How do I bring condition of fishes to the notice of Petsmart?

Question

I was in Petsmart few days back shopping stuff for my goldies and I stopped by their aquarium area to watch the fishes. I was heartbroken to look at the condition of those fishes and it really made me very sad. The goldies had all turned black due to bacteria infection and fungus, rotten fins and some where almost dead and others where nibbling on the dead ones and most of them where going to die because they were completely diseased. I felt it was very inhuman behaviour on the part of store and of course i understand they are doing the business but as a pet owner I felt deeply sad for those creatures. I wanted to know if other people have also observed similar scene at their local pet store or is it just my local store that treats the fishes that way? Have you ever done anything to bring it to the pet stores notice? What would be the right way of dealing with this situation without offending the owners?

Answer 1

Email the head office. You can also write, and call. That way 3 different people will hear your complaint. I have complained about similar pet issues to a variety of stores. A Pet Value (that isn't supposed to sell cats/dogs) had a small cage crammed with 5 sickly/dirty cats for a price of $80 each. I emailed the head office and they told me that this store had violated their policy and would be dealt with.

It pays to complain.

This link has their email, address, and telephone number.

http://www.petsmart.com/global/customerservice/cs_contact_us.jsp

Answer 2

Yes I saw the same thing in the same store actually (not gold fish though other fresh water fish). I did bring it to the attention of the store manager. What was explained to me is this. When a new shipment of fish come in sometimes there is 1 sick one or more (and thats all it takes) by the time they realize there is a problem (a few days later) the tanks are already infected. Now, they have their fish tanks set up on 1 filter for a section of tanks (about 9 tanks for for 1 filter), so for example there will be one wall panel that runs of the same filter. That filter is sending that virus to all the other fish. So if you noticed chances are that one section of fish were infected but not all of them. As soon as they notice a problem they start to treat the tanks. This does not stop the spread of illness quick enough to not loose some fish in the process because some illnesses move quicker than others. As far as the dead fish in the tanks, thoes should be cleaned out, but if the virus is acting very fast sometimes they can not keep up. They do try to keep healthy tanks but it is not always possible. There is no excuse for this, but most of the time the problem comes from their suppliers not the store itself. I hope I cleared this up a bit for you since I noticed the same thing and also felt something should be done to stop it.

Answer 3

Well I live in England, and Its not as bad over here, but here are a few useful pointer that work anywhere in the world.

firstly, bring the shop to the attention of the ASPCA or animals rescue/charity you have over there.

secondly, ask to see the manager of the store, and file a complaint against the store

thirdly, take some photos of the fish to give to the ASPCA as proof

Lastly, get other people, like friends, family, or any work buddies and get them to file complaints as well.

Eventually with enough complaining and persuasion, the store SHOULD change their conditions.

I just hope, that if you sell more intelligent pets there (eg dogs) that they are in a better condition that the fish sound.

Hope to be of some help...

Leonie and Merlin (the Betta)

Answer 4

I went to a Petsmart a few months back to look at their African Dwarf frogs (I have several in my tank at home) and I noticed the few they had in their tanks were all dead. After looking for awhile I saw one that was still alive and decided to take it home. I brought it up the the store manager that all their frogs except for the one I was rescuing were dead. He made it a point to call an employee to fish all the dead ones out and said he would look into it. I wouldn't be worried about offending anybody if you say something. Petsmart is a huge company and it's their job to keep the customers happy. Remember the old saying "the customer is always right?" If you are unhappy, don't be shy, let them know.

Answer 5

Make an official complaint. I'm always in aquatic departments noticing dead fish lying lifeless on the floor, maybe there for a few days until somebody tells them to take it out, they will probably have noticed this but just can't be bothered. They ARE there responsibility, but they're not fish .As long as they make money they think it's OK. But it is NOT. If official complaints don't work contact the police or RSPCA. They might be able to do something. RSPCA would be better, arrests are made through them anyway.

Answer 6

You should definitely return to the store and bring it to the store managers attention. Remain calm and say something like I know you're busy and many not be aware of the problems but.... that usually lets them know your not going to get all hostile with them or anything. Point out the problems you see, the biggest 2-3 and offer solutions. Best is the solutions cost the store very little as well. Often this works and things improve drastically at least for a short time. You can also follow up your visit with a letter thanking the manager for his time and future attention to the problems. I have done this several times and usually I see an improvement in the problems, sometimes not of course. On two occasions the manager wrote me back thanking me and offering me a job in that department to help control the problems lol.

MM

Answer 7

Talking to the sales people at a petsmart won't do much good. For the most part they are just there for the pay check. You could try reporting the store to your local SPCA and they will look into it and in need be shut down the store or fine them. That will get them to chance. Any time a store loses money they pay attion so until they change do NOT buy ANYTHING form the store and try to get others to do the same.

Answer 8

Tell your friends about what you saw,tell everyone you know. Then stay out of their store,don't spend money there. learn ways of avoiding these places. In the case of the goldfish they are treated that way because they are there to be feeders for other fish.Would you put one of these in an aquarium with healthy fish? The only things these guys are after is your money,they don't give a damn about the animals they sell. Don't spend money at any big box store when you can patronize a smaller operation that really cares. Don't reward them by going back there and spending money! Whoa,sorry about the rant, but these guys make big bucks by selling to people who don't know any better.

Answer 9

yes i have notified employees before. they tried to play it off as if it was normal behavior for that particular fish. nothing really will get done, i just simply stop shopping at those stores because i will not support a store that will not maintain its animals. i also hate it when they sell the color injected fish and the lipstick chiclids. it's mean!

Answer 10

1. Don't recommend them
2.inform local animal society
3inform Better Business Bureau,
4.recommend good reading material about pets to their employees
*5 Get a job there,and do something to improve things *