Pet Stores: Not A Single One Gave A Hoot

[Pulsepoint129]

A friend of mine just bought a hamster a few weeks ago. She works next door to a Petco (heh) and since we were already at Target in the same plaza, she figured she'd go inside and pick up some food for Sydney the hamster. I was browsing around the store, waiting for her and her boyfriend to knock off the disgusting public displays of affection, and noticed a small rat inside its "habitat" whose left eye looked so sunken and half-open that it may as well not have had an eye at all! Its buddy nearby, (mind you this is Petco where they thrive on keeping 50 animals in one small aquarium) had what appeared to be a really nasty gash or scab on its tail. Now, I'm not really a rat aficiando by any means, but this was just downright disgusting. When I informed a nearby associate, he just kinda nodded, continued doing whatever it was he was doing on the computer, and replied, "Yeah, I know it came in like that." With absolutely zero empathy. NONE. I was appalled. "Don't you think that maybe you should inform your manager so that these rats can be seen by a vet?" Again, I got a shrug and an apathetic, "Yeah, he knows. He's probably already called on it." URGH, I was SO irritated at the lack of concern for those animals! I ended up walking away to find a manager on duty, but was told by the supervisor that she was "new to this place" and that she would inform the general manager.

I mean, seriously: Do these pet shops have ANY form of higher authority they have to answer to? Restaurants have to be inspected by the board of health,general retail establishments are (I think?) kept in order by the attorney general, but are pet stores inspected by anybody? I didn't know whether calling the humane society was going to help, so I just went home angry.

[nwyk153]

hmm, here in Singapore, the authority would already gave them ticket or force the shop to be close forever! I cannot believe such pet store exist! shame you Petco.

[lmarieaa]

Its the common way most pet stores handle their animals. They are just "products", waiting to be sold off for profit, and there is very little care or concern for the animals involved. The way they see it: why bother to give a rat $300 worth of veterinary care when they can just let it die of its illness, take the loss of whatever the rat was worth, and just wait for the mill to send more. Pet Stores do not care. Which is why people should not buy animals from stores. When you buy from them, you support the cruel handling and milling of these poor creatures.
You can contact the SPCA in you area or animal control about it. Stores cannot sell sick animals or keep them in inhumane conditions. You should report them.

[nwyk153]

Thank goodness i adopt mine.

[lmarieaa]

Oh Me too!!

[Pulsepoint129]

The nearest SPCA (in a town called Springfield, MA about 30 miles from the store) was recently shutdown due to lack of funding. :-(

Is the American Humane Society basically the same organization? Would they do something to investigate? Our humane society is also a bit far as well, would they come out and check the situation out?

[lmarieaa]

You might want to give them a call, maybe they will come and check it out. You could also try calling the city animal control about it, they generally have someone that responds to these types of issues. If there are pet stores in the area, most likely there is some sort of enforcement to make sure they stay in check, hopefully . Anything is better than nothing.

[meandmypigs]

Go online and look up ur local, county, and state legislatures and also look up the Better Business Bureau (BBB) and it will give you phone numbers and addresses.
Politely write and call them and ask them any questions you have, and of course your local SPCA or Human Society.

I am from a very small county and out Human Society doesnt do anyhting with small animals it is quite sad, and there really arent any cavy savvy vets either, but I make due.

Go to the Petco and find out who the biggest boss there is and make a formal complaint. Follow the cmoplaint up and if it takes it do a humbling rally. Make others aware!!

God Bless you and good luck! Im like you I rescued my piggers, but mine came from a really bad place...a auction/kill pen.

<33 lots of cavvy luv!