"Rescuing" Reptiles From Pet Stores: Breeding Mills

The story is always the same. You saw a reptile at PetSmart or Petco or Pet--whatever, noticed how unhealthy the animal looked or how improper its care was, maybe it had some stuck shed or missing toes, and you chose to "save" it. Not to sound harsh, but congratulations! By "rescuing" one reptile, you've now ensured that hundreds more have to suffer.

Here's the truth: when you buy a reptile from a chain pet store (such as PetSmart or Petco), you sentence hundreds more reptiles to a life full of suffering. These two large corporations undoubtedly dole out improper information when it comes to caring for the reptiles they sell, and the ones under their care are almost always in improper living conditions. This is all true, and very well known. However as a result, many people, perhaps even yourself, believe that by purchasing a reptile from one of these stores, you are "rescuing" it.

While you may, in fact, have provided your new pet with a better life than it would have led by remaining at PetSmart or Petco, you have just ensured that many more must also suffer. As was revealed by an undercover operation conducted by PETA, the small animals sold at PetSmart (including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, birds, and reptiles) came from a mass breeding mill known as Rainbow World Exotics. Before these small, exotic animals even reach the stores, they are condemned to an awful life, full of mismanagement and mistreatement.

The footage obtained during PETA's operation can be found HERE. Please be advised that the images are very graphic and disturbing. This footage is very difficult to watch, but remember that this is what animals sold at PetSmart and Petco have to go through before even arriving at the stores. This is their life.

Although Rainbow World Exotics has now been permanently shut down, its practice lives on. PetSmart and Petco still use similar breeding mills to stock their stores with small animals and reptiles.

This means that when you buy any of the small animals sold at these stores (including rabbits, hamsters, guinea pigs, birds, and reptiles), you are supporting this practice and creating a demand for the animal you have purchased. If everyone were to stop buying these animals from PetSmart and Petco, they would no longer be sold, and the breeding mills would cease to exist. However, when people continue to contribute to the profit of these corporations by purchasing these animals, the breeding mills will stay open, forcing millions of animals to continue to suffer.

For these reasons, I believe that you should NEVER buy any rodents, birds, reptiles, or other small animals from either of these companies.

You have the power to prevent millions of animals from suffering through breeding mills. You have the power to enact change. Discourage your friends and family from buying animals from stores that receive their stock from breeding mills. Take to social media. Help end the use of breeding mills, once and for all.

Other Resources

Many reptile owners have spoken out about the subject on YouTube. If you would like to learn more, these are some videos that you can check out, which delve more deeply into the topic. Please be advised, there is graphic content included.

"Never Buy Animals from Petco or PetSmart | Animal Mills" by GoHerping

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

This video explains why you shouldn't ever buy animals from PetSmart or Petco, even if your intent is to "save" or "rescue" an animal.

"Animals Frozen to Death at Petco and PetSmart Supplier" by peta2tv

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

This video shows you the harsh reality for the animals produced in the breeding mills used by PetSmart and Petco.

"DEAR PETCO..." by Leopard Gecko

WARNING: GRAPHIC IMAGES

This video explains how poor the care of reptiles (specifically leopard geckos) within Petco's walls is. This video is addressed directly to Petco, but still contains a lot of information that may be used to your benefit.

#PetSmart #PetCo #Rescuing #RainbowWorldExotics #Breedingmill #Reptiles