Petco — Local services in Lake Charles

Went to Petco on Prien Lake Rd in Lake Charles, LA, yesterday, May 21, 2025 @ 6:35pm with my client to get her a betta fish for her mental health. We picked a betta fish out, I had a large mason jar that I was going to decorate for her fish and keep the water clean weekly by purchasing the pre bottle conditioner they have for betta fish. Well I started asking questions first, to the female attendant that was changing the water of the betta fishs, which all betta fish are in a plastic small tupperware containers with a hole at the top, now she told me she doesn't advise me to put the betta fish in the jar so she told me to go look at the aquariums they had. So I go to look at the aquariums only one that is reasonable price is $7.99 it says it's a replacement only for betta fish, it's nice size maybe 1 and half gallon with vented top. I go to get that with food and an artificial leaf and betta conditioner water. Get to the counter to pay, the check out clerk tells me to hold on, goes to get his manager, comes to the front with him and the manager starts telling me, a betta fish needs at least 2 and a half gallon tank and it's best I don't buy the fish if I don't get the tank it needs. He said it really needed 5 gallons, air and a heater. I told him, if there isn't a tank reasonable price like this $7.99 I'm not buying it. I'm thinking 🤔 if a betta fish needs All of that, why y'all have them in a small closed container with a hole at the top? Why y'all don't have them in at least a 5 gallon tank, with heater and air pump. All other aquariums on the shelf started at $40, So he didn't want to sell me the fish. I told my client, we won't be getting the fish from here today. What were their actions behind trying to make me spend more money and not wanting to sale me the betta fish is funny business. I won't ever step 1 foot in their doors again, PETCO. Their management & corporate team needs to check into their employees & manager behavior. By the way, we left and went to PetSmart and got help from the nice helpful employees and the 5 gallon & half tank was $12.99. betta fish 3.99, food 4.99 colorful rocks 4.99 and water conditioner 3.99. plus they educated me on how to care for our fish weekly. I didn't spend a fortune for my client to enjoy her colorful fish 🐟 she named Amber. PETCO consider your ways and God...

We went in to get my daughter a bird. After talking to one of the associates, he got the right person to come get the bird my daughter wanted. Here is where things went south, the little Buckle Bunny walked up in not so great of a mood. My daughter pointed out the bird she wanted. The girl didn't take long catching the bird, and upon getting the bird out of the enclosure, he told the bird, " You better not bite me." When she had her hand on him, she rudely told me and my daughter to " watch out," as she makes her way to the box to put the bird in. Now, if it weren't for my daughter holding the glas door closed, they would have about 20 parakeets loose in this store right now. My grandson, 4 yrs old, told this young lady " thank you for getting a bird for us," not once but 4 times before she finally acknowledged him and said you're welcome, before turning her attention to me to ask if I have an account. She then seemed frustrated that I had to try 3 different phone numbers before realizing I did not have an account , and then she informed me that I would have to fill this out before I could check out. If it weren't for my daughter wanting the white parakeet to go with the indigo colored parakeet she already has, I would have let little rude buckle bunny put that bird where right back up. My wife was so angry she had to walk away to keep from saying something to this young girl. There is a good chance this will be my last transaction ever with Petco due to...

It's been awhile since we have been here. Was kinda disappointed in availability of items.

Location: across from the mall on prien lake. Private parking lot. Plenty of space.

Atmosphere: no bad odors. Fairly clean. Animal enclosures looked fine. There were boxes piled in front of the cat area but I don't think they had any cats this day. Well lit and organized by pet.

Service: didn't interact with anyone. Only saw cashier and groomer.

Animals available: fish, tarantula, lizards, Bearded dragons, snakes, hamsters, chinchilla, mice, rats, Guinea pigs, hairless Guinea pig, birds, sometimes cats, occasionally dogs (usually a scheduled event).

Items: we went looking for dog harnesses but they really didn't have much. We basically only had 2 options for our large dog, so we left to look elsewhere. They also have grooming supplies, beds, kennels, toys, some collars, treats, food, cat litter, small pet cages, dust bath supplies, running wheels, tanks, bedding, aquarium supplies, meal worms/crickets, etc.

Prices: a little on the high end for supplies and food. We hardly ever buy dog food here. Sometimes treats are on sale.

Overall, it's okay. We usually leave empty handed due to...