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Home > Fish > Does Petsense Sell Fish? Facts & FAQs

Does Petsense Sell Fish? Facts & FAQs

PetSense Grooming, Griffin

Petsense is both an online and brick-and-mortar pet supply store that was founded in 2005. Petsense offers customers quality pet products at a fraction of the cost of other stores, selling both brand-name and private-label products, which allows the company to keep its prices low. Because of this, the company has grown to more than 150 stores in 23 states.

Petsense offers a full line of merchandise for pets, including food, habitats, toys, and accessories. The store also offers services such as pet adoption, grooming, and boarding. In addition to products for dogs and cats, Petsense also sells items for birds, rodents, lizards, and other small animals.

However, many people are unsure if Petsense actually sells live animals. A quick search of the Petsense website shows that they do not, in fact, sell fish or any other small creatures online. However, if you dig a little deeper, you will find that individual local Petsense stores may sell fish and other animals, such as Betta fish, geckos, guinea pigs, hamsters, or rabbits.

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Does Petsense Carry Betta Fish?

red and blue female bettas
Image Credit: Arunee Rodloy, Shutterstock

The Petsense website does not carry Betta Fish or have any other live animals for sale, and the specific types of animals available at individual physical stores are not available on its website. However, the majority of Petsense stores carry Betta Fish, because they are a popular aquarium fish across the country.

Known for their bright colors and interesting fins, Betta Fish are typically sold at Petsense stores in small bowls or cups, as they do not require a large amount of space. They are also easy to care for, making them a good choice for beginner aquarists. You can find out whether your local Petsense has Betta Fish by calling them up or searching for their Facebook page. Most large Petsense stores offer a wide variety of Bettas, including male and female fish, color morphs, and long-finned varieties.

Why Are Fish & Other Animals Not Sold Online?

If you visit the Petsense website, you won’t see any fish or other animals for sale. Pets are typically not sold online by any major pet supplies retailer. One reason for this is that demand for online sales is lower as it can be difficult for the buyer to determine the health of an animal when that assessment is based on pictures or descriptions alone. For the seller, listing a pet online can be risky, as there is no guarantee that the animal will be delivered as promised or that it will be healthy.

The cost of nursing a sick animal is one thing, but the real losers are the baby animals that are sold off by puppy and kitten mills for a quick buck. It has also become common for scammers to target online pet sales, defrauding people who think a new pet is on its way when a real animal never existed. Unsuspecting buyers have lost hundreds or thousands of dollars to this type of “fake listing”.

Finally, because of all of the reasons above, many states have laws in place that regulate the sale of animals, and these laws may not be adequately enforced when sales take place online.

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Can Pets Legally Be Sold Online In the U.S.?

pompoms goldfish
Image Credit: Ek Ing, Shutterstock

 

The answer is yes, but only under strict circumstances. In the U. the sale of animals, including pets, is regulated by state and federal law. While certain states allow the sale of animals online, most states do not. Additionally, pet dealers must have a federal license if they sell animals in any way other than in person, including online sales. The USDA adopted this rule because the sale of animals online raises a number of animal welfare concerns, as well as consumer protection concerns.

It can be difficult to determine the health and temperament of an animal that is being sold online, and also difficult to ensure that the animal will be transported safely to its new home. Finally, the animal cannot be guaranteed to have been bred humanely.

What Happens When I Buy Fish & Other Animals Online?

There are a few potential impacts of buying fish and other animals online. First, when animals are bought online, they may not be healthy. This is because they may not have been properly cared for before they were shipped to the buyer. Second, they may be from illegal or unethical sources. This means that the animals may have been taken from a protected natural habitat or raised in cruel conditions.

Online buying makes it is easy to purchase exotic and endangered animals that may not be legal to own in your state or country. This can lead to people owning animals they are not prepared to care for properly, which can often result in the animals being neglected or even dying. Another impact is that buying fish and other animals online can be expensive, and sometimes the animals are even dead when they arrive.

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Does Petsense Sell Fish Food?

dry aquarium fish food
Image Credit: Boris Sosnovyy, Shutterstock

The Petsense website sells fish food and depending on the specific store layout and inventory, individual Petsense stores may sell fish food also. If you look specifically at the pet food section of your local Petsense store you will likely find a variety of fish food options available for purchase there also.

Online, there are currently 134 fish food products for sale. This includes flake, crisp, stick, and pellet products, as well as some specialty formulations designed for certain types of fish. The Petsense website also sells a variety of pet supplies that could be used to care for fish, including tubing, air pumps, salt, cleaning fluids, water filters, and tanks.

Does Petsense Sell Gerbils?

Petsense’s online store does not sell gerbils and is instead a specialty retailer of pet supplies and services. Individual Petsense stores may offer a variety of small animals for sale, including gerbils. While the company does not list gerbils specifically on its website, in many stores gerbils are sold along with hamsters, guinea pigs, and mice.

Does Petsense Have Feeder Mice?

The Petsense website does not have feeder mice. Feeder mice are rodents that are bred and raised specifically for feeding other animals, most frequently snakes, lizards, and birds of prey. While it is possible that individual Petsense stores may carry feeder mice, there is no certain way to know for sure without contacting the store directly. Generally speaking, most pet stores will carry some type of feeder mouse, as they are a popular food item for many different types of pets.

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Does Petsense Have Leopard Geckos?

Leopard gecko
Image Credit: Reinhold-Leitner, Shutterstock

Leopard Geckos can be found at some Petsense stores. Leopard Geckos are a species of lizard that is native to the deserts of southern Asia and northern Africa. They are popular pets for their attractive markings and easy care. On their online store, you can buy plenty of items for Leopard Geckos and other reptiles.

The website carries some reptile products for sale, such as cages, food, and toys. However, it is important to note that the selection of reptile products is not as comprehensive as that of other pet product categories, and as always, there are no live reptiles for sale on the website.

Where Does Petsense Get Its Animals?

Petsense acquires its animals from a variety of sources. Some animals are bred and raised in-house, while others are acquired through rescue organizations or animal shelters.  Each Petsense store has a cat adoption center, which is a temporary home for adoptable cats. Neither dogs nor cats are sold in Petsense stores. Instead, Petsense partners with local shelters and rescues to increase awareness about their available cats and help them find homes as quickly as possible.

Petsense works with a number of these organizations to identify and assess animals that may be a good fit for the store’s needs and customer base. Through their adoption centers and weekend events, Petsense has helped save over 100,000 animal lives since 2005. In addition to providing animals for adoption, many Petsense associated animal shelters also offer education and training programs to help new pet owners prepare for life with their new furry friends.

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Are Petsmart & Petsense the Same Company?

Petsmart store
Image Credit: Mike Mozart, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

No, Petsmart and Petsense are not the same company. Petsmart is a chain of retail stores that specializes in pet supplies and services, while Petsense is a smaller chain that focuses on offering lower prices on pet food and supplies. Petsense tends to operate in smaller cities and towns. Both chains are popular among pet owners, but Petsmart is much larger and has more locations. Both companies sell pet supplies and foods, and they also offer services like grooming and boarding.

Is Petsense Better Than Petsmart?

There is no definitive answer to this question as it depends on individual preferences and needs. Petsense is a smaller retailer that specializes in pet supplies and food, while Petsmart offers a broader assortment of products. Some people may prefer the boutique, niche Petsense store, while others might appreciate the wider range of options and services offered by Petsmart. Ultimately, it is up to the individual to decide which retailer is most suitable for them.

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Conclusion

In conclusion, Petsense does sell fish and other animals in its stores, although not online. A pet is a great addition to any home, and most Petsense stores have a variety of animals to choose from, including fish. There are many things to consider when looking for the perfect pet, and many questions that can’t be answered with an online purchase.

By taking the time to visit the Petsense store, do your research and ask questions, you can find the perfect companion that fits both your lifestyle and your personality. So, take your time, be patient, and enjoy finding your new best pal!


Featured Image Credit: PetSense.com

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