[jackrungh]

I agree with the logical equation of mass breeder plus pet store equals overpopulation, that reality is easy to comprehend, impossible to deny, and unfortunate. However in spite of the fact that I do not buy from stores that sell animals any longer, I take exception to this hard line position damning pet stores. They indeed are motivated by profit (not something I consider an inherent evil), but screaming at them and acting like the morons at PETA is really not a constructive way to instigate change. Some of the most intelligent posts in this thread have all centered on the adoption through store issue, and in supporting stores that are transitioning towards those sorts of practices.

Lets be real about something. When does someone who has never owned a guinea pig, and perhaps never owned a pet say to themselves, "Ah yes, I feel like I would like a guinea pig in my life. Let me consult the nearest Cavy rescue center." The answer is never.

A non-owner doesnt know there is an issue with Cavys, doesnt know they are called "Cavys", and doesnt know about the breeding mills and overpopulation. People go to pet stores, and they check out the animals and they make that purchase, whether it be an impulse-buy or not. That is how I got my first cavy, but once I had her, and wanted to be the best owner I could possibly be for her, and read these forums and sites and books on caregiving, I became knowledgable about this problem and its ramifications. Once pet store customers do this (And I sincerely hope they all invest as much thought and research into their pet as the users of this forum do.), they effectively become one of the "good guys." They no longer buy from pet stores and contact guinea pig rescues, and they buy online more cheaply and stop funding chains that sell animals.

The important thing to realize is that the demand will always be there. People will always want to go somewhere and get a pet, with the key selling point being they want to go somewhere where pets are and get a face to face with potential pets, in order that they might get an idea of what they want. If you want proof of this go to petsmart on saturday when they exhibit dogs for adoption. Not buying from pet stores who sell animals might help in some miniscule way, but the real solution is to have the same stores (read: the same demand) be purchasing pets that are not farmed. Having a rescue fuel the demand of your local Petsmart is ideal, because pigs on "death row" are given homes, breeders are made obsolete, and the end consumer is none-the-wiser.

What I am objecting to is this rigid mentality that they are evil, we are good, and no cooperation can exist, because that would be dealing with the devil. This sounds great and makes one feel all warm and fuzzy and righteous inside, but does little to change things, and dooms more and more generations of pigs to the current way of things. The devil doesnt care how these pigs are shuffled around, he only cares about what he can make off them. Any business that cared about anything else above profit would be irresponsible. However if a company can make the same or greater profit by using a rescue or shelter as its source for animals, not only would it make profit but would be able to plaster all over signs and ads everywhere that it was doing this great laudable thing to stop the exploitation of cute furry creatures, increasing consumer support for the firm and most likely market share. This is the appeal of adoption through stores and this is the party line concerned owners must deliver to those in charge of pet stores, if the welfare of Cavia Porcellus the world over is to improve.