Hi all!  This post is in regards to the signs that we at Petco were made
to put up in the stores.  The Board of Health did indeed make us hang
signs on all store doors banning ALL small animals from entering the
stores.  This does not include dogs or cats, which many people were
confused about.  I was very upset that the ban just generalized all
animals, including those, like ferrets, that are no threat and have
nothing to do with monkey pox.  I usually alternately bring my fuzzys to
work to help educate customers about ferrets and help change the stigma
that they still seem to carry with many folks.  I can no longer do this.
When I questioned upper management about how long this would go on, I was
told until they could determine what animals constitute a threat.  Even
after it was determined what animals were potential carriers and which
ones are not, I was still told the ban was not to be lifted.  They say
that it will remain until the Board of Health completes its study of
monkey pox.
 
I totally agree with everyone who questions this ridiculous ban.
Hopefully this will end very soon and people can continue to enjoy the
freedom of bringing their pets to the store.  I also hope this ends here
and more people don't buy into the confusion about monkey pox.  All we
can do at the store level is to educate the consumers about monkey pox
and also about their animals.  There are people who were worried after
reading the signs thinking that because they were not allowed to bring
their pets into the store, that must mean they carry it.  Petco did not
provide people with any info at all regarding monkey pox which in turn
causes them to conclude their own ideas.  Not very responsible on the
part of Petco is it?
 
Thank you all for listening.
 
Sincerely,
Kathy and the Troublemakin' fuzzys
[Posted in FML issue 4221]