Anyone else work in pet stores? Did your bosses make you do horrible things?

[Ladyhawk]

It was all about the bottom line, so if the employees didn't treat injured animals or euthanize them, it didn't happen. When I think of some of the things I was forced to do to save lives or end suffering, I wonder if they were even legal. There were other things that happened that were horrible, as well. I have tales to make your hair stand on end and I believe I actually suffered from PTSD because of the things I had to do, the things I had to witness. I was only in my late teens and early twenties during these experiences. As far as I knew, my bosses were gods and there was nothing I could do if I expected to keep my job.

I'm just curious if anyone else out there encountered the same things I did working at pet stores. Under the current model of "make money at all costs" I'm not sure there can be such a thing as a good pet store. What do you think?

 

[Aquila]

I used to work in one for a number of years, major retailer. Worked between two stores at one point and no, we were very on top of care and while many people weren't the most knowledgeable, I would say that they had good intentions and would look to others for guidance in situations or providing care for our animals for sale or customers.

From handling sick animals or deceased, everyone I worked with was very professional, and they actually use the same vet I take my birds to, because he handles all exotics, so I know the quality of care that they received.

Anything that might have been sketchy, illegal or just plain wrong I would have had no problem reporting.

 

[texsize]

My sister in her teens (1974) worked at a veteranarian office as an assistant.
She wanted to be a vet.
She had to help the vet hold animals when he put them to sleep.
Many times the animal in question had nothing wrong. The owners just did not want it anymore.

I am sure that the vet could have refused. Guess he did not care how he made his money.

 

[SailBoat]

I have made several tries at this Thread and have elected to just softball it.

The history of Pet Stores over the years have fallen either to Hell Holes or places that are at the very least trying to provide proper care. And, the responses seem to support that level of realities.

Thank-you, for highlighting this huge variation that exists in this 'industry.'

Let the Buy Beware!!!

 

[Ladyhawk]

I used to work in one for a number of years, major retailer. Worked between two stores at one point and no, we were very on top of care and while many people weren't the most knowledgeable, I would say that they had good intentions and would look to others for guidance in situations or providing care for our animals for sale or customers.

From handling sick animals or deceased, everyone I worked with was very professional, and they actually use the same vet I take my birds to, because he handles all exotics, so I know the quality of care that they received.

Anything that might have been sketchy, illegal or just plain wrong I would have had no problem reporting.

This is very good to know. I think if I'd worked in a decent store, I might have gone on to help a lot of parrots. Maybe. Maybe not.

I ended up quitting. Why? Besides all the horrible stuff? Well, my boss gave a promotion he'd promised me to a loafer and a job he'd promised me to a completely new hire. When I asked for a raise, he gave me 25 cents, which was a huge slap in the face. That was it. I couldn't take any more.

After I left, I bet the boss and his wife wondered why the bird cages didn't magically clean themselves. I was the only one doing any real work. Everyone else was upstairs most of the time, playing the retail version of Game of Thrones by schmoozing the bosses. Meanwhile, I was the sole representative of House Stark, doing my job and getting my head cut off for my trouble. Now that I'm older, I'm almost 100% certain someone was talking behind my back, but I was really naive when I was young. I thought working hard was the path to success. I learned being honorable is punished more often than not. Sometimes the Lannisters win.

I didn't make much money when I bred parrots because the welfare of the animals came first. I only lost one hand-feeding baby, a little CAG with a heart defect. He died in my lap at the vet's office. I was taking him in every few days to get the fluid drained from around his lungs, hoping against hope that he would find a way to pull through. I knew that baby almost certainly wouldn't make it, but I gave him a chance, spent the money I'd made selling his brother and sister on his welfare. You won't find too many pet stores doing that.