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Originally Posted by heartpiggies  Oh, I agree! I just wonder sometimes what constitutes a "pet store" as opposed to a "rescue" you know? You would think they would be a little more concerned about finding loving homes ASAP, rather than trying to upsell you the $50 pair of Peruvian mixes. I agree the pigs are probably kept in better conditions, from what I could see on their website, but my local pet stores really don't do as bad as some others apparently do (pigs are kept in large enclosures, fed a decent diet, receive an initial vet check up etc). They also take in unwanted animals and resell them which is exactly what the rescues are doing. Just to clarify, I don't mind the price it's the point that rescues are supposed to care about animals not profit that gets me. |
Essentially repeating what everyone else has pointed out, rescues don't make a profit, so to speak. They are very concerned about finding loving homes (hence the adoption form *most* require you to fill out before you step foot out of their door with an animal) whereas a pet store will sell to anyone that seems remotely interested in their "guinea pig display".
Just remember, the money you pay at the pet store will be going into the store's pockets and the breeder's pocket, thus perpetuating this cycle of...abuse, really.
The pigs are
definitely kept in much better conditions than in a pet store. Pet store animal displays are simply the pet store merchandising. Making everything look kosher and pleasant to the eye. Behind those "Employees Only" doors is a totally different atmosphere.
The rescues aren't reselling. They are adopting out and the money they receive from that adoption goes to further the care of the animals that are still there. If the money they received from an adoption was split up between the volunteers, sort of like what waitresses do, then yes, that would be selling. But that's not the case. Think about one word I just said: "volunteers". If a shelter was actually selling animals, there would be no need for volunteers because they would have paid employees. Just like a pet store.
I will say that you do have a point, though. There are many, many shelters out there and there are a few that do abuse their animals. So it's not like we can all pretend it doesn't exist, because it does. It's your job to look into whatever shelter you're considering adopting from and read about their practice, their history, etc... and see if that is one that you would want to support. I highly doubt it's a "bad" shelter because those really are a rarity, but if it would give you a sound mind, it's not a bad idea to check it out!
Best of luck to you!