Four Pet Stores Prohibited From Selling “Pocket Pets”

April 2000

Over a period of several months, PETA received complaints about four pet stores selling “pocket pets,” including prairie dogs, sugar gliders, and hedgehogs. We called the appropriate sector office for the USDA, as none of the stores seemed to have the license necessary to sell these animals.

After several months of persistent calling and urging the USDA to take action, each of the following stores was required to stop selling “pocket pets” (or any regulated animal):

* All Pets Discounters in Virginia Beach, Virginia
* Animal Crackers in Greendale, Wisconsin
* Exotic Pets and Plants in Norfolk, Virginia, and
* Red Canary Exotic Birds in Oakland Park, Florida