Kmart Used to Sell Pet Monkeys in the 1960s. It Wasn’t Alone
A recent social media rumor claims that Kmart sold pet monkeys in the 1960s. This claim has sparked discussions among users who recall their experiences with monkeys at Kmart stores during that era.
On October 7, a Facebook user shared a memory of visiting a Kmart in Canada in 1962, where monkeys were reportedly sold. The post prompted others to share similar memories, with some mentioning that small primates were even kept in school classrooms at the time.
According to research, this claim is indeed true. Vintage advertisements from newspaper archives confirm that certain Kmart locations in the U.S. and Canada had a pet department known as the “Pet Circus,” where monkeys were sold.
Advertisements Confirming Monkey Sales
Initial searches through the Internet Archive and Google Books did not yield useful information. However, Newspapers.com provided valuable insights into Kmart’s history of selling monkeys.
On November 6, 1963, the Kitchener-Waterloo Record in Ontario, Canada, featured an advertisement for Kmart’s “Big Pet Circus Sale,” which included squirrel monkeys priced at $19.95 each, along with a separate charge for a monkey cage. The ad described these monkeys as delicate pets, about the size of common squirrels.
In the U.S., a September 18, 1964, ad in the Danville Register highlighted Kmart’s “Giant Pet Circus,” showcasing seven playful squirrel monkeys. Another ad later that month invited shoppers to a “Pet Circus Parade Sale,” where they could win a squirrel monkey as a prize.
By October 13, 1965, several Canadian newspapers ran a full-page Kmart ad featuring squirrel monkeys priced at $19.98, promoting them as ideal pets. In 1966, Kmart ads listed squirrel monkeys for $13.44, along with other exotic animals.
Questionable Images and Other Retailers
During the research, an apparent fake image surfaced, showing a Kmart employee holding a monkey. Analysis indicated that the image may have been generated using artificial intelligence, as it contained inconsistencies in the Kmart logo.
Additionally, the retail chain Sears was also known to sell monkeys and other exotic animals during the same period. Advertisements from 1962 and 1963 promoted various unusual pets, including monkeys and alligators.
Furthermore, a 1966 ad from the Kilgore News Herald offered a “darling pet monkey” with a guarantee of live delivery for $18.95, illustrating the extent of the exotic pet market during that time.
In conclusion, Kmart did indeed sell monkeys in the 1960s, alongside other retailers like Sears, highlighting a fascinating yet unusual chapter in retail history.
Source: Snopes