whats the worst chain petstore iyo??

[Jendee]

So we all hate chain pet stores lol which one is your worst rated?

[citysnakes]

any pet store that sells animals...

[infernalis]

any pet store that sells animals...

Love that answer Julian..:Wow:

I obtain my animals from breeders and buy my other supplies online.

[Lankyrob]

I guess we are kinda lucky in that the big pet store here (Pets at Home - sorry wayne if i am not meant to name) is inspected monthly by the RSPCA (Royally sponsored charity that is backed by the police and government to ensure animal rights).

They have very clean cages, well looked after animals and cheap supplies. They are not allowed to keep any animal unless a minimum of two staff on every shift are qualified to care for that animal. We have been waiting 18months for them to stock Corns as they are still training all their staff.

[marvelfreak]

Petco and petsmart are the only two chain pet stores around here.

[presspirate]

Petco and petsmart are the only two chain pet stores around here.

And they both suck. The only thing petco has going for it around here is Saturday is adoption day, and the local shelters bring in cats and dogs for adoption. Aside from that all of the supplies are over priced, the animal selection is slim. (Except for fish) And the staff are poorly trained. (Except in the fish department.) $7.00 for a large rat? Are they out of their minds?

[Sapphyr]

Same here for Petco/Petsmart only. Except, Petco is worthless here and Petsmart is good. They haven't told me wrong information yet and they also have a permanent adoption center to the right side of the store. Permanent place for the Lexington Humane Society to find new homes for their animals. It's especially good since Petsmart is popular around here and LHS is a No-Kill humane society, meaning they really need to get some animals off their hands in order to keep taking them in.

The big adoption day for Petsmart, here, is usually Saturday when around 3 - 5 other local humane societies come in with a handful of their animals to try and get them adopted out. Rescue groups also come in to find new homes for their animals. Some people come in on Fridays. One of the Friday groups that comes in is a rescue group for neglected dogs(dogs that are left outside 24/7 in poor conditions or abused).

I remember back when it was first built... They even had a horse section and a horse care center.. but they plowed that over for more space. I'm guessing it wasn't as profitable as anticipated, what with Kentucky being the world's Horse Capital.

So, I'd say our Petsmart is pretty good.. but Petco is super lame. They only sell fish, I think. They have no form of special programs(adoptions). Mainly just a supply store.. and fish.

Edit: I also take my puppy over to Petsmart for training and socialization. I'm glad to know everyone in his class has had their vaccinations. Petsmart also has a clinic in the store and a grooming area where you can schedule Petsmart to give your dog a trim, nails clipped, etc. Though, I groom my own dogs and trim+sand their nails. LOL So they don't get my money for that.

[marvelfreak]

And they both suck. The only thing petco has going for it around here is Saturday is adoption day, and the local shelters bring in cats and dogs for adoption. Aside from that all of the supplies are over priced, the animal selection is slim. (Except for fish) And the staff are poorly trained. (Except in the fish department.) $7.00 for a large rat? Are they out of their minds?
This is why i go to a owner operate pet store. I do get my Reptile Bark at Petsmart, because i save almost $10.00 on the big bags.

[NennaMeerkat]

Petco by far. Though I would NEVER buy a reptile from anything but directly from a breeder. Made that mistake with Petco, a ball python (they were on sale for less than 50 bucks) but after 3 days it ended up showing bad signs of neurological problems...like not knowing which way was up...and when I demanded my money back they played it off as if it were somehow my fault. Hell I didn't even have time to feed it once. It was very sad and I felt sorry for the snake.

[Sapphyr]

Petco by far. Though I would NEVER buy a reptile from anything but directly from a breeder. Made that mistake with Petco, a ball python (they were on sale for less than 50 bucks) but after 3 days it ended up showing bad signs of neurological problems...like not knowing which way was up...and when I demanded my money back they played it off as if it were somehow my fault. Hell I didn't even have time to feed it once. It was very sad and I felt sorry for the snake.

That's terrible Nenna :c Poor thing :< They should have given you a refund. :l

[infernalis]

Petco sold us an Iguana that was sick, it died in my hands on Christmas eve.

I took it back and they wrote "defective" on the box and tossed it in the trash.

No remorse, no apologies for ruining our daughter's Christmas or anything.

Never bought another animal from them again since... and that was years ago.

[brandes]

petco killed my bird...........

[NennaMeerkat]

Petco is a heartless ******* when it comes to animals. I will say that as far as small mammals go my 2 female rats I got for valentines last year (hubby bought them) from petsmart are doing great. Healthier than a rat I bought from a rat breeder years and years ago.

[blindfireak40]

Yikes. The more and more I hear about chain stores, the more I feel as though mine's an anomaly. All we've got is a Petsmart, and while the supplies are pretty overpriced (6 pinkies for 11 bucks?? Gimme a break), they have a relatively good group of staffers for fish/reptiles. Herp manager even asked me when I was last in buying a new hide how 'Celli was doing, what I'd named him, and has ALWAYS exhibited actual care about the animals (See my thread titled anti-rant :) )

So based on personal experience, I'd have to say I LIKE pet chains. In fact, the locally-owned store that was around back when I had my ball was pretty scrummy, and rather impersonable. I don't know if I live in the Twilight Zone or what lol

Although, waaaaaaaaaay back, I got my ball from PetCo with a large, highly advanced mite civilization building itself on him, so I guess my vote goes to PetCo as the loser (winner??) lol

[Sapphyr]

.. Wow... Wayne that's one of the saddest things I've heard :c .. Well, in a long time, at least... The whole 'dying in my hands' thing takes me back to when I had to put down my kitten and she died in my arms. Nothing could be done for her and she was suffering, I saw it in her eyes. They were going to put her in with all the other dead cats(which would go to a landfill), but I demanded to have her back so she could be buried at home. I was so mad to find they'd frozen her corpse over the night. Anyways.

It makes it even worse that they just threw the poor thing in a box labeled 'Defective' and threw it in the trash.. That's just heartless.. :l .. See, this is why I have issues with general society.

Oddly enough.. I think my iguana came from Petco. Bought her in Florida for $25... but she lived for 6 months.

Never knew Petco could be such monsters... I vote we boycott Petco.

[presspirate]

.. See, this is why I have issues with general society.


I don't think you'll find a person on here that doesn't have an issue with general society. I have several.:freakedout:

[Sapphyr]

I don't think you'll find a person on here that doesn't have an issue with general society. I have several.:freakedout:

Yeeeeyyy! :D We're all on the same boat~

[infernalis]

I don't think you'll find a person on here that doesn't have an issue with general society. I have several.

That's why I chose to live in the middle of nowhere..

When people you consider friends lie and steal, it gets easier and easier to shut them all out.

As soon as we can make it happen, we are moving back into the lot deeper and further back from the street, even if I have to survey the house off and sell it to get the money to put another back in the woods with a 1/2 mile gated driveway.

[blindfireak40]

As soon as we can make it happen, we are moving back into the lot deeper and further back from the street, even if I have to survey the house off and sell it to get the money to put another back in the woods with a 1/2 mile gated driveway.

Woohoo Fort Wayne!! And during the summer, you can use Chomper as a guard Sav!! :D

[Damion930]

Kinda fits here lol new reptile store opening localy im going to check it out today hoping for the best

[whoaxmary]

;/ Well, I can't say I'm a fan of any chain petstores, luckily I'm from a small town so I don't have a choice but to buy online/from small buisnesses. Just had to comment on the post above me... I have no idea what kind of clinic you're taking your pets to Sapphyr. o.o Where I work, if an owner can't afford for an urn and ashes, we still will send the animal to be cremated, and communally buried. Not to the landfill! D: As for freezing the cat... Trust me... It would of been just as stiff; and way more stinky, by the time you got it back.
This thread is really sad. Exactly why I try not to buy from petstores unless I'm desperate.

Edit:"Whoops , didn't notice there was another page after the post I was looking at; sorry guys!

[mld]

Sorry, I can't answer this question, we have none of those here, only 1 petstore that I try not to support if I don't have to. If there was a category for other then maybe I could.

[Sapphyr]

;/ Well, I can't say I'm a fan of any chain petstores, luckily I'm from a small town so I don't have a choice but to buy online/from small buisnesses. Just had to comment on the post above me... I have no idea what kind of clinic you're taking your pets to Sapphyr. o.o Where I work, if an owner can't afford for an urn and ashes, we still will send the animal to be cremated, and communally buried. Not to the landfill! D: As for freezing the cat... Trust me... It would of been just as stiff; and way more stinky, by the time you got it back.
This thread is really sad. Exactly why I try not to buy from petstores unless I'm desperate.

Edit:"Whoops , didn't notice there was another page after the post I was looking at; sorry guys!

Oh he's a good doctor, it's just.. I dunno. I guess people aren't that nice 'round here. I wouldn't of wanted her cremated anyways. Some people don't think it's bad, but I'd rather not have my darling's corpse set aflame.

Around here, the choices are let them handle it(which ultimately means Landfill), paying for cremation, or taking the animal, yourself and doing something with it. So, I asked to have her back. We bought a clear tupperware container, just big enough for her to lay in. The night she was at the vet's I'd sewn a little pillow out of fabric cut out from my blanket. Put the pillow at one end of the container and layed her little head on it, then put her favorite little bunny doll with her and pulled a tiny little fuzzy blanket over her and put the lid on it and buried her.

Later that night we bought a slab that read,"If tears could build a stairway, and memories a lane, I'd walk right up to heaven and bring you home again." We placed it over the area she was buried. Unfortunately the stone has cracked into 3 or 4 large pieces now. Every spring I pick a white flower from the blossoming trees and wedge it between a crack in the stone and sit there a while. I still wish what happened hadn't of happened, but ya can't really do anything about it.

Over here it's actually illegal to bury animals... but I say screw the law. I'm burying my baby one way or another. Some nonsense about polluting the water. We have to bury whoever passes at nightfall because of this. I think it's a stupid law. Animals die all the time and rot away in someone's yard.

[Jendee]

Ive bought reptiles from petco and petsmart. (lizards and geckos) they all died!! even after countless vet trips..yes I took my little 14 dollar geckos to the vet. You would have been surprised at how much I had to defend myself over that lol

Plus they are over priced..People that know I have snakes walk up to me and are like Im gonna get this red-tail boa or ball python from petco. It is so in so dollars..I always respond with a date and time for a reptile show and direct them there...but sadly they always go to the petstore *sighs* when I first started I did too though. I just feel that is our only problem in this hobbie is most first time reptile buyers walk into a petstore and get the wrong first time info out the door. If our new herpers were better educated wed have more positive stories :D

[Lankyrob]

I guess thats where licensing could be helpful, if we all had to pay a small fee for a license that money could be used to educate new owners before a license is issued to them. I end up spending inordinate amounts of time in our local pet store cos the staff knwo we have reptiles and the store is just starting to stock them, they are always asking how our lot are and questions about husbandry etc. The big difference between them and what i hear about US stores is that these guys do really seem to care that the reptiles are kept well and sold on with the right information given and questions asked.

Yesterday they wouldnt even sell a guy a goldfish because he had only just bouight a tank and didnt have it set up with filters etc. They check taht the tank is running for at least ten days before you can buy a goldfish!

[presspirate]

I agree with you there Rob. I don't think I would have bought my first snake if I had needed a license. Now, however I would gladly pay a licensing fee to keep my snakes.

I think the people who work the aquatic department at our local petco are the only educated people at the store. The problem is they think they because they know fish, they know all of the pets they sell.

After the last reptile show, where I picked up our little Jungle x Coastal I had to stop at petco and grab a small heat mat. I brought the snake in with me as I didn't want to leave him in a hot car. Two of the employees stopped and commented on the nice king snake I had. And one had to make sure that I knew about the snakes shed cycle. Which was fine, but she did it in such an elitist way that I just shook my head , muttered to myself and walked away from her.

[Jendee]

"And one had to make sure that I knew about the snakes shed cycle. Which was fine, but she did it in such an elitist way that I just shook my head , muttered to myself and walked away from her."

LOL

[Sapphyr]

I agree with you there Rob. I don't think I would have bought my first snake if I had needed a license. Now, however I would gladly pay a licensing fee to keep my snakes.

I think the people who work the aquatic department at our local petco are the only educated people at the store. The problem is they think they because they know fish, they know all of the pets they sell.

After the last reptile show, where I picked up our little Jungle x Coastal I had to stop at petco and grab a small heat mat. I brought the snake in with me as I didn't want to leave him in a hot car. Two of the employees stopped and commented on the nice king snake I had. And one had to make sure that I knew about the snakes shed cycle. Which was fine, but she did it in such an elitist way that I just shook my head , muttered to myself and walked away from her.

LOL King snake.. That's hilarious.

At any rate, I can't really be mad at Petsmart.. I've had nothing but good experiences with them. Bryan is my trainer and he's a great, funny guy, and I know one of the cashier ladies absolutely adores my little puppy and loves to make over him when she's not tending to people purchasing items. Even still, if I'm around she'll stare at my puppy while helping people. She loves him 'cause it reminds her of her dog, say he looks exactly like her. I'll also be browsing around with him after class, and also on fridays(he's not with me then) and employees will frequently walk up and ask if I'm looking for anything or need something, or they walk by and make a cute comment about the puppy as they pass. I've talked to the reptile department before, also who runs it, and expressed concern about some reptiles I've seen that didn't look their best(like once there was a snake who still had some shed left on his head), and they'd already known about it. They also haven't told me any wrong information on this or that reptile by far. I've just had really good experiences with them, but I know not every Petsmart has the same people and all that, so there's probably some out there was than mine...

Although, it seems as if I've heard nothing but bad about Petco stores all over... It really aggrivates me to hear such horrible things.. I think it's sad Wayne's iguana died in such a way, sad that Nenna's BP died, that all of Jen's geckos and lizards died. Sad because it's Petco's fault that they carelessly sell ill, poorly managed animals just for the money, having no heart or love for the animals.

I still vote that Petco should be boycotted. I'm really sick of hearing all this coming from them, and it just enrages me that they willingly do this sort of thing.

[Shmoges]

I am suprized more ppl don't like petsmart, maybe they arn't as prolific as petco. They have worse prices than petco and even more ridiculous hoops to jump through if you happen to mention your buying a mouse for a feeder lol. I laugh how they have normal corns then fancy corns then separate amel corn tank setups with all different prices with out even sexing them or genetic info.

We actually just bought substrate for our new ksb tank from petco, last time we got sand and holy hell it was $30 for 20 lbs. of sand this time we are trying crushed english walnut husk, much cheaper $12.

[brandes]

wait wait, i ment petcetera, i dont even know if petco is in canada, petsmart and petcetera are the only pet chains i know in canada

[Sapphyr]

I am suprized more ppl don't like petsmart, maybe they arn't as prolific as petco. They have worse prices than petco and even more ridiculous hoops to jump through if you happen to mention your buying a mouse for a feeder lol. I laugh how they have normal corns then fancy corns then separate amel corn tank setups with all different prices with out even sexing them or genetic info.

We actually just bought substrate for our new ksb tank from petco, last time we got sand and holy hell it was $30 for 20 lbs. of sand this time we are trying crushed english walnut husk, much cheaper $12.

I will admit, Petsmart is quite pricey... but as far as animal quality and customer service goes, I'd say it's really good, at least at my Petsmart.

[blindfireak40]

I guess it's definitely a store-to-store basis on the Petsmart thing...Like you said, Sapphyr, I've had nothing but good experiences with them. My local one even keeps track of the alleged genetics of the corns they get in...they have little clipboards for each snake with feeding, shedding, and what the breeder said their genetic makeup was. Pretty good for a chain, I'd say.

[Brandonwickholm]

yea ill have to agree with the petsmart thing, they are very over priced and the only problem i've had from them was that my first bearded dragon took like 3 weeks later than they said it would have arrived in their store, but i guess thats not even really their fault haha. but there is one pet store in my city called pj's pets or something like that i dont know haha but their store is absolutely disgusting! i feel bad for all the animals in their, they have a tank like maybe a 40 gallon tank with like 5 balls in it and their water bowl is full of green stuff.. i already told them that they should have cleaned it and i went back 2 days just to see and they still havent changed the water.. its been like.. 2 months. makes me sick.

[Lankyrob]

You want to report them to the authoritys, we found a reptile shop near us where the animals had no water, zero places to hide, old sheds and faeces in their enclosures - was disgusting so we reported them and went back a fortnight larer and they had closed down!

[Brandonwickholm]

i think i may do that, ive been thinking about it but i didnt know how much one person would do against a chain pet store

[Lankyrob]

Its all down to the authority that inspects the store. The RSPCA in the uk are pretty good and backed up by the legal system. Trouble is if noone complains then nothing will ever happen, your one complaint might be the one that makes an authority take notice.

[Brandonwickholm]

i think ill go into town tonight then and complain haha, the animals dont deserve to be in such crappy environments

[Lankyrob]

Good plan, hope it works.

[danarchy911]

It's awful to read all of these stories! D': my heart goes out to all of you.

when i moved up to denton and had my heart set on getting a gtp, i called all around the Dallas/ Fort Worth area and about two hours later i found a shop who insisted i drive an hour out to see the snake.

when i got there i made the mistake of pronouncing a locale wrong, and the owner was hesitant on me buying him. i had to go back two more times before he trusted me enough to buy him. that night i did my usual inspection on him (since he was wild caught) and found mites. i called my guy the next day, he couldn't stop apologizing and insisted on me not taking him to a vet but bringing him in and letting their vet treat him free of charge. my baby unfortunately lost the mite battle a week later, and when i told the owner what had happened he was practically in tears over the phone, for causing me that stress and losing one of his snakes. he then put me in contact w. an importer in aru and gave me the name of a local breeder, who would both be willing to not ask for any money just a good safe home for their snake. long story short, hank is healthy as ever and i have a great relationship w. the shop owner.

all of their animals are either bred by the employees' are from local shelters, or the facilities they get their animals from have personally been inspected by the owner. the amount of work they put in and knowledge they all have is really incredible and comforting. it makes up for the gas money i spend on the drive over there.


sorry this story is so long :/

[Jendee]

It's awful to read all of these stories! D': my heart goes out to all of you.

when i moved up to denton and had my heart set on getting a gtp, i called all around the Dallas/ Fort Worth area and about two hours later i found a shop who insisted i drive an hour out to see the snake.

when i got there i made the mistake of pronouncing a locale wrong, and the owner was hesitant on me buying him. i had to go back two more times before he trusted me enough to buy him. that night i did my usual inspection on him (since he was wild caught) and found mites. i called my guy the next day, he couldn't stop apologizing and insisted on me not taking him to a vet but bringing him in and letting their vet treat him free of charge. my baby unfortunately lost the mite battle a week later, and when i told the owner what had happened he was practically in tears over the phone, for causing me that stress and losing one of his snakes. he then put me in contact w. an importer in aru and gave me the name of a local breeder, who would both be willing to not ask for any money just a good safe home for their snake. long story short, hank is healthy as ever and i have a great relationship w. the shop owner.

all of their animals are either bred by the employees' are from local shelters, or the facilities they get their animals from have personally been inspected by the owner. the amount of work they put in and knowledge they all have is really incredible and comforting. it makes up for the gas money i spend on the drive over there.


sorry this story is so long :/

Thats awesome!! I love to hear that they questioned selling to you with the locale slip up. I think its soo important that people are knowledgeable before purchase and its awesome that they seek that!! They even offered to pay for vet cost and replaced the animal for free!! WOW!! What was this place called? was it in Dallas??

[danarchy911]

it's plano pets haha gtps are illegal to sell (possibly to own too) in dallas

[emilybier]

Petco definitely.

[candyraver69]

And they both suck. The only thing petco has going for it around here is Saturday is adoption day, and the local shelters bring in cats and dogs for adoption. Aside from that all of the supplies are over priced, the animal selection is slim. (Except for fish) And the staff are poorly trained. (Except in the fish department.) $7.00 for a large rat? Are they out of their minds?

I guess you've had different luck than me. Most the fish departments at our petcos BLOW compared to some online sources and even the aquatic specialists often haven't a clue about anything. I guess it just really varies on the particular store, some might get lucky and have someone with a clue.

[candyraver69]

So based on personal experience, I'd have to say I LIKE pet chains. In fact, the locally-owned store that was around back when I had my ball was pretty scrummy, and rather impersonable. I don't know if I live in the Twilight Zone or what lol



I hate pretty much all pet stores. Occasionally there will be a good mom and pop one, but even those most of the time suck, and yes, sometimes worse than the chains. Here PETA is on the chains like crazy and the little places can get away with far worse conditions for their animals usually. Another factor other than the staff is the actual breeders/dealers behind the scenes. Here every petco and petsmart in town gets their animals from the same place. The smaller shops often get them there too, but will occasionally have something a customer brought in for trade, or hobby breeder was selling, etc. I gotta say if you are anywhere near Denver avoid petstores like the plague for ANY kind of animal aside from the adoption centers where the animals don't come from that breeding company/dealer.

[Mr Coffey]

I've sadly only been to Petsmart. However; I love it.

Everyone loves me to bring in my little beardie, and grown a friendship with a lot of em at my local petsmart. However, when it comes to enclosers, rocks, ect.. I'll make it myself. Ha, too much money to be buying everything I want.

[Nektu]

I can't stand petco or petsmart. Overpriced houses of torture selling animals that are screaming to be freed from the bondage of their oppressors. I especially feel sorry for the animals locked away in the prisons enclosed within the walls and confines of malls. Those have got to be the worst.

Then again, there are some "specialty" places that drive me nuts. Mostly because of the price gouging they do. And just when you think they only specialize in a few types of animals, they surprise you and add something to their inventory that they never had before.

There for I say FREE THEM ALL!!!!

[TheBoaKeeper]

Petco sold us an Iguana that was sick, it died in my hands on Christmas eve.

I took it back and they wrote "defective" on the box and tossed it in the trash.

No remorse, no apologies for ruining our daughter's Christmas or anything.

Never bought another animal from them again since... and that was years ago.

That's quite sad honestly. I don't go to PETCO never shopped there most likely never will. I only go to Petsmart because I have a puppy and has insurance on it for vaccines and check-ups. Some staff are poorly-trained, and living in an urban-area doesn't make it very well either.

I buy most of my items only, I'd rather pay shipping I can't be arsed with local pet chains.

[stephanbakir]

Pet stores can be gold mines sometimes. A friend walked into "petsmart" and bought what they call "fancy ball pythons" for 150$C.... It was a spider, almost a year old with no mites or scars eating live, it took f/t within a month and has been on them since.

That being said, most pet stores don't have staff who know enough to care for the animals properly, the few who do are noticeable.

[zer213]

Petsmart here isnt too bad, but Superpetz IMO was the worst one. I was soooo glad when it shut down. It was like watching those videos with starving children. Awful. Petsupplies Plus is so-so, but they are really cheap on taking proper care of animals.

[fflamingmoe]

I think Pet Value is pretty bad.

[serpentshideawa]

Plano pets is nice the main guy chip breeds various snakes and lizards and they tend to keep the cages clean and they have a gtp as a mascott his name is boomer big guy he is

[drtmgrt]

I just don't go. support your local pet shop/breeder.

[LLinz]

The town I live in doesn't have a pet store. I am actually thinking of opening a pet supply store with an area for humane society adoptions...
The only pet store I go to is a certain pet value, the owner there is amazing and knows everything!