Horrors at PetSmart?

Question

I heard that the PETA has made a breaking investigation of cruelty and animal abuse by PetSmart. They've discovered "sickening conditions for small helpless animals." Also their investigation and reports from concerned customers at numerous other PetSmart stores have shown that PetSmart routinely sells sick and injured animals.

Anyone else heard about this?
If not, then more people should know. Spread the word!

btw: I'm not saying that PETA is the best source...
I'm just wondering if there is some truth to their claims.

to ericams85: learn how to spell.

Answer 1

I've heard about this, but I thought it was PetCo, not PetSmart.

Answer 2

Being someone that worked at Petsmart, I can tell you that the PETA may have a case, though I am not fond of the PETA's practices (I prefer the ASCPCA).

When I worked there, I wanted to care for the animals, but I ended up chained to the register (metaphorically, but nonethless I spent most of my time there stuck at the register.) I saw horribly kept cages for the most part and more often than not, the associates would handle the animals rather roughly.

What angered me the most is that we HAD a Banfield Vet (and they were very good people/vets) on site, and any sick and injured animal that should have gone there did not. Instead, they put them in the "sick room" and gave them minimal care. If they died, they were written off as defective merchendise. If they lived, they were stuck back in the nasty cages.

My rat, Cocoa (RIP, June 2005) was a poor little guy who was sick when I saw him in the cage. I bought him on purpose (I rescue sick and injured animals when I can) and took him to the vet. He was diagnosed with a chronic respitory infection and was prognosed with two years to live. Under my care, he lived three years.

But I'm glad someone finally conducted an investigation against them for the most part, because there are some stores out there that are horrid. I quit mine because of the cruelty they had given to the animals.

ADDED: I agree with some of the members who have answered your question, though. The PETA are very extreme and has been known to plant evidence or over-exaggerate their claims. I myself take their "news" with a grain of salt.

Also, keep in mind that my experiance was with only one of the many Petsmart stores across America, and I had heard, when I left, that Petsmart Corporate came into that store and fired a lot of people over animal cruelty.

In all honesty, I'd check with a more reputable source, such as the ASPCA and other sources before you settle down on one opinion.

I'm sorry I couldn't finish this answer until now. I was called away from the comp for a bit. O_o

Answer 3

Yeah , I've Seen A Video
It Appears To Be The Backrooms
Alot Of Hamsters And Stuff Are Dying With Wet-tail
On This Video It Says In The Morning Before The Store Opens , They Go Around Collecting The Dead Animals
If You Add Me As A Contact Or Something I'll Try Get The Video For You ;)

Answer 4

I actually got my cats at petsmart, but it was through an independent organization called the AFRP, the Animal Friends Rescue Project, who took cats from the over crowded shelters b/c they were going to get put down. The Petsmart where I live is actually really nice, the animals are in pretty large cages and all of the other creatures seem well cared for. It may just be the individual stores themselves, seeing as they are ran by individual people. Look into it more, animal abuse is rampant and extremely sad. I always do whatever I can to stop it.

Answer 5

I wouldn't take it to heart what PETA says since they have been accused of euthanizing more animals then they help. There was just a lawsuit against a couple of workers because they were caught dumping dead bodies in a grocery store dumpster. They took the animals from a local shelter. They told the shelter they would find the animals homes but instead they euthanized them and then dumped their bodies. Peta is not as innocent as they want people to believe.

Answer 6

i watched the video on there site about Petsmart, and it is sad, but let me say this:
PETA over-exxagerates things all the time, and will actaully resort to lying, just to get people's attention.
i showed my mom the video on Petsmart and she said some of that is not true, and that the animals they showed that were "denied vet care" and died from whatever" were probably already dying when Petsmart received them, because shipping animals puts a lot of stress on them. so it's not all Petsmart's fault.
Most Petsmarts have an on-staff veterinarian 24-hours a day. animals are never "denied" vet care, but from the horrible conditions that some animals arrive in, sometimes the vet can't save them.

don't believe everything PETA says, it's the breeders who are to fault. (not all breeders, just things like puppy mills)

Answer 7

I wouldn't buy a pet from a pet store because they are usually treated badly. I have never noticed anything wrong at the petsmart near me but I'm sure it happens. FYI PETA is not always the best source for information.

Answer 8

I once worked at Petsmart, I was the petcare specialist. Nothing of the sort happened at my store, but if it is happening else where shame on them. However, PETA is nothing but extreamist. They're the ones who killed 20,000 dogs a few years back. Funny isn't it? I'm an animal rights activist and a vegan, but I choose not to listen to PETA. They're full of it honestly.

Answer 9

Unfortunately, I consider PETA itself to be questionable. They will tamper with the evidence so to speak, until it tells the story they want people to hear. And frankly, their tactics are not so different from those terrorists use.

I do approve of their proclaimed aims: That of getting good conditions for all animals. It's just too bad that I'm not sure that the real aim is the same thing.

Answer 10

PETA exagerates alot of things but if this is going on then petsmart should be held reliable for the innocent creatures they are hurting

Answer 11

PETA is a stupid stupid STUPID orginazation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love animals i have 3 dogs a rat and and iguana and a reef aquerium. i love animals. Put peta is full of crap most of the time. they put dogs and cats to sleep in the back of vans in dark alleys. all pet stores have there flaws. just like every other buisness in the world. they are all nasty. restraunts and grocery stores are germ infested playgrounds do you have any idea what people do to that food? ewwww! that peta footage probably came from one store that has long been shut down, peta plays it off to look that bad to get your money. watch penn and tellers bullshit they did an episode on peta and see what crap it really is!