We visited Petland in Port Coquitlam on the weekend, and it was anything but pleasant. There were lots of puppies, birds, hamsters, and other assorted critters right at the front entrance. In the back of the store there was another section full of fish, and assorted reptiles, including frogs and geckos. The enclosures with some of the birds, rodents, and rabbits are open at the top, so one can reach in and pull out whatever little critter you want. A couple of adults had birds perched on their arms, kids were poking on the glass, and one boy climbed on the ledge and continually picked up different hamsters. His mother did nothing, and while staff was around, not one person told him to knock it off. I told an employee, and she said it happens a lot. Even if they're told, she said they often just keep doing it. I asked about the safety aspect for both human and animal, and while she acknowledged my concern, said there were no plans to change the set-up. Another fellow asked if his two daughters could pet a puppy, and he was told that only if he's serious about adopting would they bring one out. He persisted, and finally a puppy was carried out for the children. The store also had a flyer looking for qualified breeders.

While Petland’s website would have you believe everything is wonderful, another website cites a recent investigation of sick puppies being sold at a newly opened Petland in Des Moines, Iowa.

Pet Store Cruelty (scroll down to March 14, 2008)