THIS is what PETCO did to my dogs!!!!!
I took Bella (female) and Rocco (male) to the Racine PETCO for their first Grooming on 3/22/11 at 6pm. I informed them it was the first grooming visit ever, and that Rocco had sensitive nails, due to hiking and play injuries. I stayed at PETCO for about 20 min gathering toys, treats, etc. I then returned to the Grooming Room, which has windows, and saw Rocco on the table in a TOTAL PANIC!!!! This is a docile boy, he does not bark or make noise except to alert us of visitors. He was completely TERRIFIED. Bella was in a metal crate in the back. She also was extremely distraught. I asked if I could stay, and was told "That is not necessary, we will take good care of them". I said they need to make sure they are OK, and to call me if they become overly anxious or upset in any way. I left and received a phone call around 7:20pm from the store Manager.
The manager stated they had been done being groomed over 45 minutes ago, but Rocco was being tended to. I said, "What happened to my dogs!". She said that Rocco was hysterical, crying, barking, scratching, trying anything to get out for at least 30 minutes, and that no one had checked on him. She then said she went in the back to see why he was so upset (30-40 minutes after he initially began crying). She said "His nails were bleeding". I responded, "I will be there immediately".
When I arrived at PETCO I went straight to the Grooming Room, opened the door, and found Rocco tied tightly to the grooming table with a cinch leash. It was FAR TOO TIGHT, and was not necessary. He has rope burns and cuts on his neck from the leash. Rocco's nails were still bleeding when I arrived at approximately 7:40pm. The Groomer was attempting to stop the bleeding and began talking to me. She said the following: "I was done with Bella and went in the back. He had opened the kennel, and found him sitting in the middle of the room in a puddle of blood." The manager did not tell me this when she called. It was the actual Groomer that told me to my face. I then said "Give me my dog (Bella), we need to leave."
I said I should call my Vet, they said "The Vet won't do anything for this". I took my dogs to the car, came back and paid the bill so I could get out of there. I kept it cool, I really felt like I just needed to get them away from there and home. I don't think I have ever felt so much concern and panic such as this once in my life.
Side note: They still smelled like sweaty, dirty dogs on my drive home. They did not even provide a true service, let alone the larger neglect and abuse at hand.
When I arrived home, I tended to Rocco's nails with Hydrogen Peroxide and ice. He and Bella were, and still are very shaken. They barely ate dinner, and did not eat breakfast. They continue to have little appetite, and have become weary. Rocco is quite timid and nervous of touch. He HAS NEVER BEEN THIS WAY. Bella is acting strangely as well.
Rocco is going to the vet today (3/23/11). I have a call into the State Humane Society dept. I filed a complaint with PETCO and have still not been contacted by a GM or CEO as I demanded. I expect them to be held responsible for his injuries, along with any Vet costs, and the PETCO bill. There maybe an option to file a criminal complaint for animal cruelty/endangerment/neglect as well. There are hundreds of complaints and even lawsuits with similar stories against PETCO, which can be found online.
I contacted the WI HUMANE SOCIETY, PETA, and will be continuing to tell my storry of horror through SOCIAL MEDIA. I have not ruled out going to local news media.
I have also considered turning to YouTube. A video depicting the situation, warning of the dangers of using PETCO's Grooming and his injuries may be enormously effective.
Please see the link below for my Facebook Group "Boycott PETCO"