PetSmart in Hot Water Over Dead Dog, Birds and More
Is PetSmart too big to do a good job with live animals of any kind? That’s the question that comes to my mind when I read the following stories.
One PetSmart let a dog there to be groomed get loose and then get out of the store and killed. Now it comes out that PetSmart employees are performing rabbit neutering without appropriate veterinary procedures and they have scads of dead birds.
Now I have nothing against PetSmart personally. I buy dog clothes and some treats there. I’ve had good experiences with having my furbabies groomed at PetSmart. But as I read these reports from the site PetSmartkills and Born Free USA/Animal Protection Institute I really have to wonder about PetSmart’s ability to handle animals. Maybe they need to take a long, hard look at their procedures or even having live animals and services in the stores that can’t manage to hire capable staff.
Judge for yourself as you read through the following information.
Thanks to Brenda for barking in this site, PetSmartKills.com. This site was established because of a tragic incident in which a dog got loose from a PetSmart groomer and then none of the employees seem to have cared. The dog subsequently got out of the store and was killed by a car. Horrible!
Petsmart Killed a Houston Family’s beloved dog
The Cohn’s took their beloved dog Max to a Houston Petsmart to get groomed for their annual holiday photo shoot. Instead of picking him up all fluffy and ready for his close up, they were left with the devastating news that Max has escaped and been killed in an accident.
The Cohn’s have decided to set up this website in memory of Max, to speak out about this horrible incident. They want others to know about PetSmart’s polices and business practices and to be warned.
Born Free USA/Animal Protection Institute is asking everyone to contact PetSmart and ask them to stop selling live animals altogether. I’ve asked PetSmart managers why they sell live animals at all. What they tell me is that PetSmart top brass believes that people want to see live animals in a petstore. To their credit, PetSmart does not sell dogs or cats and actually allows rescue groups to showcase their pets needing homes. Kudos to PetSmart for that! But PetSmart, maybe its time to consider not selling birds and hamsters as well.
PETsMART Again Linked to Mistreated Animals
Published 01/23/08Recently Born Free USA united with Animal Protection Institute alerted members to the discovery of diseased birds in 23 PETsMART stores that were linked to a distributor in Florida that mass-produces birds for PETsMART.
Now PETsMART is in the news again for allegations of animal mistreatment at one of its major animal suppliers. A story that aired on the Today show revealed appalling conditions that birds, rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters and other small mammals are force to endure while used for breeding or awaiting shipment to PETsMART stores. Video footage shows sick and injured animals tossed in garbage cans and rabbits being neutered without proper veterinary protocols. View the Today show segment here.
Born Free USA is once again calling on PETsMART to discontinue its sale of birds and other live animals. You can let PETsMART know that you won’t be shopping at its stores until live animal sales cease.
Contact:
PETsMART
19601 N. 27th Ave.
Phoenix, AZ 85027
customercare@petsmart.com
Stop bashing the company as a whole for the stupidity of a few. The dog’s death is tragic, but the same can happen at any groomer’s shop. As for dead birds, well let me instruct you in a little bird knowledge. Birds bred in captivity for sale don’t always survive. It’s the same for fish and other would be pets as well. Out of shipment of 25 birds as an example you will lose some. Birds are also very suseptible to temperature changes. Birds don’t have the life span of furred pets, especially parakeets. In the wild they may live longer but as pets the don’t because they are incapable of regulating to our crazy climate both indoors and out. So I would suggest before you bash anyone you get the full facts of the situation. I used to work for a petshop and it was common to lose fish and birds because unlike a furred animal they don’t travel well nor can they handle sudden changes in temperature. As for these animal rights people, they just want to stir things up because they want to put an end to breeders, importing of exotics, and anyone who doesn’t spay or neuter and adopt from shelters. I for one have had shelter pets and let me say that not all have been good pets. Shelter pets are a gamble, you take a chance of them fitting in or not. You don’t know what the previous life was like and how they will react in tense situations. Some do fine other flip out and bite. So get the facts before you condemn anyone.
Angie
I appreciate your defense of PetSmart. I made of pointing out that PetSmart does many good things and I shop there. And yes, birds and small animals don’t have the lidespan or hardiness of larger animals.
If you watched the Today Show segment, the problems at the PetSmart they revealed had more to do with lack of concern for appropriate protocols and the animals themselves than just the fact some animals died. And yes, this may have been a few PetSmart employees.
There are many good employees but the problem is whether or not a corporation as large as PetSmart CAN effectively train and oversee employees handling live animals. Max may have been only one dog but if you read the account of the incident it shows a screaming lack of managerial oversight. Besides, one dead dog due to employee disregard is one too many. Would you say its okay for a human daycare to lose a child who then got killed in traffic? I would hope that we would all be calling for the closure of that daycare!
So I ask again, is PetSmart too large to effectively and humanely handle live animals?
I agree as a business owner, just like any company, PetSmart should be held liable for their actions and the actions of their employees when they are on the job. From what I’ve read, it seems the local PetSmart headquarters won’t even take their calls. They were told to have an attorney represent them. That’s not how it works PetSmart it’s the other way around. If you don’t want to talk to the Cohn’s you should have YOUR attorney contact them. PetSmart could be doing a much better job of handling this matter.
I definitely do not know all the facts of all this but I do know that incidences like these are the reason I don’t like to take my baby anywhere that I have to leave him. ESPECIALLY when I don’t personally know the people I am leaving him with. Call me paranoid, whatever lol, it’s just hard for me. Hearing stuff like this is hard for me. I remember hearing on the news a while back about a grooming business that went to neighborhoods in a truck or something and groomed people’s animals in a little grooming room in the back of the truck. Turns out when you gave them your animal and they closed that door, they were in there torturing your pet. Sick people man, this is why I hate leaving my baby with strangers, even for a few hours.
I love Petsmart, but will never get any of my pets groomed there again, Last time when we went to get my dogs nails clipped ( a few months ago) she came out with signs of being hung, they put her up on the table ( which we later found out that they arent supposed to do that when they are clipping nails) and we asked the trainer there if we should take her to the vet and the trainer tried to convince us not to, but we did and they told us that it looks like she had been hung or something that could have stopped her breathing, because she was, drooling alot more than she usually does, she was panting which is VERY rare for her, her eyes were blood shot red and she was alot more avtive than she usually is. I will still visit petsmart but wont get her groomed there
Hi Joy. Not to defend PetSmart per se, but if you watch the Today story carefully, you’ll note that an employee of PetSmart is not the one spaying rabbits. That is an employee of the supplier, Rainbow Exotics, which is an independent company. PetSmart absolutely must investigate and stop buying from that company if this turns out to be actually happening; but I think you have a responsibility to note that Born Free USA is not completely stating the facts correctly.
Personally, IF I were to take my dogs anywhere for grooming, you can best beleive I would stay there …. maybe at a distance so my dogs would be calmer but I would stay there.
But you are right, you cant blame Petsmart as a whole, but at the same time, they should re-evaluate their staff and their capabilities.
My heart goes out to the family!!!
While I do not appreciate the sale of birds and rodents at their stores, I am a rescue volunteer and the ability for us to have our rescue events in their stores, ALL across America, is truly something to take note of. While ANY escapes from the grooming salon is inexcusable, I believe some of the blame can be placed both on the groomer(s) and on the owners. Some dogs simply are not trained nor socialized for grooming, and the blame for this lies on the owner, no matter how experienced nor savvy the groomers. I have used Petsmart grooming for my rescued dogs for many years now, and I have been nothing but satisfied.
I believe a deeper look should be taken at the individual competence of each groomer and bather, in each salon. I have read of the training each grooming salon staff member must go through, as far as salon maintenance and dog handling, and maybe this part of their program needs to be re-evaluated.
I have noticed some salons to be built a tad better than another, such as a better barrier door, or a door that only opens to the inside of the salon, instead of out.
I think before blame is placed upon an entire company, factors such as these should be looked at as far as the one guilty store goes, not an entire company. I know the staff of the Petsmart grooming salon I use would be offended, and that salon has passed all of my personal requirements for safety and staff competence.
I do not think that all Petsmarts are bad. when Iread the article it made it sound like every petsmart no matter where it is located is bad. I take my furbabies there all the time if nothing elese but to walk around the store. My vet is located inside Petsmart. As far as grooming goes I will not take my babies there b/c the last time I did it was a horriable experiance for the 1 dog that I have. I have Bichon that I keep combed and brushed out. I had taken my baby to be groomed there and the groomer instead of calling and saying the dog was matted up very badly , which he wasn`t, took it upon himself to shave the dog down to his skin. It was a very traumatizing experiance for te dog and I was horrified when I picked him up at what he looked like. I have since found a groomer that I trust and is very good with the 2 dogs that I have. However b/c of that experiance at that 1 petsmart I will not take my dogs there to be groomed. Having a dog groomed there is 1 thing and the groomers should be held responable for what happened but to make it sound like the store oin a whole is bad is wrong . Like I said not ALL Petsmarts are bad. Just b/c 1 store messed up does not mean the store on a whole is a bad place.Yes I had a bad experiance with the Grooming part of the store but other then that I fell that the store on a whole is a good store.
Like many posters have said, PetSmart is not a bad company. PetSmart does many good things like allowing rescues to show dogs and cats, funding animal charities, etc. Even the in-house vets have been very helpful in counteracting last year’s lies that only a few pets were affected by the recalled foods.
All that said, the good name and trusted brand status of PetSmart is being deeply threatened by some bad apples in their grooming operations and the corporate connections to disreputable animal breeders.
PetSmart corporate managers need to take a long, hard look at their procedures. Maybe they need to set up more stringent grooming shop protocols. Maybe they need to require mandatory inspections of all facilities from which they buy live animals. But whatever they do, PetSmart cannot afford to simply try to deny their way out of culpability.
We all want to see PetSmart grow up and fix the problems. I hope their corporate leaders are smart enough to realize they have enough public goodwill to accept their apology and open admission of changing their ways. Then we can all go back to saying more good things about them.
You cannot blame one incedent on the company its self, I am sure that the groomer did not let the dog loose purposefully… it was a horrible accident that could just as easily have happened anywhere PetsMartt does too much good for shelters and rescues to bash them like this… they hold adoption events for local shelters,,, and raise TONS of money for the same shelter with picture events and other fundraisers.
I think part of PetSmart’s problem is that they require a bird breeder to supply an entire region of stores. I know this because we used to allow our cockatiels to breed. My husband inquired at our local PetSmart, and they told us we would have to supply the entire Southeastern region with cockatiels. We were only looking to place 10 birds. We ended up finding great homes for them by networking with friends which was a better solution anyway.
Requiring one breeder to supply all of those birds creates a situation similar to a puppymill for birds. Why can’t each local PetSmart contract with local breeders if possible? We have a bunch of reputable bird breeders in our area. This would negate the need for shipping, and reduce deaths from shipping. Also, not all of the birds PetSmart sells are short-lived. The average cockatiel should live for at least 10-12 years, and some can live over 20 years.
I don’t go to PetSmart for anything but bones, an occasional replacement for a sweater or leash, so I believe pets should not be sold anywhere but a licensed breeder, or shelter . Animals are considered property and if harmed either by neglect, ignorance or abuse, are replaced for their monetary “worth”. I certainly don’t advocate that law, but until the law is changed, if animals are lost due to neglect or negligience, then PetSmart or anyone else will just throw them away and collect more. I say let’s change the laws and ask PetSmart to help!
I no longer use PetSmart groomers because they just can’t seem to remember that my female German shepherd absolutely hates the dryer (even though its in her file - I know, because I’ve seen it). Its also in her file that she should be towel-dried only, and that I’m perfectly okay with her being damp when I pick her up. Instead, I would always hear how they had to muzzle her and fight to get her near the dryer. The PetHotel people, on the other hand, are great. Both of my dogs love staying there, and they never use a dryer on my girl if they give her an exit bath. Granted, there are a couple of idiots working in the PetHotel, but they are far outnumbered by skilled and experienced employees.
Having said all of that, and having read about what happened to Max, I really think PetSmart corporate is ignoring what needs to be done, both for Max’s family and for their customers. I work at a small site of a large corporation, and even though we receive a massive amount of training (ethics, safety, etc) every year, there are still people who chose to ignore or break the policies and procedures. The only way a corporate office can resolve this type of problem is to continue to provide training and to remove the people who don’t follow the rules.
First they ban all quote-unquote “bully breeds” (even the smallest ones like French Bulldogs have been deemed inherrently aggressive by them) and select male dogs from their “doggy day camp”, a bit later down the line they refuse to recall poisonous dog food, later still they still carry tennis balls that contain amounts of lead toxic to even dogs, and now this? Honestly, the more I read about the company the less I want anything to do with them even remotely.
“a bit later down the line they (PetSmart) refuse to recall poisonous dog food”
We’re getting off track here… and mistating facts… PetSmart pulled the foods involved in the Menu Foods recall, and updated the list of pulled merchandise daily. I personally witnessed them refunding purchases with no receipt or proof that the items were purchased at PetSmart.
Banfield, very often decried as a substandard vet operation, was foremost in reporting a large pattern of animals sickened by the recalled food, in excess of 900 nationwide.
Winston was put into acute renal failure by Nutro food manufactured by Menu Foods and purchased at PetSmart. PetSmart and Banfield covered a major part of his initial tests and IV fluid treatment in-hospital. I am happy to report that Win is still with us today, abet suffering from a now chronic case of renal failure. Thank you Dr. Mullens and the staff of the Schererville, IN. Banfield.
Yes, PetSmart animal care and grooming policies and procedures need an overhaul, but let’s be careful with the facts.
My 7 month old Afghan, Lea, stopped breathing Saturday afternoon (.3/29/08) Our primary veterinarian clinic was closed, so I thought it best to drive to PetSmart on Park Road in Plano, Texas. This is very close to my house and has an attached veterinarian clinic. While driving, my wife performed CPR as best as she could. I ran into PetSmart and asked if anyone was available in the clinic and they said “yes”. I ran into Banfied’s clinic and no one was there. Apparently, they closed early for the day. Therefore I asked an associate for the nearest animal ER clinic. He told me SE corner of Parker and the Toll way. I placed Lea in our SUV and drove to Parker and the Toll way, while my wife performed CPR. I found a veterinarian clinic on the corner, but no animal ER room. Needless to say, Lea died. Had I received correct information, she may have lived.
I have several recommendations:
• All Banfield locations should remain open during posted hours.
• All PetSmart locations should have precise knowledge on the nearest pet ER centers and veterinary clinics.
• All PetSmart employees should know how to perform animal CPR.
• All PetSmart locations should have a defibrillator available for emergencies. Keep in mind many customers bring their pets into PetSmart stores while shopping.
My wife and I are saddened by the loss of our dog as we tried everything to save her and feel better assistance my have resulted in a different outcome.
I contacted PetSmart, but they have not been responsive.
Jeff and Els Bowen
Petsmart is lacking in emergency protocol. My puppy got bit during puppy school by a cattle dog whose owner did not have him properly restrained. My puppy was laying on the floor and the dog just lunged at her for no reason. The dog had caused previous problems in class and I thought I had enough space between my puppy and the cattle dog. Instead of offering to have my puppy checked, my concerns were dismissed by the trainer as the puppy’s head was not even wet. When blood started appearing, the trainer said it was a nail scratch and if it was a bite wound it would look like a puncture wound. After leaving the store, I found another wound and went back in and spoke with the store manager. The manager said he was not responsible and that two previous owners whose dogs fought tried to make him responsible when their dogs fought. He offered me free ointment and said he would talk to the trainer and call me. It’s been several days, and I have yet to receive a phone call. Proper protocol would be removing these aggressive dogs from class, offering to have my pet checked at Benecol immediately, and a followup phone call from the manager. After spending alot of money at Petsmart already between food, toys, grooming, and puppy school, sadly I won’t be back. My fear of these aggressive dogs would overshadow any joy my visit would bring.