As a major pet retailer with over 1,500 stores across the U.S., Petco sells hundreds of thousands of animals each year. But where do all those furry, feathered, and scaly critters actually come from? The answer is more complex than you might expect.
Petco sources animals from a variety of places, including commercial breeding facilities, animal importers and distributors, hobby breeders, animal shelters, and rescue groups. The exact breakdown varies by species, but in general, most of Petco‘s small mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, and fish come from large-scale breeding operations.
Here‘s a closer look at how Petco fills its stores with animals, and the welfare implications of different sourcing methods.
Dogs, Cats and Rabbits
Let‘s start with the good news: Petco no longer sells dogs, cats, or rabbits, opting instead to offer only adoptable animals in partnership with local shelters and rescues. This policy went into effect for dogs and cats in 2008, and was later expanded to rabbits in 2016.
All Petco stores now feature adoption centers showcasing dogs and cats in need of homes. These animals are provided by trusted shelter and rescue partners like the Humane Society, ASPCA, and countless small rescues. Petco facilitates the adoption process, which typically includes an application, interview, and contract.
By offering shelter pets instead of purpose-bred dogs and cats, Petco has embraced a more humane model and helped countless animals find loving homes. It‘s an admirable move, especially considering that over 1 million dogs and cats are euthanized in U.S. shelters each year due to lack of space.
However, it‘s important to note that animal shelters and rescues are not always bastions of humane practices themselves. While many do excellent work, some may cut corners on veterinary care, behavioral rehabilitation, or screening of adopters. As a potential adopter, it‘s crucial to research a shelter‘s policies and observe the living conditions of its animals before signing on the dotted line.
Small Mammals and Birds
While Petco has shifted away from selling dogs and cats, small mammals and birds are a different story. Species like guinea pigs, hamsters, gerbils, mice, rats, chinchillas, ferrets, parakeets, and finches make up a significant portion of Petco‘s live animal sales. And the vast majority of these animals come from large-scale commercial breeders.
One of Petco‘s most prominent small animal vendors is Marshall BioResources, the largest ferret breeder in the United States. Located in upstate New York, Marshall breeds tens of thousands of ferrets each year, primarily for the pet trade. A PETA investigation of Marshall documented ferrets confined to small, crowded wire cages in windowless sheds. Marshall has also been cited numerous times for Animal Welfare Act violations like poor sanitation and ill animals.
Birds sold at Petco, such as parakeets and cockatiels, typically come from large aviary-style breeding facilities that churn out birds for the pet trade. These operations are often overcrowded and stressful for birds, which are intelligent, social creatures. A 2003 investigation of a major bird supplier found thousands of parakeets crammed into dirty cages, dead birds left to rot, and sick birds denied veterinary care.
The conditions at many small animal and bird breeding mills are a far cry from how these species live in the wild or would thrive in a home. Breeding animals are often confined to small, sterile enclosures, given only basic sustenance, and bred continuously without rest. These stressful conditions can lead to both physical and behavioral problems.
To its credit, Petco has established a set of animal care standards that all small mammal and bird breeders must meet in order to supply animals to its stores. These standards cover basics like housing, nutrition, veterinary care, and socialization. However, many animal welfare advocates argue that Petco‘s standards are too weak to truly protect animal welfare in a commercial breeding context.
Petco shoppers browsing small mammals and birds should be aware that most of these animals likely originate from intensive breeding facilities where they may have experienced isolation, deprivation, and stress. Purchasing a small mammal or bird from a pet store creates demand for breeding mills to keep churning out more animals.
Fish and Invertebrates
Fish and aquatic invertebrates are extremely popular pets, and Petco is a major player in this market. Petco stores sell over 4,000 different freshwater and saltwater species, from common goldfish and betta fish to exotic tangs and clownfish.
The vast majority of freshwater fish sold at Petco are captive-bred, either in large aquaculture facilities or by specialty breeders. For example, Segrest Farms in Florida is one of the largest ornamental fish breeders in the world and a major Petco supplier. Segrest Farms annually raises over 400 species of freshwater fish in hundreds of acres of ponds.
While the aquarium trade‘s impacts are not always obvious, there are still serious welfare concerns. Fish are delicate creatures that can easily suffer during transport from breeding facilities to stores. It‘s estimated that over 10 million fish die in the U.S. pet trade each year before ever reaching a home. Even when sourced from responsible breeders, fish are often stressed by rough handling and abrupt changes in their environment.
Some popular aquarium fish, especially saltwater species, are still collected from the wild using methods that can damage coral reefs and non-target species. For example, some fish are caught using cyanide, which stuns them for capture but often kills them and other marine life.
Petco claims that fish in its stores have an average survival rate over 90%, thanks to advanced aquatic systems and careful monitoring. However, it‘s impossible to fully eliminate the risks inherent in shipping live fish vast distances.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Reptiles and amphibians for sale at Petco may be either captive-bred or wild-caught, depending on the species. Common pet reptiles like leopard geckos, bearded dragons, and corn snakes are typically captive-bred, while many exotic species of snakes, lizards, and frogs are still captured from their native habitats.
One of Petco‘s primary reptile and amphibian vendors is California Zoological Supply, a major importer of exotic species. Cal Zoo procures animals from an extensive network of breeders and collectors around the world. Tracking down the origin of a particular reptile or amphibian at Petco is often impossible due to the complex and under-regulated trade in exotic pets.
The capture of wild reptiles and amphibians for the pet trade is fraught with animal welfare and conservation concerns. Many species are threatened by over-collection and suffer high mortality rates during transport. For example, it‘s estimated that 90% of wild-caught chameleons die before ever reaching a consumer.
On the flip side, captive breeding of reptiles and amphibians for the pet trade is sometimes touted as a conservation solution. The argument is that captive-bred animals can satisfy consumer demand and reduce pressure on wild populations. However, welfare problems persist in captive reptile breeding facilities, which are often overcrowded and fail to meet animals‘ complex environmental and behavioral needs.
Whether captive-bred or wild-caught, reptiles and amphibians are highly complex animals whose needs are difficult to meet in captivity, let alone in a retail setting like Petco. These sensitive species require specialized lighting, temperature gradients, humidity control, and dietary provisions that most pet stores simply can‘t provide.
Animal Welfare Concerns
While Petco has made some positive changes for animal welfare, like phasing out the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits, serious concerns persist. Any large-scale commercial breeding operation is inherently detrimental to animal welfare. The quest for efficiency and cost-cutting in these facilities leads to animal neglect and suffering.
Common problems in the commercial pet trade include:
- Overcrowded and unsanitary housing
- Barren and unstimulating environments
- Lack of adequate veterinary care
- Inbreeding and genetic disorders
- Continuous breeding without rest
- Premature removal of offspring from parents
- Stressful and poorly regulated transport
No pet store that sources animals from commercial breeders can claim to be cruelty-free. Even if Petco requires its vendors to meet certain minimum standards, those guidelines are not robust enough to ensure a high quality of life for animals.
Animal welfare advocates have also raised concerns about Petco‘s in-store treatment of live animals. A 2005 civil suit alleged that a Santa Ana Petco store routinely threw away injured and neglected birds in dumpsters. In 2009, an employee at a Tulsa Petco store reported that live rats were stored in plastic bags and allowed to suffocate.
While Petco undoubtedly strives to provide adequate care for animals in its stores, the very nature of pet retail makes welfare lapses likely if not inevitable. Most Petco employees receive minimal training in animal care, and high turnover means that knowledge is constantly being lost. The sheer volume of live animals moving through Petco stores also makes careful monitoring a challenge.
What You Can Do
As consumers, we can vote with our dollars for a pet trade that puts animal welfare first. If you‘re considering adding an animal to your family, your first stop should always be a shelter or rescue. Adoption saves lives and reduces demand for cruel breeding mills.
If you cannot find your desired species through a rescue, seek out a reputable breeder committed to humane practices. Small-scale hobby breeders who raise animals in a home setting with plenty of socialization are a superior alternative to commercial breeding operations.
When researching breeders, don‘t be afraid to ask detailed questions about their methods and values. A responsible breeder will be transparent and welcome your inquiries. Look for breeders who perform health testing, socialize animals from a young age, and prioritize the wellbeing of parent animals.
You can also make a difference by supporting pet stores that don‘t sell animals at all. A growing number of independent and chain pet supply retailers have adopted a "supplies-only" model. These stores may partner with local rescues to host adoption events, but they don‘t profit from the sale of live animals.
For example, PetSmart, Petco‘s biggest competitor, stopped selling large birds like parrots in 2007. PetSmart has also experimented with switching to an all-adoption model at some of its Canadian stores. Retailers that decide to go humane deserve consumer support and encouragement.
Ultimately, the most powerful action we can take is to be conscientious pet owners. Avoid impulse buys, and always do thorough research into a species and its needs before acquiring an animal. By choosing to provide a loving home for an animal in need, we send a message that pets are more than mere merchandise.
Conclusion
Petco, as one of the largest pet store chains, shapes industry norms and consumer expectations through its animal sourcing practices. While commendable progress has been made in offering shelter dogs, cats, and rabbits for adoption, most other animals sold at Petco still originate from commercial breeders.
The reliance on breeding mills to produce pet store "inventory" is inherently detrimental to animal welfare. These facilities are built to prioritize profit over the wellbeing of individual animals. Petco can institute all the vendor guidelines it wants, but it‘s impossible to mass-produce animals in a way that respects their complex physical, psychological, and social needs.
Of course, Petco alone is not responsible for the many cruelties in the pet trade. Unscrupulous breeders, animal importers, and consumers who view animals as disposable all share the blame. But as an industry leader, Petco has immense power to reshape the commercial pet trade to be more humane.
Animal advocates dream of the day when pet stores no longer sell commercially bred animals at all. In the meantime, consumers must educate themselves about the origins of pet store animals and commit to making adoption their first choice. By seeing companion animals as sentient individuals, not commodities, we can be a force for change.
