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| - I don't like admitting that I go to either of the two big box pet stores (you know who they are). That's why you only see one check-in for me, because I wasn't thinking. Now the secret's out!
Okay, yes, I do prefer the SPCA et al for adopting our animals, but we have to get supplies somewhere, and online isn't always an option. (Like when I suddenly realize we just went through the last bag of dwarf hamster bedding and there's still one hamitat to clean. Oops.)
Why am I down on admitting that I shop here? Because I'd rather not put money into stores that sell live animals when the staff doesn't know as much as I feel they should about said animals, and the store has no screening or interview process to help customers understand their responsibilities to their new pet. (Or the staff is afraid to touch the animals, which is too often the case with dwarf hamsters.) I'd also rather not give money to companies that operate stores where the animals are kept in dirty, unpleasant conditions.
The last bit explains the time we did adopt two hamsters from a different Petco. I know, I know, buying the animals only encourages bad practices, but these critters were in such terrible circumstances I couldn't stand to leave them. That said, this is why no Petco store can ever get five stars from me, not while the company has these kinds of problems with quality control.
But if you have to go to a Petco, I recommend this one. The staff has always been courteous and respectful of our input. Like, one time we went in and saw two hamsters shagging away. (I posted a video to Facebook, of course. Sometimes I wonder if my friends there really like me or if they're just using me as a gateway to rodent porn.) Anyway, we alerted the staff and they removed the female, isolated her for a few weeks, endured my calls about her every few days (if she became a momma, we were going to help with the re-homing), and then let me know when she was in the clear and back up for adoption. The staff also responded right away when I let them know their "display hamster" in a ball had zonked out. (Balls are cute, but it's not a great idea to keep hams away from their water and comfort zones when they're no longer having fun.)
Compare that to situations at other stores where we've had lethargic or disinterested responses to empty water bottles, inadequate chew toys, injured animals, etc. (I swear we're never obnoxious about it. I want the situation fixed; I *don't* want to alienate the employee who has the power to fix it.)
Also, this is the only store where I've handled a hamster and not had an employee say something about how the hamster creeps them out, is gross, is scary, etc.
Prices at this Petco are pretty reasonable. (You can do better online for small animal stuff, but not so much better that you regret buying something here.) Unfortunately, both big chains have stopped selling many of the cool nooks and hideyholes you used to be able to get for small pets. These days it's all very limited; just the most basic and unattractive plastic stuff. However, all of the wheels nowadays are safe (solid floor), so that's progress. Petco also has a good variety of Carefresh and Kaytee bedding, although if you have geriatric pets (as I do), you might avoid that new Kaytee bedding that is like packing confetti as it doesn't give the critters much purchase for moving around. (We're going back to Carefresh Ultra.)
Like many of the other stores, this Petco does have adoption days for local shelters, which is commendable.
As I said, I can't give the company five stars. This isn't what a pet store should be. I can't even give them four stars, as I find their small animal provisions to be adequate but not great. But this location does get a very solid three stars, and maybe next time I'll even check in on purpose.
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