Article on Pet Shops and Small Animals

StarlightSerenity · 12-20-2011, 02:18 PM

I came across a fantastic article on pet stores and small animals, where most source their animals, how the pet stores then care for them etc and thought I'd share. Her focus is on rats but it applies to all small animals.

Please note that there are photographs of a rodent farm, they aren't gruesome pictures or anything but it can be upsetting just seeing the set ups

Why not use Pet Shops?

I agree with everything she says to be quite honest. I'm against animals being sold in a supermarket fashion, let a lone being bred so badly they end up having terrible lives.

I'm not totally against all pet shops by any means - there are some who take on unwanted litters (Roxie, you go to one who does that don't you?) or source their animals from decent breeders.

I do think we can change things - stop buying them for starters. Complain to stores each and every time you see an animal in poor condition, when they are labelled wrong, Russian hamsters for example or when they are being mistreated by staff. Go as far as boycotting stores, spread the word that you are doing so and why, get others involved.

A lot needs to be done in the sense of education I think as well - the RWA does a lot in regards to educating people, from children to adults, about rabbits and caring for them. A similar thing should be done for hamsters. I've no idea how you would start it all mind you.

Anyway... I waffled.

**Roxie** · 12-20-2011, 02:21 PM

I do indeed SS. I'm fortunate enough to have a very decent local, no chain pet shop who takes in unwanted litters. Good little pet shop all round really.

StarlightSerenity · 12-20-2011, 02:22 PM

I think more should be done to promote the good shops - get them making more money that the bad ones

Erin Loves Dwarf Hamsters · 12-20-2011, 02:22 PM

Oh this has been one of my fav articles for a while! Im always showing it to people just to win an argument about the quality of pet shops

This is why I stay away from the chains

Im on your side here SS something HAS to be done about these shops and it HAS to be done NOW! (even after this thread is shut down

)

StarlightSerenity · 12-20-2011, 02:23 PM

I haven't been in a pet store for 3 years :/

**Emma&Bee** · 12-20-2011, 02:24 PM

Is that the one with the picture of the rat in a tiny tank with loads of babies? Agree wholeheartedly.

gellerbing · 12-20-2011, 02:26 PM

unfortunately i have no choice but to buy hamsters from pet shops, in a way though it makes me feel good as im saving the ones i buy from being mistreated

**Roxie** · 12-20-2011, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by StarlightSerenity

I think more should be done to promote the good shops - get them making more money that the bad ones

I've always thought it was a bit of shame my one didn't expand. It only has two shops, one in Brighton, one in Hove. It's the quintessential family run business really. Their all in it for the right reasons. There also a bit of a Brighton institution, if your local, that's where you go

.

**Eleanor** · 12-20-2011, 02:29 PM

It's horrible what happens to animals out there.
We need to do something! Come on guys! LET'S SMASH OUR WAY INTO THE PET SHOPS, RESCUE ALL THE ANIMALS AND SET FIRE TO THE BUILDINGS!...Of course, I'm joking....

KatiePillow · 12-20-2011, 02:29 PM

Ahh, I saw this a while ago,
I think the easiest way to boycott is to focus upon using pet shops which don't sell animals, some people don't like/aren't able to only shop online.

And the complaints, not just to the shop but to your local authority, people tend to fall silent when it moves beyond just muttering about how the pet shop is bad.. we need to do things. I purposely don't shop in places which sell pets anymore.. but if you do see bad things.. report it.