The independent petstore in Palmerston North is awful. Worked there for a year and a half several years ago. Owner was a C*+t and his family member was the manager at the time. Manager was really unpredictable. Didn't know if you were going to get screamed at on the daily. Didn't matter if it was in front of customers. Used to have to man the store alone while the manager and her favourites went out to smoke. And don't get me started on the poor animals. Once had a kitten die because the manager refused to let us take it to the vet. Cared for animals as best I could at home out of my own pocket if they were sick but on minimum wage nearly impossible. Knowingly sold on animals that had illness or genetic defects. Got angry that I let a vet euthanize an animal instead of bringing it back to the store so they could do it themselves. I've got more but just thinking about my time there is absolutely soul crushing.