I am an employee at my local Pet Supplies Plus. I always read tons of posts and stories about how awful pet stores are, some PSP locations included. But I am here to say that some of us do care. I love my coworkers and my managers, and all of us care deeply about the animals. We love each and every animal that comes through the store, even the customers’ (I know a lot of customers’ pets they bring in by name). When we get a shipment of animals from a breeding facility, it is always hard to see. We are all averse to the conditions that many of them are raised in, and we do our absolute best to make their transition as comfortable as possible. Sometimes we will receive sick animals, especially hamsters, which we immediately place in our care facility in the back of the store. They are tended to with veterinary care ASAP and given a quiet, calm space to rehabilitate in :). We try to socialize with all of the animals as much as possible during the workday.
I have worked with our current conure, Nana, for about 3 months. I had previous experience with caring for a conure for about 6 months (it was not mine), but I did as much research as i could to make sure Nana has the best outlook possible. I taught her to step up, which was essentially first base, and have since trained her in behavior like not biting and target training. My coworkers and I love her with every bone in our bodies, and she has really come into her own. She loves to snuggle in my hair while I am on the register and enjoys lots of scritches.
We have also worked with making our ball python, Goose, more sociable and comfortable with being handled. On the occasion, I have to put Goose away because of a freaked out customer, but she is very sweet, harmless, and will just chill your hand at the register.
With the small rodents, I personally give them treats and lots of soft pets when I clean their enclosures. I have actually noticed some change in the hamsters’ behavior, and they are much less fearful and stressed in the event of a hand in their enclosure. Now the RATS, oh boy.
The rats are my favoritest little chunky babies in the whole wide store. We have 2 fancy rats at the moment and their names are Plato and Arete. I try to give them an equal amount of attention throughout my workday. They are both very unique, and I always try to convey that to potential owners as I would any animal in the shop. Plato is kind of timid, but he loves to play and is so so curious about everything. With a couple treats, he usually starts to come out of his shell, and I have even started to teach him a few tricks. Arete is the sweetest girl ever. She is extremely sociable and laid back, and we have a little pouch behind the register counter that hangs around your neck that she can stay in. She is very well behaved and is content with laying against my chest while I stock or cashier. My coworkers also take her out, and I believe some of them have gotten Plato to relax in the pouch too.
We have one ferret, Dilly, and he is just a little rockstar. I love ferrets in general because they are so personable and hilarious. When the day is slow, I usually play with him because it’s difficult to take him with me around the store; he’s pretty squirmy. He’s a little poo monster and loves to lick fingers. I am trying to harness train him right now, so that I can let him have some funky times on the sales floor, but it will take a while.
I love all of the beardies, and they have actually warmed up quite well to human contact/presence. Obviously, I took it slow, and went through the process of hand taming to lower their stress as much as I could. We have a fat tailed leopard gecko, Po, which we have all sort of tag-teamed in taming. He enjoys being held, and is so adorable and gentle.
Now, I know the fish are a controversial subject, but we have a professional come in to clean the tanks every week. In our store, we personally spot out fish with illnesses, injuries, and yes, ich, and take immediate action. We try to catch ich as fast as we can so that the medication can be given to the entire tank ASAP. Everyone takes the fish as seriously as any other animal in the store, and we try to give them the best quality of life that we possibly can. Our betta fish do quite well, and we provide each one with a moss ball in their cup. I bring in 32oz containers out of my own money to place the bettas in rather than the shipping cup that they arrive in. I have turned down a handful of customers, because the truth is, betta fish are just not great starter pets. Many fish in general are not great starter pets. I try to educate myself and potential owners to the fullest extent, because they deserve a loving home along with all of my other friends in the store.
Most PSP stores also have a little section at the front of the register that has treats and toys for like $1-2, and when customers buy them, that item also gets donated to a shelter. We have a treat bar for dogs too, and they look just like cookies. I’ve even taken a bite out of one, so I know that they’re okay for the dogs too! It was actually pretty good haha.
I just wanted to make this post in light of all the pet store hate. Of course, there are some stores where terrible things go on. But it really does depend on the people. I take so much pride in caring for the animals, because to me they are family. My coworkers and I would die for each and every animal in our store, and I am so grateful that I got the opportunity to work here :).
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from Pets https://www.reddit.com/r/Pets/comments/esnay0/rare_positivity_for_pet_store/
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