Where Does Petco Get Their Animals? All Faqs Answered

Are you also wondering where does Petco get their Animals? If you have bought anything from the store, this thought must have crossed your mind occasionally.

For your convenience, we have prepared this in-depth guide to discuss the different animals available at Petco and their sources. So, let’s get started!

Where Does Petco Get Their Animals?

Petco gets the big animals from animal welfare organizations and rescue shelters as they are listed for adoption instead of direct selling. While the small animals and fish available at Petco come directly from mills and breeders.

According to PETA, Petco was also associated with Holmes Farms, which supplies animals to all the major pet stores.

However, Petco stated that it has cut tied with Holmes Farms as the store’s investigators witnessed the cruel state of the animals.

What Animals Does Petco Sell?

Yes, Petco sells a variety of animals in-store and online. However, some are only available for adoption.

For example, if you want a dog, cat, or rabbit, you must adopt them from the store as it does not directly sell them. On the other hand, you can buy birds, fish, reptiles, rats, and other small animals from Petco.

Where Does Petco Get Their Dogs?

Petco gets its dogs from animal welfare organizations and rescue shelters instead of mills and breeders.

The store does not get the dogs and puppies from the breeders because it does not directly sell them. Instead, they are up for adoption.

Petco connects abandoned and stray dogs with people who want to get pets. Even though the procedure of adopting dogs is a lot similar to buying, the sources are different.

Where Does Petco Get Their Cats?

Petco’s cats come from animal rescue groups and animal shelters.

In fact, you will be surprised to know that Petco has never sold a cat since it was founded. That’s because it believes in their adoption.

The store has even set up Petco Love which works with local shelters to provide a home to abandoned cats. The donations and funding raised by Petco Love are given to animal welfare organizations to keep them running.

Where Does Petco Get Their Ferrets?

Petco gets their ferrets from Marshall Farms.

Also known as Marshall BioResources, Marshall Farms is one of the largest ferret breeders in the world. Apart from the retailers like Petco, Marshall Farms also sells its ferrets to labs for experimentation.

Petco is facing severe pressure from animal rights activists to end its partnership with the company, but it has not happened yet.

Where Does Petco Get Their Reptiles?

Petco gets its reptiles from all the major reptile breeders in the world, including Segrest Farms, C.R.A.P, CalZoo, and Sandfire.

All the reptile suppliers mentioned above are wholesalers and not retailers. This means they sell reptiles only to stores and not the general public.

Located in Gibsonton, Florida, Segrest Farms is the largest reptile supplier in the USA. The company sells reptiles to the store, and Petco also gets its aquatic plants and fish from it.

Where Does Petco Get Fish?

Currently, Segrest Farms and Mart are the largest fish supplier of Petco.

Segrest Farms is the largest tropical fish supplier in the US and has been doing business since 1961. Some popular freshwater fish species supplied by the company to Petco include barbs, catfish, loach, betas, and polypterus.

Other than that, the store also gets its fish from wholesale suppliers and local breeders.

Where Does Petco Get Rabbits From?

The rabbits and bunnies available at Petco come from animal welfare organizations and rescue shelters.

Petco stopped getting the rabbits from breeders due to pressure from PETA and the House Rabbit Society (HRS).

The store realized that the rabbits it was selling were being abandoned and ending up in animal welfare organizations.

So, on November 17, 2008, Petco no longer sold or bought the rabbits from the breeders. Instead, it will list them for adoption so they can get home.

Where Does Petco Get Rats From?

The rats found at Petco come from Fish Mart and Barney’s Pets.

While most of the pets at the store can be bought online, this is not true with rats.  If you want to buy a rat from Petco, you must visit the store yourself.

But make sure that you first call your nearby Petco store and ask about the availability of the rats. That’s because they are an incredibly popular pet, and there is a chance that they are out of stock.

Where Does Petco Get Guinea Pigs?

Barney’s Pet and Fish Mart supply the guinea pigs available at Petco. There is a rumor that the store sometimes sells sick or pregnant guinea pigs to customers.

Even though the store accepts the return of animals as long as they are in good health, it is always a good idea to be careful initially.

So, make sure you properly check the animal before buying it from Petco.

Where Does Petco Get Their Birds?

Petco gets its birds from the Kaytee Preferred Birds program. 

The birds’ dealer currently has 2 facilities based in Florida and plans to open one in Las Vegas. One of the two branches in Florida deals in small birds, including lovebirds, finches, and budgies.

The other branch is involved in the mass production of larger species of parrots for the sole purpose of hand-feeding.

Besides birds, Kaytee also supplies Petco with pet food and treats for smaller animals, including birds.

Bottom Line

When considering purchasing or adopting an animal from Petco, it’s essential to understand where these animals come from.

Most large animals, such as dogs, cats, and rabbits, are sourced from rescue shelters and animal welfare organizations, promoting adoption and providing a loving home for these creatures.

For smaller animals and fish, Petco works with various suppliers, breeders, and mills.

Remember to carefully examine the health and condition of your chosen animal before taking it home, as this will help ensure a happy and healthy life for both you and your new pet.