Quote:
Originally Posted by momof2pigs  Where people GET an animal should be a choice. Otherwise GP's will cost WAY MORE than most people would be willing to pay for an animal that lives 3-7 years at best. |
This statement bothers me. I can't quite put my finger on why except it makes guinea pigs seem like no more than an expensive toy. I don't understand the point of the 3-7 years part. Would I pay more if they lived to be 10? Personally the shorter lifespan (well I don't want to say it's a plus) but it is the reason I have pigs instead of cats. I have no idea where my life will be in 20 years so pigs fit.
Perhaps high costing guineas would be good, then people would think real hard about owning two. I don't see that happening though. As long as pigs are missexed (and they will be for a long time), there will be accidental litters that need homes.
Again, it's even more about where the pigs in the pet store come from than the pet store itself. See your thread on the most recent delivery for an example. Until the source of the pigs is upheld to higher standards, I have the right to generalize about pet stores.