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Jennifer of Brooklyn NY (06/27/08)
I purchased 16cans of dog food sku #000616990 and had to bring back 5 of them as they were expired in Feb 07. I'm very uphappy about that as the one of the employees at the store said that that particular location wasn't even opened yet but the cans were expired. They were in the front of the shelf that was visually just stacked up as there was no more room to put anything on it. So it appears to me that they put those cans in the front to get rid of them. Gross!
The economic damage i incurred was about $15-20 in gas that i had to use in order to drive back and forth to the store and return cans i purchased for my mother who doesn't live in my household.
Stephanie of Malta NY (06/18/08)
I've heard and still hear bad things about pet store dogs. I got one as a Christmas gift in 2007 and he's the best dog. People always tell me how lucky I am to have such a good dog, he's a shih tzu and he's 8 months now, he was 3 months when I got him. He did have quite a bit of poop dried into the fur around his butt which I had to have shaved at the vet, and I will agree with the fact that the dogs are not kept as clean as they should be but overall I am really happy and I'm actually buying another shih tzu girl this Thursday!
They tell you right up front that there's no refunds but that if you get them checked out by the vet and there's something wrong that they'll cover the vet costs. You have to know what you're walking into when you go into a pet store but a lot of breeders I've gone too left me feeling more uneasy than the pet store did. I'm extremely happy with my dog and I don't see any problems this time with the dog I'm getting from the colonie center store.
Denise of Monroe NY (06/17/08)
10 Yrs ago I bought what I thought was a Shiba Inu from The Pet Company in Middletown NY. I have papers (which I am doubting now) that say hes a Shiba Inu. It just happened that I came upon a picture of a Jindo which is a cousin of the Shiba Inu. I did research on Jindos and The Jindo is much bigger than a Shiba Inu which my dog is considerably larger that your average Shiba Inu. I had always thought that my dog was just a reject and turned out bigger than the rest bur now I am questioning if he is even a Shiba Inu. I have been researching the papers I have and everything is turning up negative. The Pet Company that I bought him from has left the area and I cannot find a number for them. I am not sure how to go about proving he is not what his papers say he is. Jindos arent very poplar in America but look alot like Shibas only bigger. Can someone please help me
Mary of Valley Stream NY (05/13/08)
Well to everyone who has complained about cleanliness in The Pet Company Stores. Please call ASPCA when you see sick animals or dead animals in those stores.TRUST ME I HAVE! I used to work at The Pet Company. Their employees have absolutely no training. Except of course how to set up a payment plan. This company revolves around sales. They buy from puppy mills down south. If you don't believe me check the papers. Youll see Georgia, Alabama etc... Some of the papers they offer aren't even registered with AKA! They buy the dogs at a fraction of the cost and you the customer ends up paying in the thousands. This company purchases puppies between 199.00 - 300.00.
When the puppies are bused in from down south they are dehydrated, hypoglycemic, worm infected, and sometimes have ear and eye infections. Then the managers, not the vets who are trained about a handful of times are allowed to give shots to keep up with vaccinations. Most other animals sold there are in worse off condition. Sometimes when exotic animals were ordered no one kept tabs on who was eating and who was not. Reptiles were keep in plastic containers not proper tanks with appropriate heating. Finicky eaters were not taken care of properly. Fish, and turtle enclosures had no heating. The Pet Company should be out of business.
Claudia of Brooklyn NY (05/07/08)
I saw all the bad reviews about The Pet Company, and I know it's bad to buy a pet shop dog, but I bought my maltese in Menlo Park Mall. He's almost 2.5 years old now and he's WONDERFUL. Sweet and loving, an absolute great dog. He was never sick and I wish I could get another one.
Linda of Amsterdam NY (05/06/08)
On Saturady, May 2, 2008, my daughter and I visited The Pet Company in the Rotterdam Square Mall. We asked to see the long-haired dashund. It was a male and born in February. This poor little defenseless puppy just reeked of urine. His little tail was drenched with urine as were his feet. We were deeply saddened for this little pooch. Aren't there any surprise state inspections in pet stores? If not, there definitely should be!
When I told the clerk (I was too upset to notice her name) to come get him, I told her he desperately needed a bath as he was soaked with urine. She just looked at me like I had three heads! I find the conditions at The Pet Store deplorable. Something needs to be done to protect these innocent animals. We purchased a dashund just before Christmas at the Pet Company in Witon Mall in Saratoga. Our pup became lethargic and had a horrible cough just 3 days after she was home. We had to get her to the vet twice in one week. She had kennel cough and a bad respiratory infectiion, antibiotics and an antibiotic booster injection were given.
After one week, she wasn't getting much better and another injection had to be given along with another round of antibiotics and cough syrup. It took a good 4 weeks until she was feeling better. We had to wait to purchase her because she was too young - it's a good thing we purchased her as soon as she was able to leave or she probably wouldn't have made it. She's a beautiful very happy puppy now because we take such excellent care of her no thanks to The Pet Company. They should be heavily fined and shut down!
Mary of Holly MI (03/16/08)
I had my dog at Petco. We had been in the store for over an hour. As we were leaving the store, another couple was entering with their dog. As I passed them, their dog attacked my dog. My dog required emergency treatment: her neck was torn open, and she had bites on her rear legs and buttocks. The owners of the other dog are refusing to help me with the vet bills. I turned to Petco for help, thinking that my homeowners insurance would cover something that occurred on my property, so they probably have to have insurance that would cover something that happens on their property. They said there was nothing they could do to help. I am now stuck with a vet bill of almost $800.
My dog is a very docile, nearly 11-year-old, retired racing greyhound. She had to get stitches under the skin and staples on top of that. The vet bill was $700, and follow-up with my own vet was another $50.
Jane of Saratoga Springs NY (03/15/08)
I have a lot to say about the pet company in the Wilton mall, which I think needs to be shut down. First, the manager Linda doesn't know a thing about animals. She tried to tell me information and she argued with me about what I was saying. All she does is sit on the phone and talk about disgusting things. Her employees are frustrated with the way she treats animals and them. She yells at them in front of customers and treats them like dirt. An insider told me there is sick dogs in the back that she never personally cares for and freezes animals that are sick instead of helping them. There have been many puppy deaths and lies to customers when she says the pups aren't from puppy farms. I've seen the puppy truck they come from. Definitely a farm, do not buy a dog from the pet company wilton mall.
Julia of Monroe CT (03/08/08)
In the Milford mall, there is a Pet Company. I wanted to go look around so I went in there and turned right back around. Why? Because they had little and big puppies in TEENY TINY cages with nothing to comfort them or any food or anything. This is not right. Dogs, especially puppies, NEED to run around and get active! And it's absolutely terrible to have puppies in ridiculously small cages. Are they from puppy mills? That's even worse. How would you feel if you were condensed in a small cage every day of your life until just any person in the world comes and buys you? What if that person takes even worse care of the cute little pups? Pease do not keep little puppies in that pet store, in the MALL nonetheless.
There were sad, poor, unhealthy, and even dead puppies.
Aaron of Merrick NY (03/04/08)
To any and all who buy a puppy from a retail store: get educated. It seems to me that these stores only survive because people purchase from them; tell everyone you know to only buy from a reputable breeder. Go to www.akc.org if you need to find one in your area or attend a local AKC dog show. According to AKC rules, you are to receive AKC registration papers at the time of purchase; if you do not get them then do not take the puppy.... You will never see them, and chances are they will be fake anyway. The puppies sold in these stores may be massed produced in horrible conditions. They may be kept in large rabbit hutch type cages, and when the mothers are no longer able to breed, might be shot and dumped in a hole to be used as fertilizer. Read information about Puppy Mills, and you will understand why places such as this need to be shut down permanently.
Emily of Chattanooga TN (02/21/08)
I am an employee at The Pet Company in the Hamilton Place Mall in Chattanooga, TN. I have read some of the other comments about this store and find it unimaginable. The store I work at is always kept incredibly tidy. We have Kennel Care employees who work solely with the animals, while the Sales Associates (which is what I am) deal with the customers. We all work together to get the job done. If we spot a dog with poop in its cage, one of us immediately go deal with the animal, whether we are with a customer or not. I am not sure what goes on at the other Pet Company stores, but the animals are our first priority at The Pet Company in Chattanooga. Each dog has its own crate. Very rarely do the animals share crates and if they do, there is a maximum of two dogs in a big crate. I encourage you all to not give up on this company because you have gone to one that was poorly managed. My manager, Carre R., is incredibly helpful and always willing to do what she has to in order to get the job done. She spends extra time with the animals to insure that all are properly handled and cared for. I encourage you all to visit The Pet Company in Chattanooga. You won't be disappointed.
Samantha of Temple GA (02/11/08)
We purchased a puppy in late October- early November of 2007. We where told that we would receive her papers in the mail within a month. After seven weeks we called, and the person who I talked to said that we would receive them from the AKC. I got in touch with the AKC, and they said that the Pet Company is the one who sends them. I called back to the Pet Company and asked to speak with the manager and told her this.
She told me that she was really busy and would check into it and give me a call back. I never received a call back. We gave it a few weeks, and I called back this morning and was told that they where backed up on sending out papers, call back in a few weeks. The cashier tried to get the manager, but she wouldn't talk to me. The employees are very rude and they are not helpful.
Kathy of Kenosha WI (01/22/08)
I purchased a male golden hamster on 12-27-2007 only to notice it was very wet under the tail area--not knowing about wet tail disease. I purchased it for our 5-year-old daughter. He kept getting wetter and not eating or drinking, so we stopped in to talk to the girl on the floor there. She said it was wet tail and to bring him back right away and they would buy him back from us and treat him. Once he was treated and well, we could then opt to buy him back or not. We took him back on 1-1-2008. On 1-7-2008 he was dead. We called to check on him and stopped in the store to see him as we were told we could do.
The one night we stopped to check on him a manager by the name of Tony come raging up, yelling and throwing the igloo over the hamster--almost knocking me and my 5-year-old over with the tanks lid, as we were kneeling beside the tank on the floor to view the sick little hamster who was in a wet filtty mess of paper towels.They claim the hamster went to their vet; I really doubt that. I think Petco was treating the hamster themselves. My daughter is crushed by losing her hamster and because of the manager's attitude. She thinks he killed her hamster. She is scared when she sees the store, and we will never go back there again. And never once did they ever call us to give us an update.
We are so upset by the way they handled the whole thing. Dont understand why, under warranty, we couldn't bring him to our vet for treatment...he might still be alive.We will NEVER buy from that Petco again.
Shelly of Milton PA (11/18/07)
We never expected to buy a puppy at a pet store since we've heard all the horror stories, but we have been trying to adopt a child from Guatemala for 4 years and it's been horrible, so we had a weak moment. We went to this mall and saw the most lovable English Bulldog and fell in love. We cannot even believe how much we paid - $4560. They told us he could be used as a stud or show dog. He has five champions in his blood line. From the time we got him, he had diarrhea and vomiting. We took him to the vet multiple times and he was on medicine over and over. That finally got cleared up, but he's had red bumps all over his tummy, legs and face. They thought it could be food allergies. He went back and they did a skin scrape. He has demodectic mange. He is only 6 months-old and he's been on medicines his whole life. He has to have medicated baths twice a week for a month. They said this came from his mother at birth. These pet stores need to be SHUT DOWN! It's all about money. We will do what we have to in order to make him better as he's part of our family. But we will have him fixed. This is NOT champion quality that they sell.
We have spent over $600 on vet bills, medicines, etc. We will have to spend even more than that to get him fixed, IF he gets through this mange. His immune system is so low that it could even kill him. This little guy has known nothing but sickness for six months of his life.
Shannon of Katonah NY (11/10/07)
I purchased a puggle from this store which had sores on her back. I was told that they were just kennel sores, sores from the dog scratching and a reaction to a vaccination. Three different answers. The pet company upon selling this dog said she was healthy and the sores would go away within a few weeks. They verbally agreed that they would pay for ANY charges concerning these sores. It has been a month and a half now and $500 in veterinary bills to treat these sores. The vet has wanted to do a biopsy because she has never seen these sores before and is extremely baffled. Another $300 in bills. She is a vet at another local Pet Company and said that the dog would never have been sold under her care because the dog is SICK.
Katie of Suwanee GA (11/03/07)
I purchased and so called long haired chihuahua. I love my baby very much and would never give him back. I am now trying to dispute that he is purebread. They are giving me a hard time so i went and had a DNA test done at my vet and they are now saying it is not legitament. There is a large dog blood trait in his genes and they are saying that this can't possibly be his blood test. I spent $164 on it and have done everything they have told me to do and this is what i get.
When i was in the pet store they had at least 3 dogs per little cage. They did not have food or water. They finally brought out a bottle that hung from the cages that was pink liquid. all 3 dogs had to drink from the same little spout and they looked so hungry. their cages were dirty. They want me to pay $1900, for a pure bread and he is not even a pure bread.
Kit of Charlotte NC (07/10/07)
I purchased a beagle puppy at Newport Mall in Jersey City, NJ. I was supposed to get reimbursed for a vet bill and 2 rounds of medicines needed for kennel cough. I went into the store and filled out the claim form and waited for my return. When I called back after 6 weeks they gave me the parent company's number in Morganville. I called and I spoke with a woman who told me they never received the claim or any of the documents I had photocopied at the store in Jersey City. She eventually had them fax over the information and I was told it would come in the mail. I still haven't received my refund.
Olena of New Canaan CT (07/10/07)
We are family with two kids. Three weeks ago, we bought a puppy from the Pet Company Store in Danbury, CT for 1347.16. Few days later after the purchase our dog became sick. He couldn't breath. We brought him to the emergency room. On the next day doctor said that he has a very bad pneumonia. Boss (this is the dog's name) spent 5 days in the hospital (total cost is about 3000). Boss was released and we were glad that his is fine. However, yesterday he got very sick again. Today doctor told me that pneumonia is back. I paid another 1800 for 3 days in the hospital.
We signed a claim for The Pet Company and been told to wait 14 weeks for the result. I called to the store and told the representative that our dog is sick again. We don't have so much money to pay for all this hospital bills. The representative was nice in the beginning but than she said that it is our fault, that we didn't take a good care of our dog. She didn't want to give me any information or phone numbers of the manager or owner of the store.
I don't know what to do. I'm sure that they won't give us the money back. We spent almost 7000. The doctor said that Boss needs to be in the hospital for at least two more weeks and it's going to cost around 10000 more. However, his chances to survive are really poor. I don't have so much money. Even if they give us our money back, who's going to explain my kids that their puppy is going to die?
Katie of Eht NJ (07/10/07)
I went to the Hamilton Mall with my husband. we went in and it just broke my heart. Big dogs in small kennels and 2 small dogs in one kennel. How can the employees look at that all day? Anyway, I saw a Benise Mountain Dog, he was about 3 months old. I asked her how much he was and she said $2100. I was almost sick. It wasn't the price that made sick, it's the lack of care they give.
This dog was covered in it's own feces, his hair was matted, you could just tell they weren't taking care of him. I was like are you kidding me this dog probably has so many diseases. These animals don't deserve this.
Justine of Staten Island NY (04/15/07)
On January 27, 2007, I purchased a Lhasa Apso puppy from a store on Marsh Avenue in Staten Island. Three days later, I had to take her to the vet because of her kennel cough. The vet certified she was unfit for sale. I was told the store will reimburse us for the treatment. Three months later, still no money although I was told it will take up to six weeks to process the claim. Now, all I'm getting is a run around.
Bill of Homer NY (04/12/07)
Purchased a puppy on November 30th, 2006. Puppy was sick and we have taken him to the vet and were told by the Pet Company we would be reimbursed for vet bills. It is April 2007 and still no money. Made many calls to store and I’m getting a run around!
Josephine of Clifton NJ (04/07/07)
I purchase a dwarf bunny on April 6, 2007. I purchased the My First Home Kit as well. We took her home; put her in her new home. My husband woke up around 6:30 am and found the bunny dead. My 3-year-old is devasted.
I called the next morning and explained what had happened, and was told that yesterday was a stressful day for the bunnies, and they would replace it. I told her I do not want another bunny, I wanted I a full refund, and she said that is was not there policy to refund, she had to check with her manager, and would call me back. Needless to say I have not received a call back. My daughter is devasted.
Marcia of Orange NJ (02/19/07)
I purchased a Lhasa Apso on 5/6/06 for more than $1600.00 from The Pet Company of Paramus NJ and specifically asked for a dog that was good for kids. I was told by their associate Nicole that the dog I picked would be great. I have since learned that Lhasa Apso's are not at all for kids and should not be around them.
My dog has attacked all the kids in my family on numerous occasions and have successfully bit my 6 year old daughter in the face which caused her to need stitches and she now have a complex about being seen in public not to mention the medical cost out of pocket. I’m so dissatisfied with the service I have received and more so upset that my daughter will now be scared for life.
Eric of Jersey City NJ (02/01/07)
We bought a golden retriever puppy from "The Pet Company" in Newport mall in Jersey City, N.J. They told us to take this puppy to their vet, which we did. Their vet said he had an upper respitory infection…"kennel cough", so she gave us medication for $50.00 that will be reimbursed, as are all related illnesses reimbursed by contract. Three days pass and he is sleeping 18 to 20 hours a day which seemed kind of odd even for a puppy, but on the third day he had trouble breathing and it scared me, so I took him right away back to their same vet. The vet tells me if you want your dog to live take him to a hospital right now, he has pneumonia.
I take him to the hospital and they tell me he has infectious pneumonia and they need to admit him right now. After several days they said there is nothing more they can do, and pretty much just asked for my permission to put him to sleep. Poor guy never had a chance. They said his lungs were just too far gone and that he already had full blown pneumonia before I even bought him.
They gave me the “unfit for sale” letter to take back to the store, and a bill for $5362.00, yes $5362.00, and my dog is dead. So I go back to the store and give them all the paperwork and they filed a claim and refunded the money for the purchase price of the dog and said they will evaluate the bill and contact me.
I have been given the cold shoulder for 3.5 months now. I’ve paid the $5362.00 out of my pocket for a dog they sold me that had pneumonia before I even bought it. This was an animal in which I fell in love with and they act like it’s a sweater or shirt!
Christine of West Haverstraw NY (01/27/07)
On Friday, January 19, 2006 my husband and I went into The Pet Company in the Palisades Mall in West Nyack, NY to see the dogs. It was horrifying to see the condition that these animals were in. Some of them did not have any water available to them, and all of them were rolling in their own feces. These dogs are locked up in glass cages 24/7 unless a customer comes to take them out. Who wants to come and take them out when there covered in their own feces? When customers do take them out, they are so hyper from being caged up, nobody would want to buy them.
I tried to get an employee to help me, but they were all teenagers talking amongst themselves about what they were doing that night. They paid no attention to the customers or to the animals that lay in filth. My husband was so disgusted that he went and sat outside the store. After reading the horror stories on this website, I would never purchase an animal from this company. Where are the managers and supervisors?
Renee of Milford CT (01/26/07)
I purchased a dog that was on sale at the mall the first week in Sept 2007. The Pet Co. employee told us the dog had a broken leg months prior. The puppy was healed, and the vet released it for sale. The next morning I was in the emergency room with the dog, seems her leg was broke. I paid the $300.00 and had her fixed. The doctor also recommended surgery to set the leg or she would walk with a limp.
The next day I went back to the mall with all the doctors’ notes, etc. I wanted to keep the dog. I felt they should cover her surgery because the poor dog had suffered enough. I took the dog to 3 different vets for opinions and all came out the same, recommending "surgery".
The Pet Co. gave me no straight answers. For 2 days I was run in circles by what seemed like 18 Y.O. managers. Then finally a 25 y.o. manager from the New Jersey store called and said she would take the dog to the stores vet in NJ to have the surgery done. That would be the only way the Company would cover the cost. She then told me that I would have to return the dog to them for a refund first so the store would cover it, then after they fix the leg they would adopt her back to me since she was unfit for sale.
The next week I get a call that the dog is back and I can come take her. I go get the dog and the women says "Oh my vet says she is fine". The cast the emergency room put on her (& I paid for) is fine so they did NOTHING.
She then tells me that the "dog knocked over a water dish with her cast and its wet, but I tried to use my blow dryer to dry it off and it seems ok." However, it was still wet on the inside, so I had to take the dog and have another cast put on for $100.00. Every time I stop by or call the mall store they tell me to call corporate. I called corporate and the first few times they told me it’s approved and the checks in the mail soon. Now I just get voice mailbox and they never return my calls.
Brad of Conyers GA (10/01/06)
Kimberly told us before the purchase that we could set up an account and have low interest free payments for 6 months. So, I was like sign me up. I get the bill after 2-3 weeks and there is no such items listed (21% interest). So , I call their home office / customer service line to complain. They said they would call the store to see if they have a 6 month plan. They call me back after 2 days and tell me that there is no such plan. I should have known better because their home office would have known what the local stores are doing to market their pets
Then, I ask to pay off the balance ($642) with my credit card (7.5% interest). They only accept checks. So, I call my credit card company and explain to them what has transpired. They are going to send a check to them to pay off invoice and bill me the $642. This whole situation got out of hand when the employee was improperly trained.
Brad of Marietta GA (06/25/06)
I purchased a puppy at this location and was completely ready to pay completely out of pocket. The sales rep. explained to me that I could put the puppy on a Pet Company charge card and I would have 0% interest for the first year. When I get the 2ND bill I am being charged over 40 dollars a month in interest. There is no paper work provided to me to tell me about this. Also, the puppy was not available on the date I was told I could pick him up. I waited all day and was told by the manager, Samantha, that it was because the vet had not given the puppy an ok to go home.
She has me call the vet (apparently there are problems between the Pet Company and their curren vet Dr. Kay) and explain I need to pick up the puppy. They explain to me that the communication between the store and the vet has not been great and that it would be ANOTHER WEEK before I could pick up the puppy. Needless to say, I am not pleased. When the manager talks to the vet's receptionist she refers to me as "the jackass" she talked to earlier.
So now the manager is loving this and thinks that I am the key to them cutting ties with their vet or something like that, and all I want is the puppy I had purchased. Many other people were there throughout the day to pick up puppies as well. Also, I purchased the lifetime warranty for the life of the puppy. Sure enough, the puppy had kennel cough and I needed to take him to the vet and get him medications. I turned in my paperwork to receive compensation and have yet to hear anything from the company. Everything they promised me to sell me the puppy has been a lie. I feel very foolish.
Tommy of Villa Rica GA (05/27/06)
I purchased a Boston terrier on January 11, 2006. I paid $990.00 for her. Me and my wife happened to be at Arbor Place Mall and we stopped by the Pet Company when we went in they were not letting anyone hold or visit with the animals. We thought this was strange because usually they let you pet and visit with the animals. A day or two later my wife happened to run into a lady that works for the vet she told us that there was a virus that was going around and that due to us getting our puppy from the Pet Company we needed to bring her in and get her checked out to make sure she didn't have this.
That same weekend I took her to the vet that the Pet Company uses. She was tested and it was positive that she had guardia they gave us an over-the-counter de-wormer medicine. They said we needed to give this to her for the next three days. And in three weeks bring her back to be re-tested. I gave our dog the medicine she vomited once she started taking this medication.We completed all three days of doses.
On Monday, May 22, 2006 our dog passed away. My wife had put her on the back porch for one hour when she came outside to bring our dog in the house my wife found our dog deceased. Her nose was bleeding .
My wife called the vet they told her she could pay out of pocket for an atopasy to find out cause of death and told her that she would need to contact the Pet Company and see what kind of policy we had on her. My wife called the Pet Company and talked to the district manager their in Douglasville. She told my wife that we didn't purchase the extended warranty and that there was nothing they could do unless, we could prove that she had a hereditary disease or cancer that could be proven before we had purchased her from them at The Pet Company.
Robin of Stockbridge GA (03/07/06)
I bought a 2-month-old baby rabbit on Sunday 3/5/06.The bunny got very ill on Tuesday morning I took her to the vet.There was a liquid for diarrhea that the store clerk from the pet company recommended for me to give the rabbit. He did not mention that the bunny was sick. I came out my pocket 65 dollars for the vet bill. The bunny died Tuesday night.
Patti of Scotia NY (02/19/06)
Every time I go in there I am appalled. Not only me but other people in there as well. They put new arrivals in cages with nothing to lay on .These are tiny puppies that weigh only maybe 5 lbs.Thay have to lay on hard cages with NOTHING underneath them not even a foam rubber pad like I see in other pet stores. This is just plain cruel and mean. The puppies lay in the corner shaking, scared, cold and uncomfortable. If something is not done, and I mean soon, I am contacting my local T.V.stations, the attorney general and my local newspapers as well.
Kevin of Southbury CT (02/03/06)
I was in the store with my wife on February 2, 2006. We saw a Silky Terrier (born 9/27/06) lying in the cage with labored breathing. The dog had his head lying in feces and was unresponsive. There was a sign on the cage that said $200 OFF. We wanted to buy the dog to save it from the store but we couldn't get anyone to help us. We tried to get someone to help us but the store was crowded and of the two people working there, one was on the phone the entire time we were there and the other person was working on the register and couldn't help us. I had to leave to go to work so we couldn't wait any longer.
I called the store today and finally got through after 45 minutes of busy signals. The girl who answered the phone said she could not tell me about the dog on the phone even though I was 70 miles away. This is a terrble place. The animals are kept in awful conditions. Their coats are all matted and a great many of them appear ill.
Jessica of Staten Island NY (01/29/06)
I purchased a 4-month-old Pomeranian from the Pet Company in the Freehold Mall. I had the puppy for 5 days, on the fifth day she appeared to have a seizure and died instantly. I brought the puppy to a vet immediately but it was too late. I then contacted the Pet Company and they wanted paperwork form the vet stating what had happened to the puppy. The vet agreed and supplied me with paperwork that stated that the dog appeared to have no physical signs of abuse. The Pet Company refunded the $1,500 that I paid for the puppy but I am still very upset that this occurred.
Lisa of Danbury DE (01/25/06)
They knowingly sold me a sick dog. She had kennel cough and they gave her a cough suppressant while we were purchasing her. It developed into bronchitis.She was in and out of vet's office a lot. They said they would cover any costs and have not. It took two months of steady antibotics to make her well, She still suffers from a hacking cough.
Shawna of Douglasville GA (09/26/05)
My husband & I have gone into this store several times with the intention to rescue a pet. We have a dog and a cat at home right now but would like another. Today was the fourth time we've gone in there & the dogs were eating their own feces. I went to find a worker & one of the girls said that today was her 1st day & she couldn't help. I had to explain to her what feces was. One lady was letting a customer play with a pet, & the manager was on the phone.
I stood at the counter for 5 mins. before the manager acknowledged me. When I told her that the pug had devoured his feces she immediately went on the defensive. She said she was there by herself & when I pointed to the 2 other workers she said that they had just gotten there. She said that she was doing the best that she could. I told her that in this store the pets should come before the customers. She didn't seem to agree with me. I went back about 5 mins. later & she was finally cleaning the cages. Although, she did a poor job because she took out the grates but left the urine & feces underneath. She didn't bother to clean any of it.
My husband was trying to get another dogs attention because the dog was attempting to eat his also. The manager just left the door to his cage open so he could get to what had fallen below the grate. This is repulsive. Not only for the starving animals but also for the customers. If I could rescue all of them I would but it breaks my heart to see these animals in this environment. Something MUST be done!
William of West Sayville NY (08/22/05)
Upon stopping into one of their locations, I discovered the most obscene disregard and maltreatment I have ever seen. Several puppies closed up together in a cage smaller than the one my pet rabbit lives in. Other puppies lay in their feces. Cats piled on one another in small barred cages. They might as well call their store The Pet Jail. I've seen shelters and pounds much cleaner than this store. There's just no excuse for this kind of animal abuse and neglect. The people who buy from them contribute to this on-going trend in objectifying animals. I couldn't with any conscience spend a cent in an environment like the Pet Company. I walked right out in utter disgust.
Rebecca of Brentwood NY (07/19/05)
Our family was looking to purchase a pedigree Bichon Frise female puppy and went to the Pet Store in Bayshore, NY. After speaking to the store manager for over an hour, we felt that the manager was well informed and provided original proof of origin for the puppy so we decided to go ahead and make the purchase. We opened our hearts and our home and welcomed in Shasta to our lives. They provided a bill of health from their vet stating she was fit for sale, along with check list of the things that they did to Shasta before releasing her to us. They told us that Shasta had a slight fever because of all the excitement.
The next day, we took her to our vet to make sure she was OK. Well, this slight fever was not from excitement but from a severe bilateral ear infection caused by a yeast infection and that our Pedigree Bichon Frise did not meet breed standards. That means that I paid over $1400.00 for a mixed breed. I felt so violated because I was sure that the Pet Company truly cared about their pets and their clients. When I went back to question why they sold me a mix breed who was sick, they told me that being that I purchased a Peace of Mind contract, that I could return Shasta and get my money back.
The snotty 18 year old behind the counter, insisted that she knew what a pedigree looked like and doubted the vets claim! I could not believer her audacity to question an experienced, professional vet and I insisted to speak with the manager, but was told she was out, but if I wanted to, I could leave my name and number and someone would return my call. I returned my Shasta, had to comfort my broken-hearted children, and still have yet to speak with anyone from the Pet Company. I am completely appalled on how they handled this situation.
Debra of Douglasville GA (05/23/05)
I purchased a black female schnauzer from the Pet Company in Douglasville, GA. I took it to the vet the day after I purchased her and found she had multiple hernias. My husband felt so sorry for her he did not want to take her back.....now we will have to go through the process of trying to get reimbursed for our medical cost...and I am not looking forward to it. I went in and ask the manager about her registation papers and was told they could be as long as 120 days before we receive them -- well I purchased her in January and it is May and still no papers. I went in to ask the manager about her papers and got nowhere -- I was told that if I did not leave the store security would be called. I believe this company makes a habit of selling dogs who are ill or which have genetic problems ... mine does.
We spent $1200 for this dog and have no papers for her and will have medical bills to boot....
Dawn of Branchburg NJ (03/21/05)
My husband and I purchased what looked like a healthy Cocker Spaniel in 2003 from The Pet Company in Edison, New Jersey ($1200). After just a couple days, we realized that she wasn't able to do the normal playful things a puppy should be able to do. We couldn't pick her up without her crying; she couldn't sit or lay down without crying...she couldn't really do anything. I obviously knew something wasn't right, so we took her to the vet immediately.
When the vet asked where we purchased her, they couldn't believe that The Pet Company was still open. We didn't even have to explain to them what was wrong with her because they could see it right away when she sat down (they explained they have never seen a dog sit so oddly- with her hip bones sticking out). Immediately, they suggested we get x-rays done…$500 later, we found out that our new 3 month old puppy had hip dysplasia in both hips (basically, they said her hips were non-existent).
They suggested I immediately call The Pet Company and let them know that there was NO WAY a vet could have checked her out and said she was healthy. I explained her diagnosis and all they could say, was either return her (by that time, we were so attached to her) or we had to prove to them that it was a hereditary problem. If so, they would give us back 2X what I paid for her (NJ State Law). Even then, it wouldn’t cover the cost of her surgeries, but it was better than nothing.
Even though, it was going to cost my husband and me $1800 a hip, we knew there was no other answer (she was just in too much pain). In July, we took her to the Tinton Falls Animal Hospital in New Jersey for her first hip surgery (they can't do both at the same time). After a long recovery and getting numerous documents from the vet, the hospital, her trainer, etc., we are still fighting to get our money back (almost 2 years later). This coming summer (2005) she is getting her other hip done and we're going to have to go through this all over again.
Even though, our Cocker Spaniel will never be able to do the normal things a dog could do, we wouldn't trade her for the world. I just wish she didn't have to go through this much pain EVERYDAY for the rest of her life! I actually went to the store yesterday and almost got kicked out for letting EVERYONE know what kind of dogs they sell. I suggest to anyone thinking about buying a puppy…don’t buy it from a pet store…go to a reputable breeder. Do your research first! Be smart!
Mary of Chattanooga TN (03/07/05)
I went into the store to look at the puppies. I don't like the idea of having them in those cages, but the conditions were awful. They had all kinds of different breeds crammed into the same cage. Some cages were completely empty - no water, no food. One thing that shocked me the most was the store had not provided any sort of chew toys. There were 2 different breeds of terriers in stark empty cages, running around desperately looking for something to chew, gnawing at the corners of the glass, the hinges and the lock on the cage. I asked the person working if I bought chew toys for these puppies, would he put them in the cage and he flatly replied no. I got the managers name and left the store in tears.
Nora of Poughquag NY (02/25/05)
I purchased a puppy December 23, 2004. Total Cost: 1303.78, On December 27th, the puppy started vomiting and had diarrhea, I took him immediately to the vet, and he was sent home with medicine. The next day he showed no improvement, so I took him back to the vet, he needed to stay, since he lost so much fluid with both vomiting and diarrhea. At any rate, Benny did not make it, and after close to a week of being treated with fluids and antibotics, Benny passed away.
In the interim, I had called the pet store to see if any other puppies had the same symtoms, and the manager Tiffany, who claimed to also be a veterinarian,said that she had some puppies suffering from toxsemia. My vet ruled this out and said Benny had a viral disease that basically he did not have proper immunization from his mother to combat. When I purchased Benny, a lady was there with her little blonde boy around 5 years of age, speaking to the manager Tiffany, asking her how she was going to explain to her son, if anything happen to the puppy she purchased, I thought nothing of it, and I was already so in love with Benny, that I thought this must be an isolated incident.
At any rate, I ended up with a $1,500 vet bill. I went to the store, and Tiffany said I need to file a claim for both the cost of the puppy and the vet bills. I refused to leave the store until I got the cost of the puppy credited to my account, because as I told Tiffany, I was not going to be out $3,000 in a matter of days. In addition to the heartache, they were not going to keep my money. It took a week, and many calls to her claim office to get Michelle to authorize a refund for the puppy. Michelle said it would take another week or so to process the vet bills. At the beginning of Feb, after hearing nothing from Michelle, I called the claim office, after leaving several messages for Michelle, who never returned my call, I called Tiffany the manager. She got a hold of Michelle, who said the claim was approved and they would also give me a credit for a new puppy. I told her I was not interested in obtaining a new puppy, I just need to get reimbursed since I paid my vet using my credit card, and now have paid my credit card in full.
She said the check would go out the following week, Now February is come to an end, and Michelle does not return any of my calls, including a fax I sent asking her to call. I need help, because I have a bad feeling about this company and feel they are not going to honor their promise.
Scott of Lanoka Harbor NJ (02/15/05)
My wife thought she'd surprise me by buying a puppy. She went to the Pet Company in the Freehold Mall and fell in love with a 3-month old silky terrier puppy. She purchased all the warranties and even put it on their credit card (which she opened that day). Having never owned a silky, I did some research the next day and found out that they charged her twice the amount that a breeder charges for the same dog. To top it off, the dog has severe kennel cough and our vet (whom we have been using for many years) deemed her unfit for sale. The company's response was to tell us to return the dog.
As dog lovers, we became instantly attached to this puppy and can't even begin to fathom returning her to store that didn't care for her properly. We submitted her vet bills as part of the piece of mind warranty, but have yet to hear anything. We were also given pedigree papers showing her breeder and lineage. The breeder will be contacted and informed of the horrible care their puppies are getting. How can a pet store justify a 100% mark-up on a sick animal? These practices must be stopped. They prey on people's soft side for animals (like my wife's) knowing fully that the vast majority of people will not return a puppy.
Carol of Saratoga Springs NY (02/09/05)
Approximately two weeks prior to Christmas '04, I visited The Pet Company Wilton Mall Space D-1 Saratoga Springs, NY 12866 and asked to hold a mini schnauzer as I was considering purchasing the puppy for my 11 & 12 yr old children for Christmas. The puppy coughed twice during the visit and I brought it to the attention of the young girl working there. She assured me that the puppy was being seen by a vet and that, to her knowledge the dog was not sick but she would mention it to the vet when he came in that week.
On Dec. 24, 2004 I went to the same store and made the decision to purchase the same dog if it was in good health. I was assured that the dog was fit for sale and that sometimes the dogs at the stores are placed on preventative antibiotics because they are around so many other dogs. I purchased the dog for $1132.38, signed all the necessary paperwork, bought supplies in the amount of $55.83 and took the puppy home to give to my children for Christmas. I then scheduled a routine visit with my Vet to have the dog seen with in two weeks of purchase, as mandated by The Pet Company for warranty purposes but after the first week became suspicious that the dog may in fact be sick as I began to notice discharge from his nose and eyes. I called my Vet back and she agreed to see the dog sooner.
Her initial diagnosis on 1/3/05 was moderate to sever upper respiratory infection (which eventually progressed to pneumonia.) She also noted green bilateral nasal discharge, ocular discharge & obvious lethargy. She drew blood and placed the dog on antibiotics. That night the dog stopped eating and drinking so again I called my Vet as she had requested if his condition worsened. She told me to come in and she subsequently sent me home with some high caloric food and gave me instructions to give the puppy watered by a syringe and ice cubes to keep him hydrated. It was a courtesy visit and I was only charged for the food.
The condition of the dog did not improve and he was seen again on Jan. 6, 2004 at which time the Vet. took x-rays of the dogs chest to find a consolidated lung field. Sent me with more high caloric food and changed his antibiotics as she felt that he may be resistant to the other antibiotic. Over the next 10 days the dog appeared to be improving but upon completion of his course of antibiotics, after two days, his symptoms reoccurred and he again began coughing and stopped eating. I called the Vet. and was told to continue with the antibiotics at which time I obtained the medication and began administering it as prescribed.
On Jan. 20, 2005 the dog was taken to the Vet for a follow-up visit and I was told to continue with more antibiotics. The dog did not improve and was unable to lay down as he could not breathe unless he was in the sitting position and on Jan. 26, 2005 I received a call from my Vet advising me to take the dog to a Vet who specialized in treating animals with this problem. Upon examination, the specialist admitted the dog for treatment of severe bilateral pneumonia. He remained hospitalized until Jan. 29, 2005. He currently remains on antibiotics and has not yet completed the course as it is prescribed of 30 days. I am told that his respiratory effort is still not normal and his lungs may be scarred permanently. This may be a recurring problem and he may face surgery in the future to remove the affected portion of his lung.
I purchased the dog for $1132.38 and to date I have spent $2270.08 in medical expenses. I additionally spent $55.83 for food and supplies.
Anne of Schenectady NY (02/07/05)
We purchased a puppy from their Colonie, NY store. Within a few days he was deemed unfit for sale, and thought to have kennel cough. After several visits to the vet and 3 courses on meds, he was given a chest x-ray that found pneumonia and a lung collapse. This company gave me a different story EVERY day. They finally told us to surrender the dog or we would be cut off financially.
We were heartbroken, but told by the vet that he would always be a chronically ill dog. We gave him back, and never were told what happened to our Logan. I am told now that he was most likely fixed up enough for sale, and then re-sold to another poor person. We filed a complaint with the NYS Attorney General's office, and upon doing so, received a check within a few days of all of our money of vet bills, AND our purchase price.
Sallie of Marietta GA (02/01/05)
My son paid $500.00 down on a dog on November 28th 2004. He was supposed to pick up the dog on December 3, 2004. He killed himself on December 2, 2004. He asked in a hand-written will that I get the down payment back on the dog. The Pet Company has gotten all the information and has refused to refund any or all of the down payment. This was not a deposit to hold the dog it was half the cost of the dog. And to date February 1st, 2005, they still have not done anything. I have called repeatedly.. sent them a copy of will, his bill and such.
The girl at the pet store has gone so far to tell my son's girl friend she can still have the dog but would have to pay full price for it. This is outrageous! Totally insensitive and they have 500.00 on a dog that they can re-sell.
The emotional damage is great. The fact that they refuse to pay back any of the money that my 18 year old son paid is not a good business practice. He had till the 3rd to pick up the dog and would have if possible!
Mary of Amsterdam NY (01/27/05)
The first week of Dec. 2004, I was informed there was a bull terrier at the Colonie Mall in Albany N.Y. I went to see him and he looked awful. A white boy with red skin under his fur that looked like cotton.He had brown on him from his own feces. I told the manager he had allergies. Manager said nothing. I visited him a few more times and he was always dirty. No toys or blanket either.
The price on the bullie was 2700 and I asked if the price goes down. They said yes. In between my visits the bullie was moved to the Wilton Mall in Saratoga, N.Y. He was never put on display and I was told he had mange. I was given the runaround when I wanted to buy the dog.They said he was not for sale.The manager was very rude at the Wilton Mall. Finally I was told this week he was given away or adopted out? Take your pick. I am very upset. Having a bullie terrier myself I know the care and food they need to help with allergies and stress. I was not offered the dog to adopt. Was he put to sleep? They do not care about thier animals. I even left them info. about bull terriers which they threw out.
Felicia of Mcdonough GA (01/20/05)
I purchased a two month-old Pomeranian for $1095. At the time of the transaction I was told that I needed to take him to the vet within fourteen days and if there was anything wrong with him, or if he required treatment, I would be reimbursed for my expenses. I took him to the vet and he was diagnosed with Kennel Cough. He had to hospitalized and nebulized for three days for a total cost of $300. I went back to the Pet Company for reimbursement and was told I would receive my money in two weeks. That was in November. I still have not been reimbursed.
Tara of Colonia NJ (11/23/04)
I had purchased a pure breed west highland terrier from this store back in early Sept. of this year. As soon as I brought the puppy home he was sick. He came down with a severe case of Kennel Cough that just wouldn't go away until the end of October. The dog was 1200 dollars and with that I also purchased the peace of mind warranty and activated the chip in his ear ( supposently). After spending over 200.00 dollars out of my own pocket I have still yet to have been reimbursed for these bills.
Now my dog is almost 5 months old and has developed a lump under his skin which when I had brought it to the vet's attention and they had told me that if it does not clear up it might be a tumor! On top of all this, my puppy's testes had not descended yet which I had come to find is also a huge problem. Now my puppy more than likely will not be able to reproduce and if I do not have the testes removed for $380.00, then they will more than likely become cancerous. I love this dog however what I do not appreciate is the fact that I am not getting compensated for any of these issues as of yet.
Jennifer of Chattanooga TN (11/16/04)
Around August of this year, 2004, my daughter and I were walking around the mall when we discovered The Pet Company...a new pet store that had just opened that sells live animals. My daughter fell in love with one of their puppies, a japanese chin, and asked if we could bring him home. I was a little reluctant at first since we already had a young dog at home...but decided the he could use a companion and after talking to the sales girl (which I later found out was the store manager) about their return policy I decided that I would take a chance and see if this new puppy would fit in with our family. The store manager assured me that if things didn't work out and if my existing dog didn't get along with the one from the pet company..they would take him back and refund all of my money..no questions asked.
Well, a few days later when I tried to return the puppy I was told that The Pet Company doesn't accept returns and that I would have to keep the dog. I tried numerous times to make this return since my original dog was beating up the new dog and was given the run around by the manager of this store. Her story changed several times about the return policy and she finally said that she would have to talk to her district manager. I tried to get the name of this district manager but was told that he does not speak with customers!
Finally after a few weeks I was able to return the dog and was granted all but 20% of the cost of the animal...I was never told that there would be a 20% penalty (processing fee) when I originally made this purchase.
Lynn of Mount Laurel NJ (9/6/04):
When I entered the very crowded store, I was immediately drawn to a pug puppy. It had a large sign on its cage stating "Sorry, I can't play today." I saw that the pug looked very ill so I asked the salesman why he wasn't able to come out and he told my daughter and I that it had a cough. I have a dog and by looking at the pug I knew that the dog had more than a "cough." I asked when the pug was going to get medical attention, and he replied Thursday, which was four days away. The pug had already been sick for about three days.
It was shaking and struggling for air. Another patron observed the poor condition of the puppy, and replied that the puppy didn't even look like it would make it through the night. I offered to hold the dog because the worker had mentioned they were understaffed and the dogs were not getting enough attention as needed. I have contacted a rescue group who will further investigate.
At the same visit to the Pet Store there was a six month old shih-tzu who looked extrememly forlorn. It appeared matted and ungroomed with knots all over its beautiful fur and it smelled of feces and urine. It also was rubbing its sore bottom on the hard floor for relief. I again approached the sales person about this neglect, and he said that the pet shop does not do any kind of grooming, and again stated how short-handed they were.
Ann of West Babylon NY (4/23/04):
On March 26, 2004 my family fell in love with an Australian Shepherd at the Pet Company in Bayshore, NY. We bought the dog that week and although we thought we had a healthy dog we bought the Peace of Mind Warrenty for an additional $90. The Pet Company gives you 14 days to bring the dog to the vet and if the dog is considered "unfit to sell" by the vet they will reimburse you for vet visits and/or refund the cost of the dog.
Well, after finding out that my puppy had a double ear infection, collapsed trechea, and respitory infection I didn't know what to do. I almost returned the dog but I worried about the poor thing going back there. The Pet Company has agreed to pay the $166 in vet bills I had for the original infections but I have not received any word from them in weeks.
The Pet Company sold me a very sick dog, one their vet signed off on and said was healthy. There needs to be strict restrictions put on the Pet Company and other mall pet stores. I paid almost $1000 for this sick dog and have not received any retitution.
Sheryl of Union NJ (4/21/04):
On 12/16/2003 I purchased an Australian Shepherd for $688.88. I took the puppy to the vet to find out that she had kennel cough and an umbilical hernia. It took 3 months to get a refund for the medication for kennel cough. I am still waiting for the refund for the umbilical hernia.
I also paid $29.99 and was told by the salesperson that was a charge for the registration of the puppy. Just now I am finding out that was a charge to have her microchip activated. Seven months later it is still not activated. I asked for the registration papers to be issued and mailed to me. After 4 months they are telling me that the dog is not registered and that on the bottom of the original bill it states Not Registered.
When I bought the dog the sales person never told me or pointed out that the puppy was not registered. At that time, I was handed 5 different forms to sign, including an Addendum to Limited Warranty Know Your Rights-A Statement of New Jersey Law Covering the Sale of Dogs and Cats which was signed and dated. That led me to believe that the dealer was going to register the puppy for me. Once again I was told that I should have stood there and read all the correspondance before I signed it.
I am shocked that a company can sell a nonregistered puppy for full price. This purchase has been one nightmare after another. I feel that the sale was misrepresented.
Amanda of Collingswood NJ (4/5/04):
I stopped into the Pet Company to purchase ferret food. I was under the assumption that the store was a pet supply store. However, to my disappointment, it contained twenty tiny wire cages, most contaning two to three dogs per cage. One puppy was being kept seperate in a exersize pen in the middle of the floor. He was shivering and was exposed to the cold tile floor with no blankets or newspaper to lay on.
Upon questioning one employee as to the breed of the dog, she replied "purebred dachshund". This puppy, which appeared slightly undernourished, was of a dachshund build, small and lean, with beagle-like ears that hung almost to the floor and the dog was covered in dalmation-like spots that were red and brown.
Being an active member of the AKC and the daughter of two professional hound judges, this clown-like dog resembled no physical qualities of a dachshund whatsoever. This dog was most certainly the product of several cross breedings and looked scared, cold and sickly, as did each and every dog in the store.
Josephine of Atlanta (10/27/03):
On August 21, 2003, I purchased a female Pekingese puppy, along with a peace of mind extended warranty from The Pet Company at South Lake Mall in Morrow Georgia. The puppy has been ill, not eating and having difficulty breathing since I bought her home. I took her to Banfield Pet Hospital on 8/23/03, and she was prescribed a cough medicine and antibiotic. I was told that it appeared to be a cold and or kennel cough and with the medication it should clear it up within two weeks.
Well, it didn't clear up and I recently found out that she has chronic tracheal bronchitis with associated congestion of the sinuses. I was further told that I should anticipate enormous cost for test and treatments.
On Saturday, October 25, 2003, around 5:00 PM I went into The Pet Company to turn in my paperwork to file a claim for an exchange due to her diagnosis. I had previously spoken with the district manager Ray Reedy on 10/21/03 and was informed that I needed to bring in documentation and that I should also get a diagnosis from another vet. I gave my paperwork to the store manager Joey and he said since I had a diagnosis on the puppy he needed to call Ray to see what needs to be done next.
When he returned he told me that I waited too long to bring the paperwork in and that I needed to bring it in within fourteen days so they couldn't help me. Then I asked about the extended warranty I purchased on the puppy bringing her total cost up to $920.08, then he told me that it only covers "hereditary" health problems and there was nothing he could do. I became upset and reminded him that at the time of purchase he assured me that with the warranty if there is ever a health problem with the puppy within a year or accidental death within two years that there would beabsolutely no problem with me getting another puppy and that they work with all their customers. He told me that it didn't matter what he said, it only matters what's in the contract and I should have read it before I signed it and they can't just let people keep a puppy for two whole months and return it.
I told him this was totally unacceptable, that I hadn't even received my paperwork or registration papers for the puppy yet and he asked me to leave his store, I refused and he called mall security as well as the Morrow police department. After security and the police arrived I was informed that this was a civil matter, that I needed to calm down and go to the magistrate court of Clayton County on Monday morning to file a civil claim. I have also discovered that I'm not the first person that had to be escorted out of the store over a problem with a puppy purchase and or warranty.
My first goal was to exchange the puppy and get a new healthy one, but after the horrific confrontation when I only wanted to file a claim, at this point I would like a refund so I never have to deal with them again, but if it's not possible for a refund a new healthy puppy would be satisfactory. Princess Pearl is sick and I don't feel it is fair to me and my family to have to continue to endure the emotional and financial stress of caring for a puppy we've only had for 8 weeks. I really would like to be able to return her as soon as possible before we continue to get too attached.
Josephine got very good advice from the police officers. She should have gone to court first thing Monday morning. Settling disputes of this kind is exactly what courts are for.
Katie of Rahway NJ (5/15/03):
I purchased what looked like a healthy Jack Russel Terrier from The Pet Company in Edison, NJ in Feb 2003. A few weeks later when I took him to the vet, the Doctor noticed that his skin was a little red and gave me antibiotics in the event that it was bacteria. Upon returning to the vet for a check up, the puppy had gotten much redder, had lost some hair in spots and was itchy. The doctor immediately diagnosed him with sarcoptic mange. This disease is from parasites - mites that get under the skin and it is contagious. The doctor, who is affiliated with this particular Pet Company told me that I should bring the bills to the pet store and that I should be reimbursed for the treatment of this version of mange.
I did as he said and a few weeks later followed up with the Pet Company to find out if the reimbusement forms were submitted. They were - and they were denied. After having given me a long speech before I bought the dog about all the guarantees and protection I have if the dog gets sick, they now tell me that it has to be a hereditary disease in order for them to cover the costs. My question is ... Where did these parasites come from to begin with? They weren't in my house because I have another dog who is perfectly healthy.
The mites get spread from animal to animal and young puppies can be susceptible if they are kept in infested cages and are poorly nourished. My only conclusion is that he contracted these parasites from unclean conditions in the pet store, or from another animal that was there. Three months later, he is still not well and is not responding to treatments. My vet wants to refer me to a dermatologist but I cannot afford to continue paying these bills. I plan to take as much action as necessary to get my money back...both medical bills and the cost of the dog.
So far I have only contacted the Pet Company once and they refused to pay for the medical bills. I have spent well over $100 so far and the dog is still not well.
Katie should sue the store in Small Claims Court .
Caryn of Bardonia NY (3/21/03):
The Pet Company in Paramus NJ knowingly sold me a sick dog on 12/05/02. I purchased a Yorkie for $2,000 and to date have spent over $6,000 in medical bills. "Shayna" has been hospitalized twice and has been diagnosed with pneumonia, bronchitis, an upper respiratory infection, an ear infection and e-coli. Shayna is still under treament. I have sent numerous request for reimbursement and have been denied.
Total out of pocket expense including medications, doctor and hospital fees, loss of work and more exceed $10,000.
"J" of Atlanta writes (1/14/03):
Purchased two AKC dogs in July 2002 from a local Pet Company store in Georgia. Immediately took dogs to vet. Dogs were diagnosed with kennel cough and earmites. Dogs were treated. The first round of vet bills was submitted to the Pet Company via forms they require you to fill out, at the store of purchase. These were sent in. No further word received nor reimbursement.
Dogs required further treatment. I visited the Pet Company Store... and was given number to contact at head office about the reimbursement and ongoing bills. Left message with United Pet Supply (head office)...no return call. Dogs continued to require treatment for various things (ear infections, stomach problems, etc.) Documented and detailed all vet bills incurred for sicknesses since the date of purchase of dogs. Faxed this to United Pet Supply to the attention of Linda Cabe. Meanwhile, disputed the purchase of the dogs with AMEX. Left message on United Pet Supply's answering maching. No return call. Refaxed and recalled merchant (UPS) several times.
AMEX disputed item five times with merchant, and United Pet Supply (merchant) will not return calls nor respond any differently than they did during the first response to AMEX. AMEX can do nothing further to assist me. To date, I have not received the registrations for these dogs.
I just FINALLY received a reimbursement check from United Pet Supply this week for the initial vet bills ($86.25)submitted back in July, this after both AMEX and I badgered them with disputes, faxes, and calls. I did some research on the internet ... it appears my dogs may have come to United Pet Supply via way of Hunte Corporation in Missouri, who has been on the firing block with animal activists for "puppy milling" for quite some time.
United Pet Supply keeps pushing this "peace of mind" warranty in our faces. Fact of the matter is ... they are not living up to it. The dogs are supposed to be checked out by a bonafide vet before being sold to the public, and should be free of illness. They also agree to reimburse the customer for vet bills incurred OUTSIDE of normal care (i.e. for illness that dogs had when leaving store). United Pet Supply has suggested that I return the dogs for a refund? I'm certain the Animal Rescue organizations, Humane Society, etc. would approve of that response...NOT. I am not going to return the dogs after nursing them along for six months. I have requested reimbursement for additional vet bills and a pro-rated reimbursement for the dogs.
The vet bills amount to $218.66 additional. I have asked for reimbursement on the dogs of $1428.00 for ongoing medical treatment. Purchase price was 1480.50. As I mentioned prior, returning the dogs is not an option. Thus, if nothing comes of this other than an awareness to the public of United Pet Supply's practices, and where they are obtaining their pets from (puppy mills, wherever), then so be it.
"J" will get nowhere writing and calling. The company will simply ignore him. He will have to sue in Small Claims Court to get action.
Kristina of Hammonton, NJ, writes:
It is an ongoing problem I am having with this company, First my husband, two sons and myself went to the pet store in Vorhees, NJ, to purchase a dog. Instantly we fell in love with a miniature pinscher but he was too overactive for us because we had a 7-month-old and a 25-month-old so we told the sales associate that we would need a calmer dog.
The sales associate told us he was only like this because he has been in a cage for so long and that he was great for children. So we purchased him that night, we also purchased a book on the dog. Within the next week I read the book and it said that this particular breed is not good with children.
So I searched the Internet, which also says the same thing. The dog has still not settled down and we've had him for over 4 months. I feel that when an associate states something about an animal they should know their facts. I called and spoke to a manager about this and his response was sorry we don't have a refund policy.
The next confrontation I had with the company was when purchasing the dog we signed an agreement stating that if we did not receive the registration papers by 120 days from the day of purchase we could return the dog and get a refund.
Well, when the 121st day came we called the store and told them the situation and the store manager said that is 120 business days my husband says, "120 days." So he asked for the district manager, they said he was on vacation and gave us the number for the home office. He then called that number.
The women there stated the papers got sent out over 2 weeks ago so he asked for the next position up she said it was the president of the pet company, So we got his number and extension my husband left a message with him. He never called back.
We were left with a dog that was total opposite of what the sales associate told us he would be. The company broke a legal contract they had with us.
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