Pet Stores: I dont know what to do!!!

[martini907]

I went to a family owned pet store to day to get some stuff for my piggies. They had the cutest piggies. Of course they talked me in to bringing one home. They told me not to feed them any fresh veggies. They said that they have been raising guinea pigs for 30 years and so many people have lost their piggies due to this. They said that the best thing to give them is the freeze dried veggies. The food with all the veggies in it was the best. That is the opposite from what I have read on here. Plase help.

[Milkingit]

Wow....

Just wow....

No give your piggie only fresh vegetables, make sure to wash them before you give them to them, or even buy organic veggies if your that worried about pesticides and such.

Frozen vegetables can actually destroys the nutritional value of the veggies.

[Paula]

I'm entirely uncertain why you're taking the advice of a pet store to begin with. Fresh vegetables are a staple of a guinea pig's diet because they provide fresh nutrients. Freeze dried or frozen vegetables provide virtually nothing in the way of nutrition.

I'd guess that in their "30 years" of breeding guinea pigs they've lost several due to inbreeding, poor care, and lack of medical attention when needed. That there might be some coincidence of the pigs dying due to inadequate care and feeding fresh vegetables is just that - a coincidence - nothing more.

I went to a family owned pet store to day to get some stuff for my piggies. They had the cutest piggies. Of course they talked me in to bringing one home.

No, they didn't "talk you into" buying one, you made the choice to buy one from a breeder (probably a backyard breeder at that) while there are no doubt other guinea pigs in your area awaiting euthanasia in shelters.

It's no surprise they'd advise you to do something that's just frankly unhealthy for the pig they sold you. They're hoping to have a repeat customer. If this pig dies, ah, way it goes, you can just buy another one. Awesome.

[Peggysu]

Well what's done is done. You really should have adopted there so many in need of a forever home.

Now for the petstore I hope you don't have a pregnant sow and I hope you sexed it and not some stupid unknowledgeable employee. Make sure you quarantine for three weeks as pet store pigs are often sick! You wouldn't want your other pig to get sick and die and/or double your vet bills. Please adopt next time supporting petstores just adds to over population. As for diet they have no idea what they are talking about. Follow the diet instructions on this site. Please get a high quality pellet and not some funky thing that sounds like a choking hazard! High quality pellets would include Oxbow or Kleenmama's. Both are high quality pellets.

If people easily talk you into pets and you don't believe in petstores I suggest you just don't go in if you get tempted.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by Peggysu

If people easily talk you into pets and you don't believe in petstores I suggest you just don't go in if you get tempted.

People that are honestly "easily talked into" pets really shouldn't be allowed to get them in the first place, in my opinion. Living animals should NOT be impulse buys.

In any event, MilkingIt's suggestion of organic veggies is a great one if pesticides are in any way a concern.

[Peggysu]

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

People that are honestly "easily talked into" pets really shouldn't be allowed to get them in the first place, in my opinion.

I completely agree. That's what petstores rely on, those people who will buy them spontaneously, with no forethought of the animal.

[katiewilson]

For me, personally, if I were even CONSIDERING getting an animal, if a person that gave advice that was in such stark contrast to what I'd learned from those with some REAL experience, that would be way too big of a red flag for me. I'd at least have to do more research. That's what responsible pet owners do.

Hope this is a lesson learned for anyone that finds themselves in similar situations.

Don't shop...Adopt!

[eschimpf]

I know how hard it can be when you go into a pet store, while some of us here go a little over board with adoption because some/most SPCAs do not have a no kill policy, but in saying that I used to work at a pet store and as a sales person I knew what to say to get someone to take a pet. NOW, also in saying that I was one a the rare people that spend hours talking to possible new pet owners to make sure that they where ready for their new pet. I did end up quiting because of many reasons one being that my fellow workers did not have the same views on people buying pets and making sure that they where ready for them.

My advice is that if you are easily temped to buy from a store, just don't go in. If your at home ask your parents to go get the food, hay and so on without you so you aren't temped. IF you are not at home ask you other half or a friend to help you out and tell them you are always temped to buy other pets, I'm sure they will undestand.


As for the pet stores comment on fresh foods, as you can tell from everyones posts that was miss information. You MUST give them fresh foods but always check what they can have and how much. Carrots if given too much can cause problems with I believe the liver due to the Vitamin A. too much lettace can cause diarriah because of how much water it has, and by too much I mean a head of lettace per piggie per day. In reality anything good can be a bad thing if you give too much, accept hay and pellets. Always do your reseach as this site has many wonderful people to help you out.

Now people can bash my post all they want as everyone has their own opinion and this is just my view on things.

Good luck.

[Peggysu]

Originally Posted by eschimpf

Now people can bash my post all they want as everyone has their own opinion and this is just my view on things.

Why are you assuming people are going to bash your post? Many of us, including myself, may not agree with you but that does not mean that I'm going to bash you.

As for people going overboard on suggesting adoption it's all because we are passionate about what we believe. Too much suffering happens and when you see it, it sucks. Pet stores add to over population.

[eschimpf]

Originally Posted by Peggysu

Why are you assuming people are going to bash your post? Many of us, including myself, may not agree with you but that does not mean that I'm going to bash you.

*laughs* sorry but I've seen what some peoples ideas are of not agreeing and can get pretty nasty about it so I just add things like that when I am very open about myself as a way of saying you can go head and say what you want but its not going to bother me, more for my mind then for anyone to comment on.

As for people going overboard on suggesting adoption it's all because we are passionate about what we believe. Too much suffering happens and when you see it, it sucks. Pet stores add to over population.

And I have nothing against that, if fact I foster for a local rescue. but the fact is that we can't blame it all on the pet stores it is the people that buy them as well. YES if it wasn't for these store people who know nothing about these pets wouldn't have a place to get them on impluse BUT the fact of the matter is that people like yourself and others on this site should target the new pet owners that do not go out and find information on their new pets and that buy them for their kids to play with for a month then sell/give them away either to other uninformed people or SPCAs who depend on people like us to foster and adopt these pet store pets.

I am no in anyway agaist or for either adoption OR pet store pets. I am very nuetral but I also feel that IF an informed person chooses to buy from a pet store that it is their choice and that no one should be harsh on them for doing so because we have no idea about their town/city and if they even have a rescue or if they do if they even carry guinea pigs.

[Paula]

while some of us here go a little over board with adoption because some/most SPCAs do not have a no kill policy

Wanting to end a very cruel cycle of breeding and selling animals as merchandise is not going "overboard." It's something many of us here have had personal experience with and feel very strongly about. Many of the animals, especially small pets, that end up in shelters end up there because it's all too easy to walk into a pet store, pay your money, and walk out with a living, breathing animal - much the way you'd walk out with a bag of food. You don't have to know the first thing about the animal you're buying as long as long as you've got the money to pay the asking price. Not knowing is one thing. Knowing and buying anyway is inexcusable as far as I'm concerned, and what "some of us here" mean to educate others about.

[katiewilson]

Originally Posted by eschimpf

I am no in anyway agaist or for either adoption OR pet store pets. I am very nuetral but I also feel that IF an informed person chooses to buy from a pet store that it is their choice and that no one should be harsh on them for doing so because we have no idea about their town/city and if they even have a rescue or if they do if they even carry guinea pigs.

I disagree entirely, except that I do feel there is such a thing as being TOO harsh towards those that were genuinely unaware. But the pet overpopulation problem is so monumental now that I just don't agree with obtaining pets by giving business to pet stores/breeders. There are soooo many homeless pets dying every day that need a home. If you don't live somewhere where there's a shelter, drive to one. Get a pig train going. Check out adoptable pets on craigslist. Just be patient and wait until one does become available. It's how one really demonstrates their love towards pets.

[eschimpf]

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

Wanting to end a very cruel cycle of breeding and selling animals as merchandise is not going "overboard." It's something many of us here have had personal experience with and feel very strongly about. Many of the animals, especially small pets, that end up in shelters end up there because it's all too easy to walk into a pet store, pay your money, and walk out with a living, breathing animal - much the way you'd walk out with a bag of food. You don't have to know the first thing about the animal you're buying as long as long as you've got the money to pay the asking price. Not knowing is one thing. Knowing and buying anyway is inexcusable as far as I'm concerned, and what "some of us here" mean to educate others about.

And what about towns that don't have rescues? hmm? what about places that takes 3 hours or more to find a rescue? do you think that they should just jump on board and say I HATE PET STORES! DOWN WITH PET STORES? frankly you have to think about everyone in the world.

YES I agree that there are bad things happening out there to aniamls BUT just because you live in an area that bad things happen does not mean that everyone does, NO I am not putting a closed eye to the bad side of pet stores BUT at the same time with out pet stores or backyard breeders would we even have pets? would we even have these animals that you claim to love? NO so don't ALWAYS focuse on the bad because there are some good points to everything.

I agree with adoption for shelters/rescues but at the same time I do not tell people to go for a drive for hours to find one. IF you choose to buy from a store because there is no rescue around OR if your shelter doesn't take in guinea pigs then that is YOUR choice.

[eschimpf]

Originally Posted by katiewilson

I disagree entirely, except that I do feel there is such a thing as being TOO harsh towards those that were genuinely unaware. But the pet overpopulation problem is so monumental now that I just don't agree with obtaining pets by giving business to pet stores/breeders. There are soooo many homeless pets dying every day that need a home. If you don't live somewhere where there's a shelter, drive to one. Get a pig train going. Check out adoptable pets on craigslist. Just be patient and wait until one does become available. It's how one really demonstrates their love towards pets.

See I totally dissagree with that, Maybe in the states and some over populated places in canada you can do that but for example, My parents live in Fox Creek, which is over 3 hours away from any rescue that has guinea pigs. IF what you say is the only way to show love for your pet is to drive hours to get to your pet I think that is wrong. Making people do what you think is right may not be the answer. AND that is not the only way to show TRUE love.

TRUE love comes from the heart NOT by demonstrations.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by eschimpf

And what about towns that don't have rescues? hmm? what about places that takes 3 hours or more to find a rescue?

Rescuing a pet is worth driving 3 or more hours for. And even if that's not feasible, there's Craigslist, Freecycle, and other places for getting a pet that doesn't require setting foot inside a pet store.

Originally Posted by eschimpf

YES I agree that there are bad things happening out there to aniamls BUT just because you live in an area that bad things happen does not mean that everyone does ...

Pet stores selling live animals as nothing more than a product is a bad thing, no matter how it may *seem.*

Originally Posted by eschimpf

NO I am not putting a closed eye to the bad side of pet stores BUT at the same time with out pet stores or backyard breeders would we even have pets? would we even have these animals that you claim to love? NO so don't ALWAYS focuse on the bad because there are some good points to everything.

This argument is laughable. Breeders and pet stores don't make the world go round, whether you're able to see that or not.

Originally Posted by eschimpf

I agree with adoption for shelters/rescues but at the same time I do not tell people to go for a drive for hours to find one.

Is it better to buy an animal that's likely sick so that another one can take its place immediately? Are you seriously saying that?

Originally Posted by eschimpf

IF you choose to buy from a store because there is no rescue around OR if your shelter doesn't take in guinea pigs then that is YOUR choice.

I'd say it's infinitely better not to have the animal than to buy one from a pet store - if buying really is the only option - which is dreadfully unlikely.

Originally Posted by eschimpf

TRUE love comes from the heart NOT by demonstrations.

Actually, when it comes to animals, it means doing what's best for the animal, whether or not it's what you might want.

[katiewilson]

Originally Posted by eschimpf

NO I am not putting a closed eye to the bad side of pet stores

Yes, you are. Some do unspeakable things to "their merchandise." Buying a pet from them anyway is excusing their actions. Period.

BUT at the same time with out pet stores or backyard breeders would we even have pets? would we even have these animals that you claim to love? NO so don't ALWAYS focuse on the bad because there are some good points to everything.

That is the furthest thing from a good point. We are so far from the extinction of all pets that it's not even a reasonable point. I mean, we're talking decades of people's HARD work, at best.

I agree with adoption for shelters/rescues but at the same time I do not tell people to go for a drive for hours to find one.

I do. Like Paula said, if it's not worth it to you, wait until there's a closer adoptable gp. Or don't get one until you're finally aware of the bigger picture.

frankly you have to think about everyone in the world.

What? Is that even serious?

If you really love animals, you'd be willing to go the extra mile (pun fully intended). An impulse buy at a pet store because you really want one is just a selfish move. Even if you love it more than the world...your love doesn't help out the guinea pig that a breeder put in its place, nor the thousands of guinea pigs dying in shelters.

[eschimpf]

Frankly I thnk that you are laughable. Your idea of "love" and of "being a responisble pet owner" is frankly good and horrible bad. I think that everyone should be "educated" but I thknk the way you go about it is wrong. you do not give advice you demand that either they do it your way or they are wrong and horrible. THAT is not educating that is conforming. to educate is to say thing like, here are the stats on how often an animal at a pet store is sick, this is why its better to adopt. Not

People that are honestly "easily talked into" pets really shouldn't be allowed to get them in the first place, in my opinion. Living animals should NOT be impulse buys.

Just because you may be able to walk in and cold heartly say no doesn't mean everyone is. If you feel so strongly I want to see pictures or videos of you out there with signs. Because THAT would be a real demonstration as you so like to do.


I'm done talk... I've said all I need to say which is adoption is better then buying but your not horrible for doing so. and I hope people aren't mad at this because I speak so freely. Some people say harsher things then I can ever dare to say.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by eschimpf

Your idea of "love" and of "being a responisble pet owner" is frankly good and horrible bad.

What does "frankly good and horrible bad" mean?

Originally Posted by eschimpf

Not Just because you may be able to walk in and cold heartly say no doesn't mean everyone is.

I'm able to walk into a store and insist an animal get proper medical attention if that's what's needed. I'm also able to walk into a store and NOT buy an animal no matter how badly I may want to because in the end, buying from a pet store supports the very conditions I'd be removing the animal from. It's an unfortunate reality. I can't justify saving one when doing so is so detrimental to so many others.

Originally Posted by eschimpf

If you feel so strongly I want to see pictures or videos of you out there with signs. Because THAT would be a real demonstration as you so like to do.

Out of curiosity, what are you talking about?

[katiewilson]

Originally Posted by eschimpf

I think that everyone should be "educated" but I thknk the way you go about it is wrong. you do not give advice you demand that either they do it your way or they are wrong and horrible.

<sigh> No one is demanding anything. But guess what? You're on a pro-rescue site, and many people on here rescue or volunteer for the cause. We're going to speak freely, too. And we are not going to love the idea of people knowing how horrible pet stores can be but buying a pet from them anyway. It's discouraging when we all work so hard to get these homeless pets adopted out.

Not Just because you may be able to walk in and cold heartly say no doesn't mean everyone is.

Please. Making a responsible decision doesn't make you cold-hearted. You're just making excuses now.

If you feel so strongly I want to see pictures or videos of you out there with signs. Because THAT would be a real demonstration as you so like to do.

Dude. What ARE you talking about?

I'm done talk... I've said all I need to say which is adoption is better then buying but your not horrible for doing so. and I hope people aren't mad at this because I speak so freely. Some people say harsher things then I can ever dare to say.

Not mad. Just irritated. Again, we all work so hard, and it just takes the actions of a handful for us to feel as though our efforts are negated. And no one said that anyone on this thread was horrible. Don't put words in our mouths. Many people here once bought instead of adopted. They've since been educated on this site.

[eschimpf]

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

What does "frankly good and horrible bad" mean?

It mean that I see your points but don't fully agree with it.

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

I'm able to walk into a store and insist an animal get proper medical attention if that's what's needed. I'm also able to walk into a store and NOT buy an animal no matter how badly I may want to because in the end, buying from a pet store supports the very conditions I'd be removing the animal from. It's an unfortunate reality. I can't justify saving one when doing so is so detrimental to so many others.

That is YOUR choice all I ever wanted was to say that every one has a choice and to back off of the newbies.

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

Out of curiosity, what are you talking about?

I was talking about you going out and walking the streets with a sign.. but I guess out of my fast typing I missed that part *laughs*