Advice: Any MD Eastern Shore piggie owners out there?

[Siobhann]

I was at Ocean City, MD today and stopped at a Petco near there on my way home. Long story, somewhat short, I discovered three pigs there that need help. I didn't have a way to get them home, or a place to keep them at my house or I would've taken them I saw one pig, alone, and asked a clerk to see him. I noticed something strange on his nose. The clerk came over and said that he was separate from the other boys because he was older and too big for the others. He showed me a girl and gave her to me to hold. She was severely immaciated. I could feel her spine and ribs just by holding her.

I noticed a pig in the other cage with dried blook on him and mentioned it to the clerk and he said "oh I think he was just fighting, it's normal but I'll take him in the back." I helped him get that male pig out and asked if I could see the other pig again. He said sure go ahead and help yourself. I went over to the cage but wanted to doublecheck that I could open the cage myself and I heard the clerk tell another female clerk to take the injured pig in the back and give him Neosporin. I asked again if I could take the other pig out and he said sure. Another female clerk came over to assist me and I mentioned, while the pig was running around to escape capture, what's wrong with his nose. She agreed and when she got him out we both looked.

He had an abcess on his nose. It was caked in dried blood and the fur around it was matted with dried blood. I felt awful for that poor pig. Like I said above, I didn't have a way to get them to my home. I live about a 3 hour drive from that petstore. I contacted someone at the guinea pig rescue that I adopted from but wanted to make a post here too in case someone lives near the Eastern Shore.

If anyone does and could help these pigs, let me know. I got their address before I left and I wrote down the description of each pig.

[krittercrazy]

Sadly, to buy these guinea pigs would only then put more pigs in their poor, neglected condition. It would not change the behavior of the petstore.
It is good that you called the rescue that you have adopted from. You should also call animal control for that area as well as the state veterinarian. Most animal control does not monitor petstores. It usually falls under the office of the state veterinarian. Some will say that it does no good to call and complain as nothing will be done but it is still important to bring this sort of neglect to their attention. The more calls they receive the more likely that they will do something.
State Veterinarian List

[Siobhann]

That is so disheartening

I feel awful for those pigs. I wish there is something more that can be done.

[Siobhann]

UPDATE

It’s a sad update, but an update. After numerous attempts, I was able to contact the humane society near the petstore. I gave them a description of the animals and an address for the petstore and they said they would send someone out.

After continuely pestering them for an update, I finally received a call back yesterday. They did end up seizing all three of the pigs I had described to them in addition to two others that were in the back room and very sick and about a dozen rats.

The one that had the abscess and the tiny female had to be euthanized. Wow it’s even hard for me to type that. The abscess was severely infected and spread even with treatment. There was nothing their vet could do. Same with the female. The vet estimated that she was taken from her mother too soon.

After all of this, I know I will never visit another Petco to make a purchase of any kind, ever again.

[Amsley246]

That's terrible. Well, you did the right thing by getting them help from the proper people. Poor little darlings, may the rest in peace.

[krittercrazy]

I am glad you were able to get them some help. I am sorry that they were in such bad shape that saving their lives was not possible. At least their suffering was ended in a humane manner and by people who care. Much better than dying alone and being tossed in the trash. Hopefully, their sacrifice will save other guinea pigs from the same fate.

Do you know if charges will be brought against the store? It would be great if they were to loose their license to sell animals. You could add more pressure by calling your local newspaper and tv getting them to cover the story.

[Wheekie]

Good for you! Sad for those Piggies, but like another poster said,at least, they died humanely...were put out of their misery and didn't suffer anymore! And it might save future critters! You should be very happy with yourself!

[Siobhann]

I didn't ask if charges were going to brought against the store cause I didn't think they would be able to tell me. It took forever just to get an update on the seized animals.

I have mixed feelings over the whole situation. I'm glad that something happened but what happened wasn't what I had hoped. I don't really think that I did anything special or heroic. I may be naive but I would think anyone would do the same if they saw any animal in that condition.

I barely knew those two pigs and only held them for a few moments each but it hurt when I heard that they were euthanized and shed quite a few tears over it. I just wished I could've gotten there a few days earlier.

[fieryone]

Originally Posted by Siobhann

UPDATE

It’s a sad update, but an update. After numerous attempts, I was able to contact the humane society near the petstore. I gave them a description of the animals and an address for the petstore and they said they would send someone out.

After continuely pestering them for an update, I finally received a call back yesterday. They did end up seizing all three of the pigs I had described to them in addition to two others that were in the back room and very sick and about a dozen rats.

As sad as it is to walk away and leave them there (I have the same problem!) you did the right thing. Now the humane society is aware of the store and their horrid conditions and hopefully they can/will do something.

[krittercrazy]

Originally Posted by Siobhann

I didn't ask if charges were going to brought against the store cause I didn't think they would be able to tell me. It took forever just to get an update on the seized animals.

I have mixed feelings over the whole situation. I'm glad that something happened but what happened wasn't what I had hoped. I don't really think that I did anything special or heroic. I may be naive but I would think anyone would do the same if they saw any animal in that condition.

I barely knew those two pigs and only held them for a few moments each but it hurt when I heard that they were euthanized and shed quite a few tears over it. I just wished I could've gotten there a few days earlier.

It really sucks that doing the right thing doesn't always feel good. That they were not able to be saved is even more painful. Please do not be discouraged because they could not be saved. It is the fault of the breeders, the pet store and those who create a demand by buying pets.

You did do something special and heroic. First, you did not buy them. Second, you brought their condition to the attention of the proper authorities. Both of these things caused the petstore to be held accountable for their neglect and abuse. None of the pet store employees did that, did they? They spent more than the few moments with the guinea pigs than you did!
I am sure that other customers have seen their condition too. Hopefully some of them had called already and your call added to theirs got something done. Or they bought "healthier" looking guinea pigs leaving them there and creating a demand for more guinea pigs.