Petland Arlington Heights sells sick or handicapped animals; animal abusers! Arlington Heights Illinois
After reading the report from the woman who had a similar experience with a dog purchase there, I felt the need to report on our experience with this same Petland.
Prior to going to Petland, we were the owners of three cats. I've grown up with cats my entire life. We went to Petland on a Sunday with no intentions of purchasing an animal, as i have always got my cats from the Humane Society or the like.
When we were in Petland I fell absolutely in love with a small, orange kitten. There were 2 in the "cage" (behind a window). I held the cat and examined him before we paid $150 for him. He appeared to be ok. We also were told to take him to their vet within 5 days to get him looked at.
The 2nd day after we had him at home, he had come down with what appeared to be a horrendous cold of sorts. I brought him into that vets office, and in fact I remember it well because I held that poor kitty next to my chest while driving as he fit in my left hand. Was wheezing, couldn't breathe well.
When I brought him to the vet office, the vet said he simply had a cold, prescibed the needed meds for the cat - and he said everything else looked fine with the cat.
The cat's cold went away - flash forward 2 weeks.
My father was vaccuming our house and asked if we'd noticed that the vaccum did not scare Milo (our new cat from petland) away. Anyone who owns a cat knows that they usually run and hide when the vaccum is out. He then asked if Milo was deaf. I hadn't thought of that at all but then really noticed that the cat did not react to clapping of hands and normal things that cats usually respond to. So I took the cat to OUR vet to get looked at. Low and behold, the cat was, in fact, deaf - with what appeared to be a pest infection inside his ears. He is permanently deaf.
Upon contacting petland we were told the same garbage, that they get their cats from top breeders and there's "no possible way" that the cat was deaf - and since their vet said nothing about it there was nothing they could do aside from us either giving them the cat back and not get a refund - or get a lousy $50 card to use on merchandise in their store.
Needless to say, I was not going to return the poor thing to that store in the fear that he'd be resold to someone who would not treat the cat well, or he'd be put down because of his handicap.
THIS STORE DOES NOT TAKE GOOD CARE OF THEIR ANIMALS THAT ARE FOR SALE. THIS CONDITION WAS NOT HERIDITARY (sp?) IT WAS CAUSED BY UNSANITARY CONDITIONS IN THE CAGE AND 16-18 YEAR OLD EMPLOYEES THAT DO NOT KNOW HOW TO TAKE CARE OF ANIMALS WHEN THEY ARE SICK.
Milo became deaf because he was sick, and the employees did nothing to treat what he had. Verified by my vet. Period. How their vet did not see this in his ears, I do not know unless this is a common scam.
However, even though this happened - to this day, this cat has been the best cat we've ever had and very interesting to raise, but he does need a special environment with other cats because he follows their "body language" as far as when there's food put in the dish or "danger" so he can hide - but if this was a first-time cat for a family, it would be hard to deal with.
This particular store does NOT take care of the animals properly. They DO NOT use certified breeders. And to me, this is ANIMAL ABUSE.
Kim
Arl Hts, Illinois
U.S.A.
7 Updates & Rebuttals
Jerry
Alpharetta,Georgia,
U.S.A.
In defense of your Vet.
#8Consumer Comment
Sun, March 12, 2006
Our Yorkie was very sick with loose stool and unable to keep anything on his stomach. So we took him to our Vet. She keep him for observation and medicated him. Later that day we went to visit and I noticed an area behind his eye near his throat was the size of a golf ball. Our Vet had not noticed. We discused it, and my wife recalled he had eaten some popore the day before so the vet prescribed additional meds. He is fine now, so even the best Vets can miss things and we as owners have a responsibility to help in the cure and care of our animals. Good for you for keeping and saving your cat.
Kim
Arlington Heights,Illinois,
U.S.A.
Thank you for the insight!
#8Consumer Suggestion
Thu, January 06, 2005
To the above poster,
I appreciate that insight - thank you. We only went to their vet once and he said the cat was 100% fine. The spell Milo had after that, I just remember speeding down the road to the new vet, holding him in the palm of my left hand and snuggling him as much as possible while he was gasping for air. Even to this day he seems to breathe weird, and the last couple of his ribs seem to protrude/stick out a little almost as if they didn't grow enough. It's so strange!
We now take him to the Arlington Heights Cat Clinic and at that time, they noted the mites as being severe; however, I didn't realize it took so long for them to become deaf. That is good to know.
He does have some white in him and in the research it seems most deaf cats have a little bit of a white cat in them so although the vet said it was probably caused by the mites, I guess it was probably hereditary, but whomever bought the other cat that was with him - assuming it was deaf too - I hope they took care of him.
Jennifer
Rochester,New York,
U.S.A.
How did three vets miss this ear infection?
#8Consumer Comment
Wed, January 05, 2005
I noticed that the lady making the post first stated that the kitten came down with a cold, for which she took him/her to the vet. Now the shops OWN vet supposedly also looked at the kitten. I own a small cattery and do domestic rescue as well, so I can tell you from experince that an ear infection due to mites that is so severe as to cause deafness takes years, not weeks or months and certainly not in a kitten this small. Plus mites are very visible, they cause the entire inside of the ear to look black and filthy. Now how did 3 different vets manage to miss this? Somethings not right, Id have to guess that the kitten was born deaf, either way if thats an issue , yes I would demand my money back, but Id also find a new vet if I was the pet buyer.
Kristina
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
In response to Kathy: I guess you didn't read my report
#8Consumer Comment
Wed, October 27, 2004
Kathy:
Not all of us decided to go to a movie and buy an animal later. I researched what kind of animal I wanted for several months. I looked in the paper, pounds and other shelters. I only found large dog's which I didn't want. You must not have read "my story". Although it did have a happy ending, I eventually found a small dog for adoption at a Vet clinic that was due to go to the pound. I spent $1200. for the cost of surgery on both her knees. She is a 3 year old white poodle. I named her Maddy. And, YES, I learned a lessson and will never buy from a petshop again. However I never knew about puppy mills,etc prior to my purchase. Maybe you can share your expertise with us?
Kim
Arlington Heights,Illinois,
U.S.A.
And that is a beneficial response because?
#8Consumer Suggestion
Fri, October 22, 2004
Kathy,
You know, the point of this website is for companies that have bad practices. Attacking my decision to buy Milo has nothing to do with solving the problem that is "animal mills".
Had you of read my entry in it's entirety, I already stated I knew what I did wasn't smart. I don't need someone telling me that again. I am sure every decision you've made in your life has been correct, right? We're human for god's sake.
So I bought him from Petland, so what? Some people, like myself before going through this, actually somewhat hoped that in some sense I would be saving the cat from that place.
Additionally, how me and my husband go about deciding what we are or aren't going to buy isn't anybody's business, much less someone who I don't even know. You obviously aren't a cat lover, because if you were, you'd understand.
What's done is done. Now what can we do to help stop the problem? Besides get on here and tell someone they are stupid for buying the cat in the first place?
Thanks for the pointless personal attack that just takes up space on the database.
Kathy
Mesa,Arizona,
U.S.A.
All Pet shops suck
#8Consumer Suggestion
Thu, October 21, 2004
This is why you do not buy animals from pet stores. it's not smart. all you are doing is helping the puppy mills these pet shops get their dogs from. its disgusting and WHY would you go out with NO intention of getting an animal and impulse buy like it was a purse or clothing. i can't understand that. i know you love your kitten and take good care of him now but i just can't see how that makes sense. someone i work with did that-went to see a movie with her kids-the movie wasn't playing so they went to the pet shop and got a puppy. that's irrisponsible. now she wants to breed a puppy that she bought. to top it off-he came sick...BIG SURPRISE!!!!!!
Kristina
Las Vegas,Nevada,
U.S.A.
Together we can make a difference
#8Consumer Suggestion
Wed, October 06, 2004
I have now read all the stories on PETLAND and must say I know what all of you have gone through as I went through it myself, see my story from "Las Vegas, NV". I have written a rebuttal under the story regarding "Debbies Petland", which I think will also help you if you still want to pursue this?
Although this happened to me a few months back I get very angry just reading your stories as it reminds me of what I went through. I am strongly thinking of contactin "60 minutes" or "Dateline" on these stories regarding PETLAND. Although they are individually owned they are a franchise with a corporate company.
If anything maybe we could get them closed or at least have to change their conditions for the animals? I will be asking for all persons with Petland stories to help me with this in the near future. Please consider this.
Good Luck with your Kitty! You obviously have a very big heart.