Why?

[chexxy]

I was thinking about this today and figured I would see your opinions. It confuses me as to why so many people choose pet stores over rescues. Somea re ignorant, but there are alot of people aware of rescues who buy anyway. If you were aware...I mean lets look at the benefits (Note this is a buyers ponit of view, not what I would see)
Also, this isnt just guinea pgs, but all animals.

Rescue

1. You get a cheap animal.
2. The animal is already spayed/neutered for you, most of the time
3. Some are already trained in lots of things
4. Lots to choose from.

Pet Store/Breeder

1. Prices tend to be higher
2. Usually not spayed/neutered.
3. Risk of wide range of problems
4. If they are puppies, generally untrained.

I have a story that looking back on it is horrible. My sisters old best friend (now hate eachother) had a sheltie from a puppy store! Had some hip porblems. But know they loved the store. So many years later we went back with them, as they wnated to get a pommeranian pup. Doing this knowing full well of rescues. The store was packed with puppies in tiny cgaes. Loud and dirty. Full of kids poking at them. She picked him out and wnat to know how mcuh she payed for him? $1,100! Its not like he is an amazing dog with champion blood lines or anything. Oh, no, probaly just a breeder mill puppy. I payed a whopping $50 to my local sheleter for my Border ColliexBritney Spaniel. He was 11 months old. Well that dog is the best I have ever met. He could easily excell in agility. Loves people, I have had him for about 4 or 5 years now and he has never bit anyone. Ever. Beofre I knew better I boguht Chex my petstore pig. Payed $35 for him. Got Chester from the same shelter for, are you ready? Brace yourslefs...$5, complete with petstore cage, food dish and water bottle.

So why do you think people do this? What can we do to help people do the right thing?

[pigsforlife]

In my opinion people choose petstores over rescues because the process is easier. People just need to walk into the shop, choose a pig, place it in a box and pay - thats not to say it is the right thing to do. Going to a rescue however they have to go through an adoption process.

The adoption process is there for a reason - to see if you are good enough and can provide a home for an unwanted animal that meets its needs. It also rules out impulse buyers.

My Mums dog recently passed away and she is finding it hard with out a little 4 legged friend around the house. Anyway I suggested going to the RSPCA shelter in Malaga and adopting a dog when she felt ready. My Aunt piped up and said "No, go to a reputable breeder. That way you can see the parents and the lines." I replied, "The dogs at the shelter are there because of breeders, they have no homes and they deserve a second chance." Mum told me later that she is going to the RSPCA in a month or so, she said that she didnt care about seeing the parents or knowing the history of the dog/parents. She said that she thought all animals deserved a second chance and was very eager to learn more about the overpopulation problem. So I told her about petstores and sick animals, and breeders.

[fourboys4now]

I think some people don't think about small animals like guinea pigs, hamsters, rats, bunnies, etc being in rescues or shelters. I know I didn't when I got my first 3 boys. But after I found out about the guinea pig mills and backyard breeders I will never buy pets from a pet store. After joining this site I have even quit buying my food and supplies from them.

I adopted my 4th boy from a lady who runs a small animal rescue locally. We were talking last night and she knows someone who works at a local pet store. She was telling me that her pet store aquaintance has told her that the pigs are coming to them in such bad health with breathing problems that out of 8 piggies they send 7 back. The rescue owner also said that the pet store lady brought her a little girl that was having such respiratory problems because they knew she would die. It died on the way to the vet's office. How can someone send a sick piggy out there to be sold and not care. Money is not that important to me to risk the life of an animal!

[pigsforlife]

Actually thats a very good point. When I started out with guinea pigs I didnt even know that there was such a thing as guinea pig rescues. This I imagine, would be the same for many.

Also in Australia we dont have so many guinea pig rescues, and the knowledge on "proper" care for pigs is very limited. Most of the guinea pigs here tend to be kept outside, and fed the odd bok choy, not taken to the vet and fed chaff. But that is going off topic. What I was getting at was that those that live in Australia are even less likely to know about rescues as there are so few of them, this combined with the fact that many have pigs as children, then grow up and get pigs for their children. They treat their pigs as they did when they were children, and dont often realise that alot has changed since then.

[Jennicat]

Once they're aware of small animals in rescues, I find that a lot of it boils down to the fact that they either don't want to comply with the rescue's care standards (ie, don't want the C&C, or two pigs, etc), that they don't want the hassle of going through the rescue (the actual screening and the homechecks which may be associated), or they have a warped notion that the pigs at the rescue are 'safe' whereas the pigs at the pet store need to be 'rescued'.

[steve_and_pigs]

I've got no rescue perspective, only a consumer and adopter perspective.

What is "the right thing"? Chances are these folks are not going to meet any adoption requirements. Are you asking, "how do we get these folks to come down to the rescue and get rejected?".

I don't know if you can do much for the "obsessed with a purebred with papers" folks. Breed specific rescues can maybe get to them, but somebody obsessed with breed is probably not concerned with animal welfare, and is not going to be listening to any requirements or signing any contracts. They are also not going to be happy unless their pet is really expensive. Have a specialty breed rescue for these animals and charge a lot. Advertise where breeders advertise, fix the animal, and drop the adoption requirements. Don't mention "rescue". These folks are going to do what they are going to do so you might as well take their money. At least you are taking sales away from breeders, and creating vital funds for the other animals. If you're lucky, they will end up giving you the animal back (no refund), and you can sell it to another sucker. If you can't handle using purebred orphans to drive revenue by dropping adoption requirements, then I'd let these "potential adopters" go.

Pet stores over rescues:

These folks are more likely to be "potential" adopters.

Pet stores are more convenient. They have retail hours, and have many completely different kind of pets to choose from. Fun. Yes, pet stores are fun. I'm sorry. They are fun if you don't know any better.

People don't get pets because they want more responsibility or because they want to do charity. They get pets because pets are fun and bring happiness to their lives.

How can we help people do the right thing?

Pet stores put up a sign, put pets in the window, and let the pets sell themselves. Adoptables are competing with animals that are out where folks are shopping every day. I'd be asking how you can make the adoptables more competitive. I think the adoptables can do a good job showing folks how wonderful they are.

When I go into my locale humane society, I don't see any animals. I see a waiting room, some forms, and some condescending lady starts asking me a bunch of personal questions. I'd probably respond a lot better to this if I just saw a bunch of cute animals. I mean, that "IS" why I'm there as far as I thought.

Sorry for the rant. This is a pretty cold-hearted reply, but maybe a glimpse of what things look like from the other side of the fence. I have a friend who has been shopping at petsmart for years, and he thinks it is great. He has had several pets, and obviously has not done enough research to learn anything about the pet industry or about pets in need. I think this is typical. He's not an all around "idiot", but rather, a very smart senior engineer. He just has other things on his mind. Most folks are thinking about big tv's, a new car, and some crappy tv show they watch every week, not animal welfare.

[crazywiggy]

There are so many reasons people choose to buy rather than adopt - which is partly why it is so hard to change things. These are the reasons I have found:

Price - adopting is not always cheaper. Consider someone wants a dog - any dog, mongrel for example. They can adopt for a standard fee of about £150. Or they can buy one through an ad in the local paper for less than that.

Age - like it or not many people want a cute baby animal. Adults, particularly elderly ones, are much harder to find homes for regardless of pedigree, health or temperament.

Convenience - everyone knows where their local petstore is. Not many could tell you if they even HAVE a rescue nearby, let alone where it is. Pet stores you pay your money you take your choice. Rescues have the whole adoption process. Sadly, a lot of people who want (and therefore get) a pet really shouldn't try to care for anything more than a house plant! They don't want a large cage taking up half their living room, don't want to prove their landlord is ok with pets, don't want to be told how to care for a pet.....

Reputation - despite what we know here, most people still have the idea that store or breeder animals are somehow "better". My step-dad is one. He has told me he will only ever buy a dog as a puppy from a "responsible breeder", never from a rescue. This is because he think with a "new" pup he gets a clean slate, a dog with no problems, and he can assess its potential health and temperament by looking at the mother. He is convinced that many rescue dog have problems - many which won't be noticed until after you adopt. He think there is a high chance that the dog will turn out to be a cat killer, or a biter, or have hip dysplasia etc. He just doesn't want that risk. I've tried to explain otherwise but I can't get through. I guess its just fortunate he is unlikely to ever own a dog again....

Attitude - I know this isn't the PC thing to say, but a lot of rescue staff seem to have an attitude problem. I'm not saying they don't do a great job, but they often come across as self-righteous, cendescending, arrogant etc and put people off. Yes it is vital to educate people, and turn away unsuitable people, but some of them seem to be rude and mean for the sake of it. Pet store staff - because they are out to make a profit - at least try to keep that "customer is always right" mentality. That is NOT good for animal welfare, but it does encourage people. Most people on the street will not go to a recue if they think it means getting a lecture.

[Susan9608]

Pet stores are more convenient. They have retail hours, and have many completely different kind of pets to choose from. Fun. Yes, pet stores are fun. I'm sorry. They are fun if you don't know any better.

One of the biggest reasons I've ever heard yet to just eliminate the sale of animals in stores ... just eliminate the "fun" factor and the impulse buy right there.

Take away the choice - make people who want pets have to go through the channels of rescue/adoption. Probably the only way I can see to make it happen, in all honesty.

People don't get pets because they want more responsibility or because they want to do charity. They get pets because pets are fun and bring happiness to their lives.

This is hte kind of mindset that makes it okay to dump animals - pets are "fun", they are agents of joy, etc. etc. All of that may be true, but it's also true that having a pet is a responsibility and any entity that allows people to take on the responsibility of pet without emphasizing that fact is extremely irresponsible.

[steve_and_pigs]

Originally Posted by Susan9608

One of the biggest reasons I've ever heard yet to just eliminate the sale of animals in stores ... just eliminate the "fun" factor and the impulse buy right there.

Take away the choice - make people who want pets have to go through the channels of rescue/adoption. Probably the only way I can see to make it happen, in all honesty.

This is hte kind of mindset that makes it okay to dump animals - pets are "fun", they are agents of joy, etc. etc. All of that may be true, but it's also true that having a pet is a responsibility and any entity that allows people to take on the responsibility of pet without emphasizing that fact is extremely irresponsible.

I was giving some reasons why I think folks go to pet stores. This is what the original poster asked for. I'm not saying they are justified, or "right".

I can't argue with you that people are irresponsible, and that new legislation/regulation could enforce business and consumer responsibility with regards to the sale of pets.

What would be most effective in drumming up public support for such laws?

[Susan9608]

I was giving some reasons why I think folks go to pet stores. This is what the original poster asked for. I'm not saying they are justified, or "right".

I know. I'm sorry - I didn't mean to come across like I thought *you* personally were irresponsible, etc. But keep in mind more people than us read this thread - the strong message needs to be there for all the newcomers to the forum and people who aren't aware of all that happens with pet stores.

What would be most effective in drumming up public support for such laws?

That's a good question.

[steve_and_pigs]

Originally Posted by Susan9608

I know. I'm sorry - I didn't mean to come across like I thought *you* personally were irresponsible, etc. But keep in mind more people than us read this thread - the strong message needs to be there for all the newcomers to the forum and people who aren't aware of all that happens with pet stores.

My bad.

Speaking of fun, this ad is really cute!

Adopt a Guinea Pig! Babies & Adults for Adoption

Plus I just love to plug my local rescues.

[salana]

Originally Posted by chexxy

I payed a whopping $50 to my local sheleter for my Border ColliexBritney Spaniel. He was 11 months old. Well that dog is the best I have ever met. He could easily excell in agility. Loves people, I have had him for about 4 or 5 years now and he has never bit anyone. Ever.

Off topic, but that is a GREAT mix. My parents had a Collie x Brittany Spaniel who lived to be almost 15. She was a wonderful, friendly, quiet dog who never bit, even when small children with grabby hands were around, or when guinea pigs pooped in her dog bed during floortime. She also learned about 50 words and was very obedient and easy to train. She was free (an "oops" puppy in the newspaper).

[thief]

People don't like "used" items. They like to think that if they get a baby animal from a pet store they can teach it to/make it love them. They like to imagine that their fresh new animal is squeaky-clean and rescue animals are dirty, used and dejected.

[pigsforlife]

Some people also think they can bond quicker or they will bond better with a baby than an older animal.

For me personally, whilst I would like to bond with the animal it is not a necessity. I would be more worried that the dog is happy than the dog loving me.

[chexxy]

The sad thing is if you want to adopt the rare small animal that comes to the shleter nearby, lets just say the petsotre ask more questions. I payed $5 for Chester in a petrstore cage with cedar bedding. No questions asked. Didnt even sya do you know about guinea pigs?