If you needed another reason to stop supporting Petco, PETA’s latest investigation into the company’s supply chain led to citations for thousands of violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act. Our three‑month undercover investigation into Creekside Birds—a massive parakeet breeder in Petco’s supply chain—revealed cruelty so extreme it reads like a horror story. A co-owner and senior worker were caught ripping live birds’ heads off, crushing parakeets’ necks, and leaving sick, injured animals to suffer for weeks without a shred of veterinary care. Nearly 10,000 parakeets were jammed into tiny, filthy cages, and in just 27 days, the investigator documented nearly 1,400 dead birds.

Every bird sold at Petco suffers long before they even reach store shelves—and PETA’s campaign is making sure shoppers know it. We’re urging the public to steer clear of Petco until it stops selling birds, and we’re turning up the pressure with bold, attention‑grabbing actions across the country.

How PETA’s Putting the Heat on Petco

June 2026

Punk Icon Iggy Pop Puts Petco Execs in the Hot Seat

Music legend Iggy Pop held Petco executives’ feet to the fire during the company’s annual shareholder meeting. The Godfather of Punk—and doting guardian to his beloved cockatoo, Biggy Pop—helped PETA confront the board about the cruelty uncovered in its latest investigation, by asking: “When will Petco end the sale of birds?”

Outside Petco’s headquarters, PETA supporters screened footage from the investigation, displaying massive signs reading “Birds’ Heads Ripped Off at Breeder Tied to Petco.”

Chicago Bird Defenders Show the Faces of Petco’s Victims

PETA supporters descended on a Chicago Petco store bearing giant images of parakeets who suffered and died at Creekside Birds. The bold demonstration was also a reminder that the cruelty at this supplier isn’t isolated. Multiple PETA investigations and whistleblower reports from facilities that supply animals to Petco and other big‑box chains have documented severe crowding, filth, and neglect. In one damning report, a former Petco employee described dismal conditions for birds, including a parakeet who was pecked to death by stressed cagemates, exposing the bird’s skull.

Avian Advocates Flock to San Diego to Call Petco Out

One week after PETA released our undercover footage from Creekside Birds, more than 30 fired‑up protesters flooded the sidewalk outside a San Diego Petco, holding bold signs, chanting nonstop, and handing out leaflets to everyone who passed. The crowd drew instant attention—shoppers stopped to find out what was happening, drivers honked and waved, and those who spoke with our advocates backed the call to end Petco’s bird sales.

When the first demo wrapped, the momentum didn’t stop. A group of PETA supporters headed straight to Petco’s corporate headquarters, marched inside with an iPad blasting the undercover investigative footage, and asked if any executives would watch the footage. Staff refused and ordered them out—but the protestors weren’t done. They launched another demonstration right outside the building, pressing their signs against the glass windows as employees inside watched.

We Need YOU To Keep the Momentum Going

Birds aren’t merchandise—they’re complex, social, emotionally rich individuals who suffer when humans exploit them and treat them like décor.

Parakeets are small parrots native to Australia. In nature, they live in large flocks, stay highly active, fly for miles each day, and spend their time climbing, exploring, and bathing. They mate for life, show affection by preening one another, and only breed during the rainy season when food is abundant enough to ensure their chicks’ survival.

None of that is possible in the cruel pet trade.

Petco has already ended the sale of larger birds—including Amazon parrots, cockatoos, and macaws—after talks with PETA. Ending all bird sales is the necessary next step.

Keep checking back here for more updates on the campaign, and join PETA’s Action Team to find out whether there’s a demonstration near you. Together, we can push Petco to stop selling birds.

Tens of thousands of supporters have already taken action against Petco. Will you join them?

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