Sigh, sad sight

**nismosmama** · #1 10-04-05, 01:28 pm

I was so so sad yesterday. I went to Petco because I wanted to get Nismo that little carboard castle and I saw they had them on sale. This was the same one I got Nismo at, as I walked it I just couldn't help but go look at the Guinea Pig tank (yes they are kept in aquarium type tank). The guinea pig that was in there with Nismo when I got him was still there, he was reduced to half price

. Poor little guy, at least this time he had lots of pellets, lots of romaine lettuce, lots of hay and 2 water bottles, but the poor thing looked so out of it. He was inside one of those chubby tubes just sitting there breathing hard (I could tell cuz he was going up and down really fast). The little guy looked just so sad

. He's an all white guinea with the red eyes, I just wanted to cry, I got my castle and got out of there. I got home and cuddled my Nismo. Again I know how horrible pet stores are, but I really wish for this piggie that someone gives him the good home with some love that he deserves

**Funnygpigs** · #2 10-04-05, 02:16 pm

I choose not to buy products from petco/petsmart. I do not want to support them in anyway. I want support the petstores that donot sell animals. I do buy some stuff at walmart, even if they do sell fish. But, besides that, I try to stick tothe feed stores, and supply stores.

**Piglet** · #3 10-04-05, 03:01 pm

That is very sad and it's something we have all seen. However, if you are buying products from the pet store, you are contributing to their cruelty. If you don't like the way they are treating their animals, then don't give them your money.

**C&K** · #4 10-04-05, 03:11 pm

There is nothing wrong with wishing the pig well. It must have been near impossible to walk away. It sounds like he may have a URI by the way you discribed his breathing. I think it is incomprehensible that they have him reduced to clear because they know he is sick, and I would support your calling the SPCA on them. Tell the SPCA you bought parasite riddled pig from them, and when you told them the cage mate may be infected, instead of doing the responsible thing and getting him treatment, they have reduced him to become some unsuspecting persons problem, and now you think he may have a URI by the way he was breathing.

A pet store in our area was charged this summer with animal cruelty for not providing medical attention to a sick kitten. Please advocate for the piggy ;-(

**nismosmama** · #5 10-04-05, 03:58 pm

I didn't know I could do that, I will find the number for San Diego and give them a call!

**nismosmama** · #6 10-04-05, 04:10 pm

I just put in a report with the San Diego Humane Society/SPCA, I hope they get back to me and that they are able to do something about it.

**emithebug** · #7 10-04-05, 04:59 pm

I'd suggest calling corporate, but I'm not sure Petco has the same promise thingy that PetSmart has. I wouldn't suggest going in there and telling Petco their guinea pig is sick, though - from what I hear about California Petcos, they'd probably just stick him/her in the freezer -.-

Freaking sickos.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #8 10-04-05, 05:57 pm

There are stores in SD that do not sell animals and carry Oxbow and small animal items.

Pet People is one (although last time I was there, they had Beta fish). http://www.petpeople.com/

HRS has a local store with hay and toys: http://www.sandiegorabbits.org/

The Daily Pet in Del Mar: 12845 El Camino Real, Del Mar (Next to Jimbo's) 858-481-2065.

There are feed stores in the area too.

**C&K** · #9 10-04-05, 06:17 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by emithebug

I'd suggest calling corporate, but I'm not sure Petco has the same promise thingy that PetSmart has. I wouldn't suggest going in there and telling Petco their guinea pig is sick, though - from what I hear about California Petcos, they'd probably just stick him/her in the freezer -.-

Freaking sickos.

She did tell the petco that the guinea was possibly ill, because she went in to tell them what happened with Nismo at the vets. They gave her money back and promised to take the cagemate off the floor. When she returned, it was on for 50% off. They know, and lied. It is really awful, and now the poor little thing is sounding really sick.

I hope the SPCA does something, they are all different. I am in Ontario, and this is the story of the petstore charged with animal cruelty in our parts.

http://www.ospca.on.ca/libr_pr_2005_June14.html

**JennG** · #10 10-04-05, 06:24 pm

Here's a question. We have both a Petco & Petsmart here as well as one feed store which doesn't sell hay. There are two other Pet stores in town. One I haven't been able to visit yet cause I just found out about it and the other one is sad. This particular place doesn't get their piggies from breeders, they get them in from people trying to dump the piggies. I don't think Animal Control or the two Humane Soceities take in piggies. I've never seen any listed as long as I've been looking and I know someone who was trying to get rid of their pig. Ok what would you do? They keep their piggies in small aquariums in a small room with mice, hamsters and birds. Can you rescue from there? Its obvious they don't know that they need hay. I've tried talking to the girl at the shop but she blew me off. Any suggestions? I'm not very confrontational but I feel real bad for these piggies. And their prices for the piggies are comparable to the Humane Soceity I got my girls from (in a different area).

**C&K** · #11 10-04-05, 06:30 pm

This is a hard one. You could call the SPCA and they may still lay animal cruetly charges, or demand that the store shapes up and issues an order to such an effect. Or they may just blow you off.

However their may be a chance they will sieze the pigs and then put them down if they can't house them.

Just because they are not listed does not mean they don't get them. Some shelters euthanize all pigs and don't put them up for adoption. Maybe you could get to the bottom of this in finding out why, and see if you could start a foster program in the area if it is just that they don't have space or the resources to deal with small animals.

Quote:

Originally Posted by JennG2005

Here's a question. We have both a Petco & Petsmart here as well as one feed store which doesn't sell hay. There are two other Pet stores in town. One I haven't been able to visit yet cause I just found out about it and the other one is sad. This particular place doesn't get their piggies from breeders, they get them in from people trying to dump the piggies. I don't think Animal Control or the two Humane Soceities take in piggies. I've never seen any listed as long as I've been looking and I know someone who was trying to get rid of their pig. Ok what would you do? They keep their piggies in small aquariums in a small room with mice, hamsters and birds. Can you rescue from there? Its obvious they don't know that they need hay. I've tried talking to the girl at the shop but she blew me off. Any suggestions? I'm not very confrontational but I feel real bad for these piggies. And their prices for the piggies are comparable to the Humane Soceity I got my girls from (in a different area).

**zakfoxmom** · #12 10-04-05, 06:39 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by rabbitsncavyluv

There are stores in SD that do not sell animals and carry Oxbow and small animal items. There are feed stores in the area too.

I shop at the Pet People in La Mesa. They carry they Oxbow Cavy Cuisine. You can get a box of fresh hay for $7.00 from the HRS and from Rancho San Diego Animal Hospital. HRS also carries CareFresh, too. HRS is open the first and third Saturday of the month from 11am-3pm (I think) and their shop is in Mission Hills.

**iLoveDusty** · #13 10-04-05, 06:47 pm

how could they do that to the poor little guy!!! I hate pet stores, even though thats were I got my Dusty. There's a really good one though near us, and whenever we go there all the animals have their water bottles full, and their cage perfectly clean.

the birds even have playtime!!

i hope he gets a good home soon!

**JennG** · #14 10-04-05, 06:50 pm

The girl I got Callie from works at the Petco. She's always checking on the piggies to make sure that they're well taken care of. Callie was dropped off by her owner at Petco and she took her in to give to her sister who decided she liked the red dragon. The girl did try and keep her herself but with school, work, two ferrets and a baby dragon she wanted to give her a better home with other piggies.

Me! Anyways, I'll try and get a name & number of someone to contact regarding that "petstore" who takes in unwanted pets.

**nismosmama** · #15 10-04-05, 11:12 pm

Thanks for the San Diego info about places to get pet stuff! However I WILL go back to that Petco, to check on further piggie violations

**Funnygpigs** · #16 10-05-05, 01:07 am

I would to! Animals will never benifit, and get better rights if no one does anything about it. I try to do as much as I can, when I can.

Quote:

Originally Posted by nismosmama

Thanks for the San Diego info about places to get pet stuff! However I WILL go back to that Petco, to check on further piggie violations

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