PETCO Boulder

This is a good, basic pet store for supplies for all kinds of pets. It is near the center of town, so it easily accessible.

Pros: convenient location

Cons: sometimes out of basic products

Okay - I'll be honest. I use to work there. About a year ago. Bias or not, I thought it was one of the best petcos out there. One, the managers there really know their stuff. Tom and Brian are great resources if you want to know anything. The rest of the staff doesn't know as much, but can provide you with lots of information still. You'll also find that most of the staff, even the less knowledgable, are animal lovers. The store is well maintained. When animals are sick, they are taken to a local vet and get all the meds and everything they need. They also take in small animals that people don't want anymore, usually though they require you leave a cage for them too. They then adopt them out for NO COST!! The only thing I think they could have done better is had employees socialize with the animals more. Also, i thought they shouldn't have supplied alive food. We weren't suppose to use it ourselves, and we were suppose to recommend frozen and such for snakes and other such animals, but we still sold mice and rats for food - the worst part of the job!
Still, overall i was impressed how much they did for the care of their animals. I never realized before I worked there how much care they did give them, especially the taking them to the vet when sick. I also think it is so amazing that they take in small animals and adopt them out at no cost.
The best thing about this store though is the dog trainer. He is amazing. I'm currently having him work with my own dog. I live in Littleton now, but I drive all the way up there for him. I don't think most petco or petsmart trainers are that good - but Mark is amazing. I've seen him work miracles with lots of dogs, and everyone is always very pleased with him. He is a lot of fun to work with too. Also, he often provides one-on-one, even though you pay for group, because he will work around YOUR schedule. Mark also has his own training/dog walking business outside petco. I can't say enough about Mark. If you need a trainer, he's your man!

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[updated on 2008-01-08 01:48:05]:
I meant that to be a five - don't know how I pushed 4! Sorry!

Pros: Amazing Trainer

Cons: animal care could be a little better