Really Upsetting

[ortal]

There is a petshop by me that I have been going to since I was very young. My first ferrett came from there, as well as fish. I loved as a child (and now) to go there and look at the animals. No cats or dogs, but small furrys including guinea pigs. Well I went there this morning because they are the only local place where I can find Oxbow products.

As I always do, I stopped to look at the guinea pigs. They are on sale for 19.99, rather then 30, the standard price around here. One pig was in a small cage by himself, he has been there for weeks. I know because last time I brought my daughter there to see the animals, we picked him up, and I felt bad for him (I checked, he's a he).

The other 5 or so gorgeous guinea pigs are housed with 2 or 3 largeish rabbits in a big corrall type things. Thats one problem. When checking out, I asked the lady what happens to the guinea pigs when noone wants them. She said "Im just the dog groomer" and got an associate, a teenage girl. She said "well they are on sale, I am sure someone will want them", in a very don't-know-what-to-say tone. "They always get bought eventually". I then asked if they are separated by sex. She said the guy the cage is a boy, and so are 2 of the little ones in with the rest. When I asked well arent you concerned if they are going to get pregnant she said "oh well they are only 2 months old". I informed her of the sexual maturity of a guinea pig at three weeks, and she said, again in a stupid tone (sorry thats the best word I have for it) that "we separate them if we see them doing anything". Right, cause you are watching them all the time. I didnt really know what else to say, I was so horrified at her ignorance that I left. I will never shop there again. I think that the other man helping someone else was a manager, I should have asked to talk to him, but I was worked up and things don't ever come out right when you are worked up.

This is horrible. Those poor babies are probably pregnant. At least big stores like PetCo pretend to be educated. I want to do something, but I wanted to come here and get concrete facts before I did anything.

Oh, and this is also the store that told me I could buy Pine shavings for them back when I had my store cage (which I returned). Just wow.

[John4216]

You can go here and print out and give them this brochure if you want:


Guinea Lynx :: Care Pamphlet

[ellenvega]

I understand. It's depressing isn't it? And the facts are that nearly all pet stores are staffed by people like this. Of course that's the info that is being passed on to customers too. Another reason we are against pet stores.

Print out and distribute the pamphlets. Maybe it will sink in to someone.

[ortal]

Distribute them to the petstore? They are going to get tossed.

[TX_2_Pigs]

Go back to the store. Print one and take it with you. Ask to speak to the manager and let him know that what you saw the last time you were in his store greatly upset you to the extent that you no longer plan on going back anymore. Let him know you have been coming to this store for a very long time. Losing you as a customer may not bother him or it may make him step up and take notice. Chances are he just doesn't know any difference.

At the very least you have brought it to his attention. What he does with it, you can't control, but you didn't just do nothing. And that should make you feel better.

[Susan9608]

Distribute them to the petstore? They are going to get tossed.

Don't knock it till you've tried it. It can't hurt anything, and perhaps the employees will at least read through them and learn something, even if they don't give them out to customers.

Otherwise, unless you see flagrant mistreatment that meets the legal criteria for abuse, there's not much that you can do, except boycott the store and let them know why. That's the important part - letting them know why they won't get your business anymore. Compose a civil, but firm letter to the CEO and cc the individual store's manager, telling them what you saw and why you won't shop there anymore.

If you see things that are unlawful, such as animals without food and water, or obviously ill animals that are not receiving medical care, then take photos (if you can) and report them to your local animal control/humane society

Sometimes one small step is all that's needed to create a big change - don't put down the smaller, simpler ideas until you have at least tried them and made that effort.

[John4216]

Here is a link to some sample letters that you can use, and one if for Pet stores:


Take Action - Sample Letters

[ellenvega]

You can distribute them 'on the sly', too. Stick them inside any guinea pig books they might be selling.

[Jenni_Feathers]

Originally Posted by ellenvega

You can distribute them 'on the sly', too. Stick them inside any guinea pig books they might be selling.

Good Idea!