Stores #1756, #1755, and #1753
Kendall, West Palm Beach, and Tamarac, Fla.
A former PETCO manager told PETA that small animals who had escaped enclosures were trapped with glue paper and then beaten to death with screwdrivers, fed to other animals while still alive, or—as ordered by the general manager—thrown into the garbage while still alive.
Fish were “constantly … in the process of dying” while on display. Some were placed into the freezer to die, while others were left to “suffocate on a countertop.” Dying fish were also left to be “eaten alive” by tankmates.
Sick and injured animals were “often” denied veterinary care and left in the back room to die. Rats and hamsters were found there cannibalizing their litters.
Reptiles and amphibians on display were not fed for weeks. Tortoises were kept in overcrowded and filthy tanks. A reptile tank was found to contain “piles and piles” of feces and maggots.
The PETCO official responsible for coordinating proper care for animals in the stores “rarely” returned calls regarding “urgent” animal care issues and “frequently missed or overlooked large problems” with animal care during his rare visits.
Note: PETCO has been made aware of this complaint; we hope to make PETCO’s response available online soon.
February 17, 2005
Store #1838
Washington, Pa.
A former PETCO employee—who left this store because “the general manager … did not care about the animals” there—told PETA that it was a “shame” that PETCO “cannot [provide] … proper care [for] animals.” Sick and injured animals were found daily during the complainant’s time of employment. Animals arrived to the store dead and reptiles were “left to suffer” with inadequate food and dirty water. The store manager did not take the complainant’s concerns about animals seriously. The complainant wrote that (s)he wishes that “PETCO did not sell animals.”
Note: PETCO has been made aware of this complaint; we hope to make PETCO’s response available online soon.
February 16, 2005
Store #1838
Washington, Pa.
A PETCO employee told PETA that (s)he was “in shock” about how “poorly” animals were treated in this store. “Most” of the animals on display were ill. Two dozen dead snails were found on display and covered in mold. The store manager who was notified of the situation “just shrugged his shoulders.” Finches were beaten, and their feathers were plucked out by employees after they were caught. One bird “was so badly beaten that [the animal] was placed in the back room to die.”
Note: PETCO has been made aware of this complaint; we hope to make PETCO’s response available online soon.
February 12, 2005
Store #261
Salem, Ore.
A PETCO employee contacted PETA to report that animals being deprived of food and water were dying in this store. Coworkers who were asked to help the animals stated that the store was “trying to cut food costs.”
Note: PETCO has been made aware of this complaint; we hope to make PETCO’s response available online soon.
