In addition to the ever-present misery caused by extremely crowded cages, filthy conditions, a lack of basic enrichment, an often inadequate food and water supply, and excessive noise, PETA's investigation of a massive breeding mill and one of PetSmart's main animal suppliers, Rainbow World Exotics in Hamilton, Texas, also revealed that live animals were thrown into the trash, were deprived of desperately needed veterinary care, were suffering and dying alone in their cages, and were cannibalizing each other; that rabbits underwent crude neuter surgeries at the hands of a layperson in a filthy, dark room; and more.
Unsuspecting PetSmart customers have reported buying unsocialized, sick, and injured animals, including guinea pigs with eye and upper respiratory infections, hamsters with deadly diseases, sick and dying betta fish, and suffering birds. As PETA's investigator documented at this breeding mill, overcrowding, lack of veterinary care, and lack of socialization are the norm, not the exception, for the tens of thousands of animals at Rainbow
PetSmart's trade in live animals supports this mass-breeding industry that is just as cruel as%u2014and even less regulated than%u2014the puppy mill industry. It results in abysmal treatment of tiny, vulnerable beings, and it ultimately leads to their overpopulation, homelessness, neglect, and suffering.
In a world where millions of animals are euthanized for lack of suitable homes, abandoned, neglected, and abused, no company that claims to care about animals would support breeding and selling them%u2014often to unknowing consumers with no training and no time to provide adequate care.
Let PetSmart know that you will not be setting foot in any of its stores until live animals are no longer part of the inventory. Spread the word by forwarding this information to your friends and family members and asking them to speak up today. The animals suffering at PetSmart depend on you!
All information taken from PETA website.
Copyright: © 2010 PETA
In a world where millions of animals are euthanized for lack of suitable homes, abandoned, neglected, and abused, no company that claims to care about animals would contribute to their suffering by breeding and selling them.
The animals you sell may be small, but they suffer and feel pain just as dogs and cats do. Please do the responsible thing, as you have done for dogs and cats: Put an immediate end to the sale of live animals. I will not be shopping at PetSmart until live-animal sales are a thing of the past, and I am telling all my friends and family members to do the same.
