Petco Pigs

**maeve100** · #1 01-09-06, 12:18 am

Isn't it weird/interesting how a lot of us end up with Petco piggers in the end? Let me explain ;-) - A lot of the pigs who I met in rescues while going through to find my babies were at one time Petco or Petsmart piggies. So - in the end - I ended up getting Petco piggers!

. I guess not really, but I thought it was an interesting coincidence at least. :-)

Liz

**Hansel** · #2 01-09-06, 01:16 am

It seems that most pigs that end in in rescues or shelters were the victims of uneducated people who initally BOUGHT them from the store. Not knowing how to properly take care of them, or the kids get bored, or there are severe "allergies" is what lands the majority of pigs, at least in my area, in shelters. Another good excuse is that they are too expensive to care for...yet Im sure that some of these people can afford to smoke cigarettes every day (sorry to any smokers, but thats not my cup of tea). Its really about where peoples prioritys lay...

An example; My father has owned his own dental practice for over 20 years now, (I have assisted and worked at the desk for him) and its amazing that some people dont have the money for a 6 month exam yet they have a fresh set of acrylic nails on their fingers, a Louis Vuitton bag, freshly highlighted hair, a summer tan in the winter, a tatoo or two, and as soon as they are out of the office they light up. Whats more important? All of that stuff or healthy teeth?

People will think of ANY excuse to make THEM feel better about taking an animal into a shelter but a lot of time thats all it is, is an excuse.

**Hansel** · #3 01-09-06, 01:36 am

On another note, I dont want anyone to take offense to anything I listed. I have no issues with most of those things. Its just sometimes people need to take a look at what they really need, as opposed to just what they want. Its the same with an animal, many people "want" a pet but dont really have the means or the want to support it. People need to consider the full responsiblity before getting a pet, wherever it may come from.

**BabyGrl** · #4 01-09-06, 06:40 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hansel

Im sure that some of these people can afford to smoke cigarettes every day (sorry to any smokers, but thats not my cup of tea). Its really about where peoples prioritys lay...

That is so true. I know it is difficult to quit smoking. I am living proof of that. I am not working right now and money is very very tight. There is no way I can justify paying $5 for a pack of cigarettes when sometimes it is difficult for us to just get a gallon of milk. I would love to just be able to go out and buy a pack but I can't. It makes me crabby sometimes and I would be lying if I said I did not bum some off my friends but I am doing what I can. Nothing pisses me off more than people who have selfish habits that can't afford the basic needs of their family and that includes pets.

**ellenvega** · #5 01-09-06, 02:34 pm

No kidding. Our neighbors smoke like chimneys and constantly complain they don't have money for anything. They feed their outdoor cats leftover cooking grease.

**LBKK** · #6 01-09-06, 03:40 pm

$5??? You are so lucky....Right now, I am sad to say I am paying $10 a pack!!!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by babygrl1234

That is so true. I know it is difficult to quit smoking. I am living proof of that. I am not working right now and money is very very tight. There is no way I can justify paying $5 for a pack of cigarettes when sometimes it is difficult for us to just get a gallon of milk. I would love to just be able to go out and buy a pack but I can't. It makes me crabby sometimes and I would be lying if I said I did not bum some off my friends but I am doing what I can. Nothing pisses me off more than people who have selfish habits that can't afford the basic needs of their family and that includes pets.

**pinkbunny** · #7 01-09-06, 05:24 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hansel

uneducated people who initally BOUGHT them from the store.

Well I wouldn't be so harsh. If you take me for example I did buy my pigs from a Pet Store. It wasn't because I didn't know that I can get one from a shelter it was because I didn't have time to look for one and maybe just a little because I had bad experience with shelters before. It was an impulse decision. At 4pm I tought that I would like to have a guinea pig for a pet and at 8 I was at the store. You might say that it's irresponsible to do things by impulse but for me it's not. It wasn't the question of affording one or taking care of it, I have absolutely no issues with that. The reasong behind my action on impulse is because if I would have tought about it for a while I probably wouldn't have two spoiled and much loved piggies write now. Once I commit I stick to it and never regret it, but getting commited is a bid problem.

**Hansel** · #8 01-09-06, 05:36 pm

As long as you have the knowledge of the animal it doesnt matter if its an impulse or not. As for getting from a pet store, it really is worthwhile to take the time and rescue a pig.

The problem is when a person who has never had a guinea pig or rabbit or ferret etc, sees one at the store, and buys it for themselves or because their kid BEGGED for it because it was "just so cute". This is the kind of impulse buying that lands those pigs in shelters. The Buyer/Parent doesnt research first and doesnt realize the time and care the animal actually needs, doesnt want to "deal" with anymore so they get rid of it.

**Eolith** · #9 01-09-06, 05:38 pm

That's how I justify not 'saving' pigs from petstore conditions. I figure that a majority of them will end up in the rescues anyway...

**pinkbunny** · #10 01-09-06, 05:45 pm

Hansel I do understand that it's better to get a piggie from a shelter, altought I think that the ones in the shelters are better taken care of then the ones in pet store. If I ever decide to get some friends for my piggies I'll be sure to adopt one. I actually found two in our area that I really like on petfinder, but I physically just don't have time for that now.

**Hansel** · #11 01-09-06, 05:57 pm

Dont take it personally Pinkbunny. Im not trying to "knock" you because your pigs are from the petstore. I am glad that you would adopt next time though

I just get irritated when people buy from the store and have no clue about the animal they are buying. Then they get rid of it when they decide they dont want that responsibility anymore, and even worse yet put a stupid excuse on why they dont want it anymore.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #12 01-09-06, 06:07 pm

And a lot of us have bad experiences with pet stores. You think the animal
shelters take care of them?

The good shelters are very rare. All of the ones here are kill. They usually feed them rabbit or hamster pellets, sometimes cat food. They may keep them around for a few days and then put them to sleep or give them away for snake food if they don't get adopted. Most of them don't advertise them or know how to sex them. They are kept on wire bottom cages even if they have better cages. They sit in their filth until a volunteer comes by to clean them, if they are lucky.

People could have probably saved two like these, but I guess it's too hard. Much easier to go to the pet store/mill and plop down 30 bucks, then walk out with a pig that may or may not be sexed correctly, pregnant, have mites or be ill.

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkbunny

Well I wouldn't be so harsh. If you take me for example I did buy my pigs from a Pet Store. It wasn't because I didn't know that I can get one from a shelter it was because I didn't have time to look for one and maybe just a little because I had bad experience with shelters before. It was an impulse decision. At 4pm I tought that I would like to have a guinea pig for a pet and at 8 I was at the store. You might say that it's irresponsible to do things by impulse but for me it's not. It wasn't the question of affording one or taking care of it, I have absolutely no issues with that. The reasong behind my action on impulse is because if I would have tought about it for a while I probably wouldn't have two spoiled and much loved piggies write now. Once I commit I stick to it and never regret it, but getting commited is a bid problem.

**Hansel** · #13 01-09-06, 06:19 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkbunny

I really like on petfinder, but I physically just don't have time for that now.

I am lucky enough to have a shelter that at least takes good care and has good housing for their animal even though they put the animals down.

When I adopted both of my pigs, aside from taking the time to decide what pigs I wanted, the adoption paperwork took all of 5 minutes. I think you wait longer in a line at the petstore for a purchase.

**pinkbunny** · #14 01-09-06, 09:09 pm

Hansel
I actually meant that I don't have time to expand the cage and such. If I'm going to take another one I want to make sure that I'm ready for her.

**C&R5567** · #15 01-09-06, 10:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by pinkbunny

Well I wouldn't be so harsh. If you take me for example I did buy my pigs from a Pet Store. It wasn't because I didn't know that I can get one from a shelter it was because I didn't have time to look for one and maybe just a little because I had bad experience with shelters before. It was an impulse decision. At 4pm I tought that I would like to have a guinea pig for a pet and at 8 I was at the store. You might say that it's irresponsible to do things by impulse but for me it's not. It wasn't the question of affording one or taking care of it, I have absolutely no issues with that. The reasong behind my action on impulse is because if I would have tought about it for a while I probably wouldn't have two spoiled and much loved piggies write now. Once I commit I stick to it and never regret it, but getting commited is a bid problem.

I am ALMOST speechless. Excuse me while I slam my head on my desk.

**pinkbunny** · #16 01-09-06, 10:47 pm

C&R5567 you seem to have an issue with me personally or just like to throw big words around. I am still to read a good and reasonable post from you. Would you please be so kind and explain your post?

**Percy's Mom** · #17 01-09-06, 11:02 pm

pinkbunny - I won't even begin to explain C&R's post, but I think I probably had a similar reaction when I read your explanation of why you chose to buy your guinea pig from a pet store instead of adopting one. The first thing I thought when I read that was that you're selfish. You selfishly chose to satisfy yourself with immediate gratification and impulsively open a spot in a pet store for the shop owners to fill with 2 or 3 more pigs from a breeder or animal mill. You selfishly chose to avoid rescues and shelters because of a previous bad experience, so there is a chance that a guinea pig was euthanised because you wouldn't adopt. There is absolutely nothing responsible about impulse. It can be romantic and fun, but not responsible, and not the way a decision to bring a new member to your family that will hopefully live 5+ years. If you don't have time to look for a guinea pig in a rescue, don't think about the consequences of your actions, and thinking about your decisions is such a bad thing, maybe being a pet owner isn't the best idea. If you can't (or won't) take the time to stop to think and look, why would anyone think you'd take the time to feed them properly, house them properly, or get them to the vet if they were ill?

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