Petstores & their employees - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Arsenal** · #1 07-24-07, 01:11 pm

I've been reading a LOT and I mean a lot on this website about the negative comments on petstores and their employees. I remember going to this petco once because I was going to buy a cuddley cup for my piggy and I just saw so many horrible things. The animals were all in this TINY amount of space and everything was filthy. The animals, the most important thing in the store, was a mess! I even saw this poor parakeet in a cage, limping around because it had a broken leg. I was so angry I left without buying anything. I understand that a lot of petstores are like that, but not ALL of them are. Let me clarify why. I WORK at a petstore. I work at a pet supermarket where I live, and let me tell you it's a lot different from what you'd expect. It's different here because me and my co-workers actually care about the animals a whole lot. I dedicate a lot of my time to do research on all the small animals we sell, so I DO give away the right information to people. The animals aren't kept in super tiny cages like they are in Petco. We don't overcrowd them and we take them out to play a lot, too. I always give the piggies and the bunnies a LOT of hay. And I even bring them veggies for the hamsters, guinea pigs, bunnies and birds to eat. I like working there because I can be around them most of the day, it's a huge stress reliever. Actually, it's people who stress me out the most. They're so ignorant about animals and i want to be there to educate them, to tell them whats right from wrong and what they shouldn't do. If I see someone with horrible cedar bedding in their hands, i go right over and tell them that they shouldn't buy that. I know, I know, if the company cares why would they sell something like that? Sad thing is, it's true. Companies just care about selling their crap. But *I* care. I want to work around animals, I want to educate people on them and I want them to see what a joy they are. It might make me a hypocrite for hating the company yet still working there, but my goal isn't to earn the company more money. If anything, I think i'm costing them more money because of all the chew toys and stuff I like to give them. So you see, not ALL employees are the same. All stores might not be the same either, but i know that where I work, animals are my first priority.

**VoodooJoint** · #2 07-24-07, 01:23 pm

Please take the time to read and educate yourself a bit more before deciding to start a discussion on such a "hot button" issue.

Here is some reading so that you can understand the bigger picture.
http://www.cavyspirit.com/petstores.htm
http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...et-stores.html

**Arsenal** · #3 07-24-07, 01:26 pm

I have already read those articles. I've read posts too and so much more. I just don't think it's fair to clasify EVERY employee like an idiot when they're really not all the same people at all.

**MissCin** · #4 07-24-07, 01:30 pm

Where do they get their piggies? From breeders? Maybe you're trying to be a good person but by working there and selling animals to people you are actually supporting breeders. If you want to help animals, why not work at a shelter?

"To me, bragging about the impressive cage set-up in petstores is like eating cheeseburgers every day for three months and then shouting on the rooftops how healthy you are because you ate one salad. -- PiggieMamaKelly"

**VoodooJoint** · #5 07-24-07, 01:34 pm

It's lovely that you care but the fact is that the vast majority of petstore employees have no clue about the proper care of animals. I'll stick with telling people not to believe a thing they hear about animal care in a petstore since the chances are the information will be wrong.

I would also like to point out that while you say you care about the animals you are, indeed, selling them. Therefore helping to support a cruel industry that does not care about the animals. Instead of selling animals why not try to convince your boss to start working with rescues instead. Then I will listen to the "We Care" arguments.

**Arsenal** · #6 07-24-07, 01:35 pm

It's not that simply. Getting a job isn't as easy as one, two, three, and i've already been working there for a while. The cages aren't what you think. They are a decent size. It's about 3x4 for two piggies and they have their pigloos, too. Maybe i'm trying to be a good person? So I'm a bad person just because I work at a petstore? Thats like saying i'm a nazi just because i'm german.

**MissCin** · #7 07-24-07, 01:41 pm

Okay, yes, the cages might be great and all but the thing is; Where are they getting these pigs from? Breeders, right? Why buy from a pet store that sells piggies that come from breeders when you can adopt from a shelter. If you guys care so much, then stop selling animals. Like I said; by working there you are actually supporting breeders.

Quote:

Instead of selling animals why not try to convince your boss to start working with rescues instead. Then I will listen to the "We Care" arguments.

Thats a great suggestion!

**Arsenal** · #8 07-24-07, 01:47 pm

So now we're supposed to ignore those poor animals at a petstore so we can adopt all the time? Aren't they just as important too? What makes sheltered animals so different or special? Does that mean that animals at a pet store should be forgotten?

It's not that simply because I have no control over the store. I do my best in taking care of the animals.

**Jennicat** · #9 07-24-07, 02:00 pm

The animals at the shelter are THERE because of the pet store.

**Arsenal** · #10 07-24-07, 02:05 pm

The Pet stores send them there? Or is it becase of PEOPLE?

**Jennicat** · #11 07-24-07, 02:06 pm

As someone who works with a rescue, it is the responsibility of the person with the animal to ensure it is going to a new home, and to provide for that animal in the case that it no longer has a home. Does your pet store do that? I can tell you where all of our rescue's animals are. Can you tell me where all your pet store animals are?

**Arsenal** · #12 07-24-07, 02:14 pm

I often refuse to sell animals to someone just because they don't have the requirements the pet needs. If you mean to tell me that you actually check up on the owner after the animal is adopted and in it's new home, then you've got me beat there. I talk with the person and have to trust they really are telling me the truth and have all the requirements for the animal.

**Jennicat** · #13 07-24-07, 02:17 pm

So you don't check vet references? Or with their landlord to make sure it's ok? Or with roommates to make sure it's ok? Or go through counseling with them to re-enforce that pets should be for the family, and not for children? And you don't think the pet store is at least partially responsible for putting pets into the shelters?

Also, what do you mean that "they know the requirements"? That they know what a C&C cage is, and agree to feed a good quality pellet, hay 24/7, and veggies? Or a pet store cage, and some pellets from there, and maybe some hay? Do you sell single pigs?

**daftscotslass** · #14 07-24-07, 02:25 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arsenal

So now we're supposed to ignore those poor animals at a petstore so we can adopt all the time? Aren't they just as important too? What makes sheltered animals so different or special? Does that mean that animals at a pet store should be forgotten?

It's not that simply because I have no control over the store. I do my best in taking care of the animals.

You obviously haven't read all the posts quoted above.

Let's put it this way. You "rescue" the pig at the pet store and the profits your money goes towards is enough to buy another four guinea pigs to sell. Is the individual owner expected to rescue them too? No, of course not.

If they didn't sell them in the first place then they wouldn't end up in rescue because pet stores sell to anyone in everyone. How gallant of you that you turned down a sale - do all the other employees do the same? No, of course not.

**kayleemommy01** · #15 07-24-07, 02:27 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arsenal

So now we're supposed to ignore those poor animals at a petstore so we can adopt all the time? Aren't they just as important too? What makes sheltered animals so different or special? Does that mean that animals at a pet store should be forgotten?

It's not that simply because I have no control over the store. I do my best in taking care of the animals.

You have a good point. I feel that all animals need homes. Whether they are sick or well. At least you are one of the ones that care and are trying to educate people. I have a mind to go check out our petstores to see if those people know what they are talking about.

People need to realize that pets are not something you can just throw away if you don't have the time for them anymore or money. Pets need to be treated like a part of the family in that they are your "children". I don't like hearing "Well I don't have the money or the time anymore" Would those same people deny their human children clothes or food? I think not. And as far as time goes would those same people deny their human children a ride to school or to the mall if they wanted to go all of that takes time. I don't know about you people but all of my children are my priority(sp). I put them first always before myself.

**Arsenal** · #16 07-24-07, 02:29 pm

Yes, I DO tell them everything they need to know. I spend a great deal of time talking to them about every single animal and everything they need for them to live a happy and long life with the family. If they're buying a guinea pig I always tell them where I get my food and hay from, which is Oxbow and I tell them why it's much better than the pellets they would find in a store. I tell them what veggies are okay to give and how fruits and some shouldn't be given in large quantities. and that they should ALWAYS have hay. I tell them all the different measures they need for certain amount of guinea pigs and the location they belong. I never sell any of the petstore cages. Why is that so hard to believe?

**Jennicat** · #17 07-24-07, 02:32 pm

How are you enforcing that? Why would they believe a store employee telling them that none of the stuff the stores sells is appropriate?

**daftscotslass** · #18 07-24-07, 02:35 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayleemommy01

You have a good point. I feel that all animals need homes. Whether they are sick or well. At least you are one of the ones that care and are trying to educate people. I have a mind to go check out our petstores to see if those people know what they are talking about.

People need to realize that pets are not something you can just throw away if you don't have the time for them anymore or money. Pets need to be treated like a part of the family in that they are your "children". I don't like hearing "Well I don't have the money or the time anymore" Would those same people deny their human children clothes or food? I think not. And as far as time goes would those same people deny their human children a ride to school or to the mall if they wanted to go all of that takes time. I don't know about you people but all of my children are my priority(sp). I put them first always before myself.

But what you don't understand is that pet stores sell to anyone and everyone. They don't police who they sell to. The people that buy on a whim are the ones that end up mistreating and/or surrendering pigs to rescues. Pet stores are the most contributer to encouraging the throwaway culture.

All animals ARE deserving of homes, but do you really want the money you spend in a pet store to buy MORE guinea pigs for them to sell? This is exactly what happens! Are you saying they are not deserving of a good home? Because for all you know they could end up in a cold hutch at the end of a garden starving to death or fed to somebody's pet python. All because the pet stores are indiscriminate in who they sell to.

You take away the selling of animals to anyone and everyone, you take away most of the problem.

**Arsenal** · #19 07-24-07, 02:37 pm

Because I tell them about MY pets and how I treat them.

You have to be realistic. Pet stores will ALWAYS be around. No matter what you do or how much you try. They will be. Same thing for awful companies. But you CAN try to make them a better place since eliminating them would be impossible. And thats what I'm trying to do.

**Ly&Pigs** · #20 07-24-07, 02:55 pm

Do you know exactly where your store gets the animals it sells? If one guinea pig is sold, how many more are ordered to replace it? How big are the cages? How are the animals brought into the store? How are the animals kept during quarantine before they are placed on the sales floor? Are ill animals given proper vet treatment?

"Thank you, Jennicat, for this useful post," says:
MissCin (07-24-07)