I'm not taking sides on this, but in regard to the policies of the stores mentioned, could it be that it depends on where they're at? My local PetSMART doesn't sell live feeders, and if you tell them that's what it's for, they won't sell you a rodent ever. I know because I tried and the girl remembered me from the previous week and refused. My PetCO does sell live feeders, but they are the same as "pet" mice. As in, same bin, same price, same everything...well, except for life expectancy.