the investigation looks complete but probably not everything of what peopel on both sides of the issue want to hear

i think this will just pour gas on the fire now

here is what everyone has been waiting for...

PETA's Campaign Against Rainbow Exotics

Updated January 31, 2008

PETA launched a negative media campaign against Rainbow Exotics, one of our small animal suppliers, on January 21, 2008. A PETA representative who got a job at the facility shot video of animals and various aspects of the operations. We found some of the images disturbing.

We launched a full-scale investigation, including dispatching a team of PetSmart veterinarians and other technical experts to Rainbow’s facility unannounced. We also have carefully reviewed PETA’s video and allegations.

Here’s what we found:

While we believe there are always opportunities for improvement in how pets are bred and raised by our pet suppliers, including Rainbow, we found no indication of animal cruelty or mistreatment at Rainbow’s facilities. We do not believe that PETA’s video accurately represents the entire situation.

Rainbow’s employees care about the safety and well-being of the animals they raise.

The PETA representative who recorded the images reportedly failed to raise any concerns of abuse or mistreatment to managers of the facility during her two-month employment.

PETA’s troubling video segment of a Rainbow staff member neutering a rabbit showed some practices that were not in line with generally accepted procedures and that certainly did not meet our standards. We have revisited with Rainbow our expectations for staff training, sterilization and post-operative care. Rainbow has assured us it is committed to meeting these standards and we are holding them to this commitment.

During the period in which the pictures were taken, Rainbow had an attending veterinarian. Since then, and weeks before PETA made its allegations known, Rainbow hired a licensed veterinarian full-time.

In our investigation, we found only two areas of minor concern with respect to our space standards for the breeding and raising of small pets and birds. We felt some Guinea Pig and Rabbit habitats had grown slightly overcrowded. Rainbow has agreed to resolve this issue. (PETA publicized images of numerous pets in large wooden, cardboard and plastic containers. These are temporary containers used by Rainbow to consolidate pets for brief periods when they are being received at the facility or preparing to be separated and shipped out. They are not the habitats or the shipping containers for these pets and do not pose any risk to the pets.)

PetSmart requires that our pet suppliers’ facilities meet USDA requirements for animal care as well as our own high standards and that animal habitats are designed for cleanliness and safety. With few exceptions, animals’ cages were clean and the animals adequately fed and watered. We’re working with Rainbow to correct the minor issues we found.
PETA portrays Rainbow as being insensitive regarding sick animals or pets that may have died in its care. Unfortunately, even under the best circumstances, some animals get sick. And while we’re committed to treating sick pets, there are cases where that treatment is ultimately not successful. The loss of any life is upsetting, and while images of sick pets and death are always difficult to accept, sadly it’s inevitable in nature.

We identified certain areas where improvements will help better protect the health and safety of animals being bred as pets. Notably, these are in the areas of sanitation, bio-security and record keeping. We believe these improvements will make a good operation and our own practices even better.

Rainbow is a valued partner and we have no plans at this time to discontinue receiving pets and birds from them. However, as with all of our pet suppliers, we will continue to hold them to high standards and expectations and work closely with them to ensure these standards are met.

PetSmart remains committed to the exemplary treatment of pets, and we believe this is evident to customers who shop our stores.

If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service line at (800) 738-1385, ext. 2518

I woudlnt want to condemn anyone until the investigation is over.

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one per household.
www.startsampling.com

This comment has been removed.

Yet another story of how Petsmart is cruel to animals (weren't they the ones with the injured, sick, and dying pets housed in their stores- please, correct me if I'm wrong, but I thought it was them). I try to avoid Petsmart and other chain pet stores as much as possible- support your local businesses and buy from them!

If this is true, Petsmart should be ashamed.

No longer shopping at Petsmart.

i now shop at petco.........

Until the investigation is over no one will really know who is telling the truth.

I'm updating my previous post condemning PetSmart. I was thinking PetCo!!! They are horrible and I boycott them!! PetSmart is rescue friendly. I'm sure they are upset to find this happening. Sorry PetSmart!!

I think PETA is a organization that is not very honest to say the least. I don't know whether this is true, but I don't feel like it is. I think what PETA says needs to be taken with a couple grains of salt.

Okay, I know PETA isn't exactly perfect, but you guys shouldn't believe everything that Petsmart tells you either. Obviously they aren't going to admit to what was going on or say they knew about it. If it's true, though, that's sickening.

one more time...

this is the ENTIRE PetSmart's statement from their website

PETA's Campaign Against Rainbow Exotics

Updated January 23, 2008

PETA has launched a campaign against Rainbow Exotics, one of our major pet suppliers. The images, video and allegations are very disturbing.

Of all of PETA’s allegations, there are two that are of particular concern to us:

1. PETA alleges that some surgical procedures being performed at the facility are outside standard veterinary care. One particularly troubling segment of the video shows a Rainbow staff member conducting a surgical procedure on a rabbit.

It’s difficult to know exactly what was happening during this procedure, however, we are concerned that appropriate methods weren’t being followed. This is a serious concern to us and one we’re investigating fully.

2. The PETA video implies that a Rainbow staff member killed an escaped hamster by stepping on it. While the video is not completely clear and we’re not sure of the true facts surrounding this issue, we’re treating it seriously and are fully investigating it.

These allegations are troubling and we’re taking them very seriously, which is why we’re conducting an investigation. PETA also made other allegations that deserve a response:

Care and condition of the pets and facility
PETA alleges that pets are housed in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.

• PetSmart requires that our suppliers’ facilities must meet USDA requirements for animal care as well as our own high standards, which includes space requirements. We’re conducting a full investigation to make sure our standards are being met.

• The habitats are designed for cleanliness and safety, knowing the pets spend only a short time in these facilities before being shipped to stores. PETA’s images unfortunately portray only pets that are in various stages of being transported within the facility, when large numbers are grouped together for a few moments.

Medical care provided the pets
PETA alleges that no veterinarian ever visited the facility during the two month investigation and that pets were cared for by untrained staff.

• PetSmart requires each vendor to have an attending veterinarian, and Rainbow has a veterinarian that is responsible for overseeing the medical needs of the pets.

Death and disposal of pets
PETA portrays Rainbow as being insensitive regarding the disposal of pets that may have died in their care.

Even under the best circumstances, unfortunately some pets get sick and die. The loss of any life is upsetting, and while images of death are always difficult to accept, sadly it’s an inevitable fact of life.



PetSmart is committed to the exemplary treatment of pets, and we believe this is evident to customers who shop our stores.

We use only USDA-licensed breeding facilities for our pet suppliers, and we require that our breeders have a licensed veterinarian on staff. We expect our breeders and their veterinarians, including Rainbow, to be true to our high standards for pet care as well as those required by regulation. When PetSmart vets have visited Rainbow’s facility (including unannounced visits), they have found those standards in place. That’s why we’re so disappointed and disturbed by some of the issues that have been raised. We’ve launched a full investigation into this matter and we’ll take any and all steps necessary to make sure our pets receive appropriate treatment and care.

If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service line at (800) 738-1385, ext. 251

one more time...

this is the ENTIRE PetSmart's statement from their website

PETA's Campaign Against Rainbow Exotics

Updated January 23, 2008

PETA has launched a campaign against Rainbow Exotics, one of our major pet suppliers. The images, video and allegations are very disturbing.

Of all of PETA’s allegations, there are two that are of particular concern to us:

1. PETA alleges that some surgical procedures being performed at the facility are outside standard veterinary care. One particularly troubling segment of the video shows a Rainbow staff member conducting a surgical procedure on a rabbit.

It’s difficult to know exactly what was happening during this procedure, however, we are concerned that appropriate methods weren’t being followed. This is a serious concern to us and one we’re investigating fully.

2. The PETA video implies that a Rainbow staff member killed an escaped hamster by stepping on it. While the video is not completely clear and we’re not sure of the true facts surrounding this issue, we’re treating it seriously and are fully investigating it.

These allegations are troubling and we’re taking them very seriously, which is why we’re conducting an investigation. PETA also made other allegations that deserve a response:

Care and condition of the pets and facility
PETA alleges that pets are housed in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.

• PetSmart requires that our suppliers’ facilities must meet USDA requirements for animal care as well as our own high standards, which includes space requirements. We’re conducting a full investigation to make sure our standards are being met.

• The habitats are designed for cleanliness and safety, knowing the pets spend only a short time in these facilities before being shipped to stores. PETA’s images unfortunately portray only pets that are in various stages of being transported within the facility, when large numbers are grouped together for a few moments.

Medical care provided the pets
PETA alleges that no veterinarian ever visited the facility during the two month investigation and that pets were cared for by untrained staff.

• PetSmart requires each vendor to have an attending veterinarian, and Rainbow has a veterinarian that is responsible for overseeing the medical needs of the pets.

Death and disposal of pets
PETA portrays Rainbow as being insensitive regarding the disposal of pets that may have died in their care.

Even under the best circumstances, unfortunately some pets get sick and die. The loss of any life is upsetting, and while images of death are always difficult to accept, sadly it’s an inevitable fact of life.



PetSmart is committed to the exemplary treatment of pets, and we believe this is evident to customers who shop our stores.

We use only USDA-licensed breeding facilities for our pet suppliers, and we require that our breeders have a licensed veterinarian on staff. We expect our breeders and their veterinarians, including Rainbow, to be true to our high standards for pet care as well as those required by regulation. When PetSmart vets have visited Rainbow’s facility (including unannounced visits), they have found those standards in place. That’s why we’re so disappointed and disturbed by some of the issues that have been raised. We’ve launched a full investigation into this matter and we’ll take any and all steps necessary to make sure our pets receive appropriate treatment and care.

If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service line at (800) 738-1385, ext. 251

petsmart is the best

It just shows you have to watch everyone when their trying to make money from the consumer

If the allegations are true, Petsmart should definitely stop any kind of business relationship with them. Maybe Petsmart shouldn't be selling any exotic animals. Birds should be flyi, not stuck in cages. And lizards and such belong in the tropical rainforest, not in an aquarium in someone's living room. But that's just my opinion. Petsmart does do a lot to help animals through their petsmart charities. I would voice my complaints and write letters. Only if the allegations turn out to be true and Petsmart does nothing about them would I think of actually boycotting.

hopefully we will have a preliminary report soon to discuss

That is so sad and scary. Why do people even put themselves around animals if they just do not care about them?

Another attempt by PETA to discredit any and all companies that sell animals due to the practices of a single facility, apparently.

imagine that

one more time...

this is the ENTIRE PetSmart's statement from their website

PETA's Campaign Against Rainbow Exotics

Updated January 23, 2008

PETA has launched a campaign against Rainbow Exotics, one of our major pet suppliers. The images, video and allegations are very disturbing.

Of all of PETA’s allegations, there are two that are of particular concern to us:

1. PETA alleges that some surgical procedures being performed at the facility are outside standard veterinary care. One particularly troubling segment of the video shows a Rainbow staff member conducting a surgical procedure on a rabbit.

It’s difficult to know exactly what was happening during this procedure, however, we are concerned that appropriate methods weren’t being followed. This is a serious concern to us and one we’re investigating fully.

2. The PETA video implies that a Rainbow staff member killed an escaped hamster by stepping on it. While the video is not completely clear and we’re not sure of the true facts surrounding this issue, we’re treating it seriously and are fully investigating it.

These allegations are troubling and we’re taking them very seriously, which is why we’re conducting an investigation. PETA also made other allegations that deserve a response:

Care and condition of the pets and facility
PETA alleges that pets are housed in overcrowded, unsanitary conditions.

• PetSmart requires that our suppliers’ facilities must meet USDA requirements for animal care as well as our own high standards, which includes space requirements. We’re conducting a full investigation to make sure our standards are being met.

• The habitats are designed for cleanliness and safety, knowing the pets spend only a short time in these facilities before being shipped to stores. PETA’s images unfortunately portray only pets that are in various stages of being transported within the facility, when large numbers are grouped together for a few moments.

Medical care provided the pets
PETA alleges that no veterinarian ever visited the facility during the two month investigation and that pets were cared for by untrained staff.

• PetSmart requires each vendor to have an attending veterinarian, and Rainbow has a veterinarian that is responsible for overseeing the medical needs of the pets.

Death and disposal of pets
PETA portrays Rainbow as being insensitive regarding the disposal of pets that may have died in their care.

Even under the best circumstances, unfortunately some pets get sick and die. The loss of any life is upsetting, and while images of death are always difficult to accept, sadly it’s an inevitable fact of life.



PetSmart is committed to the exemplary treatment of pets, and we believe this is evident to customers who shop our stores.

We use only USDA-licensed breeding facilities for our pet suppliers, and we require that our breeders have a licensed veterinarian on staff. We expect our breeders and their veterinarians, including Rainbow, to be true to our high standards for pet care as well as those required by regulation. When PetSmart vets have visited Rainbow’s facility (including unannounced visits), they have found those standards in place. That’s why we’re so disappointed and disturbed by some of the issues that have been raised. We’ve launched a full investigation into this matter and we’ll take any and all steps necessary to make sure our pets receive appropriate treatment and care.

If you have any questions, please contact our Customer Service line at (800) 738-1385, ext. 251

That's horrible. :(

I've never cared for Petsmart...it put small businesses in my town out of business. "Petsmart contends the vendor has passed all previous inspections" Well, Petsmart, it failed one...how many does it need to fail? Come one, get smart!

Do NOT boycott Petsmart. They are NOT the ones doing this. If anyone is it may be the vendor. We don't even know if the vendor did this or if PETA at minimum exaggerated at worse staged the entire thing.

Petsmart needs to do the right thing
Thanks to PETA

Pet Stores should not be allowed to sell pets, period! Too many of these pet stores support puppy mill animals that are weak and ill. People...do not buy a pet from a pet store even if it is a big name like Pet Smart. Evidently they are not too "Pet Smart" if they are abusing and neglecting animals. No licenses to sell animals from pet stores, flea markets, corner gas stations or out of a person's car through solicitation. It's just wrong and leads to lots of issues which hurt the animals.

That makes me sick! Way to go peta for stopping them!

i think we should use the dull blade on that guy

way to go peta

Thanks to good investigation...Two thumbs up for PETA

This comment has been removed by zootoo.

although this is pretty sick, I don't blame petsmart. I blame the vendor. Sounds like money has won over morals again. It was a terrible video to watch though.

how sick

Again What the **** is wrong with people, has greed taken over compassion

With all of the money PetSmart makes you would think they could put more money into better care of the animals. I hope they pay dearly for what they have allowed to happen.

Sounds awful..

*shudder*

That poor rabbit! Stories like this just absolutely break my heart! How much more effort would it have taken to have that poor soul anesthetized and given proper care. Such reckless cruelty should not be allowed to continue!

I hope they get everything straightened out. I am pleased that they don't sell dogs or cats, but it sounds like they need to make sure their vendors are properly handling the animals.

I really am not a fan of PETA. It's ridiculious to blame Petsmart for one breeder's actions...No one can control everything that goes on at all times. The people doing the deed should be the ones receiving the punishment/ridicule. Petsmart should, though, up it's investigation of the people they deal with in future.

What is wrong with people...

I also heard that a couple of dogs where killed when they where getting groomed there. But Petsmart is the place that our shelter goes to on the weekends!

That sucks. And it had to be my store... :(

Petsmart has been struggling for a while and this is definitly not going to help them.

I am glad they are going to investigate their vendors, but it's a little too late for all the animals before this article.

Petsmart, get your act together.

This is horrible, also stay away from The Pet Company primarily located on the east coast,unfortunatley they do sell dogs and cats

I think this is attrocious, but in this country you are innocent until proven guilty and Petsmart deserves it's day in court.

Honestly, Petsmart takes amazing care of their animals.
The breeders might not.
But Petsmart does, and they do more vet checks and such with those animals than most petshops.
Last week they had a sign up saying no birds were going to be sold, because all were going to be getting their shots.

Does that really sounds like a bad PetShop?