applelady,
I think I see what you mean: if I read you correctly, you're feeling the full weight of the problem and sometimes it does feel completely overwhelming! Educating the public is one personal conversation at a time for many of us. I teach students who have been labeled "mentally retarded." Imagine the comments I get. I hate being told I am in a "noble" profession, and I hate hearing the comments from the community and some of their well-educated teachers that are well-meaning but way off the mark! It's not much different (except their humans and we're talking about piggies) in the
cavy world and the world of breeding. We can make a difference with positive conversations, positive outlooks, and a hopefulness about the future. Conveying the positive aspects of our pets, our love for them, what makes them wonderful, etc. and then following up with "reality checks" on breeders and their ilk
without preaching is difficult but usually quite effective! - with time! Please don't think it's hopeless!
I feel for you getting your pet from a pet store. I also feel for all the other little guys who are going to end up there. I
desperately want a pal for my boar, and I know just where I can get one easily and fairly inexpensively. It's totally killing me to have to wait! But there is a rescue "only" 2 hours from me with whom I'm communicating and I'm just going to wait. I hope you take that kind of option if you get another. Many are willing to travel and meet you halfway if necessary to get a good home for a
cavy.
By the way, when I mention not preaching, I am talking about our conversations with the public. It's always ok, in my humble and often incorrect opinion, to "preach to the choir" - at least we know they agree and support us, and it's a great way to get out our frustrations!