The Beak Retreat

Where the birds go to vacation!

Canary Suffers Untreated Broken Leg at PETCO

PETCO – Needham, MA, Store #284

January 25, 2003

A customer returned a Red Factor Canary, which had been purchased from the Needham, MA, PETCO store. The bird had a fractured leg. This type of bird retails for $89.99. Rather than taking the bird to a veterinarian, PETCO placed it in the back room where it was forced to endure the pain of a fractured leg for nearly a week waiting to be shipped back to the distributor as "damaged merchandise." Although a sign had been placed on it's cage stating, "Take to Vet," a store manager took a marker and crossed it out.

Due to some employee terminations, the District Manager was in the store on Thursday, January 30, five days after the arrival of the canary. At this time we were also alerted to this canary.

We were told on Saturday, February 1, that the bird did receive veterinary attention the previous evening, Friday, January 31. However, since the fracture had occurred seven days previously, nothing could be done at that point. The bird was placed on antibiotics. We did call the MSPCA and the Animal Rescue League of Boston, but did not receive a return call.

It is not clear what the status of this bird is to date. We offered to take the bird and allow it to live in a free flight with a flock of its own kind, but PETCO management ignored our request.

The fact that "damaged merchandise" is treated in such a manner is appalling. Imagine for a moment that this was a puppy or kitten. The photo above shows what a Red Factor Canary looks like with two healthy legs.