let's try and think outside of our own little worlds, people.

This is REALLY happening. It may not be happening in front of your eyes, but its' real.

PetsMart (and really all) stores need to STOP selling living beings!!

Posted by: Tamara | January 24, 2008 04:50 PM

Smc, re: your post on Jan. 23, 2008 05:45 PM Lets see some real proof against Petsmart first:

There is documented videotaped proof from investigations from inside the back rooms of Petsmart stores, where the sick animals are left to die, without any type of veterinary care whatsoever.

For those posting that their Petsmart doesn't have a Banfield Vet Office in their store -- this is an insufficient reason (excuse) for the sick animals to be denied veterinary care and instead be allowed to languish and die.

--Dana says: if they cared for animals they would not sell them at all plain & simple. Thank you Dana, this is so true. Petsmart is trying to get the public to believe that they actually "care" for the animals they sell, but they have proven that quite the opposite is true.

--Ann, in your defense of Petsmart you say: some customers get mad even at the associates that they are wasting their time with the care.
Ann, your statement gives full credence to what we have been saying all along. Petsmart is in the business of selling living beings to individuals that cannot be bothered with becoming educated in the proper care of these animals.

So the animals are either poorly cared for by the supplier, poorly cared for at Petsmart, or poorly cared for by the customer. Not good odds.

Posted by: V | January 24, 2008 05:20 PM

It pisses me off how some people manage to get away with this type of animal abuse. Some pet stores are just as bad as pet owners that are animal abusers. It makes me sick!!! I'd like to see some hateful people experience the same thing as these poor animals..and I won't feel sorry one bit for these terrible humans that are a poor excuse for "living beings". I HATE people who are animal abusers!!!

Posted by: Angie | January 24, 2008 06:10 PM

There seems to be a common trend in many of these posts..."why didn't the PETA investigator do anything?" "why did he just let the poor bird die?" THINK a little, before you ask such ridiculous questions. OF COURSE investigator did not do anything. THAT would compromise the WHOLE operation. It is undercover most of the time.
Also...PetSmart is just as guilty in this. animals should never be sold anyway...

Posted by: Vegancakes | January 24, 2008 08:10 PM

I see some back and forth here and if I may comment, I think the problem is definition of animal care.

The animals at PETSMART are in improper confinement, and no matter how clean the cages are kept or how many times they visit the vet, the exotic animals are being kept in unfair enclosures.

I say this with all the respect in the world to PETSMART employees - one of my first animal jobs was at a pet store and I didn't have any say in how the animals were housed but I did my very best to treat them well.

I'm friends with pet store employees at PETCO who don't have enough schooling to get another job and they even tell me they wish PETCO would stop selling animals.

I hope the lovely and caring employees of PETSMART go on to go into professional animal care because you sound like caring, intelligent folks. There are lots of opportunities out there!

Understanding wild or captive bred exotic animals is very involved and any pet store which sells them is erroneous in their treatment and understanding of these creatures.

Peace.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 24, 2008 10:09 PM

I work with a dog rescue that holds adoptions at two PetSmarts. The management and employees in those PetSmarts are exception animal lovers. I also live in Hamilton, Texas where Rainbow Exotics is located. I don't even know where it is...this is a very rural area. If you all are expecting an investigation you will have to really push and fund that investigation because the locals are not going to do it. If this awful situation is staged, we need to know. If the allegations have merit the guilty need to be penalized. But, I am told by local prosecuters office that it would only be a misdemeanor in Texas! Keep this situation on your radar and contact PetSmart, not to damn them with unproven allegations, but rather to ask them to follow through with an intense investigation. PetSmart does not want to do business with inferior suppliers, they build their business on love of animals (come on...the stores we use as adoption headquarters are great meeting places for people who are crazy about their animals...all animals.

Posted by: Marion | January 24, 2008 10:09 PM

to Tamara...

I want to let you know from what I've heard straight from Petsmart Employees...

Sadly, once in a while an animal may not make it but if an animal is sick upon arrival they do receive care. I know that b/c I LIVE with someone who works at petsmart and have friends there.

I've also been to MANY locations and looked at the conditions b/c I myself am an animal lover... NEVER have I seen anything wrong with an animal... in fact, like I already said, a bird was sick and it was brought to the vet to be taken care of and receive treatment.

I can gaurantee you right now, that if my friends and the person I lived with witnessed ANY wrong doings what so ever, they would NOT be there!
It's a respectable company.

PETA is against ALL COMPANIES like this... Petsmart is one of the cleanest and best animal stores that I've been to.

The video above is silly! IF THE PERSON REALLY CARED THEY WOULD HAVE DONE SOMETHING BESIDES STAND THERE AND FILM IT! I mean, come on! Grow up people!

For those of us who love animals and have pets, and NO PET stores were around, how would you take care of your animals? We need these type of stores and like someone else already said, they barely make a profit on these animals after shipping costs and the cost to care for them are taken away... its for our benefit! So we can have pets like the millions if not billions of people in the world love!

THE SUPPLIER IS THE ONE THAT SHOULD BE SHUT DOWN AND TAKEN CARE OF! THEN MAYBE SOMEONE WHO CARES CAN RUN IT PROPERLY.

Yes, Petsmart gets animals from them, but they can't be there every single day babysitting the company unfortuneatly...

ITS NOT Petsmart Cruelty, its RAINBOW Cruelty... THIS WHOLE STORY is STUPID! It really is! Whenever something is wrong with pets, Petsmart is always put down along with other big name retailers to hurt their business, but guess what all you animal lovers, if we don't have petstores and products, we have no food/products to take care of our pets, so knock off this crap and grow up. This story is out of hand, and yes, it is possibly false (for the video... NO WHERE IN IT DOES IT SAY PETSMART, IT LOOKS LIKE SOMEONES KITCHEN! for goodness sakes.)

Posted by: Smc | January 24, 2008 11:36 PM

First of all I would like to say that I applaud PETA on the investigation, cruelty to any animal is unnacceptable, myself being a huge animal lover would have done some serious damage to those people involved in this horrific attrocity, I would start by having anyone involved fired and brought up on animal cruelty charges, and I would cut off all ties with these suppliers.
However I do believe that not all Petsmarts are bad, in fact the one here in Kileen Texas is one of the best, the staff take care of all animals there and would never allow one of these precious creatures to live inhumane in any way. I know because I shop there constantly, and would have brought it to PETA's attention the moment the opposite was to occur.

Posted by: Ev | January 25, 2008 01:56 AM

This company is HEARTLESS if the management knows their employees are treating the birds and other small animals like this then they are just as much to blame as the abusers. THIS IS 2008 "HELLO" WHAT ARE YOU PEOPLE THINKING. REMEMBER THERE ARE JUST "US AND THEM" ON THIS EARTH.

Posted by: Stef Calkins | January 25, 2008 03:12 AM

I received an email from my sister about Petsmart purchasing animals through Rainbow and I went to the site and viewed the video; different one from the one with the bird. Both were utterly disgusting. Afterwards I sent a letter to Petsmart like most everyone else, hoping to do my small part to make a difference. Then I came across these comments and although some were ridiculous and others well written, for the most part it's just a bunch of people arguing about whose fault it is and who to blame.

The investigators who go into these places and video tape the atrocities we see should be commended. I would not be able to do it. I would probably attack these people and be sent to prison. Someone has to make people aware of the things that go on behind closed doors. In our daily lives I assure you that most people aren’t thinking about where the animals that come from the pet stores are sold or how they’re treated. PETA works to reveal these cruelties and inform the public to what’s going on. I can’t say that I always agree with their tactics but at least they’re trying to make a difference.

I’m not going to get into whose fault all of this is but I will tell you it’s much bigger than Rainbow or Petsmart. It’s in legislation and the people that make the laws that protect these animals. However, the laws mean nothing if they’re not enforced. There is not enough legislation or enforcement to govern the actions of these establishments. Petsmart is a player, we all are. But the power to make a change falls to all of us.

I am curious about one thing. Why can’t people picket Rainbow and make a big stink at the facility. Get the news out there with their camera crews and get some real attention. Why do people run out to Petsmart and the like in stead of the source? It’s always: stop buying from Petsmart until they stop selling animals. Also, why doesn’t anyone ever come up with a solution to the problem of breeding. Seriously, where ARE you supposed to get animals. Yes, you should adopt a pet from a shelter if you can but there is nothing wrong with wanting a puppy or other young animal. No one should be made to feel bad because they want a baby. Someone needs to address a solution to the breeding mills, and not just telling people to stop buying from pet stores and adopt from shelters. Do you know what I’m saying? I’m not attacking shelters, I think they’re a God send for these animals but I’m saying that we have to dig deeper than the problems on the surface and come up with some real solutions. More regulations, laws, and enforcement.

Thank You

Posted by: Linda | January 25, 2008 12:46 PM

"I do not believe that all PetsMarts are bad"...I don't know who said this...but it's a general theme here.

My answer: Do they sell LIVING BEINGS? then they are bad.

I will repeat: Even if YOUR PetsMart is heaven on earth for these mill-bred animals...

#1--Hundreds (and more) suffered and died before they even got to the store, so that some could be sold by Petsmart for profit. IF they made it to Petsmart alive and healthy, and stay healthy enough to sell,chances are they will be purchased by customers who do not have the knowledge or care to take the time to nuture these little beings.

There are TOO many who suffer at the hands of customers also. See my post above about there being shelters and rescues for EVERY type of animal PetsMart sells.

And those are not the ones who are not left to wallow in their own feces, starve, or get turned out into the wild.

All because the novelty wore off.

I don't care if it's "the suppliers" fault for the neglect and abuse. Do you think the supplier would be in business if they didn't have someone buying the animals?

That buyer would be Petsmart. Why do they get none of the blame in your eyes? that makes no sense. They are perpetuating this cruelty to these little lives.

I bet the supplier "loves" all of their animals too, huh? All the ones they dump in the trash because they are "too small, etc

I'm just sick.

Posted by: Tamara | January 25, 2008 04:57 PM

From smc:

"to Tamara...

I want to let you know from what I've heard straight from Petsmart Employees...

Sadly, once in a while an animal may not make it but if an animal is sick upon arrival they do receive care. "

And this is ok with you? that once in a while an animal "may not make it"...do you mean DEAD? You do receive DEAD animals occasionally, don't you? It's ok, say it with me. D-E-A-D. That's what those animals are.

I am not arguing with you about on "care". Those Banfield "vets" for those most part I am guessing are not very good vets. Maybe they are for cats and dogs. But exotic animal medicine takes specialized training, which I am willing to bet they have no more than having read a chapter or two in a text book.

*maybe* I crossed a line there.

There is a man who goes to my church who is a veterinarian.

BUT, he is a lousy vet. I took one of my birds there MANY MANY years ago. Told me the bird had diarehha and sent me home with something to put in my bird's water.

I ended up taking my bird to another vet, who diagnosed kidney failure.

Quite a difference between the first diagnosis and the second. The second is just a *little* more serious.

Now, I am not going to defend the man who goes to my church who is a vet, just because he goes to my church. I think he is no good. I have known people who have dogs and cats who have taken them to him and said he was no good.

My point is: DO NOT blindly defend something (the torture of these small animals) and someone/someplace that does it (PetsMart)

It's ok to face the facts. Wake up people. Life is not pretty.

But that does not mean to turn our backs on these small creatures, thousands of whom are needlessly bred.

They suffer and die for the profit of these pet stores. It is cruel and ugly and I don't know WHY some of you continue to defend it.

Posted by: Tamara | January 25, 2008 05:16 PM

I'm sorry, but the idea that Petsmart gets off the hook because they sponsor shelters is idiotic. The shelters I worked in wound up with TONS of pet store animals because the "adopters" were not screened.

On top of that most of the reptiles come in with metabolic bone disease because of improper nutrition information given by pet stores.

Just because a bird or other exotic animal is walking around it does NOT mean it's healthy. And many veterinarians will say anything to make their clients happy.

I know at least 2 vets who work for zoos and wealthy clients and they will tell clients their pets are healthy and don't need expensive tests after 3 or 4 other vets "upset" the client by telling them their pet was ill and needed expensive tests and treatment.

Take it from a vet tech, many pet store and zoo vets just want a paycheck.

Shelters suffer when pet stores sell animals, and no pet store animal on this Earth is treated the way they should be. They are bred to be sold as objects. Period.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 25, 2008 07:47 PM

I've been reading all these comments, and agree with much of what is being said.
Just because Petsmart recieves these animals from suppliers, they still know the condition of these poor defenceless animals.They cannot place blame on others.I'm sure this is not a first time acurrense.If these mills were treating these animals this way then they probly always have been.
Someone needs to step in and protect these babies.Wheither it is PETA, ASPCA, or just people who care!If people don't protect these creatures then we are just as responsible as those who abbuse and neglect these animals are!
And yes, I did watch the video... I wish I hadn't but I love all animals and the least I could do is to see how cruel people are.But there's only one thing I could say...THIS IS THE WORST THING I HAVE EVER SCENE.
I wish that I was rich so that I could do something.To all those who can afford to do something please do!!What I can do is tell anyone I can and spread the word..and that I will certaily do.Animals feel too...do you??I cry for them.

Posted by: Gina | January 25, 2008 09:05 PM

I've been reading all these comments, and agree with much of what is being said.
Just because Petsmart recieves these animals from suppliers, they still know the condition of these poor defenceless animals.They cannot place blame on others.I'm sure this is not a first time acurrense.If these mills were treating these animals this way then they probly always have been.
Someone needs to step in and protect these babies.Wheither it is PETA, ASPCA, or just people who care!If people don't protect these creatures then we are just as responsible as those who abbuse and neglect these animals are!
And yes, I did watch the video... I wish I hadn't but I love all animals and the least I could do is to see how cruel people are.But there's only one thing I could say...THIS IS THE WORST THING I HAVE EVER SCENE.
I wish that I was rich so that I could do something.To all those who can afford to do something please do!!What I can do is tell anyone I can and spread the word..and that I will certaily do.Animals feel too...do you??I cry for them.

Posted by: Gina | January 25, 2008 09:05 PM

Yes it would seem from the outside looking in that Petsmart does a great thing with allowing these pet adoptions to take place in their stores, and yes I will agree if one Dog or Cat finds a home this is well worth it...but lets get to the real point of them allowing these adoptions...it is not because they really care about pet adoptions as they would like for you to think, and advertise this point often...but it is for the fact that once you adopt a pet you need supplies that you are so conveniently located in petsmart to buy. Petsmart is not an organization that is motivated by love it is more they are motivated by money. If they really cared so much for animals why would only a portion of the Pet Photos With Santa go to charity, would you not think all of it would? If they really cared about the health, and well being of your pets why do they carry grocery store grade food that they know is not good for your pet? I would think they would carry only the top brands of food so that they know your pet is getting the best nutrition possible. The main thing is they could get along just fine money wise without selling pets so you would think that they would just do the humane thing, and stop...but wait if you want people to spend money hit them with spur of the moment pet sales where they not only sale the animal, but also tons of supplies to go with it then just sit back while your bottom line grows. The bad part here is the pet just sold may happen to get a good home, but mostly it will be a fun pet for a few days until the new wears off...then it is just becomes the child he was purchased for chore to clean its cage, and maybe the child will remember to feed it...if not it will die, and mommy & daddy will be out looking for a replacement victim. People Petsmart is made up of GREED just like another big chain store we all love to hate Walmart.........they do absolutely nothing without the dreams of mega money behind it so if you think the well being of these animals are their top priority you are wrong the animals inexpensive for them to replace for remember they pay less than half of what you do for the pet... The products in the store the supplies are marked up 50% over cost, the fish are marked up 3 times what they pay for them....Dog food gets the least amount sometimes only able to be marked up 10% the cheaper food though allow you the greatest profit margin.
Continue to shop there if you must, but know that not only are they cruel to animals they are laughing all the way to the bank with your money meanwhile laughing about how stupid you are.

Posted by: Dana | January 25, 2008 09:25 PM

before all you get super righteous...
I would like to remind you that much pet food comes from animal testing. These too, are horrible conditions. Where is the outrage for this? Big deal if you get it online... it is still ANIMAL TESTED.

Posted by: Emily | January 25, 2008 09:39 PM

I live in ohio and work at petco..we also recieve our small animals from rainbow. Ive been complaining for months that the hamsters and guinea pigs were arriving sick and many would be put on medication the day of delivery and would arrive with wet tail and URI. Ive declined shipments from them before. This investigation makes me sick to my stomach and really makes me want to quit my job. I def will if they do not find a credible supplier and quit working with rainbow! its so sad!

Posted by: annie | January 25, 2008 10:16 PM

That video was awful. I have contacted everyone I know that shops at Petsmart and we've already begun a boycot in the Virginia Beach area. I own two ferrets that are rescues (not from PetSmart but perhaps from a similar petstore. One was found walking down a street half starved) and I usually would go to Petsmart to buy their food but I don't think I will even go there to buy food anymore. I have bought several pets from Petsmart in the past and most of them were a bit ill tempered... but now I understand why. I recall when I went in to buy a rat from the Virginia Beach Petsmart, the employee was so afraid of the stock that he was supposed to be in charge of that he had me go in and grab my own rat. Their rats were unsocialized and bordering on wild because no one ever took the time to play with them. My rat eventually became tame but he was still never as tame as he could have been if he came from a better enviroment.

Posted by: Grendel's Mother | January 25, 2008 10:50 PM

Couldn't make it through the video...it's just so heartbreaking and depressing to see the little bird suffer. HOw sad is it that there are so many people on this earth who will never understand or experience the love, joy, and intelligence animals (even the smallest ones) can bring into our lives? Oh well, the pain they carelessly inflict upon these helpless creatures will one day be their own...of that there is no doubt. Thank you PETA for the work you do!

Posted by: jasiv | January 25, 2008 11:01 PM

I do not know about the PetSmarts where you all live, but the one we have here is flawless. There are vets constantly(and I have chatted with many about birds I was interested in) and the animals are well cared after. Every fish, rat, mouse, gerbil, finch, parakeet, dove, cockatiel, puppy, kitten, and more are bright eyed and healthy. They are well socialized and do not flee at the sight of a human.

Please, before you condemn PetSmart, think about the ones out there that are actually doing things right.

Posted by: Anna | January 26, 2008 10:31 AM

I usually don't post. I do try to do all the mass email things for all the campaigns though. Did anyone else get this response from petsmart?

"Dear Tiffany, Thank you for taking the time to contact PetSmart. We're very concerned about some of the images in the PETA video and are looking into the allegations that have been raised. For all the details on the Rainbow investigation and PETA's other campaigns, please visit www.petsmartfacts.com. We will be updating this sight as more information becomes available. Sincerely, Customer Service ManagerPetSmart.com"

Posted by: Tiffany | January 26, 2008 11:36 AM

Annie - you're a smart girl. Find a way to get a degree doing what you love, taking care of animals. You'll make more money and you'll be able to heal and rescue animals instead of selling them.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 26, 2008 12:32 PM

hmm, i'm planning to adopt a kitten i've visited from a petsmart in our area. so, should i not go on with my plan as doing so will support petsmart?
i don't think there is a way to save all animals in this world. the animals in the humane society don't all make it either. because they are low in funding. so maybe all the peta members should donate all their money to the humane society in order to save as much animals as possible.
it may not be ideal to put animals for adoption through petsmart and other pet stores, but the condition would be a bit similar to humane society/animal rescue agencies.
so should i ignore the kitten from the store? and let it "DIE" at the store? i'm sure there are as much well-meaning people as there are mean people in any situation. be people adopting from petstores or from humane society, caregivers at petstores or peta-supported establishments.

Posted by: she | January 26, 2008 06:51 PM

Petsmart is responsible, whether they would like to sugarcoat it by saying "we didn't know" or not- if they would stop selling animals completely and stick to supplies only, there would be no need for a warehouse like the one we just saw in the video. Anyone out there that owns or supports a petstore that sells live animals for the pet trade, whether it be Petco, Petsmart, or even the good old Mom and Pop places- if those owners TRULY CARED about the animals and not their bottom line, they would stop selling them. Go on Petfinder- see the "overstock" that sits there, hopelessly waiting for a good home, then ask yourself if there is such a thing as a good "pet store". It's an oxymoron- no "good" pet store would add to the overpopulation and still preach that they care about the welfare of animals.

Boycott- not just Petsmart, but any pet store that sells live animals as pets. The only way to stop the breeding and torture is to stop paying their bills by buying ANYTHING they sell.

Posted by: Jamie A. | January 26, 2008 06:57 PM

She,

Good question, and if I may offer my opinion, I think you should adopt from a shelter and I'm glad to support my statement.

If you give money to a pet store, they will use that money to buy yet more pets. Those pets are intentionally bred to be sold as pets. You "save" one kitten, the pet store uses the money to make 5 more. So you are not saving a life, you are only giving the pet store money to make more animals to suffer.

The more animals that are bred, the higher the chances that some neglectful person will buy a kitten and abuse it.

Shelters screen adopters so that abusive people can't adopt them. And they spay and neuter the pets so that more unwanted pets are not created.

Pet stores sell pets as objects and give out the wrong nutritional and care information, so even the most well meaning pet owner ends up making their pets sick for a lifetime.

Shelters do not create animals; they only save the unwanted ones and help give them the best lives possible.

And having worked in a shelter, I can tell you that most of the unwanted ones are in fact from pet stores.

Peace, and please let me know if you need any kitten advice! ;)

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 27, 2008 02:02 PM

Anna, I am happy to hear that the PETSMART in your area has vets there, but the problem is that birds, reptiles, fish and other exotic animals belong in the wild, not in tiny glass cages.

As a veterinary nurse I've seen dozens of reptiles with metabolic bone disease, rabbits with parasites and birds with respiratory diseases, all because these pet stores are selling exotic animals.

To give you an idea, I interned at a zoo and even the wildlife experts there had extreme difficulty keeping the birds, fish and reptiles healthy. Pet stores give out completely bogus nutritional and care information.

And many of these pets wind up in shelters because people buy them on impulse. Petsmart gives these animals to people who neglect them and dump them when they get bored or overwhelmed.

Please reconsider, once you've seen what I've seen you would know that pet stores are causing extreme misery for these animals which are created to be sold as objects.

;) Peace.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 27, 2008 02:09 PM

That was absolutely the most horrible, sick, heartbreaking, piece of video I have ever seen. I myself an a proud owner of two cats I took away from some neighbourhood children that found them outside somewhere. Unfortunately I was only able to find 2 of the 4. They were obviously only a couple of weeks old so I immediately took them to my closest vet (even though I did not have the money at hand.) They did agree to see me and provide me with information as to how to care for these young animal which were only 3wks old. I had to bottle feed them every 2 hours twice as often as I had to breastfeed my own 2 chilren. This meant setting an alarm clock to wake me to perform my new duties. I was also advised that young kittens cannot stimulate their own bladders and bowels which needed to be done after every feeding with a warm clothe (used as a mother cats tounge would lick at their genitiles) and massage to their stomache region. OH BOY WHAT FUN....But given the opportunity I would be obliged to do it all again as it was crutial to keep these young felines alive. How anybody could even consider doing anything different is beyond me. It is appalling what goes on at these animal mills, and I have yet to figure out where they find the heartless, horrible people to employ. Who in there right mind could return home after a days work and manage to eat supper, and go to bed, let alone do it all over again the following day? I am finding it hard to understand how the person doing the undercover work even managed to do so.....I don't see how they were able to keep it together for months...DIDIT REALLY TAKE THAT LONG TO GATHER ENOUGH INFORMATION? I didn't really know that much about PETA until recently but I've been online checking things out and I've come across some disturbing things. I'd like to know how come some of the thing's I've found out were allowed to transpire? Especially concerning the dogs carcasses, etc, being tossed in the trash like garbage? I come from a family where pets are either cremated and kept in Urns or buried on family property? WHAT IN THE NAME OF HEAVEN HAPPENED too those poor ANIAMLS? And why was the persons involved not banished from PETA? For crying out loud one person was not even punished.

Posted by: Christa | January 27, 2008 07:23 PM

Linda...

There are TONS of puppies in shelters... accidental litters are dumped there all the time.

Yes, everyone wants a baby. And puppies are the first to be adopted from a shelter.

I am not saying this is right or wrong.

Just letting you know, there are ALOT of puppies at shelters.

Believe me. You don't have to look hard, they just get adopted first.

So if you want a puppy, PLEASE get it from a shelter.

Posted by: Tamara | January 28, 2008 12:59 AM

I challenge PETA to do an investigation on ANY high school AG class on neutering animals (pigs, sheep, goats, RABBITS). Also, slip your way into a slaughter house and check them out. What would you rather Rainbow do, let all the little critter's run wild and free in the world (as food for preditors) or actually have a chance of living a somewhat happy life as a child's pet?

Posted by: Anonymous | January 28, 2008 12:33 PM

The company doing this isn't Petsmart, and there is no doubt that some of the retail staff really do care about their animals; however, Petsmart as an organization still has to answer for this abuse. "We didn't know" doesn't cut it; they should find a way to verify that the suppliers treat animals properly.

Of course, the real truth is that any large-scale facility will have abuse, and so Petsmart either needs to stop ordering birds and pocket pets from such sources, opting instead for local breeders, OR they ought to get out of the business. They can and should make money on supplies.

To the person who said "someone" will sell animals no matter what: That persons should only be a responsible breeder. There is no need to have middlemen and pet stores.

Posted by: Danielle | January 28, 2008 01:49 PM

I have indeed been to a few PetSmarts where the animals have been sick. I have stopped going to my local PetSmart because every single time I have been there every cat has had an eye infection and most look very unhealthy. No, this is not at every location, but it certainly makes me not want to shop there, especially adopt from there! The fact is both companies are at fault. PetSmart should by all means know exactly what the conditions of their suppliers are. Shame on both of them.

Posted by: Anonymous | January 29, 2008 12:07 PM

Petsmart also has bogus nutritional and environmental information for their hermit crabs and betta fish. Which, by the way, they should not be selling in the first place.

And their so called adoptions appear to be salespeople talking customers into buying specific pets. That's not an adoption!

A real adoption would involve calling the customer's vets to make sure they are good pet owners, plus which in this case they would need to be trained in exotic medicine. I guarantee you that is not happening.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 29, 2008 04:08 PM

I also have worked for PetSmart and I agree with the other employees. PetSmart DOES NOT treat animals like that, do you see that person wearing at PetSmart shirt? I didn't think so. That person works for Rainbow Exotics, NOT PetSmart! Whenever we have a sick animal PetSmart will pay any amount of money to make sure that pet is well taken care of! I know, because I have seen pets go to the vet and get better. Their cages are kept clean, and they are given food on a regular basis. You need to stop placing the blame on PetSmart!

Posted by: Jennifer | January 29, 2008 08:50 PM

I will never shop at petsmart again. In fact I quit shopping there a few years ago, after getting my dog groomed by what I would consider a very un educated in grooming person. Injured my dog and stated that she had fleas, which was false. However, after this footage, I won't ever stop in for even a quick grab of something I need, I'll travel the extra 5 miles to go to a store that I know is safe for all animals. I have birds, and this made me sick! The place in TX needs to be raided and their license taken away!!!!

Posted by: Cindy | January 30, 2008 09:07 AM

I SAT AT MY COMPUTOR WITH TEARS STREAMING DOWN MY CHEEKS AS i WATCHED THIS VIDEO ABOUT THIS LITTLE HELPLESS COCKATOO. I AM A BIRD BREEDER AND I CANNOT UNDERSTAND HOW ANYONE COULD TREAT A TINY CREATURE IN SUCH A HORRIBLE WAY.WHEN MY BABIES ARE ACTING EVEN A LITTLE DOWN, I WILL HOLD THEM UNTIL I KNOW THEY ARE ALRIGHT OR IF THEY NEED MEDICAL ATTENTION. I HAVE EVEN PUT THEM UNDER MY NECK IN MY BED AT NIGHT TO MAKE SURE THEY WERE 0.K.
I THINK PETSMART EMPLOYEES NEED TO BE TRAINED IN AVIAN CARE AS PART OF THIER JOB QUALIFICATIONS. I KNOW I HAVE SEEN CERTAIN FOODS IN THIER CAGES THAT ARE POISONIOUS TO BIRDS,PARSLEY, FOR ONE THING. IF YOU SAY ANYTHING TO ANY OF THE EMPLOYEES, THEY JUST SHRUG IT OFF LIKE THEY COULDN'T CARE LESS.
I JUST HOPE THIS KIND OF TREATMENT DOES NOT GO ON ANY LONGER

Posted by: shirley martin | January 30, 2008 05:12 PM

I bought a parakeet from Petsmart. It turned out that the bird had psitticosis -- and it infected my other birds. It cost me a fortune in vet bills to have all of my birds tested and treated. Half of my birds died. When I went back to Petsmart with the receipt, the manager told me that they didn't test the birds that came in for illnesses. The interesting part is that by the time most stores realize that the birds are ill, they have already been sold. And that means that consumers can't even get their money back because by the time the birds actually get sick, the warranty has expired. And if the owner was savvy enough to realize the bird was even sick, they had already incurred vet bills. If they weren't knowledgable about birds, many owners probably thought they accidentally killed the bird and were too embarrassed to go back to Petsmart.

In my case, I had an autospy done -- and the vet confirmed the bird's illness. When I returned to Petsmart, the manager told me they didn't test the birds -- and told me they would reimburse me the cost of the bird, plus vet bills. I was asked to provide my avian vet's number and provide copies of my bills. Guess what? Never heard from Petsmart again.

Interestingly, a year later I decided to buy a parakeet from Petco. Guess what? Same thing happened. Petco also told me their birds weren't tested before being sold. And they also offered to reimburse me for vet bills (another autopsy) and my other sick birds. Interestingly, someone else walked into the store on the same day with their dead bird in hand (they froze the dead bird in their freezer so they would have proof of the illness. Surprise! The Petco manager never submitted the paperwork -- and Petco claimed that he had quit and they had no record of my complaint.

Bottom line -- these companies have a serious issue they need to solve. And a major purchaser of pet supplies who won't be shopping in their establishments.

Posted by: Patty | January 30, 2008 11:41 PM

That is just awful that that poor baby died in the bottom of a filthy cage like that...however, there is a misinterpretation about the "flushing of water" that was done. That was NOT water in that syringe and the crop was not being flushed out. That was hand feeding formula in the syringe...notice the beige color and the thick consistency through the syringe. The bird was being gavage fed, a technique in which a rubber tube is inserted into the crop and formula is syringed in. Angel was exhibiting normal "pumping" action of its head as it ate the formula, not trying to dislodge the tube. They "crying" was actually normal, baby bird vocalization as it begged for more food. It would have done the same if its cockatoo mother was feeding it. The woman had her hand under the throat of the bird, feeling when the crop was filled. Her technique was actually not to bad, althought gavage feeding is not psychologically healthy for the bird since it doesn't taste or actually get to eat the food itself. The syringe was probably not clean or the formula not the right temperature and the bird likely contracted a bacterial infection which led to its early death. It definitely needed to see a vet and the conditions are horrendous...I am not defending Petsmart or this disgusting breeding facility in any way shape or form. I run a licensed bird rescue and rehab facility in IL, and have many discarded Petsmart birds given up by stupid people who bought parrots and had no idea what they were doing. HOWEVER to maintain its credibility, Peta needs to have a bird expert look at its undercover videos of bird breeding operations prior to posting misinformation about what is happening in the video. Misidentifying the actions of people discredits animal rights' positions on issues. I would strongly suggest PETA re-write the copy on the video and remove the crop "flushing" commentary because it is not accurate.

Posted by: Betsy Christison | January 31, 2008 06:39 AM

i work for a petsmart store in a midwest city...and yes, we do have vets on-site. i dont work with the animals in the specialty dept. im a stocker, and i have seen sick animals, but i dont know about any other stores around the country, but ours takes care of any animals we receive that are sick, and "under the weather"...the worst thing ive seen was a hamster or gerbil that had wet-tail...and it got better after treatement..and ive never seen any of our birds sick..i like peta, and their cause is good and just...however, Petsmart is looking into the matter, and we're investigating the company we get our birds and animals from...i snooped around the office one day and found a letter from corporate to all store managers about the issue, and how they are trying to resolve it...

Posted by: Chris | January 31, 2008 07:51 AM

A) NO ONE...Not Petsmart, not me, not you, not anyone can constantly monitor the condition of every single animal that comes from breeding farms, so saying that "Petsmart SHOULD have known" is a bit...ridiculous. They ARE doing something about it now that they DO know and for that matter Petsmart is NOT rainbows sole buyer, should you idiots be going after the others too with your idiotic slogan of "don't sell living beings??" Forget I said that because next thing I know I'm going to see something about "PETA BURNS DOWN PET STORE TO STOP SALES OF LIVING BEINGS"
B) Yes, sometimes unfortunately animals DO DIE, it is sad, it is horrible but it DOES happen even with those of us who are avid animal lovers like myself, sometimes something happens, can you stop the spider that creeps in between your favorite hamsters cage and bites him? Would you know somehow in the middle of the night that he was bitten while you were asleep? SHAME ON YOU FOR NOT KNOWING EVERYTHING, what about when he is sick the next morning, most of you would say that "OHH I'd rush him straight to the vet" Grow up, 90% of you would not. Don't lie. Perhaps its because you don't have the money, ok I grew up poor I know what that's like not an excuse for not seeking vet care but I know how it is. what about the people who decided to wait and see if your animal was better tomorrow..Or what if you just had to get to work and couldn't take the time. Animals DO die! As much as it sucks it happens. Yes sometimes as hard as we try even with the best of care, proper nutrition, handling and enrichment our beloved ones do die. And yes I'm sure that as in any population the animals that are on their way to ANY pet store sadly do die at times, be it the suppliers fault, be it the drivers fault, be it divine intervention it occurs. As far as rodents cannibalizing others read a bloody breeding info sheet almost everyone every..single..one...mentions that they WILL canabalize the young. While I think rainbow is horrid, do not take your issues out on respectable businesses. Not all petsmarts are good, i would have to agree but the one I work at IS. We DO care for our animals and if one is sick it DOES get immediate attention from a qualified vet. Yes they are put into a warm, quiet room to recover as you yourself would welcome after being sick, they are not tossed in some dark hole to die. I visit that back room at least 20x or more daily when we have a sick or injured animal to ensure he/she is doing well. We honestly do take pride in the care of our animals and in the lives we save via pet adoptions for both cats and dogs as well as other small animals, via pet training our accredited instructors give through education, prevention of illness and the constant "Spay and Neuter your pet spiel we give" Petsmart DOES help to save lives! We work very closely with our local humane societies to help ensure proper funding, to get those animals good forever homes (hey i have one myself that I adopted from my store, my beautiful kitten) If a sick cat for adoption comes in, it goes STRAIGHT to the vets office no waiting and gets treated. If a hamster somehow hurts himself, or is ill when received he takes a visit to the doc.
You people preach about how horrible it is that we sell animals, if not us it would be someone else, someone who might run that nightmare store. What about the animals obtained via adoptions at the shelters...do you REALLY think that people cant fake their way through the "screening" its just the same situation different person the animal came from. What if the person who adopted the cat/dog/snake/rodent or whatever else form the shelter decided that A) they dont want the animal any more B) they cant care for it anymore...what then..same thing that happens when someone buys a pet from a pet store the shelter takes it in (Hopefully) and (hopefully) finds a home for it.
The animals in our store ARE happy and healthy we DO play with them, give them toys and continue our educations on all the animals in our care, because it matters to us how our friends live. We offer the guarentee because we'd rather have pet parents bring the animal they no longer want back to us where we can care for it, give it the love and attention it deserves then A) leave it in some feces ridden cage in the dark corner of the room B) take it to some over crowed animal shelter when it probably will be put down. We take them back to give them a second chance if thats whats needed. Our employees are very well versed in the care, nutrition and enrichment of each animal we have so that we can give the very best to the people who come to get their new best friend from us.

Bottom line.
If petsmart dint sell pets, someone else would and it could be them that was the thing of nightmares, animals in cages with no water, dead animals everywhere with total over crowding. Face it as long as there is man, there will be pets, as long as there will be pets there will be someone selling them, what is important is the conditions in the store they are sold in, every single petsmart ive been into (not just my own) had comfortable healthy animals and knowledgeable staff which is a LOT more then most places can say. Also if you wish to stop the sale of living beings then you first must rid yourself of your own beloved pets if you've ever adopted an animal, purchased one from a breeder or store before you can throw those stones you first must re home your own loved one. I will say this, animals are the most precious thing to me, my fire escape plan includes running into a blazing building several times if needed and nothing and no one could stop me. My dog is my everything, my heart, my light, my beloved one..yes he was purchased, would you take him away from me? It would be just as good as killing me.
Also as a vet tec i know a healthy animal compared to a sick injured one so with compleate confidence i can say our animals are healthy.

Stop
attacking
petsmart

if you are not willing to attack the other pet stores at the same time, if you are not willing to do the exact same thing to every..other...pet store on the face of this earth then give it a rest.

PETA FOR THE LOOSE.
I agree with what it stands for, i do not agree with its methods nor its lack of education.

Posted by: Anonymous | February 6, 2008 04:08 AM

Puppy Mills, Pet Shops, and the AKC Basic Facts
Where do pet stores get their puppies?
Virtually all of the puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy mills.

What are puppy mills?
Crude, outdoor breeding farms that mass-produce puppies for sale to pet stores and regularly supply dogs to laboratories and animal brokers.

What’s the difference between a breeder and a puppy mill?

The mass production of puppies. A breeder that sells to research, animal brokers and pet shops, and breeds more than three females is a puppy mill. A USDA breeding license is required and the USDA is supposed to inspect kennels to be sure that they adhere to minimum standards of the Animal Welfare Act. When violations are cited, kennel operators are rarely fined or shut down.

Where are puppy mills located?
Puppy mills are nationwide. Many, however, are concentrated in the agricultural states, such as Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and South Dakota. In Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, the Amish are mass-producing puppies.

What kind of people run puppy mills?
In rural areas, where puppy mills are a cottage industry, puppies are farmed as 'livestock. They are viewed as a cash-crop.

How do they treat the pups and their mothers?
Because the animals are a means of income, expenses are kept down. The focus is on profit, with their welfare given little or no consideration. Puppy mills typically confine large numbers of dogs in rows of crudely constructed, over-crowded pens. The floors are constructed of wiring to allow feces and urine to drop to the ground below. This causes discomfort to the animals’ paws.

Considered nothing more than breeding stock, mother dogs are forced to have litters at an early age, and kept continually pregnant. Mother dogs are killed when they’re no longer able to produce a profitable litter size.

When are puppies taken from their mothers?
Puppies are typically removed at seven weeks of age. They are then sold to brokers who pack them in crates for transport and sale to pet shops. Ten or more puppies are often crammed into a single cage. Transportation conditions are often abysmal ó lacking adequate food, water, or ventilation.

What effect does this trip have on the puppies?
Not all survive. Of those that do, many will be infected by contagious viruses, respiratory ailments, parasites, and other conditionsó caused by neglect and stress.

Are these animals healthy?
The puppies are born in unhealthy conditions, live with their mothers in filth and are transported similarly. The are often infested and weakened with parasites and viruses. To save money, they go untreated by veterinarians. Unsanitary conditions and lack of veterinary care can lead to rampant disease. Parents are typically not in good health, and have genetic problems. Generally, they also have behavioral and temperament problems ó the products of inbreeding. They are not properly socialized because they lack positive contact with humans.

Do pet shops harm animals?
Pet shop owners try to keep veterinary bills and other animal care expenses down to maximize profits. Puppies rarely get the attention they need to become well-adjusted. Since they are not properly socialized, they are often returned, or dropped at a shelter when problems are detected.

Are pet shops in the business for money?
Yes. Animals can suffer while dealers and pet shops make profits. It is not unusual, for example, for a dog sold to a pet shop for $100 to be re-sold to a customer for $1,000 ó $5,000. And by their very existence, puppy mills doom other animals. The marketing of approximately 1 million puppy mill animals each year prevents many people from adopting animals from pounds and shelters. It also undercuts the spay/neuter efforts of animal advocacy organizations.

Why shouldn’t we buy puppies in pet stores?
Pet shop employees routinely deny that they purchase from mills, or brokers that trade in puppy mill animals. They claim that they purchase puppies from 'reputable breeders and that the AKC papers prove it. As long as pet store customers purchase puppies, puppy mills will have a market. If you purchase a puppy, another animal will take it’s place. The mothers of the pups will continue to suffer.

Does the AKC inspect the breeders?
The AKC does not inspect kennels, nor does it vouch for the health or well-being of a puppy.

Are AKC - registered dogs guaranteed?
No. AKC registered simply means the puppy had two parents of the same breed. The AKC registers dogs and gives them 'papers which help to sell them in pet shops or at breeders’ kennels.

Does the AKC make money from puppy mills?
Yes, lots. Puppy mills comprise 80% of the AKC’s business. It registered 917,247 puppies in 2003 at the cost of approximately $25.00 per puppy.

Doesn’t the USDA protect these animals?
Wholesale dog breeding and the shipment of live animals are regulated by the USDA under the 1970 Animal Welfare Act. The Act requires breeders to be licensed, inspected, and regulated to ensure the very minimum standards of housing, care, and medical treatment.

The law, however is poorly enforced. The USDA has few agents to inspect approximately 5,000 puppy mills nationwide. When they discover infractions, the breeder routinely receives 'a slap on the wrist. Nothing in the welfare legislation does anything to change people’s minds about the idea that puppies are disposable merchandise.

Do state laws protect dogs and consumers?
States generally have an anti-animal cruelty laws to supposedly protect animals from overt physical abuse and neglect. Since under the law animals are viewed as the property of the owner, cruelty is often difficult to prove.

Consumers are protected to some degree by 'pet lemon laws, in some states. The law requires pet stores to refund money for unhealthy animals, pay for medical costs or offer another animal; it depends upon the state. This does not alleviate the grief, however, of a family experiencing the loss of a much loved puppy or kitten.

Where can I find a purebred dog?
More than 25% of the dogs at shelters are purebred dogs. Also, contact breed groups who specialize in adoptions for adult dogs of a specific breed.

Do puppy mills produce kittens, Too?
Yes. Sometimes the same breeder who produces puppies for pet shops also supplies purebred kittens.

What You Can Do To Help:
Adopt a dog or cat from a shelter.

Do not purchase dogs or cats from pet shops. There is no reason to breed dogs and cats while millions are killed in shelters. Without pet shop sales, the market for puppy mills will disappear. Support a legislative effort to shut down the puppy mill trade in your state. Ask your legislators to support a bill to prohibit the selling of puppies and kittens in pet ships. Educate the public by writing letters to local newspapers, distributing compiles of this fact sheet outside pet stores in your area, and contacting local TV and radio shows about the issue.

Send a donation to Friends of Animals to support our nationwide breeding program and to help us expose puppy mills.

Friends of Animals
777 Post Road
Darien, CT 06820

Posted by: Amy | April 8, 2008 11:24 AM

You need to get your information sraight before you post wrong info on the web about Petsmart. That cockatoo was mistreated by Rainbow Exotics not Petsmart, Yes Rainbow is Petsmarts supplier for small animals and birds not even all birds. Some petsmarts dont even buy birds from them. I work in management at Petsmart and all animals in the care of our store are treated ethically and humanely. I cant speak for every store out there but obviously animals that are mistreated are the result of poor management. I dont have a problem with what PETA does I respect it. You should focus more on those small mom and pop pet stores that smell horrible when you walk in and the animals living conditions are poor. Petsmart has strict policies and procedures it follows on how to properly care for all the animals it houses.

Posted by: NUNYA MUTHAFKN BIZNIS | April 22, 2008 10:13 PM

k, this is one incident, and it doesnt mean that this happens to all petsmart stores in the world, and it could just be the employees cold heartedness, and not the company's, and if they are doing it on purpose, then shame on them

Posted by: Thinker Man | April 26, 2008 05:28 PM

PetSmart is a great place and I would gladly shop there. I know first hand that if an animal is sick and in need of veterinary assistance, PetSmart at any cost provides them with the attention and medicine they need. Unfortunatly the information that PETA is giving out is not true and they should be embarrassed about saying that. PetSmart is a company who loves animals and would never try to hurt a living creature.

Posted by: J | April 28, 2008 09:51 PM

C'mon, PETA, when will you understand that PetSmart ISN'T going to stop selling animals? I hate you, PETA. You're constantly making humans lives harder unnessessarily just because you don't want stupid cows to get eaten. You disgust me. Your opinion on "animal cruelty" is thouroughly stupid and unrealistic. I hate you, you're all idiots.

Posted by: Julianne | May 3, 2008 01:19 PM

I just found this thread and can't believe only one person seemed to even notice. How can PETA say it's so concerned about animals when its investigator was able to watch for days and days while a poor baby suffered a horrible death and died? I thought they cared about animals?

I could see that maybe they didn't want to intervene too early so they could prove the bird wasn't getting better. But how can anyone with even a shred of compassion let that bird get to the point it was suffering so badly and not just do something about it?

PETA has plenty of legal power if it wanted to get that baby out. And they don't mind crossing legal boundaries if they feel justified. Plus, they love getting publicity -- so, are you telling me that if they couldn't get the baby out any other way (which I don't believe) that if they went public with that footage, the breeder wouldn't have been forced to relinquish that miserable chick? Where was all PETA's concern as a little tiny baby cried and cried for help?

Plus, we have to take their word for it that there was no medical help given. What was the disease? And how do we know the person administering the treatment was untrained and ignorant?

I do agree it appears to be true that this breeder was negligent and should not be allowed to sell. Flies in a place where they have a critical care patient? And no matter what, this poor baby should have been in a warm tub with some kind of fuzzy teddy bear, or toys or chewy toy or other stimuli to help make it happy and boost its immune system -- not feebly swaying on a perch. Without anything to do, all it could do was concentrate on its pain. How horrible. Nothing I can think of can justify what I saw that bird experience. But NO ONE can convince me that PETA couldn't have rescued that bird if it really wanted to!

If it had been brought to a vet at the point it was clearly in trouble, the vet would surely be able to go on record that the bird was denied proper treatment, and maybe could have saved it. However, it is awfully convenient that the bird managed to die without any outside objective examination by a vet.

The worst part is, even if the bird was not able to be saved, at least if it had been rescued it could have been held and loved and made comfortable in its final days. This is so horrible. I will never have any respect for PETA again!

How can PETA even begin to point their finger at PetSmart or ANYONE when they can witness something like this and not take action to stop it?

I now have to stop thinking about this...these images are going to haunt me for awhile.

Posted by: phoenix | May 14, 2008 05:35 PM

To everyone here who says they work at Petsmart but it's not Petsmart's responsibility blah blah blah

yeah it is. It's Petsmart's responsibility to make sure their suppliers treat their animals right before they are sent to the store, and to continue to give them adequate food, water, medication, grooming, bedding, whatever they need from the moment they get to the store to the moment they leave, and not just neglect them.

it's one thing to 'love animals' it's another thing to want and know how to take care of them properly.

props to PETA on the informative and eye-opening vid.

Posted by: Sara | May 27, 2008 01:34 PM

This is the most awful thing I have ever seen. I am a bird breeder and am appalled that no one took this bird to the vet for treatment immediately and stood by and watched it just suffer and cry until it died. Shame on EVERYONE involved in this case. I also want to state that myself and the breeders I associate with take the utmost care of our babies. Our facilities are spotless, the babies are loved, snuggled and fed the best diets. Potential homes are carefully screened to ensure the best possible future for our little ones. We are always available to answer questions from the new owners. This horror fest is NOT the norm for quality breeders.

As a side note. This baby looked very stressed from the beginning of the video and the facility was filthy. Stress and filthy conditions most likely led to a bacterial infection. A trip to the vet and some antibiotics early on may have saved this little bird a lot of suffering.

Personally, I would have never stood by and watched this happen. Actions speak louder than words.

Posted by: Christine Mann | June 13, 2008 02:30 PM

I love birds and all animals I am also a certified avian specialist.
my birds are rescues that have been passed from home to home for various reasons.Birds are highly intelligent creatures and are NOT easy to care for by any means.most people want a parrot because it may "talk" or "it looks pretty" they don't realize all the care that goes into owning parrots.
They don't realize that they can and will bite and that they are noisy by nature
and they wind up being sold and sold and sold again.There are MANY parrots in need of homes but the pet industry keeps producing more and more to satisfy the amateurs who don't do their research and will wind up re homing them anyway .Its an epidemic really.All for the "mighty dollar". It's sad that animals are being used for profit.They live with all the suffering of living in a filthy, cramped cage with their off spring barely noticed until it's time to rip the babies away to put up for sale .Animals are innocent creatures and God's GREATEST creations they need us to look out for them yet they are disregarded like garbage.
This sickens me.There would have been NO WAY IN HELL I would have allowed those jackasses at that place to not let me take that poor sick bird to get the care he/ she deserved nor could I have stood by and watched her manhandle her like that I cried my eyes out after viewing the terror these poor babies live in .I hope and pray that that place gets shut down and the animals get adopted into nice homes.The workers are obviously scum.I would like to punch that lady in the teeth for tossing that poor sick baby bird aside like that.And that F*ckwit who stomped a hamster and cruelly neutered that poor bunny..he's going to have to answer to God for his cruelty.
Absolutely unbelievable that people could be that cruel.
Makes me ashamed of human kind.

Posted by: Shannon | June 17, 2008 07:29 AM