Letter to Petco

bettababy

Is there any way you can send a copy of that letter to a news reporter, along with a copy of your original letter to Petco?
Who do these people think they're dealing with? Maybe its time they find out??? Another suggestion... take some pictures of their tanks. I have done this many times in various pet stores. I make up excuses for taking the photos to help me with my study and "school projects". Ask an employee to stand in the photos for you, so you have proof where they were taken. Send those back to Petco with another letter, asking them bluntly, who do you think you're dealing with? Call them out on it!!!!

Pleco_stomus

i didnt think a big pet seller like petco or petsmart were so ignorant!

one of the pet stores near my house blames their fish problems on their suppliers, i went in about a week ago, 3 rasboras and 5 gouramis in a 20 gallon were COVERED in ick, it looked as though someone took them out of the water and drenched em in sugar! all they said was their supplier was to blame! i asked them if they were treating the fish for the ick and other parasites/infections. ITS SICKENING HOW PEOPLE CAN TREAT AND KEEP ANIMALS! i for one am not a big fan of peta, but bettababy, iam glad you posted that, thats just unreal! the only good thing i can say about my pet store is the smaller animals like mice, rats, ect. are kept in awesome conditions, same with their birds.

iam going to send a letter to my lfs after reading what you guys are saying about your local lfs/ petco/ petsmarts. and my lfs might not like what iam going to send, but the truth is never painless!

Flashygrrl

Ugh, I was in my local Petco yesterday and came across the same problem in the Guppy tanks! They used to be good there but must have had an employee change or something. I don't even bother with Petsmart right now. I'd rather drive the 20 minutes to go to the locally owned LFS (or even the hour to go into GR because there are a few good ones there).

SKAustin

That is a fantastic Idea. I was planning on suggesting the same. I figured Dawn would have suggested it as her and I are often on the same page with respects to these issues. Remember, a picture says a thousand words. My only recommendation with respects to the photo including an employee, make it a member of management. Chances are that if it hits the news, the employee in the photo will likely be terminated. The employees of these stores are often simply inadequately trained teens and young adults. There's no sense seeing them being punished for the shortcommings of the management/corporate workers. Management is not so easily replaced and sends a message to future managers to "Shape up" or be shipped out.

bettababy

Great addition SKAustin!

Now I need everyone's help here really bad and really fast! I contacted the SPCA in Texas about Rainbow World Exotics, and they called me a little while ago. The officer I spoke to watched that same video we did, and is just as disgusted by it... however... their hands are tied to open an investigation until they get an actual street address for the place. I have been searching the internet for almost an hour now, have called all of the pet store owners and managers I know and was able to get a hold of so far, and nobody seems to have this information. I have even put in calls to news reporters who covered the story, but am waiting for calls back, all I keep getting are voicemail boxes. I called PetSmart corporate office, but all I got was the run around of automated messages and then a voicemail for a USP (unidentified stupid person).

When it comes to people who take matters like this seriously, I know that this is the place to come for help and support!
Ok gang, lets find them and put a stop to this the right way, with the right authorities in charge. If we let PETA keep this to themselves it could have a huge impact on the entire pet industry, which comes back to us, the customers.

Lets see who can find the info first!!!! We need a street address or a phone number that can be cross referenced with a street address.

bettababy

I'm happy to report that I found the information I was seeking, am in touch with a reporter in Texas who is helping me, and in touch with the SPCA who is now looking into the matter.

During my research I found that this place Rainbow Exotics Inc is being run under the front of a child day care business. Both have the same address registered under the licensing dept in Hamilton, TX

It is very possible that there is a lot more going on here than anyone has realized yet. Thus far fraud and tax evasion may join the list of charges these people face.

I'm almost tempted to call this person myself and ask them for a comment on everything I've found

Thanks to fish_4_all and to Kate for your help!

Pleco_stomus

bettababy, i found the address to Rainbow world exotics, and their phone number!

Rainbow World Exotics

4772 County Road 105, Hamilton, TX 76531-3826, United States

Phone: (254) 386-5660


but like you said they run under a child care business center! obviously a fraud! using children to mask a giant world disappointment!

Amphitrite

Glad to hear you finally found it Dawn. Well done - that was no easy job! I look forward to hearing the outcome.

miagrrl

i will definately send a copy of the letter to a news paper and to the houston spca- i plan to go back tomorrow (one week later) and see if the conditions were any better. i will bring my camera this time!

herefishy

Maybe you should inform them that one of their vendors is currently under investigation, complete with all of the details. Make sure to let get those pics with a manager posing for you.

If the conditions are still delporable, you may want to get in touch with your local SPCA right there in the store. Just have phone number programmed into your cell phone. Maybe your county sherriff could also help you out, the store is breaking the law and is subject to the same process that you and I are.