When getting a new pet, knowing where the store received the animal is important to understand the health and social dynamic of the animal.
PetSmart partners with hundreds of adoption centers and stocks and sells smaller pets in their stores. So, where does PetSmart get its animals from? Here is everything I have found!
Where Do PetSmart Get Their Animals?
PetSmart gets its animals from a range of sources, from breeding mills to animal rescue shelters. Where the animal is from depends on the type of animal it is and the ethics that surround its breeding. As a result, some smaller pets sold by PetSmart, such as hamsters and rats, come from animal breeding mills.
Just keep reading to find out what animal breeding mills are and where specific animals are sourced from!
Where Does PetSmart Get Their Fish From?
Fish advertised and sold at PetSmart are usually sourced from fish vendors. These are businesses that supply pet companies with various breeds of animals, usually imported from breeders or other suppliers.
According to past employees, the leading supplier of PetSmart fish is Fish Mart. In addition, Fish Mart is a special supplier for most US pet stores across the country.
Where Does PetSmart Get Their Reptiles From?
PetSmart has been known to get their reptiles from Reptiles by Mack, which is a company that has been breeding reptiles since 1985.
At Reptiles by Mack, the reptiles are kept from babies until they are strong, large, and old enough to be transported to pet stores like PetSmart.
Reptiles by Mack is likely to supply PetSmart with the following reptilian animals:
- Crested Geckos
- Corn Snakes
- King Snakes
- Ball Pythons
- Leopard Geckos
- Bearded Dragons
- Milk Snakes
Where Does PetSmart Get Their Birds From?
PetSmart sources their birds from the Kaytee Preferred Birds program, which is an establishment that purchases birds from other mass breeders.
The Kaytee Preferred Birds program raises birds on a healthy diet that prepares them for their contracts with PetSmart.
Kaytee Preferred Birds program has two establishments based in Florida and a further location in Las Vegas. Kaytee also has a separate bird food business that sells supplies from food and cages to treats!
Where Does PetSmart Get Their Small Pets From?
PetSmart has a range of small animals that they sell live in their stores. These small pets include guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, gerbils, and chinchillas.
When customers ask PetSmart about where these animals are from, many have reported being told they are sourced from local ethical breeders.
Despite this, many have raised concerns that these breeders are just animal mills trying to breed as many pets as possible for profit.
Where Does PetSmart Get Their Cats & Kittens From?
PetSmart does not directly sell cats or kittens, but they partner with several adoption centers with several available cats.
In addition, according to The Brown County Humane Society, PetSmart partners up with local animal rescue shelters to find abandoned or neglected cats their forever home!
In the Bloomington Eastside and Martinsville locations, the Brown County Humane Society animal shelter advertises any available cats ready to be adopted.
Where Does PetSmart Get Their Dogs & Puppies From?
Though PetSmart does not sell dogs or puppies in any store locations, they help facilitate their adoption!
In PetSmart stores, the adoption center department in most stores is run by expert staff that coordinates adoptions on behalf of the partnered adoption groups.
These adoption groups vary due to PetSmart’s many locations across the US. Still, you can find the specific adoption group for individual dogs up for adoption at PetSmart Charities by clicking on the ‘learn more’ tab.
For example, this husky in the New York area is from ‘No Dog Left Behind.’
What Are Animal Breeding Mills?
Animal breeding mills are farms that intensively reproduce animals for the sake of profit without administering the correct ethics, care, and health requirements needed for a long and fulfilling life.
These animals are often housed in poor conditions due to mass overpopulation. As a result, this can lead to a wide range of issues, notably the spreading of animal diseases and illnesses.
Are Animal Breeding Mills Unethical?
Many will argue that animal breeding mills are unethical no matter what practices they undertake.
However, not all animal breeding mills treat their animals poorly, arguing that they have extensive knowledge on breeding and raising animals responsibly.
Responsible breeders will have a select number of animals in their care at all times to prevent overpopulation. They will also provide excellent care and health services to each animal, raising them to be social and healthy.
The best way to look out for breeding mills is by visiting wherever you are adopting or purchasing an animal from.
Additionally, online reviews of the business are also a great way of establishing the animals’ conditions. Funding unethical breeding mills will only keep them in business.
Should I Buy Animals From PetSmart?
Ultimately, it is up to you whether you want to buy live animals from PetSmart. While there are breeding concerns about the live animals, fish, birds, and reptiles, PetSmart maintains that these animals are sourced from responsible breeders.
It is best to ask the staff at PetSmart about the health and upbringing of an animal before purchasing it.
Additionally, also feel free to ask the staff at PetSmart where an individual animal has been sourced from. If they can give you a business name or any breeder information, you have every right to look this information up online.
By doing this, you can read more accurate reviews of the breeder organization. This will help you to make a more informed decision before purchasing the animal.
Despite this, we definitely recommend adopting other animals, such as cats, dogs and rabbits from PetSmart’s charities. These animals come from clear and reputable animal charities and rescue organizations.
To see more related posts, you can see our guides on how much it costs to put a dog to sleep at PetSmart, the PetSmart fish return policy, and our mega guide on the PetSmart Hotel.
Conclusion
PetSmart gets their animals from a range of sources, most notably vendors and breeding farms, as well as through partnerships with animal rescue shelters and charities.
Whilst PetSmart upholds their statement that their live animals are sourced from ethical breeding farms, PETA and other animal organizations argue otherwise with internal and undercover investigations exposing harsh conditions.
Consequently, if you are concerned about the ethical upbringing of animals, we recommend adopting where you can. PetSmart does have a great adoption facility at most of their stores.
At these, they partner with a multitude of animal rescue shelters to ensure that abandoned and neglected animals receive the care, love and affection that every animal needs.
