As one of the largest pet store chains in the United States, Petco is a major supplier of live reptiles and amphibians to aspiring herp keepers across the country. Walk into any Petco location and you‘ll find a menagerie of scaly, slimy and shelled creatures on display – from designer morph leopard geckos to bright green iguanas to chubby little blue tongue skinks. But have you ever stopped to wonder how these animals ended up under the florescent lights of a retail store in the first place?
In this comprehensive guide, we‘ll take a deep dive into Petco‘s reptile supply chain and examine everything known about where the company sources the cold-blooded critters it sells. As a seasoned reptile breeder and keeper myself, as well as a professional in the pet industry, I‘ll share my expertise and insights on the secretive world of large-scale reptile breeding and distribution in the US. We‘ll meet some of the biggest players in the game, crunch the numbers on the scope of these operations, and take a critical look at the welfare considerations and controversies surrounding the commercial reptile trade.
Whether you‘re a conscientious consumer doing research before your first reptile purchase or just fascinated by the behind-the-scenes logistics that bring bearded dragons to the big city, this article will arm you with everything you need to know about Petco‘s reptile pipeline. Strap on your headlamp and let‘s explore the herp industry underbelly together!
Petco‘s Live Animal Vendors: Welfare Requirements & Auditing Process
First, let‘s set the stage with some background on Petco‘s general policies and standards around sourcing live animals. According to the company‘s published Vendor Certification & Standards of Excellence, all prospective animal vendors must undergo a rigorous screening and onboarding process before supplying critters to stores. This includes submitting documentation of required federal, state and local licenses and permits related to animal breeding/dealing as well as signing Petco‘s vendor terms & conditions agreement.
But the vetting process doesn‘t stop there. Petco also requires all live animal vendors to pass regular third-party audits in order to maintain active supplier status. These audits evaluate the breeder or distributor‘s facilities and animal care practices based on Petco‘s stringent welfare standards – from enclosure size and enrichment to feeding schedules to biosecurity protocols and much more. Audit criteria are species-specific and align with guidelines set by professional associations like the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council (PIJAC).
Petco‘s animal vendor standards also strictly prohibit the sale of wild-caught reptiles and amphibians. The company implemented this policy way back in 1993, and has played a significant role in pushing the broader industry toward captive breeding over the past few decades (more on that later). In addition, Petco requires all reptiles sold to be captive-bred within the United States to minimize transport stress and disease transmission risk.
Analyzing Petco‘s Reptile Supply Chain: Key Players & Statistics
Now that we‘ve covered the basic ground rules, let‘s roll up our sleeves and dig into the juicy details on Petco‘s largest and most influential reptile suppliers. Keep in mind that the company works with dozens of breeders and distributors of various sizes, and the full list is not public information. But thanks to industry contacts, public records, and some good old-fashioned detective work, I‘ve compiled profiles on several of the most prominent players.
California Zoological Supply (Cal Zoo)
Headquarters: Costa Mesa, CA
Founded: 1970s
Estimated annual revenue: $5-10 million
Number of employees: 50-100
Species produced: 100+
California Zoological Supply, or Cal Zoo for short, is one of the biggest fish in the reptile industry pond. Founded by teenage reptile enthusiast Steve Cemelli in his parents‘ garage in the 1970s, Cal Zoo has grown into a wholesale juggernaut supplying exotic pets to stores across the country and around the world. The company moved into a 30,000 square foot warehouse in the early 2000s, which includes a 5,000 sq ft reptile breeding facility.
Cal Zoo sells over 100 species of reptiles sourced from its network of US-based breeders, making it a one-stop shop for stores like Petco. The company‘s massive inventory spans all the staples of the pet trade – ball pythons, corn snakes, king snakes, bearded dragons, leopard geckos, green anoles, red-eared sliders, and dozens more. While Cal Zoo once imported animals from abroad, Petco‘s US-only requirement for reptiles means that all Cal Zoo animals currently in Petco stores were bred domestically.
Fun fact: Cal Zoo originally operated under the hardcore moniker "In Cold Blood" in its early garage-based days. Personally, I think they should bring it back – that would look pretty badass printed on a polo shirt at the next reptile expo!
Segrest Farms
Headquarters: Gibsonton, FL
Founded: 1961
Estimated annual revenue: $10-20 million
Number of employees: 100-200
Species produced: 50+
If you‘re big into aquariums, you‘ve definitely heard of Segrest Farms – they‘re the largest wholesale distributor of ornamental fish in the world, servicing over 2,500 pet stores internationally. But did you know that Segrest is also a major player in the reptile game? Operating out of a sprawling 100+ acre facility outside Tampa, Segrest breeds and sources all the classic pet herps at serious scale.
Like Cal Zoo, Segrest supplies Petco with both the bread-and-butter species and some less common offerings. On the snake side, they‘ve got all the kingsnakes, milksnakes, corn snakes and ball python morphs you‘d expect. For lizards, bearded dragons and leopard geckos are the headliners, supplemented by veiled chameleons, monkey-tailed skinks, water dragons and other oddballs. Throw in a smattering of turtles and amphibians, and you‘ve got the full Segrest sampler.
As a reptile breeder myself, I have to give props to Segrest for their in-house lab and quarantine procedures. All incoming animals undergo a 30-day quarantine with fecal exams and disease screening before joining the main population. That‘s not a cheap process when you‘re dealing with hundreds of animals per week. But cutting corners is how you end up with a petri dish of parasites on the pet store shelf, so I‘m glad to see Segrest investing in biosecurity.
LLLReptile / The Reptile Factory
Headquarters: Oceanside, CA
Founded: 1987
Estimated annual revenue: $1-5 million
Number of employees: 20-50
Species produced: 50+
You may know LLLReptile as an online retailer of reptile supplies and feeders, but did you know they got their start as a live animal distributor? CEO Loren Leigh founded the company in 1987 as a reptile breeding and import business, and by 1993 he was supplying animals to Petco and other chains. As the company grew, Leigh relocated the breeding operation to a separate 12,000 sq ft facility called The Reptile Factory.
These days, LLL and TRF provide captive bred inventory to Petco stores across the western US. The breeding facility houses over 10,000 animals at any given time, with an emphasis on "designer" morphs. If you‘ve ever gazed longingly at a high-end ball python or leopard gecko morph at Petco, there‘s a good chance it was hatched at The Reptile Factory.
Like Segrest, LLL also deserves credit for its commitment to the longevity of the reptile trade and pet industry. Loren Leigh has been an active member of PIJAC for decades, even serving as chairman of the board. He‘s also testified before Congress and state legislatures on behalf of the industry. You have to respect that level of advocacy and engagement, even if you‘re not a fan of the commercial reptile trade as a whole.
Gourmet Rodent / The Reptile Outlet
Headquarters: Jonesville, FL
Founded: 1986
Estimated annual revenue: $1-5 million
Number of employees: 20-50
Species produced: 50+
Here‘s a fun fact – the wholesale reptile industry has almost as much drama and scandal as reality TV! Case in point: Gourmet Rodent. If that name sounds familiar, you might recall their 15 minutes of infamy back in 2012, when a viral video exposed horrific conditions at the company‘s rodent breeding facility. Dead and dying rats everywhere, mounds of excrement, improper euthanasia – it was like a PETA expose come to life.
So what does this have to do with Petco‘s reptile suppliers? Well, it turns out that in addition to supplying feeder rodents, Gourmet Rodent also breeds reptiles at an affiliated facility called The Reptile Outlet. Species include green iguanas, red-eared sliders, bearded dragons and others. And yes, they do supply some of these animals to Petco, although it‘s unclear whether that relationship continued after the 2012 debacle.
From an industry perspective, the Gourmet Rodent fiasco was a black eye that inspired a wave of reform and increased welfare transparency. Petco and other chains tightened their vendor requirements and auditing procedures in the aftermath. It‘s a good reminder that even with corporate welfare policies in place, animal abuse can still occur when breeders cut corners and regulators drop the ball. Sunlight is the best disinfectant, as they say.
The Shift from Wild-Caught to Captive-Bred
One of the most significant changes in the reptile industry over the past few decades has been the transition from wild-caught to captive-bred animals in the pet trade. Back in the 1970s and 80s, when companies like Cal Zoo were getting their start, the vast majority of pet reptiles were imported from the wild. Collectors would head to the jungles of Southeast Asia or the rainforests of South America and round up everything from iguanas to boas by the thousands.
As you can imagine, this practice was devastating to wild populations and fraught with issues like high mortality rates, disease transmission, and stress on the animals. Fortunately, advances in captive breeding techniques and shifting consumer preferences have drastically reduced the reliance on wild-caught specimens. A 2011 survey by PIJAC found that 82% of reptiles in the US pet trade were captive-bred, up from just 30% in 1986.
Petco has been a leader in this transition, implementing a strict captive-bred only policy for reptiles way back in 1993. I have to give them props for being ahead of the curve there. Of course, captive breeding comes with its own set of challenges and welfare considerations. Maintaining genetically diverse and healthy breeding populations is no small feat, and the scale of some of these commercial operations can lead to a factory farm mentality if not managed carefully.
Reptiles in the Pet Trade: Controversies & Criticisms
While Petco and its suppliers tout their commitment to animal welfare and responsible breeding, it‘s important to acknowledge the vocal critics and complex issues surrounding the reptile trade as a whole. Animal rights groups like PETA have long railed against the sale of exotic pets, arguing that the very concept is inherently inhumane and unethical. Their investigators have documented abuses and poor conditions at large-scale reptile breeding facilities over the years.
Another major point of contention is the spread of invasive species due to released or escaped pets. Florida is ground zero for this issue – tegus, green iguanas, Burmese pythons and other non-native herps are now established in the state thanks to irresponsible pet ownership. While Petco provides extensive care information to customers, the fact remains that many reptiles still end up surrendered to shelters or euthanized when the novelty wears off.
The rise of reptile expos and online sales has also created a sort of "gray market" outside the traditional pet store model. Thousands of small-scale breeders now sell directly to the public with minimal oversight. It‘s the wild west out there! I believe that Petco and other chains have an important role to play in setting the standard for welfare and accountability in this rapidly evolving industry.
Bringing Home a Petco Reptile: What You Need to Know
If you‘re considering adding a scaly friend to your family, I encourage you to adopt or rescue before buying from a pet store whenever possible. Many reptiles end up in shelters due to owner surrenders, and they deserve a second chance! That said, I know the temptation of those cute baby bearded dragons in the Petco habitat. If you do decide to purchase from Petco, here are some questions to ask and things to look for:
- Where did this individual animal come from? Petco should be able to tell you the breeder or distributor.
- How long has the animal been in the store? Avoid reptiles that have languished on the sales floor for weeks.
- Has the animal been examined by a vet? Petco does visual health inspections but may not catch internal parasites.
- What is the animal eating and how often? Make sure the feeding routine matches the species‘ needs.
- Examine the enclosure carefully for signs of poor husbandry like odors, excrement piles, shedding issues, etc.
- Ask to handle the animal and assess its body condition and behavior. Alert, active and well-fleshed is what you want!
- Take home a copy of Petco‘s care guide for the species and review it thoroughly. Research the species‘ native habitat and wild behaviors as well.
Most importantly, remember that reptiles are a long-term commitment and not an impulse purchase! Some species can live for decades and require highly specialized care. Do your homework and make sure your lifestyle and budget can handle the responsibility before falling for a cute face behind the glass.
Conclusion
Whew, that was a lot of information to digest! I hope this deep dive into Petco‘s reptile supply chain has demystified the process and given you a better understanding of how that bearded dragon ended up in your local store. As we‘ve seen, Petco works with a network of large-scale breeders and distributors across the country to keep its herp habitats stocked. While the company has made major strides in animal welfare and responsible sourcing over the years, the reptile trade remains a complex and sometimes fraught industry.
My advice to potential reptile owners is to adopt before you shop, and always do your research before bringing an exotic pet into your home. Understanding the animal‘s natural history, environmental needs and behavioral quirks is essential to being a responsible keeper. Don‘t be afraid to ask questions, seek out expert advice, and hold pet stores and breeders accountable for the health and well-being of the animals in their care. Together, we can work to ensure a more sustainable and ethical future for reptiles in the pet trade.
