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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...PetSmart Would Be Wise To Stop Selling ALL Animals
Although PetSmart does not sell dogs or cats because so many of them are euthanized in shelters every year—and the company stopped selling large exotic birds three years ago for ethical reasons—the pet store chain still sells smaller birds, reptiles, hamsters, rats, chinchillas, and other animals. Most of these animals come from deplorable breeding mills, similar to puppy mills, and are treated with no more kindness and care than the tug toys and chew bones sold at PetSmart. (See www.PetSmartCruelty.com to read about PETA’s undercover investigation at Rainbow World Exotics, a breeding mill that supplies tens of thousands of animals to PetSmart.)
Just recently, former madam Heidi Fleiss attended PetSmart’s annual meeting in New York City and asked company executives to stop selling all exotic birds. Fleiss, who cares for about 20 parrots, macaws, and other tropical birds who she inherited or took in, pointed out that birds are complex, intelligent animals who require a great deal of care and commitment. “Birds are meant to fly, not be caged,” said Fleiss, who spent 21-months in prison for running a prostitution business. (The birds Fleiss cares for live uncaged on a 10-acre compound.)
In the wild, birds preen each other, fly together, play, and share egg-incubation duties. In pet stores, they’re confined to tiny cages, their wings are clipped, and many are denied the companionship of their own kind. They become aggressive and neurotic—pulling out their feathers, incessantly screeching and bobbing their heads, pecking frantically at the bars of their cages, and shaking from anxiety.
Pet stores shouldn’t put a price tag on birds and other animals—they’re living beings, not merchandise. While PetSmart has taken some commendable steps to help stop the suffering of large exotic birds, and to combat dog and cat overpopulation, the company would be wise to stop selling all animals and focus only on adopting out homeless animals from shelters and rescue groups. Since animal sales make up a small percentage of PetSmart’s annual sales, it’s not “unreasonable” for the company to stop selling them. PetSmart could better meet the needs of people with animal companions if it sold only food, toys, and other supplies.
Until then, it’s really just stupid to shop at PetSmart. If you have an animal companion, please only support pet stores and online companies that do not sell any animals. To send a message to PetSmart and find you what else you can do to help animals bred for PetSmart stores, see http://www.petsmartcruelty.com/what_you_can_do.asp. And, to sign the Care2 petition, go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/18/help-stop-animal-cruelty-in-big-chain-pet-stores.
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+ add your ownI don't shop at Pet Smart often, just because it is not that close to me. They do sponsor adoption events and other good things...HOWEVER, a while ago I saw a lizard in a glass cage there, looking out like "help me", and I can't get that little face out of my mind. They DO evidently accept imported animals to sell for pets, and I think it is just WRONG. I wanted so much to rescue that little guy! In the meantime, I just recently discovered that my Pet Supermarket also sells reptiles, and will be looking into that further. While I will be searching for local stores within distance, I have to think that unless we make it clear to the CEO of the company, no one will notice that we are not shopping at our local chain pet food store.
We have a hard time accepting things that aren't so pleasant when it pertains to things or people we may like/enjoy but eventually we all see the same light. Petsmart is one of only 2 pets stores in Vegas, Petco being the other and I wouldn't step foot in a Petco on a bet, so I too shop at Petsmart and all I ask is that we don't 'settle' as consumers. For all of the good that a company does, don't just 'accept' some of the bad, and by Petsmart selling animals, regardless of their extensive knowledge, they are in fact contributing to mills as this is where they buy their animals to sell!
As for the few posters that told of the great stores they have in their area's, count yourselves lucky but please don't assume all of the Petsmarts would receive green stars. There are 2 stores approxiamately 5 miles apart here and they are like night and day from cleanliness, to dead fish in over stocked aquariums, to the constant employee turn over. I chalk this up to management at the individual stores.
My last words on this: Video doesn't lie.
http://www.petsmartcruelty.com/
Dear Debbie Gibson and Jersey Girl: Re-read Glenna Jones's comment and tell me Ms. Gibson, why were you not offended by her coming out and blasting all for what she feels is negative reporting? She certainly doesn't have a pleasant tone to her post does she? Also JG, I've seen you post quite a bit around the Care2 forums and you seem to always argue with people, not really specifying a point, just arguing, which makes one wonder if that little tirade you unleashed on "others"(meaning me, as I'm swift enough to read between your lines), being unhappy with themselves may be something you and your therapist need to address. Lastly, to both of you contributors, aside from stepping in to slam my post, where are your thoughts on the matter? Or are you just the lookie-lou's that like to cause trouble?
PS-Jersey Girl, after you insult someone, it looks really silly to declare alls well and peace as a sign off, it makes you look even more like a simpleton.
Carol Ann: You are so right about PetSMART and it is with pleasure that I read a comment directly from a former employee proving the level of training the employees receive and the dedication of the management. I am so glad you spoke out from you own personal experience. I have declared myself a devoted shopper of PetSMART in an earlier comment. All pet stores should not be lumped together and accused of the misdeeds of some. PetSmart stands out in my mind as an entirely different kind of pet store. I will shop there always for my all my animal needs. Like you, I call PetSMART for animal advice. Too bad we cannot give green stars to commercial enterprises because these enterprises can have green standards of operation like the PetSMART chain of stores so clearly do,
PetsMart is a phenomenal store that trains all of of their employees extentively for the department where they will be working. I know because I worked there.They ALSO train them beyond that particular dept. They are a very dedicated people who love animals of all kinds, right up to the top of the line to the corporate level. I'm sure they will do what's best for the animals, whichever ones they be, in the long run. To just stop shopping there altogether is just plain ignorant when they have SO much to offer besides merchandise. I have needed to call them with questions about sqirrels, moles in my back yard,and other critters. There was always a VERY knowledgable employee who gave me important information. No, animals ARE NOT just inventory to them....
I do shop Petsmart and will continue to do so. I have rescued birds and dogs from shelters and probably wouldn't buy a bird from a store anyway, I try to get my foods and toys from local pet supply stores but if they don't have it I'll go to Petsmart.
Debbie S, I second your opinion! When I folks like Judy M.attack fellow posters, it says a lot about them! She clearly is hungry for power and is not happy unless she degrades others. There are civil and adult ways to disagree with others' comments. Only those who are unhappy with themselves feel the need to lambaste others for stating their opinions on sites designed for that very purpose.
Be Well All and Peace!
Los animalitos no son objetos que se los puede comercializar...son seres vivos que merecen tanto respeto como los otros seres vivos que habitamos este planeta.
I shop at PetSmart and have no desire to stop. I had not known until I read Heather's comment that the chain had ceased selling large, exotic birds and I think that is a great idea since those are high-maintenance birds and should only be purchased by someone who knows what long-time commitment they are making. This is free enterprise, though, and if people elect not to purchase animals in pet stores but adopt from shelters instead, that is their decision. As long as the store treats their menagerie well, and instructs those purchasing them on how to take good care of them, that should be their choice, not the government's. I think if animal shjelters better inform people of the host of animals available for adopion, maybe more would learn they do not just offer cas and dogs. I hadn't known until watching Animal Planet rescue shows that livestck, rodents, fish, even spiders and scorpions can be adopted. The more informed people are about their options, the better off animals will be. But to prohibit stores such as PetSmart from selling all animals will take that choice away from potential buyers and that to me is the wrong way to go.
Dear Judy M,
I find that your inappropriate rudeness to Glenna Jones, totally distracts from the points that you are trying to make.
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