In Defense of PetSmart

[hinoco1225]

I think another important thing to consider is that when it comes to local pet shops, the ultimate responsibility for the care of the animals falls on the shoulders of the store manager. I think that PetSmart stores should be judged the same way - on an individual store basis. Just because a lot of individual stores suck because their managers and associates don't care that things are done the way they're supposed to be doesn't mean the whole company is inhumane. The policies and procedures are very humane and they are supposed to be followed. But because of careless and cruel people in the world, that doesn't always happen.

To say something like, "The [insert animal here] at my local PetSmart is in terrible shape and therefore all PetSmarts are bad" is just not reasonable. That is a logical fallacy and an unfair generalization.

Besides, the majority of the sick animals more than likely come in that way. That's how it is at my store - we rarely have animals get sick once they are in our care. I know nothing about the places we get our animals from, so I can't speak to that.

 

[JackP308]

well tell petsmart to stock crested gecko diet powder the stuff geckos actually eat, 3 packs of bricks of eco earth coco fiber and have large healthy crickets on hand any time I want. Then maybe id not have to go out of my way to petco

 

[hinoco1225]

know one please take it offensive in any way but this is a stupid thing to argue about i hate petco and petsmart some else loves them so what who cares who hates what and who likes what i surely dont give a rats crap about who thinks what its a free world so everyone think what you want

Dude, why are you commenting on this thread if that's how you feel? Don't get me wrong - I totally respect your opinion and I'm not offended. But why would you comment to say that this is a stupid thing to argue about? I don't mean that in a derogatory way or anything, but I'm just saying don't waste your time if you don't want to talk about this.

 

[hinoco1225]

well tell petsmart to stock crested gecko diet powder the stuff geckos actually eat, 3 packs of bricks of eco earth coco fiber and have large healthy crickets on hand any time I want. Then maybe id not have to go out of my way to petco

I'll let them know. I have the big wigs on speed dial lol

 

[JackP308]

Besides, the majority of the sick animals more than likely come in that way. That's how it is at my store - we rarely have animals get sick once they are in our care. I know nothing about the places we get our animals from, so I can't speak to that.

So they get sick animals in and put them up for sale . Thats a great way to rack up good business. Maybe I just misunderstood that. They actually do have vets connected to some of the Petsmarts around here and treat animals as needed. Which is nice


Seriously if they did carry all of thee above I mentioned, Id actually go to petsmart. They just don't have the stuff I need. So petco it is. Some day I have to go to like 20 different pets stores since everyone has different stuff. From caging to lighting. I swear they are all in it together.

 

[ajb28221]

Its not just the big chain stores, there is a small family owned pet shop by me that has HORRIBLE conditions for their pets. They have 2 uromastyx in one 10 gallon cage with NO HIDES a water bowl taking up half the cage and just a small heat lamp on top. Thats absurd. I tried to tell the guy that takes care of them that they need UV or they'll get MBD, but he didn't listen, he didn't even know what they were called, and the next time I went there it was the same and he tries to put a label of what they were called and spelled it uromatic or something, they have no clue what they require, so there is flaws no matter where you go there will be people who don't care about the animals and its all about the cash.

 

[ataraxia]

they are a representative of that company period. whether it is a store in georgia or indiana it does NOT matter. they appoint/hire regional-district manager, store managers and floor associates to be a representative of the company. they are given floor plans, models, care guidelines, training to follow from CORPORATE. i have traveled many states as it was part of my job for over 10 years. i have been in many petsmart stores in many states. THEY ALL ARE RAN THE SAME.

yes many "pet stores" give wrong information but here is the main difference. when you try to help adjust or make something better at a petsmart... they cant cause they have to follow corporate..small locally owned pet shops can have ignorant owners that may not take your information but from my dealings with most they will listen and adjust what needs to because they dont have to follow corporate..

 

[hinoco1225]

So they get sick animals in and put them up for sale . Thats a great way to rack up good business. Maybe I just misunderstood that. They actually do have vets connected to some of the Petsmarts around here and treat animals as needed. Which is nice


Seriously if they did carry all of thee above I mentioned, Id actually go to petsmart. They just don't have the stuff I need. So petco it is. Some day I have to go to like 20 different pets stores since everyone has different stuff. From caging to lighting. I swear they are all in it together.

No, we don't put sick animals up for sale. Like I said in my blog, sick animals are supposed to go to the vet immediately and then they are quarantined in the Quiet Room and treated until they recover.

It is unfortunate that we get sick animals in at all (it's not often, but it does happen), and it makes me wonder where we get our animals from. But like I said, I don't know anything about that.

And I know what you mean about your PetSmart not having what you need. I completely support your decision not to shop there if your local store is not adequate.

 

[hinoco1225]

they are a representative of that company period. whether it is a store in georgia or indiana it does NOT matter. they appoint/hire regional-district manager, store managers and floor associates to be a representative of the company. they are given floor plans, models, care guidelines, training to follow from CORPORATE. i have traveled many states as it was part of my job for over 10 years. i have been in many petsmart stores in many states. THEY ALL ARE RAN THE SAME.

yes many "pet stores" give wrong information but here is the main difference. when you try to help adjust or make something better at a petsmart... they cant cause they have to follow corporate..small locally owned pet shops can have ignorant owners that may not take your information but from my dealings with most they will listen and adjust what needs to because they dont have to follow corporate..

There's really no need for the caps. I mean all of this in a good-natured way, and I completely respect your opinions. I'm just sharing my experiences with PetSmart, and you are just as welcome to share yours.

It is not true that all PetSmarts are run the same way. I know there are many bad ones - I haven't denied that. But there are some stores that are fantastic. And even if you've never seen one, that doesn't mean they don't exist. Have you been to all 1200 stores?

You're right in a way about the corporate thing. Yeah, we're not technically supposed to deviate from corporate policies, but it still happens. Just like some stores don't follow the policies in negative ways, there are some stores that don't follow them in positive ways. For example, according to our feeding charts, we are only supposed to feed packaged turtle food to aquatic turtles. But at my store, we know that it's better for them to have more variety in their diet, so we feed them fish and veggies as well. Plus, corporate policies can and do change.

 

[Cainschams]

Can you blame those places? Dey makin dat cheddah, son!! Who cares about the animals when you dont need to? Dats mo money!!!!!!

 

[hinoco1225]

Just so everyone knows, I'm not saying everybody should run out to PetSmart right now by any means. You know your local store, and if it's not adequate, don't shop there! I'm just trying to correct some of the misinformation I've seen about the company.

I want to share this comment I got on my blog (quoted with permission): "I also worked for PetSmart as a Pets Product Manager. I spent a lot of time in the Pet Care Department as well. The store that I worked in, at the time I worked there (I can not speak for now, as I have not been to that store in a long time) was run by true animal lovers. The care that these animals receive, especially if they become sick in the store, is AMAZING! I personally witnessed a hamster, that was attacked by another hamster, received approximately $1000.00 in vet treatment before it was adopted out by the store. On the other hand, I have worked for and managed other mom & pop pet stores that either fed off same situation hamster to a snake or stuck it in the freezer. PetSmart is not as bad as it is portrayed. The number of adopted dogs and cats in PetSmart stores since 1987 is staggering! With the right group of animal loving associates in any given PetSmart, the animals are treated and cared for amazingly well!"

Such a good story, and a great point about the dogs and cats. PetSmart could make so much money selling dogs and cats, but they don't. They bring in separate adoption agencies to help find homes for dogs and cats that are already out there, instead of breeding more. We even have a rabbit adoption program run out of my store.

 

[Elizadolots]

I think we need to realize that PetSmart, PetCo and others are franchises - due to the chance mix of people running and working in a given place, they're going to differ from store to store. I certainly can't justify a care sheet that says to keep baby veileds at 95 degrees, but I think there's enough evidence from what people have reported on these and other forums that some stores in the chain do a poor job - but others do a good one. My local PetCo (not PetSmart) consistently supplies me with the healthiest crickets I've bought, and their employees seem very knowledgable. They consider chameleons demanding in terms of husbandry, and do not stock them, but will special order. I know there are other stores in the chain that do stock them routinely and keep them in poor conditions; all I'm saying is we can't paint all the stores with one brush.

This is a good point and I agree completely. I also get all my crickets from PetCo.