Pet Stores: A local pet store.

[PiggieMommy]

Today I went into a pet store to look for a tunnel for Pugsley. In the store they had two full grown guineas in a cage that was about appropriate for a couple of hamsters. The pigs looked as if they had just been dropped off there as there was a note attached to it saying looking for a good home. The pigs had no hay what smelled like Pine bedding and very very very little bedding, they could hardly move in the cage without being literally on top of each other. To put the icing on the cake the water bottle spout was rusty! I just dont understand, especially leaving these animals to drink out of a rusty bottle. I wanted to tell the associate who asked us if we needed help if he would like to drink out of rusty cup, but my fiance just ushered me out of the store.

[Paula]

So you left them there without doing anything?

[PiggieMommy]

I've read here not to buy Pigs from a pet shop. And honestly I do not have the space for two full grown females, as I have male now, who is not neutered now.

I am just stating that is upsetting that the previous owner let them live like that.

[PiggieMom]

Well, if they were not part of the petstore stock, then I'd see no problem with insisting on taking them as long as you didn't pay them anything. If they were dropped off, and not part of the petstore stock, then the petstore wouldn't be ordering any more to replace them. If you don't pay for them, you don't support the store. Are there any rescues in your area? If so, you could call them and see if they could take them if you brought them to them. Or, at the very least, e-mail them the location of the store.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by PiggieMommy

I am just stating that is upsetting that the previous owner let them live like that.

It's more upsetting that the owner dumped them at a pet store and that the staff there didn't recognize or didn't care that they need better conditions.

Sure, it's bothersome, but simply posting about it here doesn't do anything to help their situation either - as much as we may want to, we can't do anything to help them. Maybe you could call them and suggest they at least provide clean water and a reasonably sized cage while they're in their care?

[LilFamily]

I'm sure it's a sad situation but how about ringing the store and giving them a little hint? .. you know.. water bottle in better condition and hay etc.. then perhaps spreading the word online/offline and see if anybody you know and live not so far from that pet shop might want to adopt 2 grown up female piggies

[pigsmakemesmile]

I walked into the pet department at Country Junction. They revamped their small pet area. They have rabbits, chicks, guinea pigs and just about every other small animal known to man. As always, I went over to the pigs and it just breaks my heart... two pigs in a small feret cage with two huge bowls that take up just about all the floor space there is. On top of it, I stayed and observed how the 2 females were getting along. It was heart breaking to see one piggy going after and barbering the other pig. The water dish was filthy brown with poo's floating all over it along with food and poo's in their food dish...no hay and cheap food. I walked throughout the department looking for an attendant. After 20 minute of searching, an attendant appeared and I asked him about the pigs. He was a young guy probably 17. I brought him over to the 2 females and had him watch how the one pig was going after the other and told him that they should be separated if not put in a larger pen. I pointed out the dirty dishes, poor pellets and lack of hay. He looked at me like I was from space. He said he was getting to their cage but had to finish cleaning the others. It just sickens me to see animals on display..such a lack of disrespect and heartlessness. I can never walk away without saying something to the store. I've gotten myself in trouble from speaking out and it cost my daughter her job for my speaking out. But to not say or do anything is worse than doing or saying something. If there's just one small chance that it'll get through to someone, then it was worth it. I had even written the CEO who told me more several months ago that he had liked my suggestions and was taking them into consideration...yeah right

[LilFamily]

Originally Posted by pigsmakemesmile

I walked into the pet department at Country Junction. They revamped their small pet area. They have rabbits, chicks, guinea pigs and just about every other small animal known to man. As always, I went over to the pigs and it just breaks my heart... two pigs in a small feret cage with two huge bowls that take up just about all the floor space there is. On top of it, I stayed and observed how the 2 females were getting along. It was heart breaking to see one piggy going after and barbering the other pig. The water dish was filthy brown with poo's floating all over it along with food and poo's in their food dish...no hay and cheap food. I walked throughout the department looking for an attendant. After 20 minute of searching, an attendant appeared and I asked him about the pigs. He was a young guy probably 17. I brought him over to the 2 females and had him watch how the one pig was going after the other and told him that they should be separated if not put in a larger pen. I pointed out the dirty dishes, poor pellets and lack of hay. He looked at me like I was from space. He said he was getting to their cage but had to finish cleaning the others. It just sickens me to see animals on display..such a lack of disrespect and heartlessness. I can never walk away without saying something to the store. I've gotten myself in trouble from speaking out and it cost my daughter her job for my speaking out. But to not say or do anything is worse than doing or saying something. If there's just one small chance that it'll get through to someone, then it was worth it. I had even written the CEO who told me more several months ago that he had liked my suggestions and was taking them into consideration...yeah right

So sorry about your daughter's job ... that just cannot happen!!

I live in Bangkok, Thailand (I'm a Thai btw) We have a lot of open markets here where they sell million gazillion small pets and I am ashamed to say that very probably 95% of all the stalls with piggies have either less than 1 sq foot cage for 1 piggie or 1 bigger cage, like a few sq feet, for 20 baby piggies. Heartbreak yes ... nothing can be done so far. I just hope that people don't buy from those stores.

Any way, for standing up and trying to make things right, you have my !!