Ethical question

[Emmett]

As some of you know I built a large cage for a pet supply stores old piggies because they had spend all their lives in tiny cages and I couldn't stand it anymore. I go in a couple times a week to feed them hay from the bale I got for the store. I clean an old boars impaction out at least once a week. I've never been too happy about how the animals are being treated but as long as she wasn't selling them I didn't mind going in the store. Well now she is selling baby guinea pigs that local people have been bringing in. I really am not happy about it. But if I quit going to the store the piggies and one poor rabbit would never get any hay and the old male would die from the impaction. Also I've come in a few times and the chinchillas didn't have water. There is nothing I could say to her regarding the care of her animals because she has owned the store for over 30 years and thinks she knows everything about pet care. I am very careful with my words as not to make her mad because I believe the animals need me. Am I doing the right thing?

[Calliso]

I think you should report her to the appropriate authorities. Those animals need to be taken away from her. I mean what happens if one day you can;t check up them for several days or weeks? What then? Really I understand you don;t want to get the animals hurt or whatever but from what it sounds like as long as they are with that person they are in danger.

[Emmett]

Legally she hasn't done anything wrong. The Guinea pigs and rabbit always have pellets and water. The cages are cleaned 3 times a week. Legally that is all she has to do. She is not required to clean an impacted boar, give anyone hay or provide a large cage for them to live in. I am just upset she has now decided to sell guinea pigs.

[Susan9608]

I think no, you're not doing the right thing. I know it seems like you are, because you're taking care of the animals, but in reality you're just enabling that store to continue on the way it is. Nothing you've done so far has forced them to change their ways, and now it appears that things are even worse, because the store is now selling guinea pigs. Perhaps this individual figured she could sell them easily since she has someone to take care of them for free.

If I were you, I'd either in person or through a letter tell this woman that you will no longer be assisting her with the care of her animals, as you feel selling animals is morally wrong. And then I'd warn her that the animals still require proper care (meaning decent cages, food, water, and hay) and that you'll still be checking on them to see that they are receiving adequate care. Tell her any oversights in their care will be reported.

Also I've come in a few times and the chinchillas didn't have water.

This is legally wrong. You can certainly report her to the SPCA, humane society, and animal control for things like this. That's why it's important for you to check back. Take photos of anything amiss. You can also send the information to your local news station and newspaper. Sometimes the threat of a ding to the reputation is more compelling than the threat of legal action.

In any event, I'd stop assisting this pet store. Yeah, it's great that you're helping the animals living there, but again, as I've told the countless Petco and Petsmart employees, you're not really accomplishing anything for the animals; you're just enabling bad practices to continue.

[Alusdra]

And she is legally responsible for proper vet care for the impacted boar, too. (At least, I'm pretty sure she is). I would stop going to the store, tell her why, document anything that goes wrong and report her if she doesn't shape up.

[ctinaw]

I'm sure you're very kind and your heart goes out to these animals. I can see how this would be hard because you've probably grown fond of some of the animals there as well. But I have to agree with everyone in this post - and I think you do too - or you wouldn't be asking.

You need to have a serious discussion with this woman. Tell her that you love animals - that is why you have helped out for so long, but it is also why you can no longer continue to do so. Make a LIST of all of the things you've noticed that the animals need that *she* does not provide for them. ie: WATER, VET CARE, appropriate foods such as HAY, etc. You can say all of these things while remaining calm - though she will probably get defensive and may even ask you to leave the store, so be prepared for that. But before that happens - make sure she knows that if she doesn't take appropriate action and start taking care of these animals, you will get the authorities and the MEDIA involved...

... and then you need to follow through with that... can you?