As an ex-employee of Petco I suppose this was coming. I worked there for a significant amount of time and while there I studied up on-line, in the library, talked to veterinarians, etc. I wanted to know more about the animals they carried in their stores, outside of the majority of the fish and reptiles, I took the time to learn a lot about all the small animals.
I was currently the owner of five ferrets, an albino cornsnake and some beautiful fish. I took over small animals and was shocked one day to find one of the smallest ferrets I'd ever seen.
Going into the "sick room" which smelled bad and wasn't much more than a cleaning supply room the size of a walk in closet with nothing more that slats on the door for ventilation, I found a large terrarium with the tiny ferret sleeping. She was sick and not doing well. Her bowl was filthy and she had no water. I cared for her each night after my shift and when I brought it up to management they told me that it wasn't part of my job. Another girl who had no clue about animals, let alone ferrets, was caring for her. I explained that I'd been caring for the small ferret and that I knew more than "Danielle" did and that I would be happy to care for her.
I also made the comment that under someone else's care the little ferret was not cared for properly. Manager told me to drop it and leave it to "Danielle". They even refused to take it to a vet because it was "too much expense for such a small animal". Less than two weeks later, no diagnosis of a serious illness, the little ferret died.in her bowl was rotted food and no water in the water bottle. Many animals continue to be treated in this manner.
I've already written to the company several times and nothing was ever done about it. They are still continuing to treat animals in this manner at this petstore as I've friends who work there who've shown and told me. If I have to, next time I will go in with a camera.
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