Well, the corporation is still ultimately responsible. It has their name on it. Seems like a pretty widespread problem, and there's definitely a lot of people complaining about it. It's been that way as far back as I can remember. All the stores in my area cleaned up their act years ago. I have only seen stores stop selling certain small animals(that were making profit) because laws changed. That line he gave you is probably a bunch of hooey. Petco still sells monitors here.(tegus) It's not responsible practice to sell gigantic spiders, or pythons (that can reach 30 feet) either but they didn't stop until laws changed.

But anyway, corporate is obviously not in the dark about the issue. There's numerous web page results on google about the issue, right along with their own site. But without specific, well-written complaints, they are in the dark as to where to focus the changes. If more people would do this instead of wasting their efforts on deaf, powerless people, it could make a difference:

Contact PETCO
If you would like to report problem you observe at a PETCO store, e-mail details, including PETCO store number, address, and the names of the employees you spoke with to:
Brian K. Devine CEO/CFO
Chief Executive Officer
PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.
9125 Rehco Road
San Diego, CA 92121
Toll-free Phone: (888) 583-6044 x3046
Fax: (858) 677-3033
E-mail: briand@petco.com

James M. Myers, Executive Vice President/Chief Financial Officer
PETCO Animal Supplies, Inc.
9125 Rehco Road
San Diego, CA 92121
Phone: (858) 677-3005
E-mail: jamesm@petco.com

Other Corporate Contacts
PETCO Customer Satisfaction
Toll-free Phone: (888) 409-4567
Toll-free Fax: (800) 571-2952
E-mail: customersatisfaction@petco.com
(Note: This e-mail address returns an auto-response and messages may not be read.)

Arthur Lewis, Director of Livestock Management E-mail: arthurl@petco.com
Craig Parsons, Small Animals Buyer
E-mail: craigp@petco.com

Sally Stork, Vice President of Store Operations
E-mail: sallys@petco.com
Shawn Underwood, Communications Representative
Phone: (858) 909-4662
E-mail: shawnu@petco.com

Share Your Experiences & Observations
When submitting a complaint about a PETCO store, please include the store location (address helps), date and time you visited the store, names of employees you spoke with, the specific conditions you found objectionable, your full name, and any action taken, if any, by you or a store employee.