I have seen PetCo referred to as "Evil PetCo" in some postings as well as other expressions of animosity directed toward the pet retailer. I personally prefer to shop at PetsMart, but have on some occasions shopped at PetCo when PetsMart didn't have what I needed in stock.

So, what's the deal with the negative attitude toward PetCo? What should I be wary of? Please enlighten me.

I suggest you do a search on the site to get the full story.

Here are the highlowlights:

Their primary purpose for selling rodents is feeders.
They promote live feeding.
They don't separate sexes. Consequently most of the females are pregnant.
They buy from disreputable animal mills.
Many of their animals are sick.
They promote the use of pine and cedar.

Yea, thanks for the facts. As far as big, crazy, corperation, chain stores go, petco is not cool.

There are hundreds of tragic stories because of Petco and other chain petstores that sell small animals since they purchase their animals from mills.  However, many stores take excellent care of their animals, including the one that is near me. The associate to maintains the area has rats herself and makes sure that everyone is cared for.  None of the glass housing has pine, cedar or soft wood in there and their food and water are checked on an hourly basis.  This location also has a wonderful manager who will literally take care of a problem that instance if it's brought to his attention by an employee or a customer.  I'm up there on an almost constant basis to keep an eye on the animals.  I'm not a huge advocate of PeTA but they do get the word out, even if it's in an overly zealous manner. 

It's all based on the individual stores, from what I've guessed.  However, until these stores stop buying from mills, there will always be health issues.

Amanda

One of the many things I find interesting about PetCo is that they have a sheet under care sheets on live feeding and how it is not recommended.  It discusses feeding frozen food yet they sell feeders.  

If you do a google search under Petno, you will find several sites about what they do.  They have been under much criticism and have attempted to "clean up their act".  The ones by me now use Carefresh and have the name posted on the cages of the vet they use for their sick animals.  Yet, they still sell crappy stuff and give bad advice.

They had also agreed to not sell rabbits ever again after pressure from rabbit groups, yet went back on their promise last year and some stores are now selling rabbits.  I can't remember if it's back east or the mid west but they are not selling them in So. Cal.  

I choose not to support them financially and I shop at stores that do not sell animals on order online.

I actually hold no problems with Petco. A very good friend of mine is the animal care specialist from Petco. They take VERY good care of their animals there and are very organized and friendly. I don't think it is the company that makes the store horrible. It is the PEOPLE who run the store that make it horrible. I honestly have absolutly no problem with Petco.

We got our first Petco here in Charlotte and it just opened.   Both Petsmarts were out of nutrapuffs (my rats are addicted to them!) but I resisted the urge to go and give Petco my business. 
As long as people continue to buy feeders there will be feeders being sold.  I still dont see how anyone can stand over a feeder bin and choose out of all those poor rats the lucky ones that get to live.  I mean, what do you look for in the rat that gives him or her a new chance at life? How can you possibly make that decision? What about the poor rats left behind?
I dont support the purchase of feeder rats at all.

For those of you in MI, I would like to point out I just recently found out (from working with Tiny Paws Rescue) that the Petco in Troy does not carry it's own animals and actually gives their space over to Tiny Paws for use in adoptions.  All adoptions still go through Tiny Paws, as the Petco employees do nothing but clean the cages and fill food bowls (food and bedding provided by Tiny Paws), so if you do need to do some pet store shopping or adopting please check it out.  I plan on going tomorrow since I plan a long and happy friendship with Tiny Paws. 

Just my 2 cents, there is nothing "natural" about throwing a feeder mouse in an aquarium with a snake.  Prey in the wild can escape and live another day.  Also those animals don't live in HORRIBLE conditions until they die.

I should add that I won't go to Petco unless it's absolutely necessary.  As a matter of principle, if the animals in the cages don't look happy, healthy and cared for, I'll find myself a new petstore....

I would like to point out one thing about Petco, PetSmart and any other chain type pet store.  The problem with tha lot of pet stores is that they only pay about $6-7/hr to start.  I know you can move up and make a lot more but you basically get what you pay for.  I am in no way criticizing anyone who works at these places--I have come across many knowledgeable and caring staff members at these stores but this tends not to be the norm.  How do you think they keep the prices so low?  I myself would love to work with animals but it just doesn't pay, I'm afraid. 

Petstores provide a service.  They must cater to their entire clientele.  You need to be "full-line" in order to make it work.  If fish don't sell this week, perhaps birds do.  Or reptiles.  Or rodents. 

Another question to ask yourself...would you pay a few dollars more and make a trip out of your way to pickup your pet supplies from a "mom and pop" kind of store?  I can't speak for you, but I tend to go where it is easy and cheap.  Yeah, I know I should support the local stores but quite honestly, they are REALLY far away now and tend to only have ONE kind of food and ONE kind of water bottle and ONE kind of bedding.  Do you see what I mean?  I like the large size of the chains and the vast selection.  I try to buy as much as I can from my mom and pop but they are more a fish store (I breed, show and sell trop. fish) but they are really limited in what they carry for small animals.  So, in one trip to the chain, I can take care of rats, cats, dogs, snakes and fish, too.

I could write a thesis on this subject...

Best,

RatKat

Sunilata, which PetCo was it you went to?  I've only had experience with the one here in South Portland, so I can't speak for any of their other stores around here.

The one here sells ferrets, guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice rats, various reptiles, fish, and a variety of parrots and other birds.  More often than not, the only rats they have are feeders, as well as the mice.  I went in there during my lunch at work (I work in the same plaza and will check in on them if I've got plenty of time before I go home - don't want to risk bringing anything home to my kids), they had two rat sized 'bins' stuffed with feeder mice, had one "fancy" rat, and the rest were feeders.

They DO generally keep them on safe bedding, but they get crap food, I've seen plenty of dirty cages, etc.  The fish tanks are almost always disgusting, and it's almost impossible to find a sales associate there to help you, nevermind one that actually knows what they're talking about!

I know this is a store I'll never give my business to.  Especially after this summer...

The simple fact that there are "good" stores and "bad" stores bothers me. The company has policies... ALL stores should follow it.

You know the phrase "one bad apple can spoil the whole bunch..." ? For me, it applies in this case. I won't even shop in a good Petco, because bad ones exist. *shrug* My choice.