Can Pets at Home refuse me back my hamster?

Amethyst_ice · 02-21-2010, 03:34 PM

Hello, newbie here!

Need some advice guys,

I bought a hamster from Pets at home yesterday as all my encounters with them have been caring (despite what I have read) however when we got the little chappy home we noticed he had a bleeding paw. On closer inspection it looked like he was missing a toe!

We rang them this morning and they told us to bring him in and the vet would look at him and we could have a refund. We told them we wanted him and just for him to be treated.

When we got into the shop the woman just took the cage off us and disappeared into the back...like a mother seperated from her child I felt angry and worried.

Eventually the woman returned (who had sold us the hamster only yesterday) and asked what we had done to him!!! I was livid! I explained he was like that when we got him depsite them ticking the 'health check' box and they eventually concluded that he must have done it on the bars. we got changed to a more competant guy who said we would have to be reunded so they could treat him antibiotics and we would get a call in a few days to 're-buy' him..

Now..they gave us back our cage..kept OUR waterbottle and only asked us for a name and number on the back of a small piece of paper..

Do i have any rights to make sure they do sell him back to us?

I am so worried for his welfare and we want him back, just don't know if we have any rights as we got refunded but with the 'promise' he would be ours...any help?

Hes a black bear...all black with white belly stripe...he was so nervous we really bonded to him just over a night :'(

xXx

souffle · 02-22-2010, 03:31 AM

I am sorry to hear that.
I beleive that is P@H policy to take the animal back and treat it. It is then up to you to decide if you want to have it back.
Your best policy would be to telephone every day enquiring about him and when you can have him back. I think you will get him back though as they will not be keen to sell a hammy with a hurt toe anyway and if you persist in wanting him I feel sure you will get him back. Perhaps put it in writing to the store manager empasising that you do want him back again. I know several people who have got them back after wet tail treatment.
It is more that likely that he came to you from the store with the hurt paw. It is not unusual for babyhams to get nips and scrapes when in with the others. All this stress is not great for him with just moving.
You could have taken him to your own vet and had him treated and I believe P@H would have had to pay the vet bill however if they do have an instore vet they will likely prefer that. He will probably be better having his meds from the vet nurse anyway as he will still be frightened.
Keep on top of them and let us know how it goes
XX

annie81 · 02-22-2010, 06:19 AM

what a horrible story!!! like souffle said be persistent and let them know that you really want him back. maybe they can tell you how long you have to wait until you can get him back. wish you all the best.

Amethyst_ice · 02-22-2010, 11:29 AM

Heya, well we couldn't have taken him to our own vet because if its within 48hours you have to tell pet store and they said they have their own vet.

Im going to ring tomorrow and see how he is getting on..just was so insulted the woman tried to accuse us of hurting him!! As if!! Im 22 and my bf is also..ive been thinking about him all day bless...i hope he can survive the stress, hes had 2 car journeys already and moved lots :s

i just wish we had noticed in store but im sure u all know how quickly they rush you through

x

souffle · 02-22-2010, 01:22 PM

Even if you had noticed it in the store I bet you would have still taken him ice! He chose you you see

Let us know when they say he can come home. He is a lucky ham to be so much wanted and get well soon wishes are coming his way from us XX

annie81 · 02-22-2010, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amethyst_ice

Heya, well we couldn't have taken him to our own vet because if its within 48hours you have to tell pet store and they said they have their own vet.

i would still take the hamster to my own vet. its my pet in the moment i buy it...or am i wrong there? i am not criticising you i am just wondering coz i got all my hamsters from pet stores so far and i would go to my own vet and not to theirs...

Amethyst_ice · 02-22-2010, 02:23 PM

yes but it also makes them more aware, i have emailed the manager and also the main pets at home manager. I do truely care about his health but on a practical side..i am a student and the guy mentioned the antibiotic he would be put on and i have looked it up so it is genuine. I can not really afford vet care, well if its longer away from the sale but if the store offer it free and they do a good job whats the harm? I am going to ring them tomorrow to check up on him..if when we get him back he continues to have problems i will take him to our own vet and bill tyhe store...even take it to small claims if i have to but i supoose you have to have a little faith in them. I will put the only pic we have of him up so u can see who we are talkin about ^_^

Flissy · 02-22-2010, 02:25 PM

I hope you get him back soon.....

annie81 · 02-22-2010, 02:28 PM

as i said i was just curious and didnt want to criticise. the pets at home here doenst have a vet so i didnt have to make a choice

hope you get your cutie back soon

Amethyst_ice · 02-22-2010, 02:41 PM

Thats the only pic we got to take of him..sorry for the quality! He has a white stripe on his belly..typical of a black hammy ive read. He hasn't a name yet- bear, taz, jet...ideas? x