Comments on: PetCo vs. PetSmart?

By: John

John — Sun, 26 Jul 2009 02:33:17 +0000

I work at a petco store and all I have to say is that it is company policy that we can’t sell cats and dogs. If they are in our store we are sponsoring that animal for adoption from a local pet shelter.

By: Erika

Erika — Thu, 23 Jul 2009 01:19:27 +0000

Thanks Rhonda for your comment!

By: Rhonda

Rhonda — Sun, 22 Feb 2009 19:38:32 +0000

I am Grooming instructor and have been grooming and showing dogs for 30 years. What most don’t understand is that there is a lot more to grooming than a 4 to 8 week course to learn this career as Natasha said. My Grooming apprentices are with me a minimum of 12 months and generally it is 18 months. Pet handling, First Aid, Safety, nutrition, ph balance of a pet’s skin, ph of shampoo’s conditioners, identifying skin issues and choosing the correct shampoo just to mention a few things groomers need to learn before every grooming a pet. My bathing course alone takes 3 months and does not include learning to brush, nails, ears or ana glands. Actual clipping and styling is about 12 months. TEETH BRUSHING….. This is just a money grabber for those that offer it. Imagaine how much good that would do a person to only have their teeth brushed once a every 8 weeks or maybe once a year. Groomers at Petco and Pet Smart should not try to rip of customers but explain that brushing one time is not going to be any benefit to the pet. Teeth brushing must be done daily and cleanings at the vet yearly. I have nothing against these companies as we have 1 of each in my town and my business just doubled since they have arrived. I just wish we could get these groomers to become certified with the Nat’l Groomers Association and have to take a written test and a physical test. Maybe post their experience and how long they have apprenticed.

By: Natasha

Natasha — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 00:43:18 +0000

I started my grooming career at PETsmart and they do have a banfield and training in store…However The staff is only taught to sell things in the store and isnt very versed on prducts that would potentialy be better for your pet.Also the roomers are taught in a four week school on how to groom dogs(you cant seriously learn to groom to every breed standard and saftly) And after four weeks they are exepected to groom eight dogs a day.Basically what that means is alot of the new groomers “mess up” on your dog!!! The dogs end up sitting in kennels for an average of 3-6 hours and stresses them out. F.Y.I if your dog is at the groomers for that long even once run!!!!

By: Karl Katzke

Karl Katzke — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:57:10 +0000

Interesting. Thanks for letting me know that, Julie. Our local PetCo does not sell cats or dogs, only birds, reptiles/fish, and rodents (including ferrets.) For canines and felines, they have >3 rescues come in multiple times a week and provide water and kitty litter for them.

By: Julie Anna

Julie Anna — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 23:00:23 +0000

Personally I won’t go to PetCo because they sell dogs from puppy mills. Yes, both chains sell birds, reptiles and rodents, but Pet Smart does not sell dogs. I have heard horrible stories about puppies coming from PetCo, and the supporting that store means supporting the horrible practice of milling. But if I have the choice, I’d much rather give my business to high quality local pet stores that do not sell dogs, like Bark n Purr in Austin. My rule of thumb, never ever spend money at any store that sells puppies, it perpetuates a cycle of abuse, cruelty and pet overpopulation.