Pet store as a last resort?

[MikkiBee]

After tiresome months of researching about guinea pigs and searching for adoptions in my area, I realized there were none and I became discouraged so I thought a small, family-owned pet store might be the way to go instead of a big corporation... But, when I went to go check out the pet store in my neighborhood yesterday, I saw that the man that owned it had one guinea pig in a small aquarium-type thing with about 4 rabbits! and in the aquarium next to it, there was one baby guinea pig. They looked pretty healthy, i mean, they were moving around (in the little space that they had)... The aquariums were top-less so i think they could breathe. I also asked the man if it was okay to have just one guinea pig by itself (just to see how much he really knew) and he said it was okay.... I really have doubts about this pet store, but what do you guys think?

[GuineaPigs98]

I think you should keep searching for guinea pigs.Even if they look healthy,if you bought one,a few weeks later youd probably notice some health problem.I know its tiring,but if you want a nice healthy pig,i think you shouldnt give up!And since you are very tired of searching,Ill say you only search for 1 or 2 weeks more.

[ellisa]

Have you tried craigslist or some other website that has a classifieds section? There aren't any rescues in my area and when I was looking to get more piggies I posted ads looking for pigs that were needing to be rehomed. Maybe you could try doing this?

I wouldn't buy from a petstore, whether it's corporate or not. The pigs still come from sketchy breeders and are given substandard care.

[Lilathandra]

I just did a quick search for you on Craigslist and found tons of guinea pigs in the ATL area. I would also try petfinder.com

[Paula]

I don't see any reason at all that you "need" a guinea pig so desperately that you'd need to resort to anything.

Wait. Keep looking. There will be pigs available by some means other than a pet store at some point.

[Cholland]

I personally think, that if you are a lover of Guinea's, and people on here are supposed to be.. I would get those two guineas from your local pet store, just to save them from an enclosed, scary and unhealthy life.
If they have any health issues, it wont take long for them to adapt to a more fitting, comfortable environment with you, and become happy and healthy.

I know people don't like anything "pet shop" on this site. But those Piggy's didn't chose to be born into a pet shop, and I bet if they had the choice, they would go to a happy home with a big enough cage, instead of a stuffy old cramped shop.

Just my opinion, I think you would be saving them from an unhappy life
Good luck with whatever you do.

[Greenbean]

I personally think, that if you are a lover of Guinea's, and people on here are supposed to be.. I would get those two guineas from your local pet store, just to save them from an enclosed, scary and unhealthy life.
If they have any health issues, it wont take long for them to adapt to a more fitting, comfortable environment with you, and become happy and healthy.

I know people don't like anything "pet shop" on this site. But those Piggy's didn't chose to be born into a pet shop, and I bet if they had the choice, they would go to a happy home with a big enough cage, instead of a stuffy old cramped shop.

Just my opinion, I think you would be saving them from an unhappy life
Good luck with whatever you do.

I agree. Sometimes they die in pet stores, and people are there to save them.

[HannibalLecter]

I personally think, that if you are a lover of Guinea's, and people on here are supposed to be.. I would get those two guineas from your local pet store, just to save them from an enclosed, scary and unhealthy life.
If they have any health issues, it wont take long for them to adapt to a more fitting, comfortable environment with you, and become happy and healthy.

I know people don't like anything "pet shop" on this site. But those Piggy's didn't chose to be born into a pet shop, and I bet if they had the choice, they would go to a happy home with a big enough cage, instead of a stuffy old cramped shop.

Just my opinion, I think you would be saving them from an unhappy life
Good luck with whatever you do.

But the pigs that will take their place might not be so lucky. Nor the sow who through back-to back breeding will risk her life to produce another litter due to the demand, under substandard care often with no vet care at all. No pig is "saved" in that abusive circle unfortunately, it pays them to continue & fuels the fire & overpopulation.

Noone "needs" a pet to such a degree that support of abuse is necessary. Where there are pet stores & breeders, there are accidental litters & abandoned pigs at some point. I'd wait, or not get that specific animal at all.

[ILoveMillie]

Please never go to a petstore, even if they are family owned they're still coming from breeders. I went searching on craigslist for a few piggies in Atlanta (I looked on google and it's like a 30 min drive?? I could be wrong...) but I found some ads that you might like!

2 Female Guinea Pigs & LOTS of Supplies
New home needed for Guinea Pig
Free Guinea Pig
Female Guinea Pig for Sale- with cage and accessories
Guinea Pigs
Lily and Ava - two very sweet guinea pigs! - $30 rehoming fee
Cute Guinea Pigs 30.00
2 male guinea pigs 4 months old

There are much more if you wanted to search yourself!

[pinky]

I personally think, that if you are a lover of Guinea's, and people on here are supposed to be.. I would get those two guineas from your local pet store, just to save them from an enclosed, scary and unhealthy life.
If they have any health issues, it wont take long for them to adapt to a more fitting, comfortable environment with you, and become happy and healthy.

I know people don't like anything "pet shop" on this site. But those Piggy's didn't chose to be born into a pet shop, and I bet if they had the choice, they would go to a happy home with a big enough cage, instead of a stuffy old cramped shop.

Just my opinion, I think you would be saving them from an unhappy life
Good luck with whatever you do.

I disagree with you. As soon as someone buys those guinea pigs, they'll probably replace them with others, continuing a cycle of a lot more guinea pigs living in those conditions. Your money would be supporting that business.

[Cholland]

But the pigs that will take their place might not be so lucky. Nor the sow who through back-to back breeding will risk her life to produce another litter due to the demand, under substandard care often with no vet care at all. No pig is "saved" in that abusive circle unfortunately, it pays them to continue & fuels the fire & overpopulation.

Noone "needs" a pet to such a degree that support of abuse is necessary. Where there are pet stores & breeders, there are accidental litters & abandoned pigs at some point. I'd wait, or not get that specific animal at all.

I do understand where people come from, not supporting the vicious circle.. but more Piggy's will be bred, weather you buy the guineas, or if they die. it will still happen. and I just don't see why the Piggies should suffer for it both ways.

[pinky]

I agree. Sometimes they die in pet stores, and people are there to save them.

They die in pet stores because people continue to buy them and they keep selling them.. Don't buy them and once they stop making money, they'll stop selling them. When you buy from them, you're their catalyst to continue breeding and selling so you're partially responsible for the conditions they're living in.

[aemsva]

"Saving" animals from petstores just makes room for them to bring in more animals and treat them the same way.

[bpatters]

@Cholland , so you'd rescue the two in the pet store? What would you do with the two (or more) that will be born to a back-bred sow and kept in horrible living conditions that will eventually replace them? And is it ok with you that the sow will be destroyed as soon as she's too old to breed?

Yes, it's sad that pigs are in pet stores. But you can't take them all, and the way to get them out of pet stores is not to buy them, but to boycott their purchase, and educate people to the horrors of pet mill breeding.

@MikkiBee , no guinea pigs in your area? I flat don't believe that. One of the best guinea pig rescues in the country is in Atlanta -- Atlanta Metro Guinea Pig rescue, and they've got six guinea pigs on Pet adoption: Want a dog or cat? Adopt a pet on Petfinder right now.

[pinky]

I do understand where people come from, not supporting the vicious circle.. but more Piggy's will be bred, weather you buy the guineas, or if they die. it will still happen. and I just don't see why the Piggies should suffer for it both ways.

A business will not continue to sell something that's not profitable. If people stop buying them, they won't make a profit and less will be bred.

[iamsnape]

I think it would be better to adopt a guinea pig rather than buy one from a petstore. This is not only for the reasons stated above but I find guinea pigs that are adopted often tend to be happier and healthier than something that has grown up in a tank, and by buying one from a petstore you're kind of funding this way of treating animals. There are plenty of animals in the world that are looking for good homes by better methods than petstores use (mass breeding which is horrible for the sows and no doubt the babies won't even be in tip top shape because of it) so please don't rush, and consider adoption.

[ThePigAlchemist]

If you want to save those two pet store pigs, then the best solution would be to put up a stink about their living conditions (this will probably only work if the conditions are appalling, not just that they're in aquariums/alone/with rabbits). If you put up enough of a fuss and can get them for free, then you aren't supporting the cycle and at the same time may be discouraging the owner from getting more pigs.

Otherwise, get CL piggies or find some at a rescue or shelter. The defeatist attitude that there will always be pet store pigs is fallacious. You don't often see dogs or cats in pet stores anymore, which is thanks to people who put up a stink about it.

[Cholland]

How long has this "petition" to not buy Guineas from pet shops been around? I would say quite a while. I know businesses are all in it to get money and power, and I'm not saying your opinions are wrong. I know full well that you are correct about the abusive conditions these guineas are bred in, but I am voicing my opinion. that I seriously think that nothing will stop them from carrying on. There will always be people out there, who know nothing about the care of small pets, and nothing of the lifestyle the animals go through with mass breeding for a pet shop. And those people will be the ones to buy from bushinesses.
This is a pretty strong debate... but it is my opinion that if you can save even one small animal from pet shop conditions, then do it, because they will continue to abuse weather you do or don't.

[Owned by cavy]

I go both ways with this thread, guys. I understand why you would want to "save" the piggies at the pet store. Horrible conditions like that, who wouldn't? HOWEVER, I have to tell you that it DOES work to not buy them. It DOES. I know that people think, oh well, someone else will buy them and they'll just get more. NOT TRUE. With the economy the way it is, small pet stores cannot afford to house animals that don't sell. I have two small, family run pet stores in my town. They don't take care of the animals very well and I rarely go into them unless my gecko needs crickets. The first pet store no longer carries any guinea pigs. They weren't worth carrying, because they couldn't sell them. They are slowly easing off from the bunnies and other animals too. One of the girls that works there told me that they're selling the ones that they have at a discount and then not buying anymore, because it's just not worth it.

The other pet store breeds their own animals. And they are keeping less and less guinea pigs on the premises, because they live too long to make the turnover rate worthwhile (isn't that sick? They told me that they breed the mice, rats and hamsters, because people have to buy new ones every year or two. They guinea pigs live too long to be worth it).

Check facebook (if you have an account) for pets for sale/adoption sites in your area. You might be surprised. Petfinder is also great, although guinea pigs are harder to find, because most people just put them on craigslist. Please, don't pursue the pet store. It will work, just stay out of there as much as you can. You might be able to save them, but in the end, it'll be more worthwhile to save someone that needs saving. If you are truly concerned about the well being of the animals, call your local BBB (better business bureau) or contact the state's animal welfare office, they will be able to tell if there is anything that can be done about it.

[spotncuddles]

Do not do it! I knew nothing about GP's and the petstore debate. My sons talked me into them, and I unwittingly went to a local, family-owned pet store and we bought 2. (I thought, "hey, they look healthy, and it's not a chain. They'll be fine.") They appeared healthy (based on my very limited knowledge at the time) for exactly 12 days, and then the URI symptoms appeared. We have spent $1,200 in vet bills, spent many hours syringe feeding, and done tons of research... and the littlest one is still sick. The vet says he may never be completely healthy, and may need pulse antibiotic therapy if this last plan doesn't work.

So, again, do not do it. Wait it out and find healthy piggies. And, I agree completely with Pinky. It is the law of supply and demand. If you buy those pigs, they will simply bring in more. Ah, if I had only known...