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PETA Uncovers Atrocities by Petsmart Vendor

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HAMILTON, Tx. - An undercover investigation by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals revealed that a Petsmart vendor routinely abuses the animals it raises.

A PETA investigator gained access to the Rainbow World Exotics facility in Hamilton, Texas, which breeds birds and other small animals that are sold in Petsmart stores. Over the course of two months, the investigator documented, filmed and photographed the way animals are treated.

Petsmart does not sell dogs and cats.

PETA is asking customers to boycott Petsmart pending a full investigation by the Department of Agriculture. The animal rights group has filed paperwork in hopes of obtaining such an investigation.

The investigator witnessed a rabbit getting neutered. As can be seen in the video, the animal wasn't properly anesthitized and the blade used was reportedly dull. To clean the animal, Clorox lemon scented wipes were used.

Dead animals were routinely found throughout the facility. Animals eating other animals, cramped cages, and lack of medical care were also common.

Petsmart contends the vendor has passed all previous inspections, and will stand by the company. Information found on the Petsmart Web site stated the company is taking the situation seriously and will fully investigate PETA's allegations.

Petsmart says it requires all its vendors to follow USDA regulations concerning animal care, including having a licensed veterinary professional on site.

Petsmart made headlines last month when it pulled all its birds from 785 U.S. locations because of an outbreak of psittacosis – also known as parrot fever.

To learn more about PETA's investigation, go to petsmartcruelty.com. There is graphic imagery. For Petsmart's response, go to petsmart.com and click “Press Room,” then “The Facts.”

Tell us what you think under this story. Post your favorite pet videos at the zootooTV tab. E-mail us your story ideas at news@zootoo.com or call us at 877-777-4204.



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1456 comments found.
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Logan
Logan (Barker4)
1 year ago
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I dont understand how people can be so mean to animals.
 
Cari
Cari (cari10)
1 year ago
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That is horrible!
 
Logan
Logan (Barker4)
1 year ago
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I would never buy a pet from there.
 
Logan
Logan (Barker4)
1 year ago
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That's a very sad story.
 
Kay Kay
Kay Kay (kayemmkay)
1 year ago
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that is 1 thing I can't believe
 
where else do you think they would have come from ??? I dont buy animals at pet steores ....
 
suppleupagus
suppleupagus
1 year ago
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I am so sick and tired of pet stores selling these poor critters that are treated like garbage and forced to mate continually for their entire lives. Both Petsmart and the breeding people need to step up to the plate and take responsiblity for their actions. I will boycott petsmart
 
Laura M.
Laura M. (vamp773)
1 year ago
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Horrible. I don't think animals should be sold in stores at all.
 
Melody
Melody (MelodyJ)
1 year ago
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Me either! I read recently that rabbits are the 3rd largest group of animals to be euthanized in shelters. These stores should not sell animals at all. They should do adoptions centers for the smaller animals and birds, just like they do for cats & dogs!
 
Jeanne H.
Jeanne H. (JHind)
1 year ago
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You're right...adoption centers with some organization/shelter that is looking out for the welfare of the animals, not at the profit to a store. People can see their options for pets, but have to go through an application process before getting a pet.
 
Richard S.
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I agree. That alone would solve so many problems for the innocent animals.
 
shannonmarie624
shannonmarie624
1 year ago
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I hope the truth comes out and if they are in the wrong and animals are being mistreated then they should be prosecuted.
 
Mo T.
Mo T. (soccermomoe)
1 year ago
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i have a friend that works there and i am sooo telling her about this article!!!
 
AnimalFan
AnimalFan
1 year ago
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I will be watching this story with great interest, as I have been a customer of Petsmart for many years & always impressed by their seemingly great concern for animals.
However I've long since learned what a facade is & know no one is above being fooled.
The other side of the coin is PETA, which doe's not have a lot more going for it in the honesty department then our government.
I wish Petsmart would have indicated a stronger response to the accusation.
I do hope we get a quick follow up.
 
suppleupagus
suppleupagus
1 year ago
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You bring up a good point, PETA isnt exactly trustworthy either . I will still boycott Petsmart until they have an answer that is acceptable or change their business practices
 
Mo T.
Mo T. (soccermomoe)
1 year ago
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i just didnt think that petsmart would do such a thing!!
 
Richard S.
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Petsmart didn't do it, a vendor did.
 
Mo T.
Mo T. (soccermomoe)
1 year ago
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i will totally help in the boycott!!
 
Mo T.
Mo T. (soccermomoe)
1 year ago
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that is sooo animal cruelty!!
 
Julie
Julie (BeagleHQ)
1 year ago
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Ya think?
 
Mo T.
Mo T. (soccermomoe)
1 year ago
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i cant believe this!!!!
 
Janie P.
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I hope that if Petsmart finds these charges to be true they drop the vendor and someone presses charges against the person or persons involved in this for animal abuse. The biggest problem is that most states don't have strong enough laws for animal abuse.
 
Candy
Candy (cdeberry)
1 year ago
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The owners of that facility should have ALL of their assets stripped from them. The animals should be transferred to good homes and shelters, and those homes and shelters should receive the money from the former owners' assets.
As long as people - and especially citizens of the United States - put money above all else, this will continue.
 
Denise D.
Denise D. (Dede)
1 year ago
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Now that Petsmart knows what its vendor is doing, the vendor should be boycotted by all!!!
 
Karen S.
Karen S. (kstroop)
1 year ago
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Makes me sick. Don't care what the the USDA regulations are. The stores that sell these small creatures must "up the anti" and set extremely high standards. Read Petsmart article on this - seems they are investigating. However, if they are going to sell these small animals, why don't they raise them in facilities that they can own and control rather than contracting them out where they cannot be sure of the circumstances?
 
Tori Q.
Tori Q. (Tori11908)
1 year ago
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wow. that is terrible that they would abuse their animals. and keep their cages and stuff like that. and i think that Petsmart should get punished for mistreating the animals.
 
JW G.
JW G. (flipflop81)
1 year ago
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While this makes me question alot of things, at the same time, i do realize PETA has been known to go to great lengths to get a point accross, even as far as fabrication.. I hope this is the case. A store as 'Pet Friendly' as Petsmart allowing this to happen would crush them..
 
Lindsey
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I am very sad for these poor aniamls too.
 
Lindsey
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I really like PetSmart in PA. The people there are amazing and I am very sad to hear this story.
As Tammy C said, "However, just because this one facility in Texas was doing this doesn't mean that every facility for Petsmart is doing this. I think Petsmart should drop the facility in Petsmart and the people at that facility should be imprisoned for cruelty to animals." I agree with this. The PetSmat in my town does alot for our local SPCA.
 
Giggs8
Giggs8
1 year ago
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that is terribly sad.
 
Amanda V.
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OMG!!! This is awful! Some one needs to pay for this!
 
Sheila
Sheila (HayleysMom)
1 year ago
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I am concerned about this story of course because it shows someone abusing an animal, however, we all do know that PETA frequently goes to any lengths to get their point across.. Is there any possibility this is NOT a Petsmart vendor? Petsmart has a very good reputation in the animal welfare community and I do believe they would try very hard to be on top of any situation... I am willing to give Petsmart the benefit of the doubt here. Now, if this is an actual Vendor for them they have to determine how to handle that. And obviously, this video and situation need to be followed closely.
 
Jeanne H.
Jeanne H. (JHind)
1 year ago
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I agree. Before I boycott I need more information. PetSmart has done some great outreach to shelters, but the smaller pets are often so neglected. I always hate to go by the rats and mice and birds in PetSmart.
 
Lindsey
Lindsey (mamasky)
1 year ago
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This is really horrible. I work at a different chain pet store so I knew about this a few days ago and it's jsut sickening.
 
Kevin C.
Kevin C. (MrFluffy)
1 year ago
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It hurts to read such things, but we must all become aware of the injustices around us if there is to be change.
 
Hannah  M.
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its sad to hear stories like this but they ar etrue.
 
beachbum
beachbum
1 year ago
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im so disappointed.... im all for petsmart.. but i saw the video... its OMG Its bad. you can find it on you tube. im sickened.
 
Bonami36
Bonami36
1 year ago
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Vendors who sell animals should received unannounced inspections intermittently to insure safe and humane treatment of animals.
 
ralffie44
ralffie44
1 year ago
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I think it is time for the rescue community to boycot this store unless they can come up with an answer as to what they are doing
 
Tammy C.
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Well, this is a pretty terrible thing to hear!! I like and respect Petsmart a lot. However, just because this one facility in Texas was doing this doesn't mean that every facility for Petsmart is doing this. I think Petsmart should drop the facility in Petsmart and the people at that facility should be imprisoned for cruelty to animals.
 
Lindsey
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I couldn't agree more, There isn't enough info for me to hat my PETSMART in PA, Ireally love the people and the environment. I don't know wah to think.
 
Irina
Irina (irinkad83)
1 year ago
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If you do additional research you will see that Petsmart has contributed to other animal cruelty in their years of exsistance, yes no one is perfect and they do good things for shelters etc-but for them to say they dont see anything going wrong with the facility that they were using thats just not right and for them to continue to stand behind the cruel tactics of the facility.
It is the whole corporation that should be held responsible.
 
charmedone92
charmedone92
1 year ago
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Nevermind, but fourth comment is still pretty darn good =D, but I still dont like Petsmart!!
 
charmedone92
charmedone92
1 year ago
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WOW!! That is really upsetting to hear about the horrible conditions at the Petsmart store. I have heard of them, but never knew that they cared for their animals so bad. I fully support the pending boycott. Also, first comment people =DD!
 
Katie  T.
Katie T. (kalee42)
1 year ago
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Wow, makes my skin crawl. What are these crazy people thinking, when they are performing such cruel practices on animals.
 
Irina
Irina (irinkad83)
1 year ago
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Time to boycot them looks like, its not just one incident, it seems to be happening on regular basis with them, even if they use an outside facility it is their responsibility to make sure the producers they use are humane and animal friendly.
booo on petsmart
 
bcax
bcax
1 year ago
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That doesn't sound good.
 
beachbum
beachbum
1 year ago
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:-( no its not
 
Richard S.
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Oh gee, ya think?
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