Pet stores or breeders

[Dayna]

I was wondering how many of us memebers are either pet store owners, employees or breeders?

If you don't want to post on the main board, PM me so we can network.

I am looking to find homes for my 20 or so breeding lovebirds. Some are awesome mutations. I am just tired of breeding these days. Too much else on my plate. :)

However, I would be interested in trading for an older BF amazon needing a good home..... Not a breeding amazon (well maybe a retired one) mostly I want a pet one. :)

[gbird]

I work for Petco. That's were I got Pita. It's tuff, because I want to take all the animals home. We have a new Sun, which I already have spoiled rotten. Not to thrilled with the management though, because they care more about numbers and how the store looks, than the animals. I'm constantly arguing with the manager about the birds. So I don't know much longer I will be there. I guess thats the difference between chain pet stores & individually owned ones.

[Dayna]

Originally Posted by gbird

I work for Petco. That's were I got Pita. It's tuff, because I want to take all the animals home. We have a new Sun, which I already have spoiled rotten. Not to thrilled with the management though, because they care more about numbers and how the store looks, than the animals. I'm constantly arguing with the manager about the birds. So I don't know much longer I will be there. I guess thats the difference between chain pet stores & individually owned ones.

Wish you lived closer! I have to argue with the employees that yes, the animals DO need fresh water 1,000 times a day! LOL That yes, if that perch has poop on it, it DOES need to be washed.

My mantra at the store has become "if its pooped on, you must wash it". I feel like a broken record some days.

Ever feel like moving to Alaska? LOL

[gbird]

We have a Sun & a Quaker. I keep telling them they need time out of the cage. So the manager says "OK, well, 15 minutes in the morning before we open" I said..."no, they need at least an hour of interaction, or you're gonna come in one day and they will be plucking themselves to death" I just finally convinced them to give the birds fruit & fresh vegies. Of course I came in today and the bowls of fruit & vegies were on the bottom of the cage....were of course they pooped on it. I get so pissed off, I could cry. If I could afford it, I'd buy them. I tell them I don't want to be associated with one of "those" pet stores, and if we can't take care of the birds like they should be, we shouldn't carry them. We have a Tiel that has been there since I started working there, around 6 months ago. He isn't the nicest bird, because he hasn't been handled. He's priced at $139.00. I had a man come in and ask about him, he has 2 Tiels already. I told him he would take alot of work to socialize, and he was willing to take him, but though the price was high. Our policy states that if we have an animal for more than 6 months, they have to be marked down. I called the manager, and he went and talked to the man, but wouldn't , as he called it "barter" on the price. I said, he was willing to take him out of here, you could have given him to him for $100.00.

AAARRGGHHHH....it makes me so mad! I'm constantly going in the bird room and taking the Quaker & Sun out for some lovin, and changing thier water. It breaks my heart. I'm glad I got Pita out of there. It's not that it's a bad place, it's just we don't have the staff to give the birds what they need.

Sorry to go on so long, but this has been building up in me for a while.

[jessica313]

gbird,
its funny you mention PetCo.. i have been thinking about getting a second job @ my local petco this summer. I have never worked in a pet store before and it seems like a dream job for me lol. i also happen to know that they are looking for someone to work in the bird section because the girl who had been there for years left.. this petco is actually a really good one. they take great care of thieir animals.. best ive even seen in a pet store.. nevermind a coorporate chain.
if you dont mind me asking, (?)
do petco employees get a discount? if so, how much?
this wouldnt be my reasoning to work there, but it sure would be a great extra!

[gbird]

We get a 20% discount. It's the only way I could afford Pita. The mark up is rediculous I'm sure. Pita cost $579.00, and his cage was $139.00, but with my discount, I got him, the cage, a ton of toys, food & treats for a total of around $687.00 So I practically just paid for him.

The Petco near me is a really nice one as well. The one I work at is farther away, and an older store, and like I said, they don't have the staff. 1/2 of us care more about the animals, and the other half care about the "retail" side. Especially the manager, who is fairly new, and young.

It's not what I thought it would be. It's alot of work, but the few moments I can spend with the birds, or the Ferrets make it worth it. I just don't like the management in my store.

Oh, and the pay isn't that great...lol