petco is evil

[rosy boa]

petco stinks they dont do anything to take care of their pets and all you guys complain but never do anything you still buy supplies from them we've got to stop buying from them

[python person]

petco stinks they dont do anything to take care of their pets and all you guys complain but never do anything you still buy supplies from them we've got to stop buying from them

[RioBravoReptiles]

I think there are many examples of how the modern business model or Wal Mart model, is not the very best thing for live animals caught up in the whole deal.
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Some Petco (or other large retailers) do better than others with their livestock, perhaps all could make improvements. If the small percentage of people who are caring enough to read these forums and know how animals should be kept and treated do as you suggest and stop visiting places like Petco they may or may not notice.. but there will then be only the balance of buyers who do not know or care left as Petco customers. This will only enforce their way of treating the reptile inventory as disposable and replaceable.
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The only way to fix things is to get involved. A boycott could only be useful as part of an overall plan to communicate with the stores towards them changing their ways.. But consider also ways in which we are all responsible for this situation, where many reptiles are treated as low-priority inventory.. The next time you refuse to pay extra for a nice animal that is priced more than what you see on some dealer's list you are in effect saying you do not place any extra value on a healthy reptile pet over any other.
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In my opinion, if you want instant action from Petco go online and get the E-mail of someone in their Customer Service department and send them links to these discussions.
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Gus.

[VoodooChile]

YAY!!! Well said Gus...

I agree...sometimes I dont think they know what they are even doing wrong..Talk to the manager, if that doesnt work, go to someone over his head...if enough ppl do it, they will pay attention..
However, there are ways to speak to someone TACTFULLY with out coming across as a know it all jerk

[rosy boa]

we should do something to inform the people who always go to petco. maybe then the people who always go to petco will realize that petco is a terrable place for reptiles and petco will lose money

[VoodooChile]

I think its a great plan...but I hate to discourage you...but I dont think the majority would get it.
Most people that frequent our PetCo are dog people or cat people..Petco is more geared to dogs, cats, birds, fish....Even their rodents are usually pretty well taken care of here...I cant speak for any other locations..
The only place I have REALLY seen things I felt that could use improvements was in the reptile area...
If I had the time and could afford to work there PT, I would. Even as volunteer. Perhaps that is something those who are geared to it, and able to do it could offer to do..
I still think Gus is on the right track with information/education...Tell them politely your concerns..Maybe get a few people in your area to do the same..If you dont see improvements, go over that person's head...
Otherwise, short of camping out in the store and harassing customers..I dont know much more you could do.

[python person]

this is only going to work if you stop buying from petco thay give you unhealthy animals we need to stop buying from their ok then every ones getting bad animals and they get money for doing that and it's not fair so every one stop buying from petco suo they dont rip us of and give us sick animals

[Nexus]

Although Petco maybe a terrible place (I don't think we have them in the UK), they are obviously filling a position in the market that is making money, and I am assuming that reptiles only make up a small percentage of their overall sales, so the few people that are dissuaded from going their will have next to no effect on them. As Gus says the better option would be to try and improve the level of care / experience that the staff have/give in more proacitive ways, without becoming to confrontational as people will just shut down and not listen anymore. Boycotting them is not going to improve the lot of the animals that are their and the future ones that will take their place.

Cheers
Nick

[VoodooChile]

Originally Posted by Nexus

Although Petco maybe a terrible place (I don't think we have them in the UK), they are obviously filling a position in the market that is making money, and I am assuming that reptiles only make up a small percentage of their overall sales, so the few people that are dissuaded from going their will have next to no effect on them. As Gus says the better option would be to try and improve the level of care / experience that the staff have/give in more proacitive ways, without becoming to confrontational as people will just shut down and not listen anymore. Boycotting them is not going to improve the lot of the animals that are their and the future ones that will take their place.
Cheers
Nick

I guess Im invisible again, or on Ignore...LOL
I've been sayin the same thing!!!!!
Are you guys ignoring me? poor me

[rosy boa]

we should teach the employees about them so they actually know how and the pets will live longer. and if that doesn't work then we could boycott and if that doesn't make them lose money then we should get people to go to petco

[Nexus]

Sorry Amercnwmn, definitely wasn't planning on ignoring you

And Education is definitely the better route.

Cheers
Nick