The high school where I work as a sub in special needs has a program where students spend some time during the school day working at various places around the community under the supervision of an instructor. Petco has participated in this program in the past. This year, however, they would not accept any students but would not give a reason. Finally it was learned that their corporate headquarters instituted a new policy against hiring disabled workers. I e-mailed Petco's corporate headquarters about a month ago inquiring about this new policy of discrimation. I received no response from them which seems to confirm this policy. Keep in mind that you can bring your dog into Petco. They even offer classes to help dogs learn how to behave but aren't interested in helping special needs students with these skills. Maybe if enough people complain they will at least lower themselves to respond to this issue.

I'm new, so I've been abit timid about jumping in, but as soon as I saw this, I was absolutely outraged. My little brother, Patrick, has DS, he's 17, with a wide variety of medical problems that have just recently started to resolve. But back to the topic....

Where can I write to about this? To actually 'institute' a policy like this, can't it be illegal? What can I do, today, about this?

I e-mailed Petco through their website at Petco.com. I was trying to give them the benefit of the doubt inquiring as to whether what I had been told was true. I explained that not only do I work with special needs students, I have a daughter with DS, and I have several pets. I thought that since I am a regular customer they might be interested in setting the matter straight if I was, in fact, misinformed. I of course let them know that I would certainly not shop at anyplace that discriminated against anyone. I e-mailed them back in December and never heard a word from them. I can only conclude that it is true they are discriminating against the disabled. Although it's not illegal for them to choose not to participate in the school's program, what I heard was their policy is against hiring disabled workers. That, I'm sure, is illegal. I'm not sure what to do about it. As an employee of the school system I'm not to get into any wrangling over the matter with them for fear it may cause other local businesses to be wary of participating in our program. My hope was that Petco would respond and be reasonable but I guess not.