"Pets Are Us"

[Memory]

When my dad went to the grocery store a few weeks ago, I decided to go to the pet store next store to look at the animals and see if they had any tubes for my hamster's cage. Well, it was a bad idea. When I walked in I to walk past the "animal viewing area." First, I noticed the horrible things done to the birds. The birds were kept in hamster travel cages with no bars. There was one bird per each, and there was no food, water, perches, or bedding in them. I immediately asked the woman there and she told me that they were "new" and they were waiting for room for them. Next, there were the hamsters. The hamsters, however, were kept in a very large aquarium that was on the floor at child's reach. This upsetted me because there was a gaggle of young kids, five and six, trying to grab the poor hamsters who would scurry and hide and then they would toss they're hiding places over and try to pick them up. There were only two food bowls that were barely filled up with basic hamster food. On the top of each were very wet tomatoes. There were atleast twenty hamsters in the aquarium. Next, there were the guinea pigs/rabbits. There was a divider in the cage, there were seven guineas and two adult-sized rabbits that got way more room than the guinea pigs. The guinea pigs had one hide-away and one bowl of food and no hay. The guinea pigs were being harassed by the same group of kids. They would reach in and attempt to grab the poor things, but they would all run to the other side, and the kids would go to the other side, and the guinea pigs would do the same thing. They were all wheeting and squealing, and trying to take coverage under the single hideaway. Well, after a few minutes the mom, or whoever, told the kids to come on and they left. Then, in the next aquarium that was equal size to the guinea pigs were two puppies who were sleeping. Then there was another aquarium with five kittens in it right next to the puppies. After seeing the living conditions, I had no more plans to buy anything, but I decided to look at the animal products. All the small animal cages, except the "travel cages" which were barless and had a plastic bottom, had bars on the bottom where the animal could easily break it's foot, and they sold yogurt treats for guinea pigs, and other "premium" guinea pig mixes that were mixtures of pellets, nuts, and fruits. I couldn't believe that a pet store could get away with something so horrible! I went and told the lady working there, and she said that the animals were perfectly healthy and happy. I can't believe they call themselves "Pets Are Us."

[Savvy Cavy]

I remember going to possibly the same store, the one I went to I think is called Petsmart now or something. We only bought accessories there for my puppy.

I just remember there being so many creatures crammed into a small space, some of which I swear shouldn't be kept in captivity like species of lizard and other reptiles.

[Fluffball]

Have you got an RSPCA or a SSPCA or an organisation for the welfare of animals? I would make a report to them via telephone or email. You can make it anonymous from what I understand.

Have the address of the store. Make notes of the living conditions and include that in your report. If possible go back and take photos with a camera phone or a small camera that is hidden well. Email or send that to the animal welfare place.

Many organisations will not do anything as they have food water e.t.c, But the birds did not have food or water, there was overcrowding which could cause severe injuries, not enough shelter, not protected from external handling leading to stress. All these things you should report and request an inspection be done at the very least.