Choosing a pet is great fun, but it is also a big decision and a big responsibility. In this post, we will give you the low down on the Pet retailer PETCO, from the health, grooming, and wellbeing services they offer through to the pets and rescue animals they sell.
Use our ‘PETCO stores near me’ tool below to find animal stores near me or near you, as the case may be:
Who are PETCO?
PETCO, who also go by the less catchy name of PETCO Animal Supplies Inc., are a pet retailer operating in the USA, Puerto Rico, and Mexico. PETCO was founded 54 years ago as a mail-order veterinary supplies business, but have now grown to be a company operating out of more than 1,500 stores, employing over 26,00 staff. They also operate around 65 smaller stores offering a more homely feel and sell products in Canada through an interesting partnership with Canadian Tire.
PETCO offer a wide range of pets for sale in-store, including birds, fish, guinea pigs, hamsters, and mice. However, they also operate a policy of “think adoption first” which aims to encourage people to choose pet adoption over purchase if possible. They also don’t sell, and never have sold, cats and dogs as a result of the think adoption first policy which is a testament to their commitment to bring homeless numbers down for cats and dogs.
They do, however, offer a range of in-house services for cats and dogs, from grooming to veterinary care and onwards to pet training. In addition to all this, they established the PETCO Foundation in 1999 to promote adoptions and animal welfare more generally, with more than $30 million raised through their stores to support this foundation and cause. Recent commercial partnerships have also seen big growth rates in donations for the Foundation.
Working at PETCO
Interested to work at PETCO. Here are two key things you’ll need to know before applying:
How old do you have to be to work at PETCO?
For all states other than Alaska, the minimum age requirement to work at PETCO is 18. For Alaskans, you can work there if you are 16 an above.
How much does PETCO pay?
Hourly pay ranges from as low as $8.44 for stocking associates up to $21.74 for store managers. For salaried employees, this equates to between $15,00 annually up to more than $74,000
Who owns PETCO
In the late 2010s there were talks held with PetSmart for a major merger but these fell through and instead CVC Capital Partners and the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board acquired PETCO in 2015. This set them back more than $4.5 billion, but with average annual sales of over $4 billion, they don’t have much to worry about with that purchase. Just one year after the takeover, the longstanding CEO Jim Myers handed over the reins to Brad Weston, who was succeeded by Ron Coughlin in 2018.
Where is PETCO Park and what is it?
PETCO Park is the home of San Diego’s baseball team and has taken this name since the naming rights were sold to PETCO in 2004. The rights were bought for $60 million for 22 years in one of the highest naming rights deals for a baseball park at that time. If you are heading there from the North you want to take the 5 South exit on 10th Avenue, from the East take 94 West to F St. and turn left onto 14th Avenue. From the South take the J street exit on 5 North. However, if you’re heading there hoping to find a PETCO you may be disappointed.
Where does PETCO get their animals?
Whilst it is positive that PETCO focus on encouraging adoption first, there have been some concerns raised about the way they keep some of their pets and rear some of the pocket pets they themselves sell. Indeed, things came to a head in June 2010 when prosecutors agreed a settlement with PETCO for $1.75 million in a consumer protection lawsuit – although PETCO admitted no liability.
The lawsuit referred to a number of issues including improper care of some of PETCO’s animals. PETCO also had to apologize for miscalculating the risk of a flood which saw 100 animals drown in one of their stores in 2011 as a result of the Tropical Storm Lee. However, PETCO require store partners to meet animal care policies, procedures, and guidelines that are veterinary approved and insist on their store animals always being treated humanely and with compassion.
Whenever you buy pets, and wherever you buy them from, you should always check how they have been bred, transported, and cared for to ensure you are not encouraging bad practices. Where possible, adoption is often preferable as you are giving a happy home to a pet made homeless, rather than one bred to be sold by methods that may have been questionable.
What is Unleashed by PETCO?
Perhaps in response to some of these difficulties and ethical considerations surrounding pets being kept in-store, PETCO now offer stores without any live animals inside. The purpose of these stores is to bring you all of the major services offered in their larger stores, with a focus on cats and dogs and licensed vets in every store. They still offer grooming, training, pet sitting, adoptions, and all the products you would expect in larger stores.
What pet care services do PETCO offer?
PETCO offers a variety of services to pet owners for reasonable prices to ensure your pets stay healthy in mind, body, and soul. Here, we outline the major services PETCO provide to help keep all your pets happy.
PETCO grooming near me: How much is grooming at PETCO?
PETCO’s grooming, bathing, and healthcare treatments are wide-ranging, with more on offer than many of their competitors when it comes to pet pampering. Grooming with a FURminator can cost as little as $20 depending on your pet and breed. Free grooming consultations will help you choose tailored options for your pet whilst bathing costs also depend on the size and weight of your pet.
Other services offered for those who really want to pamper their pets include luxury conditioner upgrades ($7), face, feet, and fanny trims ($10, nail buffing ($10) and nail polishing ($7), and even blueberry facials ($5)! They also offer a range of services that provide targeted relief for pets suffering from skin irritations and itchiness, including flea and tick topicals ($18) to get rid of any critters your pet might have picked up when hanging out with the wrong crowd.
How much is obedience training at PETCO
Petco offer a range of training courses, with an intensive 6-week training program usually costing a little over $100. This course will ensure your dog understands all the basic commands, including: sit, down, stay, leave it, and heal. There are also regular promotions that can see you pick up training courses for as little as $80, well worth it if you spot this offer come up.
How much do puppy shots cost at PETCO
Buying a puppy is great fun, but it is not a decision that should be taken lightly, as the old saying goes, a puppy is for life, not just for Christmas. It also requires you to shell out on more than just the cost of the puppy itself, with a range of shots all puppies are required to have by law becoming your responsibility. Beneficial shots not required by law, also need to be considered.
All puppies must have the following vaccinations:
- Rabies (typically around $19-$25)
- Hepatitis (typically around $35)
- Parvovirus (typically around $35 as a combo with Parvovirus)
- Distemper (shot usually given with Parvovirus)
Other non-essential vaccinations you may wish to consider include:
- Lepto (typically around $30-$40)
- Bordetella (typically around $35-$40)
- Lyme (typically around $30-$35)
- Canine Influenza (typically around $50-$60)
- Rattlesnake (typically around $45)
Packages covering multiple vaccinations can also be bought in PETCO stores offering veterinary services and hospital care. Use our PETCO near me now tool below to find PETCO stores near you offering puppy shots:
What pets do PETCO sell in-store?
So PETCO don’t sell cats and dogs but what do they sell? Well in addition to the pet services listed above and a wide range of food and health products for pets, they also sell a number of small pets, sometimes called pocket pets, as well as birds, reptiles, and some more exotic options. If you are going for a less common pet type, always make sure to check regulations in your state.
How much are sugar gliders at PETCO
PETCO no longer sell sugar gliders, which is a good thing because sugar gliders need a lot of socializing to keep a friendly disposition when they are young. They also require a special diet which can be expensive. Typically, pet stores are not able to offer this level of care which means it would not be recommended to get one from a pet store anyway. They also have to buy them from breeders and sell them on at a profit so usually cost more if sold.
If you are able to provide the level of care required, then it is usually more expensive to buy younger sugar gliders, as these can still be trained. From 8-12 weeks, you may find sugar gliders costing anywhere between $200-$500. However, older sugar gliders tend to cost significantly less and usually won’t go for more than $150 due to the fact they are much more difficult to train.
How much does a guinea pig cost at PETCO
The cost of guinea pigs will depend mostly on the breed and will vary from store to store depending on the specific attributes of each guinea pig. However, typically, they will cost somewhere between $10-$0 for the guinea pig itself, with a guinea pig cage kit costing a little over $50. Make sure to give them plenty of vitamin C every day to keep them healthy. If you want extra playing time, they are at their most active when it is dawn or dusk.
How much are chameleons at PETCO
Whilst you can purchase pets online from PETCO, you will always have to go in-store to pick them up. Indeed, it is recommended that you go into a store before purchasing any pet you choose so that you can check their character suits yours and make sure they have been looked after well. Chameleons will usually cost between $65-$100 but you can sometimes get them for as little as $30
Cool things about chameleons include: their eyes can swivel a mind-boggling 180 degrees; their tongue can reach to 1.5 times the length of their body; they are nocturnal so great pets for enjoying in the daytime, and; they can change color to reflect their mood! Make sure to keep them houses separately if you have more than one as a pet though! However, always consider the ethical implications of owning an exotic pet and check state regulations first.
How much is a ferret at PETCO
Ferrets are not legal in every state, with Hawaii and California proscribing their ownership as pets. However, if you are in a state where they are legal you can find ferrets for sale in most PETCO stores. These can be adopted from shelters, but unfortunately, they do still also stock bred ferrets. Where possible you should always opt for rehousing unwanted pets to help prevent overpopulation from breeding leading to sad caged animals staying on shelves. Ferrets usually cost from $70 through to $150 and need careful care.
How much do bunnies cost at PETCO
Since 2009 PETCO no longer sell rabbits that have been bred in their stores. This means you will only ever see rabbits from animal shelters and rescue centers for sale at PETCO. This is good news though since rabbits are one of the prime pets bought based on an off the cuff decision, with Easter a major culprit. This is a responsible decision from PETCO and means you can sometimes find bunnies for cheaper, from anywhere between $5 up to $40.
How much is a hamster at PETCO
Hamsters cost between $15 and $20 and can be bought in almost every one of the 1,500 PETCO stores. However, be prepared to spend up to $160 to get the cage, bedding, and other paraphernalia attached to housing and entertaining your new pet. You’ll also need around $150 a year for replacement bedding and food costs.
How much are hedgehogs at PETCO
It is illegal to own hedgehogs in many US states so you will not fin this pet in every PETCO store. Where they are permitted costs range from $70 to as high as $250 depending on factors such as age, color and the temperament of the hedgehog you have picked to be your pet.
How old are the baby bettas at PETCO
Baby Bettas are usually sold between the ages of 6 and 9 weeks at PETCO. Also known as Siamese Fighting Fish, and can grow up to 1.25 inches long. For each Baby Betta, you need a tank of at least a ¼ gallon and preferably bigger.
PETCO hours near me: What time does PETCO close/open (and on Sunday)?
Typical opening hours for PETCO Monday-Saturday are 9am-9pm, with Sunday hours operating between 10am-8pm in most stores. However, check out our store finder tool above to find specific opening hours for PETCO stores near you.
Conclusion
PETCO have made a lot of effort to improve their practices when it comes to looking after animals in-store and actually not stocking cats, dogs, and rabbits unless they are from rescue shelters. They also offer a range of services to help keep your animals happy, healthy, and looking great. If you do choose pets in-store, always check they have been well cared for and preferably choose adoption over pets bred for sale.