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Perhaps things aren't as bad as was mentioned earlier by poetess. However, what was mentioned are simply examples that are within the public's access, what they can see for themselves. I agree, the Ironton location could use some serious cleaning. The floor looks horrible, the top edge of one enclosure is wrapped in duct tape. I was there just yesterday and the ferrets toilet hadn't been cleaned out in at least a couple days. It wasn't as bad as I have seen some at PetCo, but it did look kinda nasty. The enclosures don't look like they've been wiped down very well, that or they are scratched and worn to the point of looking dirty. The aquariums are, in large, dirty looking on the outside, with signs of wear and tear that aren't attractive.

There isn't always an owner in the store. Often times in Ironton there are only two employees. The owners are often at the Russell location or up in New Boston at the third location. So, the statement of there ALWAYS being an owner there is not true.

There are an avaerage of two to three cages that are closed off so that you cannot pet the animals. Currently there is a chincilla in one with a plastic jar to sleep in that has a cover over it and a bird cage on top. On the opposite side are two ferrets whose cage is also covered and has a bird cage on top. I have never seen them uncovered except once when I asked to check out the short tailed possum when it was in the cage. And the staff isn't always on it's tip toes to help you. I spent ten minutes trying to get them to give me a mouse for my snake.

If you look at the aquariums some animals are kept in the tops are rusted and nasty looking, broken and even tapped. That isn't safe for the animals. And many times they are over crowded.

There isn't adequate space in the pet store for all the merchandise. It's too crowded. There is a machine in the back that lets out a loud pitched whine non-stop. All animals including rats, mice, a possum, hamsters, gerbils, etc. that are housed in that area are subject to that noise whenever that machine is on, which may or may not be non-stop.


Now as for the Russell location. It is clean, orderly, and pretty nice looking. However, not all cages in the back are in good condition. They suffer from the same rust and general wear and tear that indicate they desperately need gotten rid of. I have it from a good source, one that was there to see it that a puppy in the back came in sick and having seizures. It was left in a cage for three days before finally dying. I am told it was not taken to a vet.

Also, there was a male rat that was brutally killed. He was smacked against the wall and stomped on several times for supposedly biting an employee. That is inhumane and it is abuse. Adult rats are housed together to breed unsupervised. Many times they are not of proper age to be bred and it is harder on them. A 3-4 month old rat shouldn't be having babies. Yes they are fertile at that age, but it isn't good for their bodies.

The enclosures in the front are full of animals. There are at least 12 rabbits and guinea pigs in one and it is obviously overcrowded. The space is about 4 by 2 or 3. Several babies, adults, so on. At one point they had a ton of birds all crammed in little cages because they'd just gotten a shipment in, I think 150. They were eventually moved after their wings were clipped, but they simply had too many for the store to handle. There isn't sufficient room.

Several puppies I have seen go through barely had their baby teeth coming through their gums. They were tiny and did not look old enough to be sold yet. I was told they were 7 nearly 8 weeks old. I am going to school to be a vet. tech. They didn't even have their full motor skills yet and by 7 weeks they should have.

And the diets for several animals are not appropriate that I can tell. Often times there are just pellets or a mixture of different bird seeds that don't have the right nutrition. I have never seen fresh or dried fruit, alfalfa, hay, or anything in the cages with the animals.

I shop at Berts all the time. I like the establishment despite their sometimes.. less than civilized treatment of those animals that are considered 'lesser' such as rats or sick animals. But, you'd think with three locations bringing in money, highly expensive puppies and reptiles and supplies (like aquariums) that they'd be able to revamp their Ironton location or move it to another section of the mall area. Several are for rent! Someplace that is at least cleaner. And you can't say they don't have the money. If they didn't they wouldn't be getting constant shipments of new bird cages and aquariums!

They have had several chihuahua puppies and other breeds in that are too young to be sold in a store. Several have been under 6 weeks old. Currrently, in Russell Kentucky, Bert's Pet Center is selling three chihuahua puppies who don't even have teeth yet. One is teething, the other two are not.

They all three hace a distinct lack of motor skills that a 6 week old puppy should have. I asked an employee if they were old enough and she told me they are 7 weeks old! I don't think so.. They are all three sick and one has a severe eye infection.

I would like to boycott this store. As of today I am no longer doing any business with them, professional or personal. I am disgusted by their neglect and lack of care for their animals. This isn't the first time they've had sick animals in.

They should be put out of business. If there was a local ASPCA I would contact them.. and our local humane society is a joke...