I hope this isn’t just me…
I am sick and tired of going into “Pet Stores” and finding completely incompetent staff. There is a big chain pet store in my town and I have seen the staff do things that literally made my eyes tear up. Not only does the staff feed customers misinformation about the actual animal, but they also suggest products that are wrong for them as well. Do not even get me started on what they keep them in … let’s just say Rabbit + Fish Tank + Heat Light. I have also seen abuse towards these animals, such as throwing rabbits around, picking them up by the tails and laughing as the poor little guy screams. This is not one instance as people see it all the time. I tried to talk to the manager three times, but got rejected and insulted. So I emailed the company and now I have a meeting with the CEO in a few days. The only reason why I go into this store is because there is no other in town. I know that not all pet stores are like this, as I have been in some that are into animal welfare, and only adopt out animals from the SPCA.
I was wondering if this was just happening here, or are there any other places that are like this as well. Also, will talking to the CEO be enough? I am going to bring this out to the public if nothing is resolved from the meeting. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks!

Most pet stores = evil.
I use a small one near my house for my fish food and stuff but I would never buy an animal from one.

I like going to pet stores. I always feel badly for the animals. I want to buy them all up. I don't trust the opinions of the people at pet stores. I go by instinct instead. As long as the sell food at a good price, I need to shop there, but I stay away from the animals. I can't afford another one.

I like going to pet stores. I always feel badly for the animals. I want to buy them all up. I don't trust the opinions of the people at pet stores. I go by instinct instead. As long as the sell food at a good price, I need to shop there, but I stay away from the animals. I can't afford another one.
I hope that you know buying an animal from a pet store would only encourage the pet store to keep selling them and keep buying from places that breed them. Buying animals from a pet store is a very bad idea.

I understand that too, I just feel so bad for those animals behind the glass. I just cuddle with them and take care of them for reals.

Yeah, I know. It's hard to see.

I was wondering if this was just happening here, or are there any other places that are like this as well. Also, will talking to the CEO be enough? I am going to bring this out to the public if nothing is resolved from the meeting. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Thanks!
I think what you're doing is good. Document, document, document, and take pictures/videos when you can. Otherwise the CEO will blow you off, and the news might not believe you.

Our PetSmart and PetCo seem to take good care of their pets. (Still wish they wouldn't sell any animals). But our PassPets is very crappy and sells puppy mill dogs.

Some petshops are good, some are not. Some petshop are not downright cruel, but do some questionable practices.

For instance the local petshop here has many healthy, well cared for tropical fish but they also sell dyed fish.

When getting a new animal,it's best to check shelters and rescue first.
Unless of course it's the kind of petshop that also has rescue animals.

The way I am, I'm ok with breeding, but existing animals need homes first. Nobody should be breeding more of an animal if some of them are in need of homes. Once that's taken care of, you can go ahead and breed or support breeding.

I think of it as a hierarchy, first adopt rescued animals, if none are found, search for private breeders and if you can't find any then get a petshop animal.

But avoid supporting any bad petshops even for a pseudo rescue. A purchase of a poorly taken care of petshop animal isn't really a true rescue as many know.

Two of my mice came from the local petshop. They were cared for, healthy and are becoming friendly mice who climb into my hand. Before I bought my mice, I searched around for two weeks and advertised on three message boards.

My other two mice come from a shelter an hour away, I already knew about these mice when I bought mine but I'm not good at long distance driving so I thought I couldn't get them. I found most of the rescue mice at a five hour driving radius. I'm happy to get them after seeing them advertised on petfinder the entire time I was searching for local mice.

I never cared for any of them until a Petsmart came to our city. The staff there seems very knowledgable and friendly. Plus, they always have the cat adoption center, adoption drives and the Petsmart charities program. The only thing I don't like is that they still sell some live animals (like birds, fish & rodents), but hopefully some day that will change...

I avoid pet shops at all costs, mainly because I am a wimp and can't take it. I occasionally go into Feed Barn (they do not sell animals, only pet food) when my daughter's cockatiel needs seed. It's his fav.

The PetSmart by me takes real good care of their animals. The only animals they sell are fish, birds and small rodents. The cats that are there are from rescue organizations and are up for adoption.

The pet store here is an independent & I'm friendly with the owner.
I help him with guinea pigs & chinchillas- sexing them, care tips.
He has a v. good heart: he is always taking in rescues, rehabilitating them & sometimes giving them, *free*, to good homes.
He sells top-notch pet supplies too, so he's not cruel in the sense of telling new owners to feed Hagen or whatever crap to the pets.

The PetSmart by me takes real good care of their animals. The only animals they sell are fish, birds and small rodents. The cats that are there are from rescue organizations and are up for adoption.
That's how all PetSmarts and Petcos are now. Mainly due to backlash from the animal welfare and animal rights movement. Our local PetSmarts have both been very accomodating to our rescue organization and we have cats there around the clock sometimes and dogs there several times a month.

Just a little update.....

I talked to the man who I was supposed to talk to. He was very concerning at first, then he offered me a gift certificate in trade that I wouldn't make a bigger deal out of it. I was very insulted, and I told him he can forget his little 'gift'. It made me so angry, now I am planning on raising some hell (figurativly speaking), in a non- violent way of course. :)

Just a little update.....

I talked to the man who I was supposed to talk to. He was very concerning at first, then he offered me a gift certificate in trade that I wouldn't make a bigger deal out of it. I was very insulted, and I told him he can forget his little 'gift'. It made me so angry, now I am planning on raising some hell (figurativly speaking), in a non- violent way of course. :)
He tried to bribe you? What a jerk..
You did good by turning it down. Good luck trying to bring a stop to such cruelty. Please keep us informed of anything new!

Wow, I can't believe that guy tried to give you a gift voucher to shut you up. It's like he doesn't get it at all. It's going to be so much worse for him now. Unbelieveable.

Stick to it