I also appreciate this post. Good information from the other side of the fence, so to speak.

I used to spend my money at Petsmart/Petco because I had no choice. The smaller, private pet stores here are few and very far between.

Now, I have the luxury of a wonderful, small private pet shop less than 5 minutes from my house. The owners are kind, caring and helpful, and certainly don't pretend to know it all, but are willing to learn. They get all their companion small animals from local breeders, which makes a big difference to me.

I have told them honestly, even if their items cost more {a few do, most don't} I'd still rather spend my money with them than anywhere else. I know that if people like me don't make the effort to keep little places like that around, soon I'll have to go back to crappy Petco. Not if I can help it!

So now, even if it's just a little $2 bottle of fish food, I shop there. Sure I could get it at Petco, Wal-Mart, heck even my grocery stores carry it now, but I want to do my part to help them stay in business, and every little bit matters.

Gale