if you can't beat'm....at least teach'm???

[pigsmakemesmile]

I was visiting a pet store ONLY to look at items to improve my pets livelyhood I didn't think they had pets there as it was my first time. But after yesterday, I think i'm just gonna keep my shopping on line.
My sister and I went to Super Petz-pet owners warehouse. She was looking for a long 64" gate for her 4 dogs.
We entered the store and were greeted by an animal adoption rescue looking to re-home cats and kittens. There was also a Greyhound rescue there for the same mission.
As my sister was searching, I was browsing and glad to see they weren't selling pets until I came upon a wall filled with tanks of small animals...hamsters, guinea pigs and gerbils. The glass tanks were filthy, as you stood near...there was a urine stench. I was observing the animals for 5-10 mins and all were constantly scratching at themselves. The water bottles were absolutely filthy, some had a green tint and algae rings. A store attendant asked to be of assistance and I asked if I could hold one of their pigs. I examined him and informed the attendant that it was a male and showed him a patch of thinning fur and red irritated skin. I nicely explained that the pig MAY have a mite infestation and should be treated. His response, "the store won't pay for that and there's nothing a little bleach couldn't do ." As he put this little one back another one popped out of it's hidedy and of course I wanted to hold it (big mistake). I examined this one and informed the attendant..."this is a female and if you don't want to be bombarded with babies (if not already pregnant) you might want to keep them separated (they were co-habitating). His response.."oh that's fine...we just won't need to aquire more that way Should I be surprised...no. After all he was a highschooler who claims to have a pig himself who just started peeing blood but he elected to not spend money on treating it despite the fact I told him if it's peeing blood it's a serious symptom and needs to see a vet right away. All that I kept thinking was...you dam idiot!!! Forgive me for the terms I was so angry, I really didn't need to hear this. I felt I wasted my efforts, after all-it all may have just gone right over his head for someone who claims he didn't know what Euthanize meant.
Why can't petstores be changed into pet education schools where the public can go and learn proper care, management of raising pets??? They go there, get educated and before adopting take a knowlegde test. A law should mandate all petstore employees and owners be properly educated in this field and be required to take a knowlege test before given a license to operate. Why can't health and safety inspections be adopted for the welfare of the animal in any compacity. With education and time, believe in the long run, people will avoid breeders because they will have learned the truth behind them. I believe that anything in a negative light can be changed into something really positive. Even the spca should be involved in more of educating the public. I say this because the local spca near me only seeks to adopt out but nothing else. I know I adopeted 2 rabbits and a cat there once and they didn't give me any advice just a bag of food and a paper to sign. I taught myself the rest.
I don't support pet stores that sell pets. I usually purchase my things on-line or at our local farm and feed store. I wish I can stop feeling guilty about the whole thing that happened but I can't.
I believe the whole problem with breeders and petstores is aside from the Almighty buck, is they SO lack education. Greed gets in the way and the animals suffer for it.
My daughter got a job at a local petstore after hearing that they would Freeze hamsters,fish, and gerbils when there was an overabundance. We got this from a very reliable source who also works in the petstore. My daughter told me her mission is to prevent this from happening. Her other mission is to educate the public on proper care of these small pets. She's a premed student who's goal is to become a vet. She and I also want to begin a wildlife rehabilitation and animal education center. I also want to begin a small pet rescue once I retire and my kids are done with college.
Big change comes in small steps.
In the meantime, to help cope with the guilt, I sent an information letter to that stores corparate center.There's a 99% chance that they'll just delete it but I just had to speak out.
I'm basically telling of my experience there, a usual one for many... I've read so many posts about this subject. I know this site is against breeding and buying from petstores. I agree with it 100% However there really needs to be a change in the whole process in all mediums, petstores, breeders and adoption agencies for animals to benefit. In the mean time please say a small prayer for God to protect these animals and all animals keep them out of harms way...to bring them happiness and peace and to get into a good and loving home.
With all that said..thankyou for taking the time in reading my forever long post.
God bless

[Drawingwords]

Ah, superpetz. Yes, they were known to drown kittens down in this area. I went through the same thing. Just today I called a local pet store and complained about the mishandling and thinning fur and I'm afraid that the person who was doing this was the manager I spoke to on the phone. His response was "This is being taken care of." He didn't even know what mites were and asked why I thought the pig had them.

I seriously am torn on "should I be mad or should I be sad?" that people are this uneducated. I don't understand that if you're a worker, why you intentially mistreat an animal. They aren't profiting from it. Er, maybe they are if superpetz is paying their electric bills.

Good luck in your education. I totally agree that the SPCA/humane societies should get more involved with education. And God bless you for trying to yourself. And everyone else on this site!