PetCo stores are like any other business or chain - some are good and some are not so good and that measurment is subjective. Mood or attitudes often are determined by who is in charge. For several years employees were defensive and gave out a lot ofwrong information - anything to make a sale. Any one in rescue or that has been strongly involved with ferrets knows this personally. WE spread the word about PetCo and PetCo heard us - probably echoing up from their bottomline. As ferrets have become better known and better advertised in communities ferret's needs have become better understood. Pet shops/stores have an informed public from which to hire better informed personnel. And that is why I think they seem to have changed a bit. However, not all PetCo's or District Managers or Regional Companional Animal Coordinators are fair or really caring in their jobs or to the animals whose lives they touch. This creates a fence that has to be carefully walked by anyone who is trying to affect a change. We don't want to loose the people who are on the side of the animals, but we still need to nudge certain people, places, events into line with what is best for the animals and not what suits the business or bottom line or some young upstart who is not mature enough to handle someone making a suggestion. My personal experience is that here in Houston, some employees really, really care and want to do what is best, but some managers are very young emotionally, others hard-headed, several seem to wear their feelings on their shoulders and have a problem committing to the truth. Arrogance abounds - know it alls - 'don't challenge MY authority by asking too many questions or making suggestions'. And for those of you who know me, you know that I do not like arrogance. I have a total commune attitude where I actually think everyone should be nice and treat each other nice and honestly. One should state one's opinion and stand by it until swayed to think or feel differently, but do it honestly and do not hold grudges just because someone thinks differently... that creates a cesspool of hard feelings and division. Shame on me for still holding on to and expecting, from others, the values with which I was raised. Fair play, honesty, courtsey, you know... all that Christian stuff - without the violence for the "my" team (crusades, inquisitions). My point? I personally asked a manager to not "adopt" ferrets out to the public at large, I did this very gently because I realized that I had no authority to dictate policy, but perhaps asking and offering a reason why would be heard with an open mind. WRONG! This young woman had very little animal background according to the Houston RCAC, but did have lots of retail experience. Also, to PetCo "adopt" is merely a euphemism for give away... After she became defensive, then aggressive, when I asked her what steps her employees took to ensure the ferrets were going to knowledgable and financially stable homes (her reply - "we ask them to bring in their children and a picture of the ferret's habitat"), I backed off asking any more questions and turned to corporate to try to work with all the PetCos; to secure a corporate policy of surrendering animal returns to local rescues and not giving them away. I was strung along for over 3 1/2 months, I was given run around after run around. I don't know about you guys but I resent being handled. Agree up front what all parties will do and stick to that - do it! This did not happen. In trying to deal with PetCo on both a local level and on a corporate level I have now been vilified and for lack of a better word insulted (this too is subjective) - don't waste my time and don't lie to me - I find it insulting. I believe that corporately PetCo is still out for PetCo ONLY and not animal welfare; that their new "face" is simply another ploy to gain more than the Lion's share of the Pet Supply market. Helping rescues.. that's great but remember the adage, "keep your friends close but keep your enemies closer" they may just be doing that... rescues have traditionally been PetCo'S enemy... we told the public to not shop there and why -- I never said they were stupid people - and they will protect their own paychecks. As I've said before I believe their interest seems not in what is best for an animal, but rather circling the wagons and giving the public a nice smoke and mirror show to increase their sales. Maybe there are truly concerned people in some stores, but after dealing with some of the managers in the Houston area and with the corporate managers, I believe this market is still only interested in money. OK enough bitchin... I just thought I'd add my opinion that PetCo, certainly corporately, is not really interested in the animals from any point of view other than $$$$... Vicki (sitting here with a burst bubble and broken heart for mankind)... [Posted in FML issue 4771]