Chain Stores!

[zimbasmom]

The Petco near me just remodeled and got cleaned up, last time I stopped in they were selling Budgies. Not crazy about Petsmart and their bird dept either the place is clean but the cages are too small and the birds always look either scared or sad. I try not to buy things from either one if I can help it. I buy most of my stuff on line or stock up at birds shows. (We do have a couple of real nice bird stores in Houston but they are way the other side of the city and only get go there once in a while, the traffic in the city is a really bad and I avoid it at all costs)

[Jadesmom]

I sent an email to the SPCA of Central NY about Petland. We'll see what happens, but I really don't hold out much hope of a big change. I try to buy all my food and treats on line so I do not have to support these stores. I was in a pinch for a cage for my Buddy , the Quaker  I just adopted from SCBR. I went to Petsmart as they are definitely the lesser of the 3 evils, at least where I live in CNY. There is a store called Eberlings, privately owned, but very small so no appropriate cages there.  I get a lot of stuff from Fosters and Smith (mail order.) Has anyone hear anything good / bad about them? It is supposed to be owned by 2 vets......
OMG - I can't believe this - as I am writing this a Petland commercial come on about a puppy sale - their tag line..."making pets lives better.....excuse me while I vomit

[BPMar]

Have you looked on Craigslist for cages?  That is where we got our one flight cage from, became friends with the "bird lady" and adopted Taj & Mahl from.  I've never ordered from Dr.s F but I haven't heard bad things.  We buy all our food in bulk on line, it saves so much money!  I hate going into the pet stores too thank goodness it isn't too often.  I hope you hear something good from them!

[BuffaloParrot]

I was wondering why petco, Petsmart and others had no more big birds!  Now I know.  That is a start.  There is a decent local "mom and Pop" store in Irving, NY that I do like.  They do sell Parrots from breeders but at least they really screen want to be buyers very thoroughly!  That, I was impressed by.  They will give you much info, etc, and if they feel you are not capable will not sell to you.  PROGRESS!  What I really love is the great amount of food items they have, toys, toy parts, cage excessories, etc.  Their prices are really good too.  you can really tell they are NOT a "Chain" store and at least care!

[Jadesmom]

I checked Craigslist,Syracuse, Watertown and Rochester but no luck.  I was just stuck. Last night I ordered a playstand from Avian Emporium on line. They not only replied to my questions in a few minutes, but also sent me info on Q care and feeding. Seem to care that my babies were taken care of right.

[zimbasmom]

I have used Fosters & Smith they are a little pricey on some items. I just got a light for my salt water fish tank from them, I had it express shipped and got here on time no problems.
I did have to call customer service once and they were very helpfull.

Hey Mar & Dad have you guys ever gone to Markheim pet store on Sheridan drive? I think we talked about this before but you know I have that CRS. Anyway that is where I bought Zimba, that was also 9 years ago so I cant vouch for the place now but it was pretty nice, I also know it is way out of the way for you to go to but if your in the area you might want to check them out.

[EriNes11]

Personally there i believe a small chain in new york central new york called petdepot i believe thats the worst!!  I havent been there in a while though and the last time i went they seemed to have there act cleaned up a bit.  But they had 20 keets in cages smaller than mystics.  The birds use to always escape!! They didnt try to capture them because they didnt want them to fly into the window which i understood but try to prevent them common now. There was one with scaly face and missing part of its beak.  They have  a couple toys sometimes.  They had cockatiels in these open cages they had signs that said do not pet and stuff but no one listened and no one enforced that rule.  I found a hamster that didnt move at all even when i pet it it was barly breathing i told them so they could do something and they where like they sometimes do that.  I mean all the other little hamsters were moving around.  The bigger more expensive birds they kept well care of and same with the dogs.  But things that didnt make them as much money they didnt seem to care bout as much.  But I havent been to this store in a little over a year so i dont know if they have cleaned up there act even more.   

Hey jades mom I think we live by eachother

[Jadesmom]

Hey EriNes11
I am in Oswego.

The only pet store we had in town closed a couple years ago.  They did a pretty decent job, then the owners wife died young and he closed it down.
So, I go to Syracuse or Cicero when I need to.

[EriNes11]

I think i kinda know which one u are talking bout it was like umm... by fairmont fair right?  I forgot the name i never went there only one because i went when mystic was young and my avian education wasnt to great.  Like best places to shop. But i live in onondaga

[Jadesmom]

It's been a week since I emailed SPCA about Petland. Never hear a word.

[luvmycadillac]

I have seen good and bad in the chain petstores. I will admit though lately its more good then bad. However (there is always a however) there are some instances where the animals have perches and so forth way to big for their species. About 2 weeks ago I was at Pet Co and was looking at toys and just happened to migrate to where they kept the birds and there was the sweetest looking Quaker in the back of the display (it was hexagon shaped) and he was perched on a sanded perch the same size I bought for my U2! My husband said "isn't he cute" and I said "the perch is to big and he needs more toys" it wasn't until after we left the store did I think he was cute. And he was priced at 500 dollars! A Green QUAKER for 500 dollars that cant be what they usually go for because Ive seen them at our avian store for only 250

[BPMar]

I'm surprised by the no response from the SPCA.  I had emailed one before...I believe in Florida and got a quick response.
Yes we have been to Markheim.  That is where Chico and Miah are from.  Although a pet store, they have always been clean and fresh fruit and veggies for the birds.  If I had to pick a store it would be Just Pets in Irving NY.  I posted pics a while back on BC.  All the birds are interacted with and come out of their cages and also get to interact with other birds.  The big guys also get to go outside in the nice weather.  I only get sad when I have to go to a pet store now.  JP does have good deals on toys etc. there.  I now always get more excited with Chance's new arrivals....sad she is always getting them in but I know they are safe and in good hands.

[macawlover2]

I heard that the reason Petsmart (not sure about Petco) stopped selling large birds was because they were being sold, and then the owner wanted to return them after 2 weeks because they just then realized how much work they are. I also heard a rumor that Petsmart wasn't making enough profit on the big birds (because they need so many expensive toys!), and I heard yet another rumor that an employee had a big bird out of the cage once, and a customer's dog attacked and killed. I'm not sure if any of these are the real reasons why Petsmart stopped selling big birds, but I thought I'd throw them out there.

[BPMar]

We had been in PetSmart about a week or so ago and near us they still have birds.  Budgies, finches and a Sun.  For a long time they did not when there had been a disease around.  Our PetCo still has birds and the worst is PetSupplies Plus.  The cages are small and low to the ground.  I hate to go into the pets stores but sometimes we just have to.   :(

[lorek]

hey i know this is really gonna blow your minds... and for the most part i would have agreed full heartedly back east... but i can tell you...  that my petco here is by far the BEST pet store period within 2-3 hours of most people.  There are mom and pop shops that make me want to puke.  And i would hardly put chain stores up there with the best care in the world... good yes but still a corp. right... well... those corp boundaries are what make my store so good by comparison.  Its hard to imagine but i was recommended by TWO VETS to go visit this WONDERFUL bird store in a town about 45mins away.. so i did... and was absolutely appalled!!!!  Plucking/nipping/bored birds with no toys in small cages... and i mean toos amazons grays suns keets and tiels.  HORRIBLE!!!  and that's what the "best" vets in the area recommend!!!  it has given me a whole new perspective of some things... its absolutely disheartening.  when i asked if they could recommend a food they all said seed.  i have visited 5 other such small mom and pops stores for animals and the same results at all... its depressing.  Fully all of my business will now be internet based... sigh... so much for trips to pet stores to hang out when bored...