February 25, 2004

By: Colten Rice
Website: http://www.1st-in-pets.com

Petco Store quarantined, company has history of problems

A San Francisco Bay area pet store has been quarantined. A county health department ordered the Petco store in Redwood City, CA to stop selling birds, following the discovery of psittacosis, a potentially fatal bird disease that can be transferred to humans. A bird tested positive for the disease after it was purchased a few weeks ago by someone concerned that it was sick.

This is not an isolated incident for Petco. This is the second case of psittacosis at this Petco location in the past six months. In addition, charges were filed last year against San Francisco and Nevada Petco stores after health inspectors brought to light the "deplorable" conditions they found, including neglected, sick and dead animals.

The Animal Protection Institute ( has long urged Petco and PetsMart not to sell animals in their stores. In addition to frequent correspondence with both companies for two years, API met face to face with Petco representatives three times in the past year.

"Petco officials seem unwilling to be serious in putting the welfare of the animals before their all-important profits," says API Executive Director Alan Berger.

"This quarantine is simply the latest in a litany of reasons why Petco and other stores should not sell animals," says Monica Engebretson, API bird specialist and Program Coordinator. "These animals are treated merely as commodities, and the result is neglect, abuse, and even death."

Discouraging the sale of animals at pet stores is one way API has been working to reduce the number of unwanted, neglected, and abused animals in the United States. API joined with others across the country participating in the recent National Bird Day by protesting at local Petco and PetsMart stores. People who care about animal welfare already boycott Petco, and API encourages continued action against the sale of live animals at pet stores.

For more information, see natural pet foods .

About The Author:

Colten Rice is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com.  Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.