Pet adoption booming amid pandemic – but workers accuse retailers of abuses

Workers say PetSmart and Petco have denied granting hazard pay, cut staffing and increased workloads for remaining employees

As the coronavirus pandemic has led to higher demand for pets and pet supplies, workers at the two largest pet retailers in the US, PetSmart and Petco, say their companies have denied granting hazard pay throughout the pandemic, cut staffing, and increased workloads for remaining employees, while planning decisions to enrich their Wall Street investors.

Demand for pet supplies has increased through the pandemic as Americans working remotely and socially distancing have contributed to a surge in pet adoptions around the US.