Petco — Local services in Wesley Chapel

I'm very dissatisfied with the vet service there. I booked an appointment for Saturday at 1:15pm for Tiger, my 11-year old white & brindle pit mix. Throughout the week, I kept receiving text message reminders for 1pm, so I got there a bit earlier than 1pm to ensure timeliness. The front door was locked and Tiger wasn't doing to well. She had a fist-sized mass around her lower belly with a recently opened hole leaking discharge. To make her more comfortable, I took her inside through the store entrance, and went past the airport-style ribbon gate to have her sit in the lobby. It was getting closer to 1pm, and I was anxious for her to get seen. About 5 minutes in a lady comes out from the back to tell me they open at 1:15, and I couldn't wait there. Then she continued to point out that's why the door was locked, and the ribbon gate was put in place. Though she said it with a smile, I could sense her sarcasm, and how obviously annoyed she was. She didn't even bother to look at my uncomfortable dog, leaking on the floor from her mass. She said I could wait in the store, or go back to my car. I complied without arguing, as I could tell she was in a bad mood, and I didn't want to make matters worse. We left to go outside as not to have Tiger discharge all over the store's floor. We waited by the front of the store, on a two-foot wide sliver of shadow; this was midday, so the floor was hot. I already felt like a bad pet-owner because I couldn't make my dog comfortable, but this just added insult to injury. I also didn't want her to walk the hot asphalt to my car and back, so we just continued to wait. They finally let us in at around 1:13pm signed us in, and had us wait in a small room about 9ft x 9ft. The room had a strong pet odor, which makes sense, we're at the vet. However, I would think they would at least sweep the clumps of pet hair off the ground before putting another patient there (they had plenty of time to.) I didn't think it was too sanitary, but I'm no expert. 5-10 minutes in, a gentleman came in to assess Tiger, and he finally saw the massive fist-sized mass, which I explained had developed in about 2 weeks. After asking more questions, he left, and came back with the doctor about 8-10 minutes later. She was the only reason I gave two stars, vs one star, as she was the most helpful person there. Ultimately it came down to talking about euthanasia, as she explained the mass was a tumor that could/would spread quickly to her lungs. I was heartbroken, but I knew already this was the most probable path, as Tiger's mother went through a similar ordeal some years prior. They had us wait in the room for 15 more minutes just to get us an estimate of how much the euthanasia would be. The room smelled pretty bad, and I could feel getting sick to my stomach. The gentleman came back in the room with a paper explaining the pricing - not sure what would take so long, but I tried not to judge. I explained that I wanted to look into other places but would keep them under consideration. Then he told us to wait there some more; I assumed it was to get more information. After about 15 minutes of waiting I stepped out of the room to ask for an ETA, to which the front desk clerk said, "you guys are good to go." Apparently, the gentleman forgot about us. The room was right next to the front desk, and had windows, so we were visibly waiting there, except no one came in to get us. Going through this emotionally difficult time, their lack of compassion, from start to finish, was completely unacceptable. Not only from a business standpoint, but just from a general sense of decency, and proper human interaction. I paid my $67 for the visit, and got the heck out and there. I headed over to the Humane Society on Armenia Ave, who showed the compassion I needed. This was the first time I've ever had to put a dog to sleep, and it was extremely painful for me. Petco, I truly wish you would've been better. I'll most likely not shop there again, as it will just bring up...

This place is absolutely terrible. If I could give it zero stars I would. Their customer service is complete crap and I would suggest making the drive to PetSmart on 54. I recently moved to this area and had used PETCO groomers in Fernandina Beach and had 7 great years using them.  This place stinks.  The groomers have no manners and have absolutely no customer service skills including the manager BETH.

I would typically drop off my dog in the AM and pick him up at lunch time. The first time I came to this store, I went really early before the store open because the grooming salon opens a bit earlier. There were 3 other people and I waiting for our dogs to get checked in.  This lady walks in and puts her stuff down and shortly after there is a gentleman that comes in the door. She grabs his dog and checks him in. She doesn't say anything to us, not I'll be with you in a moment, let me take care of this gentleman because of XYZ. Then there is another person that comes through as we are waiting for similar treatment and they tend to that person again. I say to them, "How do I get that treatment?" because we've been waiting here for at least 20 minutes and I need to get to work.  The lady doesn't answer and doesn't say anything that helps the situation. Everyone is upset. She was dismissive and completely unphased, with no empathy, no care, like I get that we are dog people and probably prefer them to actual people but she was just rude.

They finally get to us and I say, "Listen, I have to get to work. I work from home but I still need to...and I came here early to drop him off." She just said that groomers don't check in other people's dogs.

Today, I had a meeting at 11AM and my appointment was at 10:45 so I went to drop him off early about an hour so that I can get to my meeting in person in time.  I sat there for about 25 minutes with the groomer in the back being able to see me. I asked the person at the register for the store if someone was available she's like on she should come out soon. She's probably in the back. I waited. Finally, the store manager passes by and I say excuse me if there is anyone available. He goes to the back and finally this lady Michelle comes out. I confused her with the one that I saw some months back. Michelle says nothing but. You can't drop off your dog early and we can't check-in a dog that we are not grooming.  No hello, no I am sorry but I unfortunately can't check him in since it is not 15 minutes before the appointment time. She had no tact! AT ALL--then I tell the store manager who is an interim one and he is like--I've never heard of that policy and says he's the interim store manager for that store. When I picked up my dog I asked to speak with the grooming manager Beth and I told her what happened and she said it was actually her that I had the first interaction with where she checked in her dogs and didn't care about the rest of us standing there. I said well, I explained how I've been using Petco for many years and have never heard of this policy.  So she goes toe to toe about how long she's been there and it's always been like this. I say look this is really unreasonable and I am like I don't understand. She's like I suggest you drop off your dog 15 minutes before and I am like are you serious and she's like yeah and if you don't like that I suggest you don't come back to this store. Now--If I would have cursed at her, berated her or treated her in a disrespectful way I could understand using that as a response to my plight but I did none of those things. She was rude, not concerned, uncaring, dismissive and not at all a person that should be dealing with...

Review for Petco Grooming – Bruce B. Downs Blvd, Wesley Chapel (Store #1231 Bruce B Downs Blvd)

I want to share what was hands-down the most frustrating and disrespectful customer experience I’ve ever had at a Petco location — and this one truly deserves to be flagged at the corporate level.

I scheduled an early morning grooming appointment for my dog, specifically because my vehicle’s air conditioning is currently broken, and Florida heat is no joke. Inside temps can hit 130+ degrees, and I refuse to risk my dog’s health just trying to get her groomed.

I booked the appointment in advance, using Petco’s system, for the earliest possible time. Then, less than 24 hours before the appointment, I get a call saying the groomer “can’t accept dogs over 45 lbs” and that the earliest available time would now be 1:00 PM — the absolute peak heat of the day. After pushing back, they agreed to move it to 12:00, but that’s still dangerously hot when you’re dealing with a vehicle without AC.

When I arrived, they asked a routine question: “Is your dog on any medication?” I answered honestly — yes, she’s finishing a round of antibiotics for a now-resolved ear infection, with one day left. Their response? A flat-out refusal to groom her.

Let me be clear: • I offered to sign waivers. • I explained the infection was gone and the meds were nearly done. • I told them this was my only day off all month, and I had already burned half of it due to Petco’s own last-minute schedule change.

None of it mattered. They refused, citing “comfort level” and “liability.”

What’s truly ridiculous is this: I was a professional groomer for five years. There is absolutely zero scientific or veterinary risk associated with bathing a dog on antibiotics for a resolved ear infection. This wasn’t a medical emergency. This wasn’t an open wound. It was a legal shield, not a safety concern — and it’s that kind of lazy, blanket policy enforcement that defines soulless corporate behavior.

Meanwhile, another Petco location? Willing to groom the same dog — as long as I don’t tell them about the antibiotic. So which is it, Petco? Is it a danger, or just a policy to hide behind when you feel like it?

Let me give credit where it’s due — the store manager I spoke with was professional, respectful, and clearly tried to help. But his hands were tied by a team that refused to budge or listen to reason.

Let me be crystal clear to Petco corporate: • This was my first experience at this Wesley Chapel location. • It will absolutely be my last. • I will drive as far as I need to for a grooming salon that values common sense, flexibility, and customer care. • I will be sharing this experience across my platforms with over 10 million followers — and I will encourage them to take their business elsewhere.

If your brand is truly “where the pets go,” then maybe try actually caring about the pets and the people who love them—not just about profit and release-of-liability clauses.

Petco has officially lost my business, and likely a whole lot more once this story...