As a leading pet retailer, Petco offers a wide selection of live animals, pet supplies, and services aimed at keeping your pets healthy and happy. But what happens if your new pet falls ill or passes away unexpectedly? Can you return a dead fish, lizard, or guinea pig to Petco?
The short answer is yes – but there‘s much more to Petco‘s return policy than you might expect. In this in-depth guide, we‘ll break down everything you need to know about returning and exchanging pets and products at Petco. Plus, we‘ll take a closer look at Petco‘s unconventional policy of accepting returns on deceased animals and the rationale behind it.
Petco‘s General Return Policy
Let‘s start with the basics. Petco allows returns on most items within 30 days of purchase as long as you have a receipt and the item is in new or gently used condition. Some exceptions include prescription medications and gift cards, which are not returnable.
Here‘s how the return process works:
In-Store Returns
To return an item to your local Petco store, simply bring it to the customer service desk along with your original receipt. Returns will be refunded to your original payment method, whether that was cash, credit/debit, or a Petco gift card. Be prepared to show a valid photo ID for verification.
Mail Returns
If you prefer to mail in your return, follow these steps:
- Fill out the return slip on the back of your receipt
- Place the item and slip in a secure package
- Mail the package to:
Petco.com Returns
257 Prospect Plains Road, Suite B
Cranbury, NJ 08512
Note that you are responsible for return shipping costs, and Petco will not refund any initial shipping fees from your order. Allow 7-10 business days after Petco receives your return to see the refund post to your account.
No Receipt? No Refund
One important thing to keep in mind is that Petco requires a receipt or proof of purchase for all returns, no exceptions. They will not accept returns without one, even if the item is in perfect condition.
If you no longer have your original receipt, a store associate may be able to look up your purchase if you used a credit card or Petco Pals Rewards account. However, this is not guaranteed, so always keep your receipts handy until you‘re sure you won‘t need to make a return.
Open & Damaged Items
Petco understands that life with pets can be unpredictable. If you need to return an item that has been opened or lightly damaged, they will generally accept it within the 30 day window as long as it‘s not excessively worn or broken. Use common sense and explain any issues to the associate handling your return.
Petco‘s Live Animal Return Policy
Now, let‘s dive into Petco‘s policies for returning live animals. All pets purchased at Petco are covered by a 30 day health guarantee, which means if your new friend becomes sick or dies within a month due to a pre-existing issue or improper care on Petco‘s part, you can return them for a full refund or exchange.
It‘s important to note that this guarantee does not cover illnesses or deaths caused by your own neglect or failure to follow care instructions. Petco may request a veterinary exam or necropsy to determine the animal‘s cause of death before authorizing a refund in these cases.
Here are some more specific guidelines for each type of pet:
Fish, Birds, & Reptiles
- All fish (freshwater & saltwater), birds, and reptiles can be returned to a Petco store within 30 days
- Fish purchased online cannot be returned by mail, only to a physical store location
- Bring the animal in its original habitat or container, even if deceased
- Birds and reptiles should be taken to a Petco veterinarian within 3 days of purchase for a health evaluation. Any undisclosed illnesses found will be covered by Petco
Small Animals (Hamsters, Guinea Pigs, Rats, Mice)
- Covered by Petco‘s 30 day guarantee
- Bring your receipt and the animal (living or deceased) to the store for a refund or exchange
- Consider rehoming the animal through family, friends, or a rescue before returning if possible
The Scoop on Petco‘s Dead Pet Return Policy
Perhaps the most interesting and controversial part of Petco‘s return policy is that they allow returns on deceased animals as long as it‘s within the 30 day purchase window. Whether it‘s a fish, lizard, bird, or small mammal, you can bring the body to your local Petco for a refund or exchange with your receipt.
If you find yourself in the unfortunate position of needing to return a dead pet, place them in a sealed container and bring them to the customer service desk along with your receipt and ID. The store will handle the animal‘s remains respectfully at no cost to you.
While it may seem strange or morbid, this policy is actually meant to protect the health and wellbeing of Petco‘s animals. By allowing customers to return deceased pets, Petco has a chance to examine the body and determine if there are any concerning illness trends or quality control issues with a certain animal vendor.
Petco has strict procedures for handling animal remains safely and sanitarily. The body is immediately isolated and evaluated by on-site veterinary staff. Any potentially contagious diseases or suspicious deaths are escalated for a full diagnostic necropsy.
This data helps Petco identify animal welfare issues early and make adjustments to their sourcing, husbandry, and veterinary care as needed. It keeps them accountable for maintaining the highest standards of health for the creatures in their care.
Of course, this policy doesn‘t come without controversy. Some see it as an unethical loophole that enables people to treat pets like disposable merchandise. Critics argue that it‘s the owner‘s responsibility to have a new pet evaluated by a vet and follow recommended care guidelines, not Petco‘s job to "guarantee" an animal‘s health.
On the flipside, many view it as an important safeguard for both pets and consumers. It offers peace of mind to new pet parents that if anything goes wrong, they won‘t be left alone to deal with the financial and emotional fallout. And it incentivizes Petco to only source animals from responsible, reputable breeders and distributors.
Petco‘s Animal Care Standards & Initiatives
So just how rigorous are Petco‘s animal care standards? As a company, Petco invests substantial resources into ensuring the health and humane treatment of every animal they sell. This starts with carefully vetting breeders and distributors for ethical, science-based practices.
Some key components of Petco‘s animal care program include:
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Vendor requirements: All live animal vendors must pass Petco‘s 4-step Animal Care Standards audit and demonstrate compliance with industry best practices for housing, feeding, veterinary care, etc. Vendors are regularly inspected for quality control.
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Robust animal husbandry protocols: Each store has dedicated Pet Care Center staff extensively trained in the health, handling, and habitat needs of the species in their care. Animal enclosures are checked daily and kept to strict sanitation standards.
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Onsite veterinary care: Many Petco locations have an in-store Vetco clinic for affordable pet health services. Animals undergo periodic veterinary checks, and any health issues are promptly treated under the guidance of a licensed vet.
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"Think Adoption First" philosophy: Petco partners with animal shelters and rescues to host in-store adoption events. In 2021 alone, Petco helped facilitate over 600,000 pet adoptions.
Petco also takes a strong stance against animal cruelty. Since 2008, they have not sold cats or dogs in stores, opting to focus on adoptions instead. In 2019, they also became the first major pet retailer to end the sale of shock collars and human bark collars.
How Does Petco Stack Up Against Competitors?
As the second largest pet specialty retailer in the US, Petco faces stiff competition from other big box chains like PetSmart. In terms of return policies, PetSmart also offers a 30 day "satisfaction guarantee" on all animals and allows returns of deceased pets.
However, PetSmart stops short of promising full refunds, stating only that they will "work with you to determine the best course of action." They may require dead animals to be evaluated at Banfield (their in-store vet clinic) before authorizing a refund or replacement.
Smaller, independent pet stores tend to have much more limited return policies. Most only accept returns within 7-14 days and will not refund or exchange deceased animals at all. Mom and pop shops may offer store credit on a case by case basis.
It‘s also worth noting that purchasing from a breeder or rescue comes with a very different set of expectations than buying from a pet store. Reputable breeders and rescues view pet ownership as a binding commitment and often have contracts prohibiting casual rehoming or returns after purchase.
From a business standpoint, Petco‘s generous return policy gives them a competitive edge, especially among novice pet owners. The ability to essentially "test drive" a pet risk-free for 30 days brings in customers who may be hesitant to commit otherwise.
The Bottom Line
Petco‘s return policy is undoubtedly one of the most lenient in the pet retail industry. Offering full refunds for 30 days – even on live animals and deceased pets – demonstrates a strong commitment to customer satisfaction and animal welfare.
But with great policies comes great responsibility. Just because you can return a pet to Petco doesn‘t necessarily mean you should. Whenever possible, aim to rehome the animal through trusted adoption channels before considering a return. Reach out to knowledgeable friends, family, and rescue groups for support.
If you do find yourself in a situation where returning or exchanging a pet is the only viable option, know that Petco will handle the process compassionately (if a bit unconventionally in the case of deceased animals). No one wants to have to return a pet, but it‘s reassuring to have a safety net in place if something goes awry.
The best approach is to thoroughly research any pet you plan to bring home before making a purchase. Understand the animal‘s needs, set up an appropriate habitat, and budget for long-term veterinary care and other expenses. Spend time (supervised) with the individual animal to ensure their temperament is a match for your lifestyle.
Lastly, consider adopting from a shelter or rescue before purchasing from a store. Petco makes this easy by partnering with adoption organizations to showcase homeless pets in their stores. Adopting not only saves a life, but gives you access to additional behavioral support and resources so your new friend can thrive in your home.
What are your thoughts on Petco‘s return policy? Have you ever needed to make use of it yourself? Let us know about your experiences in the comments!
Key Takeaways
- Petco accepts returns on most items within 30 days with a receipt, including live animals
- Proof of purchase is required for all returns, no exceptions
- Fish, birds, reptiles, and small mammals are covered by a 30 day health guarantee
- Deceased pets can be returned within 30 days for a refund or exchange
- Petco‘s policy enables them to monitor animal health and improve care standards
- Thoroughly research a pet‘s needs before purchasing or adopting
- Exhaust rehoming options like adoption before returning a pet to the store
- Adopt from a shelter or rescue to save a life and gain additional support resources
