Where to begin... I've just heard about this site today. After spending several hours reading about ALL of the PetSmart complaints, I've decided to add my 2 cents, (for what it's worth)
I am almost ashamed to say that I am a PetSmart employee. I believe it to be true, that not all PetSmarts are bad stores. Sure, their line of pet products are extensive compared to some other pet stores. But the poor quality of care for the animals and birds at the particuar store where I work... It would make most people that love animals sick to their stomachs (as I will describe more below).
Aside from a few very knowlegable people, those of whom aquired their knowlege through their own reading and research, (NO training from PetSmart whatsoever) the rest just make up whatever they think sounds convincing to the unsuspecting customer.
The poor management at this store, is in desperate need of replacement. Sure, they seem to be nice people in general. But it's all a "front", for the employees as well as the customers.
Most recently, this store received a beautiful handfed baby Umbrella Cockatoo. At 16 weeks of age, the dept. Manager decided it was time to wean this baby because there was a potential buyer for it. Anyone with ANY knowlege of handfed birds, especially larger parrots SHOULD know that one can NOT force-wean a baby bird! It depends on the individual bird.
You can NOT wean a baby bird by a book, ANY BOOK! Well, this manager sent an e-mail to the "so called" Quality Assurance Veterinarian for PetSmart:
(please keep in mind that only this manager knows what information, whether true or not, the initial e-mail to the "vet" contained)- employees do not have access to this.
#1 Based on what this manager keeps saying, we believe this "vet" was told that this baby was older than it actually is.
#2 What the manager said to be this bird's average weight (indicated in a reply e-mail) -was a LIE.
(this baby had NEVER reached this particular weight while in the store)
#3 ANY credible veterinarian would NOT even attempt to diagnose a situation like this via e-mail nor over the phone.
Based on the information given to him, this "vet" replied with the following proposed "weaning schedule" for this baby:
"Begin with the AM feeding. Start at the 50cc amount then reduce by 10cc each day until gone. 50 cc per PM feeding. After the Am feeding is discontinued, proceed to do the same with the PM feedings"
This is SO WRONG! This baby lost 14% of it's body weight in a 24 hour period! The manager in charge wasn't willing to even listen when told that this baby bird was crying continuously!
Our jobs were threatened. We were made to sign a hand written sheet that stated "DO NOT stray from this weaning schedule by a single cc or you will be terminated!"
Basically, we are being made to force-wean and STARVE this baby bird until it dies... But this manager doesn't feel that he/she is responsible! PetSmart's Policy & Procedure plainly states, if a baby bird is hungry, it's crop is empty, & it's crying... FEED IT! We are being forced to completely ignore PetSmart's Policy & Procedures that we are supposed to abide by.
Corporate was contacted by several employees AND several customers that are witnessing the demise of this baby on a daily basis. Corporate has yet to reply.
The customers that had a down payment on this bird, were never notified as to what was taking place. Deeply concerned employees had no access to this customer's contact information, as it was locked in the store safe.
Fortunately, they came in to check on their new baby and imediately noticed something was very wrong. This baby bird was fluffed up, rocking & crying on it's perch. When an associate attempted to get the bird out for them, the bird was barely able to 'step up' without nearly falling. The customers requested to see the bird's weight chart as well as feeding chart. Needless to say, they were APHAULED!
They raised all kinds of hell and demanded that the bird be fed imediately! The associate complied, and this hungry little baby took a full 100cc's. This was the first time in nearly a week that this baby bird stopped crying. We were all in tears, thinking that "maybe now this baby has a chance to live".. Now that the new pet parents were aware of what was happening! Not so... The following day they came back to chek on the baby bird, and were given nothing but attitude and arguments by the store director as well as other managers that were present.
Believe it or not, the police were called, the customers were given their down payment back, and they were escorted out of the store by officers and forbidden by store management to ever come back to this store. Nice, huh?
This is just ONE of many, many wrong doings witnessed at this store over the past few years.
Currently, PETA is trying to get the sales of all birds, especially larger parrots, stopped at PetSmart stores. After witnessing this latest situation, I fully agree. For the health and well being of any and all prospective pet birds (and all animals)...
I strongly urge all who read this to help support PETA's cause.
I expect to receive both positive as well as negative feedback for posting this, and that's fine. But the abuse of these innocent animals, and birds needs to stop... And it needs to stop NOW!
Thank you
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