petco

[Flame_Angel]

any petco employees out there that can shimmy in this conversation and maybe hear a different perspectice on why things are the way they are

Speaking as a former Petco employee, your hands are tied in a lot of things. Changing setups, how different animals are kept, etc. is all controlled by the 'store vet', and any major changes have to be run through the vet with a lot of paperwork and red tape. It all ultimately comes down to the manager of the store being on the ball and willing to go through all of that.

I only worked at Petco for 6 months, but it was a frustrating 6 months. Not being able to do anything to improve the life of the animals under your care because your manager isn't willing to help is terrible.

 

[Fishfirst]

I almost burned out of the hobby working for petco for two years. The idiots in corporate do not respect the people that work under them even if they have evidence in a book stocked by the store that says they are completely wrong. You aren't allowed to medicate, and in a retail setting that is setting yourself up for major failure. oodinium runs rampant and kills shipments of fish... and then you've got the people buying these fish! The company as a whole has to leave the trade... doesn't even matter if there are good stores, those employees that have good stores should have no problem moving on to other ventures like I did.

 

[PlatinumPercula]

Every store is different. Petco has many policies and procedures in place for how animals are taken care of. If animals and fish aren't being taken care of it isn't because education isn't provided. It's management and employees' fault. If corporate policies were followed, all animals and Petco stores would be immaculate.

 

[PlatinumPercula]

Every store is different. Petco has many policies and procedures in place for how animals are taken care of. (I have seen bills for feeder mice [retail less than $3] taken to the vet for an eye infection or a tumor that needed removed and the bill was near $100, Petco pays that bill because it's their responsibility). There are also many policies and procedures in place that ensure fish and corals are received and cared for properly. Employee knowledge plays a big role as well as their work ethic and managerial influence. The store I work at is an Aquatics and Reptile Magnet store. We have a frag tank, discus tank, huge availability and freedom when ordering fish, and we care a lot about the fish and animals we care for. My co-worker and I ("Aquatic Specialists") actually plan when one of us can't be there for work, so the other person can be so that everything is always looked after. We medicate when needed with Copper, Salt, Maracyn, Melafix, Pimafix, Clout, as well as other medications. I'm not sure why people think that PetCo can't medicate, all of these medicines are available as "Store Use" so I am not sure why other stores aren't staying stocked up on their medicines. Our Aquatics Department has a schedule of what sections are cleaned each day of the week. The person cleaning is required to initial and write down what they've complete which usually consists of a scrub, 25% water change/substrate vacuum, as well as changing pre filter pads and carbon pillows. This is done WEEKLY on every aquarium with the exception of our saltwater section which receives 25% water changes TWICE weekly and the discus display that gets a 10%-20% water change DAILY. If we ever have sick fish we plug off the aquarium and set it up with its own filter and heater separate from the rest of the system and medicate as necessary. If fish are too sick to be cured we have Finquil (aka fish anesthesia) on hand to humanly euthanize the fish (this is kept in the store safe and is done with supervision from management). Our fish are all acclimated slowly and inspected and observed closely, especially during arrival and during cleanings and before the store opens in the morning. My store has a less than 20% shrink rate meaning we sell over 80% of what we order in and less than 20% of the stock ends up as a fatality. Most of the time this shrink is because of something being sold as the wrong specimen or something being sold as one instead of two for example live plants or a "bad" shipment of fish is received which is the fault of the vendor. Only aquatics knowledgeable employees are allowed in the aquatics department in my store and usually only in rare cases someone who is not knowledgeable is bagging fish or helping customers (for example if it is extremely busy).

I understand that there are bad and good Petcos as well as bad and good private stores. Just because the store in your area is not properly maintained, don't discount all other stores because Aquatics Magnet Petcos actually have conference calls with suppliers such as ORA, Quality Marine, Seagrest Farms, A and M Aquatics, and Sustainable Aquatics on a regular basis to talk about the live stock, what we need to improve upon, as well as how we can serve customers better. Just because your local pet store or local Petco is not maintained well, don't assume they are all that way.

I don't think many people appreciate the amount of time, human capital, and money that is spent on animal care--especially in large corporate ran stores. Things aren't always perfect, but keep in mind there are employees who are very dedicated, care about the animals in their store, and try to provide the best customer experience they can given their resources and time.

People also seem to overlook the non-profit charities such as the Petco foundation that provides millions of dollars a year to rescues and shelters.

Just my two cents. I'm tired of hearing "typical chain store". I work my butt off every day to ensure all of my animals are getting everything they need and customers are assisted as quickly and questions are answered as best as possible. I am college educated and going into a Master's Program in marketing. I'm not a "stupid, low paid college kid just waiting to collect my paycheck". Next time you walk into a pet store or in fact ANY retail store, don't assume workers are being paid only minimum wage or are not educated Show a little respect and you'll get it in return, you might be surprised.

Just my more than two cents worth ;-)

 

[megatron8121]

I rarely buy fish from Petco. Only way I do it if it's a really good deal I can't pass up. There are some local fish stores that offer guarantee's on even saltwater fish so I just buy from there for the insurance.

I was at this one petco the other day though and it's saltwater fish department was far superior to any I've seen. They had a nice selection of starfish, tangs, and other stuff. Most of the ones I go to have 50 clownfish, then maybe 1-2 angels, 1 tang, some gobies. Nothing real exotic usually.

 

[SPS Samurai]

I think a lot you are letting your individual experiences effect your overall judgment of this corporation. All fish stores/ pet stores experience these ailments and there will be loss of life at every stage of the handling process. That is the unfortunate side of this hobby. Don't blame Petco, because the moment these fish are removed from their natural environment they are condemned to death in a aquarium. I guarantee you it's 10 x's worse at most importer's and vendor's facilities. I worked for Petco for many years and the one thing Petco has over most LFS's is that they are very strict on who they order their livestock from. What you see as a consumer is that you want a very exotic fish and most LFS will stock what you want and you bank on them to keep their husbandry up to offer you a healthy specimen. Often time the problems arise during the care at the vendor's facility (i.e. health & stress issues) or during the transit to the store (improper handling by Fedex/UPS, bad temp etc). But you don't see this and you blame the store employees, because they don't have the adequate experience as most hobbyist do to id what was the cause of the problem or what the problem even is. They just have a sick fish on their hands. Petco knows that all their employees can't be as knowledgable about the hobby as we are and that's why they're very selective of their vendors. They know they have to do their best to acquire the healthiest livestock as possible, because the margin of reefkeeping knowledge from store to store is very small. When they notice fish aren't arriving at the stores in acceptable conditions they stop ordering from these vendors.

In my experience I brought a lot of experience to the table when I worked for Petco and I shared it with everyone who worked with me. There are a few improvements I personally would have liked to change, like the use of Ro/DI water and higher powered lighting would go along way. But for the most part everyone knew the importance of water changes and proper feeding. Even if the employees couldn't id a fish they knew how to test water. When we opened our location, our variety of livestock and the care of our fish was unrivaled by any LFS in the city. And yes I have seen Petcos with full blown SPS prop tanks, so the experience is out there. I can't tell you how many times my ex-coworkers have bagged up Perculas and they kept asking prying questions and come to find out the customer has a betta bowl in their shopping cart. So if you're offended by Petco and think they should be boycotted, maybe you should just think twice about keeping pets all together, because all animals have a 100% mortality rate in captivity.

 

[SPS Samurai]

I think a lot you are letting your individual experiences effect your overall judgment of this corporation. All fish stores/ pet stores experience these ailments and there will be loss of life at every stage of the handling process. That is the unfortunate side of this hobby. Don't blame Petco, because the moment these fish are removed from their natural environment they are condemned to death in a aquarium. I guarantee you it's 10 x's worse at most importer's and vendor's facilities. I worked for Petco for many years and the one thing Petco has over most LFS's is that they are very strict on who they order their livestock from. What you see as a consumer is that you want a very exotic fish and most LFS will stock what you want and you bank on them to keep their husbandry up to offer you a healthy specimen. Often time the problems arise during the care at the vendor's facility (i.e. health & stress issues) or during the transit to the store (improper handling by Fedex/UPS, bad temp etc). But you don't see this and you blame the store employees, because they don't have the adequate experience as most hobbyist do to id what was the cause of the problem or what the problem even is. They just have a sick fish on their hands. Petco knows that all their employees can't be as knowledgable about the hobby as we are and that's why they're very selective of their vendors. They know they have to do their best to acquire the healthiest livestock as possible, because the margin of reefkeeping knowledge from store to store is very small. When they notice fish aren't arriving at the stores in acceptable conditions they stop ordering from these vendors.

In my experience I brought a lot of experience to the table when I worked for Petco and I shared it with everyone who worked with me. There are a few improvements I personally would have liked to change, like the use of Ro/DI water and higher powered lighting would go along way. But for the most part everyone knew the importance of water changes and proper feeding. Even if the employees couldn't id a fish they knew how to test water. When we opened our location, our variety of livestock and the care of our fish was unrivaled by any LFS in the city. And yes I have seen Petcos with full blown SPS prop tanks, so the experience is out there. I can't tell you how many times my ex-coworkers have bagged up Perculas and they kept asking prying questions and come to find out the customer has a betta bowl in their shopping cart. So if you're offended by Petco and think they should be boycotted, maybe you should just think twice about keeping pets all together, because all animals have a 100% mortality rate in captivity.

 

[Gtownguy487]

Ask the fish department when they get their shipments in or have him call you when they come in. Dont let him/her put the fish into their system. Buy them while they are still in bag. Their system is horrid and they dont offer guarantee on anything saltwater. Ive gottin a few good deals from Petco. I lose a lot of money taken chances when purchasing from them but sometimes the deal is worth it to me.

 

[Fishfirst]

Every store is different. Petco has many policies and procedures in place for how animals are taken care of. If animals and fish aren't being taken care of it isn't because education isn't provided. It's management and employees' fault. If corporate policies were followed, all animals and Petco stores would be immaculate.

Are you kidding me??? This statement is a joke... corporate policies are the one thing that is HOLDING the good employees back! 20% loss is NOT acceptible, especially when the most difficult fish you bring in is a tang. At the store i work at now I bring in teirra batfish, orange spot filefish, multifasciatus angelfish, genicanthus angels, red head wrasse (and other difficult halichores), leopard wrasse, moorish idols, pipefish, etc from time to time and I don't have 20% loss. I work with the same vendors as I did when I worked at petco... I have a quarter of the problems because I have full control of medicating and conditioning the fish what I order and when I order.
The use of copper at petco is strictly forbidden according to my animal coordinator because "copper kills"... and the use of anything aside from freshwater dips I was written up for. So either I misread AND was misinformed by the higher ups on the policy or what you are doing is completely against corporate policy.

 

[RubberFrog]

... So if you're offended by Petco and think they should be boycotted, maybe you should just think twice about keeping pets all together, because all animals have a 100% mortality rate in captivity.

Are you including death due to old age in that "100% mortality" figure? I ask because that sounds a lot like corporate schpeel.

I can't help but notice that both yourself and Platinum Percula (clever rhimey-matchy names by the way) seem to have joined here in the last few weeks specifically to comment in support of petco. It could just be coincidence, but I can't help but wonder.

 

[yogoshio]

I have it from a former Petco manager who now works at a responsible LFS that it is corporate policy to run copper in all tanks, including inverts, corals, and clams. They are not responsible, and are one of the main reasons places like Hawaii are trying to ban fishing there.

 

[Tin_Whistler]

all animals have a 100% mortality rate in captivity.

All animals have a 100% mortality rate in the wild as well. Also, any person who has eaten a carrot will eventually die. To those of you who won't eat carrots now I should warn you... Not eating carrots will also mean you will die eventually.

Well kept animals can have a perfectly acceptable life. Have you ever checked the lifespans of animals wild vs kept in a zoo? Many live longer due to veterinary assistance, and lack of predators.

Disputing the validity of any pet store is a matter of opinion. I don't like most chain stores, and I choose not to purchase anything at those I feel aren't run properly. But using corrupt data to try and prove your point is ridiculous.

 

[SPS Samurai]

@ Rubber Frog, yes old age included. At that point you're arguing the morality of quality of life and no matter what you can rebuttal an existence in an animal's natural environment is always the better life. When you deprive that animal of a natural existence you deprive it of fulfilling its fundamental obligation in an ecosystem. Not sure who Platinum Percula is. I never log on to RC much. Too much opinion in the forums and after 15 years in the hobby I just keep to myself.

@ Tin_Whistler an "acceptable" life will never equate to a natural life. There is nothing corrupt about my data, its just a fact. Once you remove a fish from the ocean it will perish in a human's custody at some point, whether it's in your tank, my tank or at your local Petco. This whole thread was created to bash on Petco after people have witnessed deceased livestock certain stores. I guess Petco is supposed to be this magical place, where Cyano never exists, hair algae is a myth and death will never occur. Veterinary assistance? When have you ever taken your yellow tang to the vet?

 

[Fishfirst]

SPS Samuri - so a fish in the wild that has a .1% chance of survival to maturity isn't the same thing as the 1% that lives for 10 years in aquariums? Its rediculous to think that a fish that has to scrounge a living on the reef being terrified of being eaten by the next big fish to come around the coral head their hiding in. In a proper environment in a tank a fish gets its food handed to it, and doesn't have to worry about something eating it. In my mind you are comparing apples to apples, whether its in the ocean or a tank.

We aren't expecting petcos to be perfect... rather just get out of the hobby because of the long history of malpractice in the hobby, or a complete renovation of their policies and procedures. I mean when a small store like the one I worked at gets 12 lunare wrasse in, how in the hell am I going to sell 12 lunare wrasse? about 1% of customers can actually house a large wrasse like that but I'm supposed to find homes for 12! These were not "ordered" by the store, rather, it was FORCED by corporate for these fish to be there.

 

[Tin_Whistler]

@ Tin_Whistler an "acceptable" life will never equate to a natural life. There is nothing corrupt about my data, its just a fact. Once you remove a fish from the ocean it will perish in a human's custody at some point, whether it's in your tank, my tank or at your local Petco. This whole thread was created to bash on Petco after people have witnessed deceased livestock certain stores. I guess Petco is supposed to be this magical place, where Cyano never exists, hair algae is a myth and death will never occur. Veterinary assistance? When have you ever taken your yellow tang to the vet?

And leaving that fish in the ocean guarantees it's death as well.

Because again, everything dies. Don't tell me you're using appropriate data because you're not. You're taking information, and twisting it disingenuously to try and falsely prove a point.

And yes, people bash larger chain stores because in general they care more about quick profits than keeping their livestock as healthy as possible. To be honest, its the same for most non chain stores as well. But if I can go into a store and see a handful of fish floating and polluting the water at one store, and not see that at another store, I'll go to the second one.

As for the tang question, No, I have never taken a yellow tang to the vet. I also have never owned a yellow tang. Personally I'm not a fan of them, and I think there are several other more interesting tangs one can keep instead.

Also, for most fish illnesses I don't need to take it to the vet. A solid knowledge of fish heath issues, and a good quarantine system makes the fish keeper the vet.

 

[PlatinumPercula]

Are you kidding me??? This statement is a joke... corporate policies are the one thing that is HOLDING the good employees back! 20% loss is NOT acceptible, especially when the most difficult fish you bring in is a tang. At the store i work at now I bring in teirra batfish, orange spot filefish, multifasciatus angelfish, genicanthus angels, red head wrasse (and other difficult halichores), leopard wrasse, moorish idols, pipefish, etc from time to time and I don't have 20% loss. I work with the same vendors as I did when I worked at petco... I have a quarter of the problems because I have full control of medicating and conditioning the fish what I order and when I order.
The use of copper at petco is strictly forbidden according to my animal coordinator because "copper kills"... and the use of anything aside from freshwater dips I was written up for. So either I misread AND was misinformed by the higher ups on the policy or what you are doing is completely against corporate policy.

First of all I am not "Kidding you". Secondly, you are mistaken because we can bring in animals such as Seahorses, Copperbanded Butterflies, Mandarin (both wild and ORA Aquacultured), Hynophora sps, different gorgonians, as well as many other more challenging animals so I think many would agree more than one item on that list is not an "easy care level" animal.

Being able to only freshwater dip is garbage. If medications weren't allowed or were prohibited to be used they would not be available for "store use". If it's available for store use it is allowed to be used in the store...

I'm sorry you had a bad experience. But as it has been pointed out over and over, PetCos are both good and bad, so are private stores--just depends on your area.

 

[Fishfirst]

:deadhorse: some people just don't understand that just because a handful of stores are doing things right doesn't mean corporate as a whole is and don't understand the grand scope of having this hobby thrive vs die by lawmakers in this country. The store I worked at did very well... but could have done much better if corporate would have stayed out of it... and there are a huge number of Petcos I have been to that are just disgusting, I have not been to a single one that was surprised me with good things. Ever.

 

[SPS Samurai]

@ Fishfirst, no a fish's life or rather I should say it's death on the reef is quite different than that in your aquarium, because it is fulfilling its role in the ecosystem by contributing to the food chain. Whether it is keeping another species in check or by sustaining another animal by being it's latest meal. We are not omnipotent, so there is no such thing as replicating a "proper" environment. "Acceptable" yes, "proper" no. We simply try and keep an animal healthy and alive for as long as possible, but eventually the stasis of our aquariums will falter, whether to human error or mechanical failures. We shouldn't speak as if we're doing the animal kingdom a favor. You're obviously not keeping a reef to further marine biology or to advance modern medicine. The fact is we've removed an animal from its natural habitat solely for the gratification watching it swim back and forth in our living room gives us.

@ Tin_Whistler. Yes, but keeping a fish in your aquarium guarantees it will die in your custody. There is nothing false nor misconstrued about that. There is no point to prove, it's just a fact. The difference is in the wild a fish's life and death contributes to the wellbeing of nature. In your aquarium a fish just contributes to appeasing your fascination. It is the reality of this hobby.

Here's a suggestion. If you notice something that isn't working to keep fish healthy why don't you try working hand and hand with the culprit to resolve the problem. Share knowledge. Bashing companies or individuals does nothing to advocate responsible reefkeeping.

 

[SPS Samurai]

@ Fishfirst, no a fish's life or rather I should say it's death on the reef is quite different than that in your aquarium, because it is fulfilling its role in the ecosystem by contributing to the food chain. Whether it is keeping another species in check or by sustaining another animal by being it's latest meal. We are not omnipotent, so there is no such thing as replicating a "proper" environment. "Acceptable" yes, "proper" no. We simply try and keep an animal healthy and alive for as long as possible, but eventually the stasis of our aquariums will falter, whether to human error or mechanical failures. We shouldn't speak as if we're doing the animal kingdom a favor. You're obviously not keeping a reef to further marine biology or to advance modern medicine. The fact is we've removed an animal from its natural habitat solely for the gratification watching it swim back and forth in our living room gives us.

@ Tin_Whistler. Yes, but keeping a fish in your aquarium guarantees it will die in your custody. There is nothing false nor misconstrued about that. There is no point to prove, it's just a fact. The difference is in the wild a fish's life and death contributes to the wellbeing of nature. In your aquarium a fish just contributes to appeasing your fascination. It is the reality of this hobby.

Here's a suggestion. If you notice something that isn't working to keep fish healthy why don't you try working hand and hand with the culprit to resolve the problem. Share knowledge. Bashing companies or individuals does nothing to advocate responsible reefkeeping.

 

[Fishfirst]

@ Fishfirst, no a fish's life or rather I should say it's death on the reef is quite different than that in your aquarium, because it is fulfilling its role in the ecosystem by contributing to the food chain. Whether it is keeping another species in check or by sustaining another animal by being it's latest meal. We are not omnipotent, so there is no such thing as replicating a "proper" environment. "Acceptable" yes, "proper" no. We simply try and keep an animal healthy and alive for as long as possible, but eventually the stasis of our aquariums will falter, whether to human error or mechanical failures. We shouldn't speak as if we're doing the animal kingdom a favor. You're obviously not keeping a reef to further marine biology or to advance modern medicine. The fact is we've removed an animal from its natural habitat solely for the gratification watching it swim back and forth in our living room gives us.

@ Tin_Whistler. Yes, but keeping a fish in your aquarium guarantees it will die in your custody. There is nothing false nor misconstrued about that. There is no point to prove, it's just a fact. The difference is in the wild a fish's life and death contributes to the wellbeing of nature. In your aquarium a fish just contributes to appeasing your fascination. It is the reality of this hobby.

Here's a suggestion. If you notice something that isn't working to keep fish healthy why don't you try working hand and hand with the culprit to resolve the problem. Share knowledge. Bashing companies or individuals does nothing to advocate responsible reefkeeping.

I take a bit of offense by your assumption that I am mearly just watching a fish swim back and forth. That wouldn't be the goal for me nor any truly serious hobbiest (although maybe it is enough for you). I'm a professional in this industry and I have professional goals (I have been involved in several breeding projects as well as my own and some customers of mine)

You make a valid point in your last comment... however I tried the "hand in hand" route for a year and a half with this "company" and got nothing but road blocks from corporate. So excuse my "bashing" but a company that nearly made me get rid of all of my tanks and a feeling of hopelessness for the hobby gives me a sour taste in my mouth. otherwise congrats on being apart of a company that considers anything under 30% fish loss acceptible i guess if you feel thats good enough I can't stop you from feeling that.