Paws For Concern

I’m picking up a new bag of prescription cat food that my vet ordered through the pet supply store’s “automatic refill” system. When I get home, I notice the label says something different. I call the vet to confirm, and then I call by the store.

Names in the story have been changed (both human and animal).

Me: “Hey, I think there’s been a mix-up. I ordered the feline renal support, but this is canine.”

Manager: “They’re practically the same formula. Just smaller kibble for cats.”

Me: “Uh… no, they’re definitely not. Cats can’t process some of the stuff in dog food.”

Manager: “We’ve never had a problem before. Your vet probably checked the wrong box.”

Me: “I just called her, she read me the confirmation email she sent you: ‘Feline Renal Support F.'”

Manager: “Our system must’ve auto-subbed it. It happens when we’re low on stock.”

Me: “So you’re admitting you replaced medical cat food with dog food?”

Manager: “Well, technically it’s still ‘animal nutrition.'”

Me: “So is birdseed. Doesn’t mean I should feed it to a cat. Do I really need to explain how worrying this is to someone who works at a pet store?!”

Manager: “It’s just… we can’t take back opened prescription food.”

So, he knows that they f***ed up, but he just doesn’t want to deal with complicated admin?! The bag is sealed with the store’s own sticker that says ‘Filled by: Tyler.’

Me: “Then Tyler can explain why he wrote ‘dog’ on the order for a twelve-pound tabby named Princess Sprinkles.”

He glances at the label, sighs, and suddenly changes tone.

Manager: “Alright. We’ll replace it… just this once… as a courtesy.”

Me: “Oh, I appreciate the courtesy. I’m sure Princess Sprinkles will, too, once she stops barking.”