Do you ever say anything besides "interesting" & "incredible" ??!!

it is a vendor that is supposedly treating the animals this way not the store itself.

The store did nothing wrong. Supposedly the vendor did. So why should the store be shut down when they did NOTHING wrong.

LOVE your comment, I so agree!

YAY!! I support Petsmart too, I wish everyone would give them the benefit of the doubt

Yes, am sure petsmart will look into the claims and want to check out this website for update too.
www.kristv.com
I figure whatever occurs is going to show up at this local area website in corpus christi,texas.
i want to see if that City animal control's Kelli Copeland views the video to recognize anyone,assuming her job would involve herself knowing anyone in the video.
i want to see how that petsmart inspection went on 01/26/08, since the article states that petsmart is investigating the facility already since today is 01/29/08.
Article says City animal control officials say they expect tomorrow's PetSmart inspection to go smoothly.

Thank you for giving such wonderful insight. Petsmart is innocent here, people dont seem to think its the vendors fault when it is. Glad to hear such positive commentary!

I'm glad you have had a great experience with Petsmart. I like them as well!

None of the stores did anything wrong. It was a vendor. Why blame the store when they did not do anything?

Amen! The store is expecting USDA to investigate. Management of Petsmart can't do everything themselves. I won't be boycotting Petsmart.

Have YOU done any 'checking' into PETA? PETA kills animals and believes that no one should have any pets at all. No dogs, cats, hamsters, nothing. Not even guide dogs. Sure, SOME things PETA fights for are good, but they arent all innocent themselves. They have bloodied hands, they have lied and falsified "evidence", so for a place that claims its fights for the 'ethical' treatment of animals, they sure do alot of UNethical things themselves. PETA is not all its cracked up to be

Very true!

Have YOU checked into Peta? PETA believes we should not have any housepets ~ no dogs, no cats, no hamsters, no nothing. Not even guide dogs. Yet PETA, who claims to fight for the "ethical" treatment of animals, has themselves been caught lying, falsifying documents and they have killed animals. LOTs of animals. Sure sounds pretty UNethical to me

It's not the store or the chain it was a vendor that MAY have done this. Please look at the source though. The source is PETA. PETA has done just as bad if not worse things.

Yeah, just ask some of the animals they have killed....

But how do we know that the video is even credible? I mean it came from PETA who lies and KILLS animals. They could have very easily have had that video compiled from a bunch of random clips. We have no idea where and when they were even filmed. We don't even know for sure that it was of Rainbow Exotics especially if PETA was doing this to get their name out there. While agree that the people on the film should be fired and prosecuted and whomever they work for shut down, I wouldn't be so quick to assume that it was actually Rainbow Exotics or that PetsMart even had any affiliation with these people at all.

PetSmart does not deny the authenticity of the videos (see their "the facts" link under Press Room). They acknowledge that an investigation is needed -- in this statement for example: "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." PETA itself is only calling for an investigation. When you accuse PETA of lying, I can see that you've bought the propaganda put out by the well-organized smear campaign against PETA, and I suspect that you yourself may be part of it. If not, if you have just been taken in by it, you should examine what you read a little more critically.

Excuse me, but PETA isnt just asking for them to look into this, they have, in fact, put out word to everyone to boycott Petsmart. Which is wrong, since Petsmart isnt even the accused. WHY does PETA want Petsmart boycotted if they only want them to investigate? Hmmm?

Oh I have examined what I've read but since you so quick to suggest I'm in a smear campaign, it's safe to say that you yourself are probably a PETA member right? And no I'm not a member of the smear campaign but this have given me more than enough reason to become a part of that, especially after all the lying and killing of animals they've done. PetsMart not once said the word AUTHENTIC, they said they are investigating it as any responsible company would. And really PETA left them no choice as they put this video out there and start slandering PetsMart, then decide to boycott them. It's not even PetsMart, it's the vendor.

a little dated now perhaps, but i noticed you didnt bother to print the WHOLE statement by PetSmart....just enough to try to validate your point...btw, you also inserted words that are not in the document in question...i think you may have lost some creditibility

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

you mean people are actually getting for disagreeing with you?...tell me where i can sign-up i could use the extra income during this economic downturn

Once that local law enforcement dept in Texas viewed that video,all doubts of whether video is real or not shall be addressed. I still believe video is real,since if Peta had not went undercover,we as animal lovers would not have seen the images to pass judgement these occurances most likely occur more often than not.
I want to see reports from that local law police dept in that Texas town near that breeder facility provide the facts of video true or false.
Am certain that the video is real,there are far more nut cases out there in society that start harming animals before they proceed to other nasty violences too.

So what if the video is even real. This isnt petsmart treating the animals this way, it is their supplier. Petsmart shouldnt have been thrown to the wolves like that without being given the chance to investigate the situation themselves. Shame on Peta for trying to start a boycott against petsmart. If anything, boycott the vendor, NOT the store. This is really stupid

I agree with you. Very well said!

Very well said! There are a lot of people that have made comments that I don't think read the story. Nice comment!

Why? It's not Petsmart, it may be the vendor. Then again PETA may have staged the whole thing.

EXACTLY!!!

I want to see which facts materialize,the video is false or the video is real.
the occurance occured at that breeder facility or occurred somewhere else.
The law both local and federal shall pass judgement if video is real or false.
I perceive a major difference of perception to your responses versus my own.
You believe that Peta has made the video staged, is that correct?
I believe that the video is real, non staged.
You believe that Peta wants everyone to stop buying from PetSmart because that video connects that breeder(assuming video is real,and unaltered) is that correct?
Or, do you believe that Peta wants a large corporation to better handles their supply lines by having their hired ( PetSmart vets) do their job, dop what they are paid to do?
For myself, i could care less if Peta wants this or that, but i i believe that the main objective of the video is to establish whether if video proven real and unaltered,that concerns need addressed between vendors and buyers of animals,whether PetSamrt were to sell animals or not will become what PetSmart decides to do,not for what Peta wants PetSmart to do.
I do not believe anyone needs to boycott PetSmart, but that if video proven true and unaltered that things needs addressed, and if video is true and unaltered then am very pleased that Peta went undercover to address these concerns with PetSmart,society, the breeder mentioned in the video, the Dept of Agriculture for enforcing any and all laws that slam make any company treating animals like dirt close and never open again, and also bring the issue of checks and balances.
if video materializes as true, whom else would have went after the breeder?
not me, not you, apparently not even the vets whom work at PetSmart and believe all would have been hush hush if PetSmart were to have discovered that themselves without the video from Peta or from any federal agency.
I believe that the next occurance in the media shall be video true or false, by way of lawyers for that breeder indentifying each and every person in that video with the blurred image.
i am glad that the video has been presented to document what i believe to be true,next we will await to find out whether video is real,as to boycott PetSmart that will never happen i believe.I believe consumers know the difference between seller and buyer of video.
I believe if video is real, that PetSmart do the right thing and cease contract with that breeder based upon video real,versus false.
And above all, believe that checks and balances at PetSmart shall change in the interests with those hired to check out its suppliers will be complete overhaul.
Petsmart will not want this to occur again.

Couldn't agree more.

That seems like a really big jump from boycotting to closing the company down. You don't even know if this is creditable information from PETA.

I mean the Pet Smart Vender is a horrible place. I mess understood the video. Pita is so good and I am glade that they discoverd it!!

PETA is good?! Have you done research on PETA or even bothered to read the other comments? PETA has KILLED hundreds upon hundreds of animals, have lied and lord only knows what else! For all we know they made that video up and edited this and that to get their name out there. Hopefully PetsMart investigators get to the bottom of this and find the truth. I truly believe once PetsMart has all the facts that they'll do what needs to be done. Whether that be by catching PETA in ANOTHER LIE or discontinuing alll affiliation with this vendor (that is if they're even linked at all).

AMEN!

You might want to do a little research about PETA before saying they are a wonderful group. They do have some good points but the bad, for me, out weight that.

I agree. Peta kills animals, they suck in my book. I dont care what else they fight for, they murder innocent animals

It's not the store it's possibly the vendor.

It was a vendor not the store itself. The employees most likely had no idea about the treatment of the animals.

I know. PETA isn't too good of an organization either.

VERY

The story is about a breeder for petsmart. The store itself isn't treating the animals this way.

Why? It's' not Petsmart, it's the vendor that the video is supposedly of.

PetSmart is not the culprit, the culprit is the breeder that sells the animals to PetSmart. I believe that what Petsmart needs to do is re-evaulate how they supply their stores. Do not believe Petsmart will stop selling animals, they will have learned from the occurance at the breeder to ensure their guidelines are better organized.
do not boycott the store cause the breeder is at fault, but insist that the buyer,petsmart ensure that their guidelines are met and enforced and maybe even have local animal shelters visit these breeder facilities for hire to make sure this were not to occur again.

While it may be good that people are caught doing horrific acts, I wouldn't go so far as to say it's good having PETA around. I think we could all do just fine without having an organization such as PETA that lies and kills innocent animals.

I agree with ya Tiffany, PETA doesnt want us to have any kind of animals for pets at all, so I dont know why people think they are so great. If peta had their way, none of us would have any dogs, cats, hamsters, nothing. They are even against GUIDE DOGS. And they have killed animals themselves, in addition to having been caught lying before.

whom is going to do the job? you ? me? Peta? animal shelters? buyers of animals?
petsmart? newpaper reporters?

well said, but also believe that people employed by Petsmart need to ensure that they indeed checked out the breeder facility as was mentioned. If any of the guidelines set by petsmart were not complied and the petsmart vets that check these breeders are found to be at fault for any misobservations,then they employed by petsmart need to be held accountable as well.
probally guessing that those "petsmart vets" hired by petsmart are outsourced,since would be very expensive to fly employees to sites around the nation if they buy animals from many sources.
Could be that if true, those whom inspect facilities are at fault as well.
Do federal agencies check out facilities as well? or only after a complaint is filed?
i guess they check them out before complaints have been filed.
As to boycott petsmart, nothing changes. to address the concerns of how companies buy animals is the bigger concern
i believe petsmart should employ animal rescue shelters cause they more often would ensure all is by guidelines enforced.

That is awful, people need to get on them so they will stop abusing and selling sick animals. That is why i shop at petco they treat their animals very well and everything is clean, i've never had any problems buy my small animals from them.

It's not Petsmart that this video is supposedly of. It is one of their suppliers.

Here we go again @@@@@@

1) its not petsmart doing this, its their supplier
2) Petco aint any better, who are you kidding?
3) WHY do you buy animals from a pet store anyway? Go to the shelter! Call around and ask, you'll find one that has them

Petco does NOT treat their animals well! Next time you are there ask how many animals they have in their "sick room". Also petco does not keep a vet on staff so they have to contact out for someone to look at them if they do that.

This is about a vendor, not Petsmart or banfield.

Its not from Petsmart, its the place where they get their animals from. Nothing to do with the vet services they offer and this is not happening in the stores, its the SUPPLIER

Reread the story a little bit better.