Petco

For local residents in Chicago, Illinois, searching under the category "Pet Store Near Me," it is crucial to be aware of significant negative feedback regarding the grooming services at the Petco located at 440 N Orleans St. While Petco is a national chain typically offering a wide array of pet supplies, the recent customer reviews for this specific Chicago location paint a concerning picture of their grooming department, raising serious questions about the quality, safety, and professionalism of these services, as well as the store's customer service response to reported issues.

One alarming review details a deeply disturbing experience with a groomer named Stephen G: "Stephen G was our dog’s groomer a few weeks ago. He sliced her bottom area and did not disclose that to me when I picked her up. He even texted me on ways he prefers to be tipped prior to me picking up my dog, ridiculous. I’ve filed multiple complaints, sent emails and even had to take her to the vet for antibiotic ointment and Petco has not returned any phone calls or responded to my email. The vet visit was $140 after insurance, on top of the $75 I spent at Petco. The groomer is unqualified and should not be near animals. In addition to that, our pup is terrified of the groomers because of how badly he traumatized her. I will be warning everyone to not take their dog to get groomed here. You guys injured my dog and left her traumatized and failed to respond to all the emails and complaints I’ve been leaving." This account alleges a serious injury to the dog during grooming, a lack of disclosure from the groomer, and an unprofessional solicitation of tips prior to the service being completed. The subsequent failure of Petco to respond to multiple complaints and emails, coupled with the owner incurring a $140 vet bill for treatment of the injury, indicates a severe breakdown in customer service and a potential disregard for the well-being of the animals in their care. The lasting trauma experienced by the dog further underscores the severity of the alleged incident, serving as a strong warning to other pet owners considering grooming services at this location.

Another customer also expresses significant dissatisfaction with a grooming service provided to their Shetland Sheepdog: "I would like to express my dissatisfaction with the grooming service provided for my dog, Amy, a 9.5-year-old Shetland Sheepdog, on March 2, 2025, at the Petco location on North Orleans Street. Upon picking up Amy after her bath, I noticed that the service was incomplete and poorly executed. I had to brush her while still in the store, highlighting the lack of proper grooming during the appointment. When my wife and I arrived home, we realized that Amy’s undercoat was still damp, requiring us to dry her completely. Dogs with undercoats, like Shetland Sheepdogs, can develop serious skin issues if not thoroughly dried after a bath. Additionally, the absence of proper brushing resulted in tangles forming in her coat. The staff mentioned that, due to Amy being frightened by the dryer, they opted to place her in a drying cabin. However, Amy has been accustomed to professional grooming since she was a puppy, and this explanation does not align with her previous experiences. Attached to this complaint is a photo showing the amount of fur we had to remove at home after completing the service that had already been paid for at the store. While we requested that no undercoat removal tools be used, this does not justify the omission of any brushing or the failure to fully dry her coat. Furthermore, we paid $52 for a service that was not fully completed. Given these concerns, I request that appropriate measures be taken to prevent similar situations in the future and that staff members receive proper training to handle the specific needs of each breed. I look forward to a response regarding the steps that will be implemented and appropriate compensation for the inadequate service." This detailed complaint outlines multiple issues with the grooming service, including an incomplete bath and drying process, lack of proper brushing leading to tangles, and an explanation for the inadequate service that contradicts the dog's history with grooming. The fact that the owner had to complete the grooming at home after paying for the service at the store highlights a significant failure in the quality of the service provided. The potential for serious skin issues in a breed like a Shetland Sheepdog if not properly dried further underscores the lack of expertise or care. This customer's request for staff training and compensation for the substandard service indicates a significant level of dissatisfaction.

Based on these reviews, the environment of the grooming section at this Petco location on North Orleans Street in Chicago appears to be a cause for concern. There are allegations of injury to pets and a lack of proper care and attention to detail in the grooming process. The responsiveness of the management to complaints also seems to be severely lacking. While the retail area of the Petco store might offer standard pet supplies, the grooming services at this specific location should be approached with extreme caution.

As a large chain "Pet Store Near Me," this Petco location likely offers a wide range of pet supplies, including food, treats, toys, bedding, and accessories for various types of animals. They may also sell live animals such as fish, small mammals, reptiles, and birds. However, the severely negative feedback regarding their grooming services overshadows these typical offerings. The services explicitly mentioned in the reviews are dog grooming (including bathing and potentially breed-specific cuts), which have resulted in injury and incomplete services in the reported instances.

The features of this Petco location, beyond the standard retail offerings, are difficult to recommend based on the provided reviews. The grooming services, which are typically a key feature of many Petco stores, are currently presented as a significant liability at this specific address due to the alleged injury, trauma to a pet, and the provision of incomplete and inadequate services. The lack of responsiveness to customer complaints further detracts from any potential positive features the store might otherwise offer.

There is no information provided in the reviews regarding any positive promotional offers or discounts at this Petco location. Given the serious nature of the complaints about their grooming services, any general Petco promotions should be weighed against the potential risks highlighted by these customer experiences, particularly for pet grooming.

In conclusion, for local pet owners in Chicago, Illinois, searching for a "Pet Store Near Me," the Petco located at 440 N Orleans St offers the standard range of pet supplies. However, the customer reviews provide alarming accounts of the grooming services at this specific location, including allegations of injury to a pet, incomplete and poorly executed grooming, and a lack of response to complaints. Pet owners considering grooming services at this Petco are strongly advised to exercise extreme caution and consider these serious negative experiences before entrusting their animals to their care. While the retail aspect of the store is not directly criticized in these reviews, the deeply concerning issues within the grooming department warrant significant consideration.