Dear fellow FMLers,
I'm not trying to repeat myself, but the topic seems to inevitably appear
on the FML at least once monthly, so I will continue to defend my company
as best I can.
 
Regarding the Petco post in yesterday's FML, I followed the link.  For
those of you also interested in further researching this, you may go to
Petcosucks.com.  I've been to both sites, as well as heard about some of
the atrocities such as heatstroke and sick animals that seem to hit the
news every now and then (the Long Island Air Conditioner Failure comes
to mind).  I'm letting you hear both sides of the story.
 
Petco is a very prominent large company, and an easy target for PETA and
disgruntled employees.  Yes, there are sick animals at Petco.  Yes, the
Fish specialist probably scoops over twenty dead fish out of the tanks
each morning.  Yes, we have a freezer for DEAD animals.  But what people
are not seeing is the other side of the story.
 
I am a firm believer that each store is different, as each is staffed
with employees with different knowledge and different goals.  I do not
deny the possibility of cruelty in some of these stores, because I have
not seen every store.  In my store, as the small animal specialist, I see
to it that every sick animal gets attention in my care.  There are some
outbreaks (i.e. pneumonia, wettail, trichomonosis) that have little
chance of being cured in small animals once it becomes apparent.  That
does not mean that they have been denied the chance to live.  For every
animal I save, I probably lose three.  This does not make me or my
company cruel.
 
It's easy to blame Petco, the end outlet for these animals, but in
reality, many of the diseases and overcrowding issues are a result of the
distributors and shippers, and although Petco does what they can to undo
the damage, there is only so much that can be done.  You who work as
rescuers know what I am saying.  It is not possible to save them all.
 
So please, you can believe what you want, but it is only fair to know
both sides of the story.  What you do with this information is your
choice.
 
Sincerely,
Sara and The Fuzzy Four
 
P.S. The 40 ferrets that I rescued were given a second chance at life
because of Petco's adopt first policies.  Because Petco lent me a room,
31 of these fuzzies have been placed.  When making your final decision
regarding Petco, keep that in mind.
[Posted in FML issue 4392]