The Daily Campus

Issue date: 3/27/07 Section: Commentary

With my anti-PETA bias pointed out, there are some interesting reports in the investigator's log that point to inadequate care and cause suspicion on my part as to whether PetSmart is really doing all it can for small animals. For example, the investigator follows a dying calico hamster from mild disease symptoms, to intense suffering and culmination in death after an absence of medical care. It is sad to read, especially since the story is probably true, at least in part. I have no doubt that hundreds of hamsters die in PetSmart stores every year from common diseases caused by mass breeding and crowded housing of animals.

To avoid these problems and increase productiveness, stores like PetSmart and Petco need to end small animal sales. While the Manchester PetSmart may have small animal care working against it, PetSmart executive Bruce Richardson wrote of the Manchester store, "This particular store has an outstanding pet care team and an exceptional pet care record. No pet that has required a vet has been deprived of that service." This is also true. The PetSmart location in Manchester has a very large animal hospital that cares for both store animals and for the general public's animals. This veterinary clinic offers reduced cost vaccinations and spay/neuter services and is a valuable community resource which would probably not be available in the absence of PetSmart's financial contributions.

I do not recommend any such boycott of PetSmart, or its competitor Petco, as PETA would like to see happen. Both of these stores do a lot of good for their communities and animal owners. Both of these stores have created non-profit foundations solely to raise money for homeless animals. They provide supplies and money to help animal shelters and animal rescue organizations. Both also do in-store adoptions of homeless animals through local animal shelters. The Manchester PetSmart has several cages filled with adoptable animals that belong to the Connecticut Human Society. These animals are seen much more frequently because of the high traffic store, and consequently find homes faster.

These stores do too much good to be shut down or boycotted. However, their sale of small companion animals is questionable. These companies do not need to sell the live animals to make a profit, as they sell huge amounts of animal care supplies and animal food. Live animal sales make up only a small fraction of their net proceeds - money that the store could most likely recover in other ways.

Weekly columnist Kareem Mohni is an 8th-semester molecular and cell biology major. His column appears on Tuesdays.

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