11/16/2025
A Desperate Plea to Petco, PetSmart, and Pet Supplies Plus
Reptile rescues are drowning.
Many, including BeWild, now have waitlists of over 100 animals — some who have been waiting for help for more than a year.
When they finally reach us, they’re often emaciated, sick, or suffering from severe neglect.
They often come to us too late to help, and we’re the ones who sit with them in their final moments.
An animal you sell for $30 can cost us over $1,000 in veterinary care.
You’re not consistently asking buyers the right questions.
You’re not consistently giving them accurate care information.
And in the end, we’re left to clean up the mess.
It isn’t fair — to your customers, to the animals, or to the rescues trying to save them.
In 2025 alone, BeWild has received nearly 500 surrender forms.
Our forms ask where each animal came from, and the majority list a chain pet store.
We’re just one rescue. There are three 501(c)(3) reptile rescues in North Carolina, and we all have waitlists. Some states have none at all. Where do you think those animals are ending up?
We believe you are creating a crisis too large for anyone to fix.
Nonprofit rescues across the country now exist almost entirely to try to stem the flood of animals your stores unleash into unprepared homes.
Many of these animals come from mass breeders and importers. Some are even taken out of the wild only to suffer in subpar captive conditions.
You don’t sell dogs and cats in your stores.
Why don’t reptiles, amphibians, invertebrates, and small mammals deserve the same compassion and consideration?
There are far fewer organizations able to help these animals, yet their lives are just as valuable.
Unfortunately, the few groups that do specialize in these species receive far less support.
Fundraising for a sick snake is a lot harder than fundraising for a sick puppy.
Pet stores don’t need to sell live animals to stay in business. Imagine how many animal lovers would flock to the first major chain to make that change. Many of us already buy pet food online specifically to avoid supporting stores that sell live animals.
People who truly want to keep reptiles can and will seek out rescues and responsible, ethical breeders.
If you want to see chain pet stores stop selling live animals:
- Share this post.
- Comment on their pages.
- Email and call their corporate offices.
- And above all, do not buy animals from chain pet stores.
This cycle of suffering will never end until we stop paying them to continue it.
