When I worked for an animal shelter which had a law enforcement / cruelty office, I would wind up redirecting calls to law enforcement and I recieved many calls from the public complaining about pet stores.

While I don't know what resulted from the investigations, I can tell you that people would call in very distraught by what they saw in the pet stores themselves, NOT the suppliers.

Petco was one of the stores people complained about. (We don't have a Petsmart in our area). All I can say is, pet stores plainly display the fact that animals are mistreated there.

Boycott all pet stores. I have $300 in my bank that I'm waiting to spend for a new cat condo for my beautiful kitty, and I will spend it on a store where they don't sell animals.

Wait, make that $400 after I buy pet food.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 28, 2008 05:11 PM

I know you'll deny this, but what he said, although worded poorly, isn't any different than what any group that cares for animals would say if an animal in their care died. Animals die. When there are hundreds of animals and a few die, and that's not a big percentage.

I'm sure you support animal shelters. Animals die there. I'm sure many of you own pets. Pets die, sometimes at a young age even. And I know you like the idea of animals living in their natural habitats, but animals in the wild die, sometimes at higher rates than those in captivity. Your own organization doesn't actually provide care for any animals, and that's the only reason why animals don't die while in PETA care.

What he said is true--a few dead animals out of a large number isn't evidence of abuse. It's evidence of nature.

Posted by: Ashes | January 28, 2008 05:25 PM

Hold the phone. As we all know PETA will never be happy with anything anyone does. That being said, even if PetSmart does boycott Rainbow and up their unannounced visits of other distributors, PETA will still claim some form of wrong doing.

So why do you guys even care about this? According to you; shouldn't we hate PetSmart all together? If we live by your dogma, shouldn't this just be another nail in the coffin for this 'flesh dealer'?

Posted by: Joe | January 28, 2008 05:54 PM

Hilarious (but with a point). Love the letter from Norman the male cat to the female cat: "Meet me behind the garden shed".

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | January 28, 2008 05:58 PM

Hey Joe,

Quit using the royal we. Saying "as we all know" is just presumptuous BS. PETA has been very happy with some companies and their efforts to be more humane.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | January 28, 2008 06:09 PM

Hi Ashes -

I'm not trying to be argumentative, but there's a difference here. These pet stores are intentionally breeding these animals to sell them, and then they turn around and, just like you said, cram hundreds of them into their stores. It's cruel.

When an animal shelter opens its doors, it does not begin breeding animals in order to sell them. They simply wait for people to come in off the streets with sick stray cats, rabbits bought for Easter that kids refuse to care for, and reptiles whose novelty has worn off.

I've worked at both a pet store and animal shelters, and I give you my word, at least half of those unwanted, sick animals came from pet stores. And now the shelter workers like myself have to do the dirty work of killing them because they're either too sick or there's too many to find homes for.

Wild animals belong in the wild, shelter animals belong in good homes. Those are all the animals we need, thank you, and we should not breed any more living creatures until we can stop throwing millions of unwanted pets into garbage cans.

Peace, Ashes. ;)

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 28, 2008 06:38 PM

It makes me sad that some people just can't understand or care about how people treat animals, they don't see the pain it causes. You people who leave mean or uncaring comments, that's unecessary. They're just trying to help the animals, if your not here for support or investigation, but just for leaving stupid comments, what are you doing here????

Posted by: LuLu | January 28, 2008 06:41 PM

I believe this is typical of pet stores and disgusting greedy CEO's who see nothing but the bottom line. To those who critize Peta, they are not perfect, but I agree with their basic philosophy and I know they are many years, perhaps centuries ahead of their time. Many backwards thinking narrow minded people can't accept changes, even if those changes are for the better & long past due. Just remember there was a time when the majority thought blacks were not 100% human and many saw nothing wrong with them being forced into a cruel life of slavery.
I think one day we'll look back on our callous way of treating animals, like disposable trash, and be horrified that these abuses were allowed. Whether it's dogfighting, our failure to do a minimum of having our pets spayed & neutered to save millions from homelessness, to just plain neglect & abuse by those who should never own an animal.

So overall I'll stick with Peta & continue to donate & spread their word. I'm already hooked on Real men show kindness, only cowardly scum abuse animals. I think one of the scummiest, Michael Vick & his 7 year torture & killing of innocent victims for sadistic entertainment proves certain warped attitudes still have a very long way to go to change.

Posted by: Gina M | January 28, 2008 07:23 PM

You people think that petsmart is bad? I have had my fair share of working at pet stores and petsmart is nothing compared to some local places where I live. Take for example a place called Animart.. They keep two sometimes 3 puppies in a two foot by three foot box with nothing to lay on but the hard floor covered in paper to catch poop and pee which is cleaned out of the cages a few times a day. They have no water in these cages with them. When they get fed the water is dumped into their food and thats all they get. the puppies are IMPOSSIBLE to potty train one because they have never seen outside, and two because they just go where they sleep. when you bring them home all they do is drink enough water to make them sick and go to the bathroom where they lay. and this is all to the public veiw. If PETA should be going after a pet store it should be them... they sell live animals too and they are in much worse condition than those at petsmart... the only reason they are going after petsmart is because its a large coporate company that PETA themselves will get lots of attention for "busting them out" The more national coverage Petsmart gets for this garbage, the more coverage, AND DONATIONS peta gets.. so what im saying, is if you guys want to "complain" about animal care.. take a look animart.. or hundreds of other SMALL petstores around the country... and REALLY help an animal...

Posted by: Aurora | January 28, 2008 08:22 PM

I wonder did the jerks above watch the video? I was sick over it and I know I will never go to PetsMart again. I belong to groups who love rabbits, and we want smething done about Rainbow . Shut the place down. Pets die yes, but absusing them like that is sick. The video was the worst thing I have ever seen. Cruel sick dirty people.

Posted by: Rebecca King | January 28, 2008 09:40 PM

While I agree with the statement that "animals die" in different situations.... random people neutering rabbits IS ABUSE!!!! Vets should be the only ones neutering animals. Wiping down the genitals of a rabbit with a Clorox wipe IS ABUSE. I worked at a vet hospital for almost 5 years and its a very detailed process when beginning to neuter any animal. Neutering like that can lead to infections and it was clear that the rabbit was not properly anesthetized. Animals should be squirming when receiving a painful operation. That rabbit was still partially awake.

Posted by: Joy | January 28, 2008 10:27 PM

Peta is criticized because they are too progressive & light years away from what is & what should be. ZThere was also a time when black people were thought to be only part human & were kept in slavery against their will. Just like it took forever to realize how horrific the treatment of African Americans were, we'll one day realize our daily atrocious abuse of animals. Whether it's a piece of cowardly scum like Vick inflicting torture & death on defenseless victims for sadistic entertainment value, or being a neglegtful pet owner by failing to have your dog or cat spayed & neutered & adding to the homeless population, to pet owners physical abusing the dog or cat in the home. Puppy mills, slaughter house abuse, pet shop horrors, on & on, yet people still call Peta extremists for wanting to change these outdated & cruel ideas & practices that are accepted & are going on right now to the detriment of countless innocent animals. Peta may not be perfect, but I'll join with them & donate my money & time because they are a hell of alot better than the people & companies who know they are cruel & sometimes criminal & wrong. One day this world will change for the better about animal cruelty & we'll look back at this era in shane & disbelief.

Posted by: Jenna M | January 28, 2008 10:29 PM

Well they shouldn't get people to work for them who don't take care of animals properly...If they ever really needed to kill them off they don't step on them they do it in a respectful way and not torture them or scare the sh** out of them...

Posted by: Jeff | January 28, 2008 11:22 PM

I like the kitties :)

As for the other...I am exhausted. Really. I feel like I'm beating my head against a wall.

I'll have something to say at some point.

I have something to say now. I hate people.

Ok, dumb uncaring retarded stupid people.

I'll be back with a more intellegent comment soon.

But I still like the kitties.
Thank you for sharing them.

Posted by: Tamara | January 28, 2008 11:32 PM

The response basically doesn't make any sense, He says it's volume and that animals die regularly, That may be a little true but in my opinion doesn't make sense they force breed animals there and torture them when their to die if they die at all you shouldn't torture them...You're just going to increase the population of the animals and then what try to make money and if you don't you're going to kill them and do it over again?

Posted by: Jeff | January 28, 2008 11:34 PM

I think that remark does not exemplify PetSmart itself so much as the animal breeding industry as a whole. As long as consumers continue to treat animals as a commodity, we cannot expect merchants to act differently. Boycotting all pet stores and breeders is the only way to go.

Posted by: Jessica | January 29, 2008 12:45 AM

I respect the fact that PETA is only looking out for the well being of these animals, but I don't necessarily agree with the entire PetSmart controversy. From what I can tell, PETA conducted an undercover investigation in just one store in Connecticut. I had a friend that worked at a PetSmart near Chicago. She is an avid animal lover, vegetarian and respects animals just as much as the next PETA member. She said the staff cared for the animals immensely. Their environments were kept clean and safe. I was also able to adopt a small finch that was healing from an injured leg, for free. Someone had returned the poor thing because it had injured its leg and they didn't want to deal with it. So it stayed in PetSmart's care, despite the fact they were unable to sell it, until it was adopted by myself and given a nice home. I also would like to note that the cats that are sold at the PetSmarts near me are all cats rescued from "kill shelters" or poor home environments in which they were abandoned or not properly cared for.

Personally, I think PETA has singled out this one location. And yes, I completely disagree with its poor animal care, however I don't think we are looking at the big picture.

Posted by: Jenny | January 29, 2008 02:58 AM

"Pets die, particularly when you are dealing with volume."

I just love it when the industry does our work for us.

Posted by: DaliyVeg Editor | January 29, 2008 06:09 AM

The video showed an accident where some water got into a cage and you made it seem as though this happened every day and that they enjoyed drowning little animals.

The video showed a bird getting his nail cut for a blood sample. That's the same way the vet does it.

The little hamster that was sitting in the trash bin full of fresh shavings was probably extremely happy. That wasn't about to be thrown in the trash. I believe you exaggerated.

You showed a picture of a dead mouse and it's not one I recognize as being a pet species. It looks more like a wild mouse.

This whole video looks like you took a few tiny incidents and blew them out of proportion. I support you PETA but it seems this is just a bit overboard.

Posted by: Susan | January 29, 2008 08:43 AM

PETA loves to single out one store of a huge chain and say 'boycott' that company. Come on PETA, time to get back to reality! I know quite a few people that work at a few Petsmart stores and those stores are clean, takes care of their animal with the most respect, great employees etc. I know first hand that one Petsmart here where I live sends any injured or sick animal to a vet promptly when needed. Last week the Petsmart here spent almost $800 to save to hamsters. That is true animal love and care. Come to south jersey PETA and try and find something wrong with the Petsmarts here. I bet you all wont do a report on how GREAT the stores are will ya? Just look for one bad apple and the whole company should be shut down right? Maybe the bad store just needs better staff. I want to see PETA put out of their pockets to help all these needy animals.

Posted by: Blaise | January 29, 2008 11:18 AM

Maya, I would not waste money buying one of those overpriced cat condos. My husband built one using carpet remnants, lumber, plywood and sisal rope for a tiny fraction of the price they charge at these horrible pet stores. Bonus...we bought the materials at a local supply store instead of Lowes/Home Depot, so the cash stays in the community! Google "build cat condos" and you'll find a lot of great plans/directions!

Posted by: BullyDawg | January 29, 2008 01:10 PM

Jenny, sweetie, I think we all--those involved in animals rights, welfare or rescue-- know that the cats at PetsMart are from shelters or rescues and are housed there so the public has a chance to adopt them 7 days a week.

That's because there are about 3 times as many cats in shelters/rescues vs. dogs.

Those cats are not SOLD...people pay an adoption fee that goes to the shelter or rescue.

So don't give PetsCrap special credit for that, ok?

It just irritates the bejeezus out of me that they use these rescued dogs and cats for the goodwill it promotes to customers.

But they continue torture and sell every other kind of pet species.

I've said it once. I've said it a million times.

EVERY kind of pet PetsMart sells can be found in your local shelter, and/or there is a rescue for that type of animal.

They need to stop torturing these animals, breeding them, and let people **adopt** a hamster, gerbil, bird, iguana, guinea pig, snake. Instead of making profit off their little bitty souls.

And I won't even mention that I think sometimes the money these shelters and rescues get from ALL the chain pet stores is blood money.

Nope, won't mention that at all.

Posted by: Tamara | January 29, 2008 02:47 PM

This video rocks!!!!!

Please spay/neuter your felines---no more homeless cats and kittens. As a rescuer I see my share of trajedy and sorrowful circumstances. Please keep cats indoors and do not declaw. Declawing is cruel and unethical and serves no purpose nor medical benefit for the cats.

Posted by: Ana | January 29, 2008 03:12 PM

BullyDawg - That's a great point, thank you so much! Plus from what I understand, Home Depot has sustainable practices too. ;) Great advice. I could easily drop $400 on pet food and litter for our cats plus our rescued strays.

Tamara, I'm exhausted too - but if we keep saying it, maybe someone will listen! LOL

Ana, great point about declawing. One of the worst things one can do to a cat, absolutely.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 29, 2008 03:53 PM

Also I was sorry to see they had bogus pet care information on betta fish and hermit crabs. I'd be surprised if those animals lived more than a few months once they got home.

Hermit crabs can live to be 30 or so years old, and they are not meant to live in captivity, just like 99 percent of Petsmart's "items".

It drives me insane, too, Tamara, that they use the animal shelter card. The shelter I used to work at had an adoption day at Petco and the shelter workers would come back upset because the customers there were always pissed off that they had to fill out forms and have their vets called. They wanted the Petsmart style drive thru treatment.

Petsmart's own "adoptions" involve salespeople pushing specific pets on customers. It's completely bogus.

Here's a real shelter adoption: the CUSTOMER chooses a pet, the shelter worker spends 45 minutes counseling them to find out if they are ready to care for the animal, followed by a call to the adopter's vet to see how they care for animals and landlord to make sure pets are allowed in the building where they live.

And we make sure they have an exotic pet veterinarian to use if they adopt one of our exotic shelter pets, and we charge them SIX DOLLARS to take an exotic pet home, as long as they are able to care for it.

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 29, 2008 04:16 PM

MAYA and ANA HELP!!!!!
As cold weather has hit pretty hard in San Diego, my husband and I are leaving our garage door open about a foot.
We have kitty food and water in there so that anyone that ventures in will have a warm place to stay and will leave with a full tummy.
We have one very elderly girl that has shown up and is very friendly.
My husband was in the garage 3 nights ago and she came up up to him and he picked her up
and he noticed that she has no front claws.
Our grandsons went around the neighborhood which only has about 10 homes and asked if they were missing this little lady.
Nobody fessed up.
So here is the question, we invited "ANGEL" the name now given by our grandsons, in the house but when she saw our 2 eldery pups she was not a happy camper.
They on the other hand fell in love.
We have not had a kitty for ages.
What can we do to make her transition into our family a happy one?
Any advice would be helpful.
Thank You,
Judith
We are also taking her to our vet to have a check up.
Thank you Jack for letting me ramble on, but this is so important.

Posted by: Judith, Freedom Fighter for Animals | January 29, 2008 04:51 PM

Judith, what a nice story—I'm sure the lubricant of love will make everything go smoothly (I didn't mean it to sound quite like that—lol). Sounds like you married a great guy too.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | January 29, 2008 05:20 PM

Hi Judith!

You really are a good woman for taking in that poor kitty - she would have been killed in no time with no claws!

I don't know your level of experience with cats so please forgive me if I tell you things you already know.

Absolutely, the most important thing you can do for her is to close her in her own room, away from the dogs. It's crucial. Put her in the bathroom (if it's safe) IMMEDIATELY and find a room where she will be safe. Ideally it would be a spare room that is completely empty except for a litter box, food, water and a couch, kitty bed or human bed.

Give her something to hide in or under. When you go in the room do not go near her, let her come to you first. Be warned that declawed cats sometimes bite or refuse to use the litterbox.

Bring her to the vet tonight or tomorrow. Your dogs could get worms or fleas from her and if there are fleas you'll never get rid of them if they infest your house. (or at least it's very hard)

Keep her away from the dogs as long as possible, and slowly introduce them by having the dogs on a leash and if she wants to come out of the room and say hi to them that's a good start. If they bother her or chase her even once you're back to square one.

Ask a dog behaviorist to help you introduce them. If she is always fearful of the dogs I recommend finding a different home so she's not terrified and miserable if she can't get used to the dogs.

A vet can scan her for a microchip - try to find a vet with a universal scanner. Send a photo of her to local shelters - cats can travel for miles, even over state lines. One cat from the American midwest wound up in France! (she got on a boat lol)

Again, give her her own room, as clean as possible (and I highly recommend cleaning the litterbox EVERY time she uses it, especially with a declawed cat) and keep her in there and visit her by sitting on the floor and encouraging her to come over. Keep a very quiet voice and go slow, if she's already really friendly then try to spend lots of time with her.

I do professional cat behavior counseling so email me at karyfinch@yahoo.com if you need any more help.

Well done, Judith! I'll be thinking of you, please let me know how it goes! ;)

Posted by: Maya, C.V.T. | January 29, 2008 06:18 PM

As far as Bruce Richardson's comments go I think his company should consider firing him. If he is their spokes person I have no respect for their CEO's that hired him or continue to pay this man a salary. Is that all he could say is animals die? Peta has taken down bigger companies and as the word spreads this company too will either change or close their doors due to lack of business. They will no longer get my business and I will spread the word to everyone.

Posted by: Sue | January 29, 2008 07:30 PM

Ashes: A few dead humans out of a large number is also only evidence of nature. So, make sure to tell anyone whose relative dies in a hospital to suck it up and move on.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | January 29, 2008 07:45 PM

"Volume" is a term used for lives?! This guy is heartless & sick. I hate "pet" stores, & I will not buy anything from one for my five cats. "Selling" animals, while others die in shelters because no one wants them is wrong. Pet stores should be outlawed!!

Posted by: kathleen wissenz | January 29, 2008 08:14 PM

"Hermit crabs can live to be 30 or so years old, and they are not meant to live in captivity, just like 99 percent of Petsmart's "items"."

But bags of dog food...and kitty litter... are meant to live in captivity, I'm sure of it...

*snicker
(trying to make everyone smile a little)

Posted by: Tamara | January 29, 2008 11:46 PM

Jessica, your statement that "As long as consumers continue to treat animals as a commodity, we cannot expect merchants to act differently. Boycotting all pet stores and breeders is the only way to go" was brilliant. PetSmart and other such companies continue to buy animals from mills because public demand continues for purchasing these animals from pet stores.

Posted by: Michele | January 29, 2008 11:52 PM

Oh Judith, Bless your soul for taking in that little 'ol girl!

If she walked up to your hubby she wanted to come in your house. Poor baby. Declawed and obviously a former pet.

It's stories like that that keep me going.

I dont' have a cat and have never had a cat (bird person here), but don't they have something called Felaway or something? You plug it in, it's like those plug in air fresheners. It emits something that calms the kitty down.

You should maybe keep her in a separate room also till she gets used to the pups.

Ask your vet, he would be the best to give advice...bless you so so much again...

Posted by: Tamara | January 29, 2008 11:55 PM

Hey Judith,
Putting vanilla extract on all the animals and humans in the house will help your kitty tremendously--cats are much more comfortable with newbies when everyone smells the same. You can also put the kitty in a separate room where she will feel safe from the pups while gradually getting used to the idea of them. Good luck!

Posted by: elphaba | January 30, 2008 12:24 AM

I've noticed others saying that they disagree with targeting PetSmart when it is doing what others are doing.

In addition to my previous statement, I want to add that while it's easy to get animal rights activists, vegetarians, vegans, and hardcore pet lovers (I say "hardcore" because a lot of "pet lovers" love that their pets are bred and bought) to boycott the whole system, it's hard to get society as a whole to move that way. As unfortunate as it is, movements these days have to be done with marketing, as PETA seems to understand.

When you tell the whole nation that pet breeding and selling in stores is wrong and almost entirely (if not 100%) leads to or originates from abuse of the animal, they are going to think that an accusation that wide-spread and that extreme must be untrue. HOWEVER, if you point out "here is evidence of what PetSmart and it's suppliers do," then they are able to see a small, more believable example and do something about it.

The result is that one place is made an example of, perhaps inspiring change in them, perhaps inspiring competitors to make changes to say how much better they are. Consumers, meanwhile, have made their opinion clear when they know and believe the case to be true, and it's likely that even if they walk into a competitor's store, they may start to think, "I wonder if those animals came from a supplier like PetSmart's. Maybe I shouldn't buy it just in case... I heard there's going to be an adoption day at the mall next weekend."

Yes, it makes the movement slower and less extreme, but using marketing methods and understanding the way people think does lead to greater success.

Posted by: Jessica | January 30, 2008 01:14 PM

Hello Judith!

Your introductions to your dogs must be done carefully and slowly. Get a towel and rub the dogs with it and let the kitty sniff so she can acclimate herself to their presence. Keeping her away from them for awhile also lets her adjust to not only you but her new surroundings. How kind of you to help this kitty!

Posted by: Ana | January 30, 2008 04:03 PM

Antigone, your point about people dying in hospitals is exactly what I'm talking about. When a person dies in a hospital, it doesn't automatically mean the hospital did something wrong. The majority of the time, it was the opposite. The mere fact that a death occurs doesn't provide evidence of wrongdoing, with animals or humans. Video of a dead animal only proves mistreatment is the death is one that only occurs where there is mistreatment or if abusers are caught on tape in the act. Otherwise, it's not necessarily evidence of any wrongdoing.

Posted by: Ashes | January 30, 2008 05:48 PM

I cant believe how Petsmart responded to the investigation.I wont return to petsmart until they stop the cruelty and i encourage PETA to never stop doing what they do best, Ending the suffering of animals, one day at a time! Keep at it Peta!

Posted by: Mandy | January 30, 2008 08:36 PM

I won't be shopping for my animals products at Petsmart any longer.

Posted by: Kristy | January 30, 2008 11:23 PM

Everyone should contact the companies they purchase from at PetsMart and let them know they may not be able to purchase their products because they are sold next to animals who are being supplied from an abusive company under the same roof. I just contacted mine, Blue Buffalo dog food. I think this would be a good idea in addition to contacting PetsMart directly. If their suppliers are telling PetsMart they are concerned then it may resonate.

Thanks!

Posted by: Jory | January 30, 2008 11:24 PM

I think that it is important to note that ALL PetSmart locations are not like that. Our local PetSmart employees are mostly made up by teens that I know have volunteered in our community and work very hard to educate customers about their animals and habitats. I recently bought a hampster and I don't know what I would have done if the employees at PetSmart werent so knowledgeable. I think that any animal cruelty needs to be stamped out by location, because they are not ALL negligent.

Posted by: Yvette | January 31, 2008 11:11 AM

Ashes,

But these are supposed to be animals in the best of health at PetSmart. Of course, many people die in hospitals—only sick people are admitted there. Dying is common at one place, it most definitely should not be at the other.

Posted by: Mike Quinoa | January 31, 2008 12:00 PM

First of all, you people making all of these comments agaisnt PetSmart and it's stores need to get your facts yet. I personally work at a PetSmart as a Pet Care Specialist, the one who takes care of the animals, and torture? Are you serious? We give all the animals new food and water everyday, wipe the cahnges daily, changed them weakly, give them treats daily, give them every thing they need. So what the CEO is a duche bag...he's greedy and wants money yeah I'll give you that. But you have no right to say that inside the PetSmart store itself that the employees tortue and mistreat animals.
We provide animal shelter a place to advertise and get their pets adopted. The four/five shelters that come to my store alone LOVE our program. The cats get litter changes, fresh food, water daily, at least twice a day.
Our supplier may be cruel and I don't understand why we don't get another one. The animals we get in are sometimes sick or dying but we take them to a local vet and medicate them via the vet's instructions and nurse them back to health.
We also make sure the owner buys the appropriate bedding, food, etc. We explain everything above diseases to them. It's their choice whether or not they take care of them, same as if they get them from a shelter.
I would just like to say at least we're getting them away from those horrible conditions in that video, take care of them, and give them a better life.
The only bad thing I can say about PetSmart is we do have some high prices.

Posted by: Eden | January 31, 2008 02:01 PM

Eden, I have all the respect in the world for what you do. I can't speak for PETA at all, but my main contention is that no animal belongs in a cage so tiny that it needs to be cleaned every day, especially birds.

"Exotic" animals belong in the wild, period. Breeding them in captivity as items to be sold is dead wrong. I'm a certified vet tech and I saw hundreds of these pet store animals given up to the shelter I worked at.

On top of that, some of Petsmart's animal care information is dead wrong and I've seen exotic animals get very sick from this misinformation. And if the store is not calling the "adopter's" vets then they are not screening them correctly.

People should not be bringing these animals to regular vets.

I hope you understand that I'm not blaming you or any pet store employees. The ones who have written in are obviously lovely people. On top of that, many many animal professionals like myself worked in pet stores as their first jobs, and it's easy to get protective of a place that employs you. I sure did.

I hope the intelligent Petsmart employees move on to a career in caring for animals. Althought I despise Petsmart, I beleive the animals there are very lucky indeed to have folks like you.

Posted by: Maya, CVT | January 31, 2008 04:20 PM

I used to work at a PetSmart too. I knew about the back room, though as a dog trainer I didn't have access to it, so I can't speak about the suffering that went on there. I didn't quit because the conditions for the animals that weren't sick were bad, quite the contrary. I quit because buying and selling living things is morally reprehensible. Make no mistake, when PetSmart buys from suppliers like Rainbow, they are complicit in that cruelty.

Posted by: Spay and neuter immediately, please | February 1, 2008 12:34 PM

I will never shop at PetSmart until it stops selling live animals permanently.

Everyone who breeds or contributes to animal breeding (by buying or selling animals) is responsible for millions of deaths every year for the "pet" industry.

It is past time we stop treating animals as objects for human gain.

Advocate spay-and-neuter to everyone you know and support adoption only.

Together we can abolish this cruel and unjust industry!

Posted by: Brandon Becker | February 1, 2008 05:42 PM

Ashes: My point is that no hospital CEO would say to the family of a dead person (or the public at large), "people die, especially when you're dealing in volume." Such a statement would not be acceptable. The comment indicates Petsmarts' view of animals as commodities, not beings. So-all their "pet adoption" efforts really are just for show, not because of any true concern about the animals in their care.

Posted by: Antigone1000 | February 3, 2008 11:59 AM

I bought two hamsters from petsmart and both of them were really mean and bit a lot. I do not blame them for biting though because I've had hamsters my whole life and I was able to tame all of them. These were impossible to tame because they were never handled, not to mention the poor conditions they were in. One of the hamsters I got from them already had wettail. Luckily we were able to treat it in time.

Posted by: Anonymous | February 3, 2008 10:00 PM

oh, and I agree with Eden 100 PERCENT.

Posted by: a petsmart employee | February 14, 2008 11:30 AM

Petsmart is only as good as their experienced workers.

( I work at a Petsmart)

Local Fish Stores are a 50/50 of being a good, reliable place to shop for animals. These stores offer variety that no chain store can sell. Also is one of the main stores that needs to be closed down instead of petsmart.

True some local fish stores are great, and those should stay open. But to those that show neglect and dirty living conditions, those should be closed. I went into a LFS (Local Fish Store) in my area for the first time. Having heard such great feedback about the fish they had, from other customers.

The place was tramatizing. Dirty fish tanks were everywhere, ones filled and empty. Filters were sucking up dead and alive fish with ICH. About 7-8 foot iguanas stuffed into tiny cages. Around 10 little puppies also stuffed into a cage with no water and food. The whole place was a mess and full of diease everywhere you look.

I understand most LFS are owned by self-bussiness people. But if you don't have the money or the decency to at least fix up your store, you just created one less and even more customers.

Most chain and local fish stores are not the cause of all this neglect, usually the breeders.

Heck, in the news lately of cows at a slaughter being moved with a forklift? Do people really care that much about animal rights, seeing they are at a slaughterhouse.

Posted by: Darryl | February 20, 2008 10:46 AM

I WAS A BANFIED VET THat tried desperately o treat ps animals et they took a poor mali away ( thought he died0 and let him suffer for months- their vet Dr nick didnt cae I was broken hearted I could and wills ay so much more heartless

Posted by: CANNOT SAY | March 13, 2008 12:23 AM

This whole ordeal is ridiculous.
I worked in a petsmart, as lead petcare. Let me tell you nothing that happened in the store was cruel to any animal. any animal that was even questionable was sent to a vet. We received a cockatiel that was not eating properly and the store readily spent over $1000 at the vet having him tested for everything. All the cleaning is done on a very strict schedule and all the animals receive fresh vegetables every morning. I think Peta should focus on the suppliers and other cruel pet stores. i have seen some bad stuff (like 4 dogs shoved in a small cage) and petsmart is not it.

Posted by: anon | April 3, 2008 09:30 PM

Okay, I get a little annoyed when I hear over and over again, people saying it's a little overboard to boycott the entire company for one stores wrong doing, or something similar. I agree with PETA, though it might not be the store itself that is mistreating the animals. I have a Petsmart that treats the animals terrificaly and adopts out cats. It is really where they are getting the animals thats the main problem. Thats most times where the cruelty takes place, those are who we should shut down. So to do that the best way is to boycott the stores, if the stores are not making any profit from these animals, and are also losing money because people don't buy anything else from them as well, Petsmart will eventually give in to peoples demands to stop selling animals all together. Because like any business they want to make a profit. So please stop critisizing PETA about going overboard, because in truth that is exactly what needs to be done.

Posted by: Amanda | April 5, 2008 11:20 AM

I work at PetSmart. The video this "investigator" posted highlighting the so-called horrors inflicted upon small animals and birds sold in PetSmart stores is absolutely ridiculous. Can't anybody else see how twisted around the situation has become? Just because PETA thinks it needs a few more donations to fuel its terrorism-inspired antics, they feel they need to go after a large corporation to get that attention. In the video, the "investigator" said that PetSmart keeps its sick pets in tiny rooms in the back of the store so "the customers can't see the truth." Um. Actually, the pets are kept in isolation because they are in fact sick (or have just arrived to the store and have to be monitored for a certain amount of time before they can be available for purchase) and should be kept from getting the other pets in the store sick as well.

Everything about the care of these animals is professional and sanitary and I will not stand for an organization like PETA that could use its power for so much good, rather than running into PetSmart Adoption Centers and setting the animals available for adoption "free" (which happened to my store about a year ago. Several cats escaped from the store and were not recovered, but, really, what's two or three more homeless cats if you can even remotely look like you're saving one, right PETA?)

Posted by: Kelsi | April 7, 2008 10:28 PM

Also, after I took another look at the video taken inside the PetSmart store, I noticed another thing:
"One Employee actually said to me that she hates playing a vet at work, because she's not a vet. All of these animals need vet care, which they are denied, most of the time."

At the PetSmart I work at, animals are NEVER denied vet care. We have an exotic animal specialist in town that we take our sick or injured animals to and we make sure that the animals get the proper care they need, and the vet in turn gives us instructions to nurse the animal back to health, which we are able to do most of the time.

"They also have a recording that plays over the loudspeaker repeatedly throughout the day that says 'when pets are family, we're the family doctor.' That's sickening."

How can it be sickening? If this video wouldn't have been so full of Peta Propaganda, it would have said that the recording is actually for Banfield, the Pet Hospital, that is not affiliated with PetSmart but is located in many (most) of our stores. What's wrong with that? The video made PetSmart sound like it was claiming to be a veterinary service, which it never claims to be. I don't know what goes on in those warehouses, and I'm sure it's not the best of conditions for the animals, but I refuse to rely on PETA to get my information regarding this situation.

The only sickening thing about this whole thing is PETA's drive for donations and, most of all, their ignorance.

Posted by: Kelsi | April 8, 2008 10:53 AM

Kelsi-you think PETA's ignorant?!?!

What's so ignorant of them for having the balls to stick up for those that can't speak for themselves? Why, Kelsi, are you wasting our time babbling away about your employer? It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that PetSmart blows.

PETA is way more evolved than 99% of the world's population. I'd be honored to work for them.

Posted by: HannaBanana | April 8, 2008 06:50 PM

I thought this was the place to babble about PetSmart. You all spoke your piece, I spoke mine, hence the purpose of the open blog comment format. Thanks. :)

Posted by: Kelsi | April 23, 2008 05:08 PM

I think PETA is a great group and they deserve all our support. That said, my local Petsmart always has very clean cages for the smaller animals. They seem to be treated very well and have a very good disposition. Although they don't sell any cats or dogs they do house them for the local animal shelter so people can see them. I think that is great because far too often people purchase "cute" animals or pass up a wonderful companion because it isn't a kitten or puppy. My best pets (freinds) have all been strays. I feel that Petsmart, although not perfect, is by far not the worst offender. We need to stop "breeding for profit" and allowing anyone with a little start up money to start breeding animals. You have to have a license to drive, get married, or carry a gun but when it comes to having another life in your hands it's ok to do whatever you want! Sorry to rant but I am 100% tired of people that think of animals as items, things, commodities, objects, accsesories for their outfits, or "cute for Easter". Maybe PETA should take their donations and buy stock in a company committing animal wrong doing and send a person to speak on their behalf at a shareholder's meeting. 51% of the stock gives you majority rule right? I might be wrong on that.

Posted by: Nathan Christie | April 26, 2008 10:33 PM

well i think the kitty video was very awsome. second my uncle works at a petsmart as a manager and his store is very clean and i never SEE any animal dead. My grandma who works in a vet clinic says that petsmart is always bringing in sick cats,birds,lizards ect. but i agree that petsmart isnt what PETA should be attacking. i think that the pet stores in malls and pets supplies plus should be shut down. EVERY SINGLE TIME i go into pets supplies plus theres a dead or dieing ferret,rabbit,mouse,fish and always a lizard. the mice are always going in sane in their cages. one time when i was at petco there was a dwarf hampster in a cage and he would run and run on his wheel and then run out and look to see if he got anywhere.....he did this the WHOLE time i was there and that was like 45 mins.

Posted by: Brittany | April 27, 2008 06:59 PM

I was horrified by what I've just seen caught on undercover video. Thanks to PETA, the world can see what really happens behind smiles and closed doors at these pet store outlets. Hope this video will open people's eyes to what really goes on and educates them into becoming better, more aware, more conscious consumers.

Posted by: Salim | May 1, 2008 04:39 PM

I am a Pet Care Manager and have been one for at Petsmart for 3 years, before that I was a manager at a Petco and have been in the pet retail industy since I was 19, i am now 34 years old. even said this is something I am obviously passionate about. or I would not be in the business I am in. Peta needs to stop attacking Petsmart you cannot judge the company as a whole because of one store out of 1000 now by the way for not taking care of the animals infact I walked out on my job when I was with Petco leaving to go to petsmart who glad to have me. if anyone is cruel it is Petco I was with them for 7 years and was tired of how they took care of the animals they unlike us at petsmart DO NOT sell animals for food we are against that we are in the buisness to sell pets no feed animals that eat other animals. since being a pet care manager in my store I cant speak for others but in my store you wont see any animal but maybe one or two EVER that are sick, why? because if and when they need to be treated I personally take them to the vet and have well trained my staff in pet care we have strict policies and procedures on the care and well being of our animals I reinforce these rules to my staff on a day to day basis and it shows from the customers coming back day after day and complimenting us for a job well done everyime they come in they see are amimals and happy and healthy and well taken care of and it shows with the staff I have. so dont let one bad apple ruin it for the rest of us. I am with petsmart because WE DO CARE ABOUT OUR PETS YOU HAVE TO SEE THE GLASS AS HALF FULL NOT HALF EMPTY dont get me wrong i agree with peta on animal issues I come home and go on line to see whats new in their news and cry everytime I watch it. why do I shed a tear because I care about the amimals they cant take care of themselves. my father said it must have been a calling for me and meant to be in this job. for those we do not tolerate animal cruelty in my store in the state I work in and often visit others when I am out of state so please dont judge we have tests, videos, and never ending training that you under go before you can even work in the pet care. the learning and caring never stops. like I said I walked out of my job at petco of 7 years because that one store did not care and it was not fair to the animals and because I had a voice they did not like that but I did not judge other petco's because of the store i was at so to not shop at a petco or petsmart because they selling animals or are treating them cruel investigate walk the departments if that store shows they dont take care of the animals then stop shopping at that store and find anoter one, its not fair to the rest of us

Posted by: can not say sorry | May 3, 2008 10:23 PM

How many of you work for a veterinarian? I have for 15 years. Pet's are euthanized everyday, most owners do it without a second thought. Just before holidays, we have what I call the killing field. All pet's wetting in the house have to be put down before the relatives show up. We have to clean the carpet.
The general public has no idea what they are buying in pet stores. Pet are an emotional buy. People throw tons of dollars out the window on sick pets each year. That they thought were healthly.
People need to be educated on what to look for and how to find pets. If they want a mouse for their kid, find with me. Let's get them quailty, healthy pets.
The state goverments need to monitor pet breeders and pet stores. Too bad they can afford to monitor them. Local counties or humane societies should be involved with monitoring. Is the place clean, are the animals in good health?
Pet's can bring joy into a home. Help sick or depressed people. Get people moving and talking. We have no right to decide who can have a pet and who can't.
This is still the U.S.A.!
As long as they are responsible for the care of the pet they choose, thats all I care.

Posted by: Lisa | May 4, 2008 10:25 AM

I have worked at a petsmart store in Indiana for over a year now and I have never seen any type of abuse ever. I work specifically in pet care and I help take care of animals that get sick. We do not treat our animals like 'Products' we treat them like they are our own pets. Occaisonally hampsters and gerbils do get wet tail every once in a while and we do the same thing for each one. We take them to our in store vet and they give us medicene. We put them in our ICU and take care of them. We have to keep them in solitary so they don't pass it on to any other animal.

We check our pets in the morning and at night for any signs of sickness. Checking their eyes, nose, ears, and body for any signs of damage or sickness. When we sell peets to people and they bring them back do to sudden illness we take them back and treat them for the person for no charge. We care about our pets very much.

Now I can't speak for other stores but ours is nothing like a lot of people are dpeicting. Every pet deserves to have an amazing life and to be loved by a family.

We also received an award for the lowest pet lost in a year. We do care about all of our pets, from the fish to the birds to the bunnies. I know I personally get attached to each animal in the store and when one dies it feels just like one of our own pets have died.

In our store we also hold adoption days were shelters can bring all of their animals so that they can adopt them out to people.

We do not just treat the bird and small animals for sicknesses even the fish have a fish ICU where we treat them from wounds, and any other ilness they can get. If nothing can be done for the fish and it is suffering we humanly uthinize it. and NOt by smashing or physically hurting it.

Posted by: Megan | May 5, 2008 09:38 AM

I've worked for PetSmart for 3 years and I've been in two different stores in that time. I have never seen any wrong doing of any kind when it comes to the care of the animals. I personally handle all the animals at some point in time. I love to socialize the bigger birds and large reptiles. PetSmart doesn't just sell animals they also work to educate the potential pet parent. At both of the stores I worked in customers who buy animals are given verbal information about the pet that they are buying and they are also sent home with a care guide. Also, at both stores I've been in I've seen sales refused because the pet care associate wasn't convinced the pet was going to a good home or wasn't going to be used for food (in the case of mice and rats). If we at PetSmart were really all about the almighty dollar then why would we refuse sales for any reason. I mean to hear you tell it we don't care about the well being of the animal anyway so what do we care what happens to it once it leaves the store. I'm not sure where you information comes from but I think you need to know, I mean really know, what you're talking about before you run your mouths. You can say anything. And pictures and videos don't cut it with me either. What's to say in your findings there wasn't a cross section of good and bad things and you didn't just pick what served your purpose. I love animals and would NEVER do anything to harm them. Nor would I affiliate myself with any place that would. So all I have to say is "LAY OFF!"

Posted by: Chrissy | June 11, 2008 09:22 PM

Wow, all of PetSmarts' employees are being given huge bonuses this year, huh?

Posted by: Lisa | June 13, 2008 12:48 AM

I would really like to understand how PETA investigators can go into these places like Rainbow and watch animals like Angel die? I could not do that. I would have had to take her to a vet and would have found a way no matter how.

Posted by: CharleneHaney | June 17, 2008 04:19 AM

Well Megan mentions the in-store Vet. What about your store Chrissy? If the PETA investigator says Angel didn't receive Vet care I have no reason not to believe. Charlene, as an investigator you have to be willing to go the long haul otherwise you wouldn't get the full story/details of the abuse.

Posted by: NurseKat | June 18, 2008 02:47 AM