Buy the cage get a free Rabbit!!!

[GuineaPigz]

I was just in a pet store (I had no choice it was either this local one or petsmart) and usually they are okay with their pigs. But they had a sign on the rabbit cages, "This rabbit needs a home, If you buy a cage you get a free rabbit" I mean that is the most insulting thing Ive ever seen. It's like a mom goes shopping and sees buy a lipop get a free kid.

[FurryCritters]

Actually, that's how I got my first 2 guinea pigs. I had been wanting one for a couple of years, but never got around to purchasing one. After a large move to another area a pet store I deal with for all my fish equipment and supplies had a coupon that said buy a cage set-up and get the pig for free. I bought one and went back a couple of days later because I felt bad the other one had been there for a few months.

I know how everyone feels about pet stores, but I didn't know about rescues at the time so I felt comfortable buying my guinea pig there. I have since adopted 3 from a local rescue and also help with fostering. Fortunately, I am a quick learner, especially when it comes to the lives of animals.

[Amanda]

My local pet store does that with hamsters. Before learning about the adoptions and shelters, I thought that was a good deal.

[FurryCritters]

I guess it's a good example how pet stores really feel about the animals - they don't - they just want to sell the supplies.

I probably won't add any more GP's to my group, but I plan on keeping the ones I do have until the end.

I also have 15 hamsters along with 4 aquariums of fish, so I have my hands full.

[muffin_401]

Same goes with me. That is how I got my GP. I went to the petshop (now I know better) and was just inquiring about GP's and the lady said, well if you buy a starter kit I'll let you have a piggy for free. And of course, me being not educated in GP things, I chose the girl that was pregnant, because I thought I was getting the better deal. Then I came home with my new purchases and did my research and found out what I got myself into, for buying a petstore pig and for buying a prego pig.

[suzy_99]

I actually have a different experience around here. Our large chain pet store (I don't shop there) actually does this so that people will buy the right cages for their guinea pigs, or what they call the right cages. They are actually quite big and are about the equivalent of a 1.5 x 3.5. If anyone buys one of these cages they will get a free guinea pig. They also do the same with their hampster cages. I realize this is not a good practice, but at least they are giving away a guinea pig with a pretty good size cage (bigger than my pet store cage).

[FurryCritters]

The only thing I disagree with this practice is it makes for a lot of impulse buying. People go in with their kids and boom - they leave with a furry animal that ends up in a shelter a few months down the road and sometimes worse.

As a foster I feel so much better when either adults adopt because they can't have a dog or cat or parents who are willing to take the responsibility for the care knowing the children will eventually get tired of the chore.

I say this because I used to be one of the kids many years ago. There wasn't much known about GP's, so they didn't get fed veggies every day and the cage wasn't cleaned as it should have been. We also used cedar and pine bedding. My one pig (he had a great personality) lived to be 3 and weighed in at 5 lbs and the other was about 4 when we gave him away. The one that died developed URI and was gone in 24 hours.

I have to say as an adult when I hear one of my pigs sneeze I immediately take it out and listen to it's breathing. I will also give it extra dark green veggies as a precaution.

[Sabriel]

I've seen it before with guinea pigs too. When I bought my fish they had that sale, but my husband didn't want a guinea pig. Funny, now we have 3

[rabbitsncavyluv]

No, that's how they create business and make money. Repeat business. That customer is gonna come back week after week to buy pellets and hay and maybe toys, etc plus they sold an expensive cage that only cost a tiny bit to make in materials.

Originally Posted by suzy_99

I actually have a different experience around here. Our large chain pet store (I don't shop there) actually does this so that people will buy the right cages for their guinea pigs, or what they call the right cages. They are actually quite big and are about the equivalent of a 1.5 x 3.5. If anyone buys one of these cages they will get a free guinea pig. They also do the same with their hampster cages. I realize this is not a good practice, but at least they are giving away a guinea pig with a pretty good size cage (bigger than my pet store cage).

[suzy_99]

I realize that it is just to make money since the cages do cost more than the guinea pigs, but I am glad that they are at least only giving guinea pigs away with their biggest cages, because at least this way the guinea pigs will be a little more ocmfortable than they would be in one of those small little cramped cages. I actually completely disagree with this practice, but if they are going to do it, they might as well do it in the best way for the guinea pig (although this isn't their intention, they only care about $$$), rather than doing it with one of those little starter cages that are really only big enough for hamsters. The business may be getting more money, but at least the guinea pig is getting a bigger home.