Grocery Store pets

[evilnumberlady]

Those of you who aren't from Michigan might not recognize the store name "Meijer" but it's a supermarket much like a Wal-Mart or Kmart. First of all, I tend to really like Meijer in general, they treat their employees a lot better than most bottom-rung places and have this program in place that allows you to specify a church or school group and a percentage of their profits from your purchases go to that organization.

That's why I was so shocked when I saw that they kept an assortment of rodents, birds and fish in the pet section of their store. All the animals are kept in aquariums (yes, even the birds though some perches are provided) and are packed in the space really tight. I saw three guinea pigs living in a space that was about half the size appropriate for one. The aquarium with the mice had so many they were literally crawling all over each other to get around.

That being said, they had a good-quality clean bedding in the cage, plentiful water and plentiful food (though a crappy mix). However, I doubt these animals get any vegetables, attention, exercise, proper lighting or vet care.

After seeing this the first time I've come back to look for any differences. It's been pretty much the same. Bedding, water, food, enough room to turn around... and that's about it. I've gone to a couple other Meijers too and while the other two had larger setups they are also far too small.

I saw one white guinea pig with a bald spot on his face, rocking back and forth with one eye shut. He was clearly on the verge of death. I went around the store looking for an employee, found one, told her what was happening, she called the person in charge of the pet division, we walked over and it was dead. I felt so bad for him.

I wanted to report them for neglect, but after looking into it, it seems that under Michigan law, rodents are not animals. Please tell me if I'm wrong.

Michigan Laws Governing the Treatment and Sale of Animals at Pet Shops

So, I can't report them for anything, since abusing, neglecting, and allowing guinea pigs to die is apparently legal here. I was thinking that instead I could write to the CEO of Meijer. I tracked down his work address on the internet. I just need some advice on what to say. Of course I will mention how their practices are unfair to their animals, but I'd also like to appeal to logic and profit, since I don't know if this guy has any pity for small animals.

If anyone has any advice on how to draft a letter that might really catch their attention and change their ways, let me know!

[PiggieMom]

I am from Michigan so I know exactly what you are talking about. The Meijer in Mt. Pleasant is especially bad. I would be willing to sign any petition you put together. Heck, I'd be willing to stand on the corner here at CMU to see if I can get some more signatures as well. Grocery stores have no business selling animals. I have no advice on writing a good letter though. Someone more politically apt may be able to help.

[Birdeye723]

This is just my experience with Meijers. I agree that they should give all of their animals more space and proper supplies. I however have never seen any of them in bad shape or with any injuries or on the verge of dying. A while back, I adopted alot of my guinea pigs from pet stores and the best guinea pigs that I ever got were from meijer's, they were always in good health and I never had any problems health wise with them, they also had awesome personalities and were not nervous in any way; that makes me think that they were handled often. I am not saying that this is alright but I haven't had horrible experiences with Meijer. This is in Columbus, OH.

[evilnumberlady]

Originally Posted by PiggieMom

I would be willing to sign any petition you put together.

Unfortunately, I’m not very politically active so I’d have no idea how start a petition or gather enough signatures for one. And who would we be petitioning?

Originally Posted by Birdeye723

I however have never seen any of them in bad shape or with any injuries or on the verge of dying.

Well I watched one die from a condition that should have been obvious to the store employees for a week prior... at least. I told the employees that the other two that were in the same cage might have to same problems and they basicly said "oh well" and laughed at the idea that you could even take a pig to a vet. Another of the pigs I adopted origianlly came from Meijer and he has some health problems that my vet say likely came from malnutrition. Consider that you might have just been lucky.

At any rate I didn't come here to debate what they do is wrong or right. I already know it's wrong and I'm going to try to stop it. I just wanted help with that.

[PiggieMom]

I meant like a written petition, where you ask the corporation to stop/start doing whatever and then gather signatures of people who support it. But I am not politically savy either. I would love to do something about it though. I'll start looking online to see if I can find some how tos.

[existenz]

I had the exact same complaints at our Meijer. There were people there buying fish so I had to wait like a half an hour to complain, but I talked to the person and told them that my brother in law was a police officer and that it was illegal for them to not feed and water them properly. I didn't know the laws at the time, but the chick was really scared when I said that I would have him come over here and check it out. I used to work at a grocery store so I know the type of people that are frequently employees and they could care less, but if you scare them and their managers they might actually take it seriously, at least at your local store.

[Susan9608]

Originally Posted by Birdeye723

A while back, I adopted alot of my guinea pigs from pet stores and the best guinea pigs that I ever got were from meijer's, they were always in good health and I never had any problems health wise with them, they also had awesome personalities and were not nervous in any way; that makes me think that they were handled often. I am not saying that this is alright but I haven't had horrible experiences with Meijer. This is in Columbus, OH.

I'm sure glad you're not saying that this is all right. I also hope that you realize that you do not *adopt* pigs from pet stores; you *purchase* them. There's a big difference.

[jackrussellgirl]

I got my hamster from Meijers. (That was before I knew there was anything wrong with it.) I was very supprised at how roughly they handle them. The guy who got her out of the tank put on huge gloves, all the way up to his elbows, and chased her around the tank until her finally smashed her up against the wall. He then admitted that he didn't even work in the pet area and he was afraid of the animals! I have never seen anything wrong with their cages except that they were way too small. To tell you the truth I have seen worse cages in my friends and familie's homes. I'm not saying the conditions are good at Meijers, they are not. I do think something should be done to improve the conditions of all animals sold in stores, not just think its a problem in general that should be delt with on a larger scale than just writing a letter (though it will certainly bring the situtation to the attention of Meijers CEOs). Oh, I live in Michigan too so I know exactly what you are talking about.

[evilnumberlady]

Originally Posted by jackrussellgirl

I do think something should be done to improve the conditions of all animals sold in stores, not just think its a problem in general that should be delt with on a larger scale than just writing a letter

That's very true, but I don't think I alone really have the means to deal with the entire pet store problem. I'm sure that would involve trying to pass a state law, and law is something I know nothing about and have almost no influence in. I can, however, write a letter and try to lessen the problem on a smaller scale.

I can't save all the starfish, but I can try to save that one

[Fluffball]

Maybe you could start an online petition? Here is a great website for it and its free www.PetitionOnline.com - Free Online Petition Hosting.

I would collect as many signatures as you can, if you wanted you can make it nation wide so people all over the U.S.A can sign. Publisise it in other forums and message boards dedicated to animal welfare. Set a goal number and once you reach it print out the petition and mail it to the head manager, and email it as well. Also start an online petition regarding making rodents being seen as real animals. Once you've reached your goal number send it to your head of state and email it to their office requesting they evaluate the current laws.

Also write to your head of state and the manager. A simple letter that gets to the facts and addresses your concerns. Start simple, ill try to find some examples when I have some time later today and post them up for you. The letter can also be done as a default and the people who sign the petition can simply click and add their names and it will be emailed directly to the head of state, in their name. Ill find a website that allows you to do this.

Goodluck keep us updated!

[Birdeye723]

No, I was never saying that is it all right. This is just my experience, I will be more than happy to sign a petition so that they will not have animals in their stores anymore. Do not get me wrong, I am not in any way for it. Sorry if it came off like that. I beleive everything that people have said about it and I would love to not have any of that happen again at Meijers or any store for that matter.

[evilnumberlady]

Originally Posted by Fluffball

if you wanted you can make it nation wide so people all over the U.S.A can sign.

Would it be a good or a bad idea to open it up nationwide when I'm trying to appeal to a company that exists in ~3 states?

[PurplePoe]

We have Meijers in Indiana as well. The fish always have ich or fin rot or velvet (you get the idea). The sad thing is that they probably don't even break even when it comes to fish sales, and it doesn't matter since they take in such a profit from other sales that it's justifiable. I did manage to save a sickly hamster though. The best part is I didn't pay one red cent for him since I was able to berate the manager in front of an audience.

[Birdeye723]

Originally Posted by evilnumberlady

Would it be a good or a bad idea to open it up nationwide when I'm trying to appeal to a company that exists in ~3 states?

You might be able to apply it to more stores if anybody else have had bad experiences. Just a thought, although I don't know what stores like meijer carry animals. Sorry about up there, I really would love to help.

[Fluffball]

''Would it be a good or a bad idea to open it up nationwide when I'm trying to appeal to a company that exists in ~3 states?''

People dont necessarily have to have the store in their area. They can simply disagree with the way these animals are being treated and sign based on that belief.

[kestagano04]

evilnumberlady... I completely agree with you and would be be more than happy to sign a petition or do something else. I know exactly what your talking about (the condition of the guinea pigs at meijer). I have seen them where they had 5 babies in a 10 gallon aquarium all with crusty eyes and itching like crazy. It made me sick. I felt awful for them. I also do not like their selection of food and bedding for guinea pigs. I would never buy anything from them for mine. If there is anything I can do to help please let me know, I would be more than willing.