North Andover Petco To Close; Store Fined For Violations

NORTH ANDOVER, MA — The North Andover Petco location will close Feb. 25, The Eagle Tribune reported. The store's employees were informed of the closure Dec. 28.

Over the summer, the 790 Waverly Road store was fined by the federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) for a range of violations. OSHA opened an investigation in February 2023 following an employee complaint.

Inspectors found that Petco "lacked an effective and adequate vermin control program to stop rodents from entering the store..."

OSHA claimed that the store also "exposed employees to electrical hazards by blocking access to electrical panels." Inspectors also found "chemical hazards related to unlabeled containers of cleaning chemicals and a lack of adequate facilities for quick drenching or flushing of the eyes and skin for employees working with corrosive chemicals."

In July, OSHA fined Petco $129,473 for two repeat and two serious violations.

Once the North Andover store closes, customers will have to go further to find a Petco location in New Hampshire in Salem or Plaistow, or in Massachusetts in Peabody, Woburn, or Topsfield.