Breeders and pet stores

[Moon squeak]

I just wanna say... Pet stores do not get their pigs from breeders. Breeders put a lot of time and money into their piggies to allow them to go to a pet store. Some go as pets, but most are only sold to other breeders. And when I say breeders, I'm talking about people who show. Records are kept very closely. I used to show rabbits for 10 years. Piggies are apart of that, so I often saw them and friends who did rabbits, some also did piggies. They are very picky on health and boys and girls are NEVER kept together. And they know how to sex and all that. It gets quite expensive to go from one show to another getting defaulted out of a show for putting your animal in the wrong sex show. You don't get your intry fee back for that animal. So you don't make those mistakes.... Also, sick animals do not win. I know some people out there think they do, I don't know why, but for some reason, people think sick animals win shows... I have seen people actually argue this, for real..... So you know these babies on a show table are not only healthy, but they get attaintion all the time. They have to learn to travel well and show well with out sress by being around this since babies. They learn to sit still for judges for the most part. I have seen them show and they look pretty happy with all the attaintion, the brushing, the cuddels... lol, you tend to see, sometimes, the long haired ones with curlers in their hair to keep them from getting themselves dirty before show.... You see the 4-H kids undoing their hair and brushing them out and stuff..... Its realy cute..... So, I'm just saying, the real breeders are people who know what they are doing. I'm not arguing, just saying what I have seen myself. Its good to realy know whats out there. If you don't want to buy from them, thats okay, they usualy sell to other people who show. So, I'm not arguing that either. Just saying is all cause I don't like it when someone judges me on untrue facts, so I try to not do that to others is all, people sometimes hate me for that, but at least you know that you get a fair oppinion from me....

What you are talking about to be *breeders*, are back yard breeders. People who have pets that they let have babies. And those do tend to make it in stores. But many stores breed their own. My husband worked at Pet Co many years ago. Finding out their secrets, was appalling... They breed their animals from somewhere. Don't remember where. Then they ship them all over the US. They arive sick a lot. And then they either go on the floor anyway, or they go in the sick room in the back where they live dirty cause the workers don't realy care much about them. Or at least most workers don't care. The ones that do care about them,(again, not judging ALL people who work there, cause some do care) are not in a position to do anything about it. The ones brought in by people (bringing in their pets to drop off) are put up as adoption animals and thoughs are more likely to be healthy then the ones that they get in from their trucks. There are also some pet stores that breed their own animals right there in the store. So... just wanted to put my own 2 cents in there. Please don't get angry if we differ in our opinion. Its okay.

I do want to put out a word of warning out there for craigslist and FB type adoptions. I am NOT promoting pet stores, as it is important to not get from them, that I agree with. But what makes people feel safe about pet stores, is that you are not in someones private home where anything bad can happen. Its public. I have gotten pets off of craigslist, and found homes their too. Moon came from FB. So not saying to not do it. Only saying, please please be careful. There are a lot of sicko's out there that don't realy have a pet for adoption, people have gotten hurt by these pages before. Please do not go alone. Just be careful. The safest place, I think, would be a rescue... There are people out there that claim rescue and actually are not too, but that seems to be more with dogs and cats. I think most GP rescues are probly pretty good.

So thats just me rambeling, as rambeling is what I do best..... I hope the best for you, and have lots of fun!!

 

[pinky]

Re: Hello this is my story...so try not to cry.

Considering that there are usually 1,000 or so guinea pigs listed on Petfinder at any given time, which doesn't include Craigslist and those being euthanized, it's wiser to adopt a pet being rehomed than those intentionally bred for any reason. Breeders will just continue breeding to replace those purchased. Petfinder, shelters, rescues, craigslist are all good places to start. 4 of my 6 guinea pigs are from Craigslist. You just have to be smart about inquiring and picking them up. Don't go inside someone's home. Go with another adult or meet the person in a neutral location with someone else. As far as showing, guinea pigs are prey animals and they get absolutely no benefit from being shown or bred. The owners are competing to win, not the guinea pigs. Most pet stores DO get their guinea pigs from breeders. Occasionally, you'll find a pet store that only offers rescue guinea pigs. Those are the only ones I'd patronize.

 

[bpatters]

Re: Hello this is my story...so try not to cry.

[MENTION=31250]Moon squeak[/MENTION], most pet stores in the US get their animals from places like Rainbow Exotics, which the police shut down in a huge raid several years ago. The number of dead and dying animals in their warehouses was astounding. Take a look at www.petsmartcruelty.com for how those animals are treated.

 

[PiggieWigglies]

Re: Hello this is my story...so try not to cry.

Bpatters I couldnt even finish the video. It was too painful. I knew breeders and those types of warehouses were bad but thats just sick.

 

[Moon squeak]

Re: Hello this is my story...so try not to cry.

@Moon squeak, most pet stores in the US get their animals from places like Rainbow Exotics, which the police shut down in a huge raid several years ago. The number of dead and dying animals in their warehouses was astounding. Take a look at www.petsmartcruelty.com for how those animals are treated.

That is not a breeder. That is a *puppy mill* Only a piggy mill. Anyone who belongs to the rabbit breeders assosiation, (ARBA) and piggies are a part of that. There is no such thing as a breeder with a ware house. However, maybe mills..... I havn't read your link yet, but just looking at its title, I see petsmart in it. And that tells me its more about the pet store. Pet stores will tell you they get from breeders cause if you find out its realy mills that they support, then its hard to sell. Thats how pet stores sell puppies. They TELL you they are from breederd, but really, its mills. And being ftom Kansas, I can tell you there is a real difference. People confuse mills with breeders all the time.

 

[Moon squeak]

Re: Hello this is my story...so try not to cry.

Considering that there are usually 1,000 or so guinea pigs listed on Petfinder at any given time, which doesn't include Craigslist and those being euthanized, it's wiser to adopt a pet being rehomed than those intentionally bred for any reason. Breeders will just continue breeding to replace those purchased. Petfinder, shelters, rescues, craigslist are all good places to start. 4 of my 6 guinea pigs are from Craigslist. You just have to be smart about inquiring and picking them up. Don't go inside someone's home. Go with another adult or meet the person in a neutral location with someone else. As far as showing, guinea pigs are prey animals and they get absolutely no benefit from being shown or bred. The owners are competing to win, not the guinea pigs. Most pet stores DO get their guinea pigs from breeders. Occasionally, you'll find a pet store that only offers rescue guinea pigs. Those are the only ones I'd patronize.

Those guinea pigs are shown to better the animals and to make them true to their breed. ust like dogs and other animals... its true to their breeds. For a petstore to get someones grand chapion, they are going to have to pay a high price. And then a pet buyer won't buy them as they don't understand the money and time and health that has been bred to this animal. To get their off spring, is also a high price. One I just don't see pet stores paying out to try and sell for more. I have never seen pedigreed piggies at a pet store nor I have never seen the little clips on the ear of a pet store piggy that go on show piggies. These clips tell who they are so that they can not get confused with others, and they can not get stollen as easy. Maybe its just Kansas pet stores that do not have pedigreed piggies, but I'm pretty sure its all accross the US. I'm not saying that people need to buy from them. Their piggies are sold at the shows to other show people who looking for those lines to add to their lines. Not on the market. When I bred the bunnies, it wasn't mine that were in the pound or on a craigslist. For one, no pet person would ever pay what they were worth. I had grandchampion lines that I worked on for a long time, and I promise, no money was made. People think its free to care for them, but its not. Anything show is expensive. And even selling one of my seniors (babies are not worth as much because they have not proven themselves) I had already put A LOT of money in them and care by the time they are worth their prime. If I decide that one sells, its selling for about $70. No pet person is going to pay that for an adult. That same bunny as a baby with good lines is going to sell for about $30. Maybe $40. if you have great lines. Selling a few here and there to go on and add to other lines won't even pay the bills. It does help a little and it never becomes extra. Then the money in gas to travel and to pay the fee's and all that work.... You will pay out the money every time as a true breeder. I think people here are confusing the meaning of breeders and millers. Look up the ARBA. Its not what you think. I am not arguing, only telling you what I have seen myself. Not what someone I don't know told me.

 

[Moon squeak]

Re: Hello this is my story...so try not to cry.

@Moon squeak, most pet stores in the US get their animals from places like Rainbow Exotics, which the police shut down in a huge raid several years ago. The number of dead and dying animals in their warehouses was astounding. Take a look at www.petsmartcruelty.com for how those animals are treated.

Yes, I was right, that is a mill for pet stores. Not a breeder.

 

[pippypoppy2]

I know I'm a little late replying to this post, but I felt I needed to respond. While I understand the strong emotions the word "breeder" evokes from most educated guinea pig owners, I think that those who replied to this post missed Moon Squeak's point entirely. I think we can all agree that pet mills, the suppliers of pet stores, are atrocious. Breeders however, guinea pig owners that provide optimal care and love to their guinea pigs, and who breed, not to sell to pet stores, but to show their animals, should in no way be grouped with pet mills. Admittedly, breeding/showing is not my cup of tea, but a person who breeds responsibly, and cares for their animal properly and with affection, is no different from any other loving owner on this forum.

 

[PiggleLove2013]

I cannot say I have any respect for a breeder, if they love them, why would they 1.) risk their sow's lives just for "cutee wittle babees!!", 2.) add to the overpopulation that deserves a home as much as their animals do? When there are thousands of abused and dying animals in shelters each day, why would you ever deserve the title of "responsible" by pretty much making sure you add to that? Breeding is stupid. That's all I have to say.

 

[Starthecavy123]

Breeders and mills are different mills supply to pet stores while most breeders don't. I will say breeding a guinea pig is very hard on the sow and the older the sow that increases. So breeders should not breed not even in perfect conditions. And plus no matter how the pig comes into the world also takes homes away from pigs in shelters. And if the shelter is not a no kill shelter they will put down a pig if they cannot find a home for it and if they are over crowded. Also there is really no such thing as a pedigree in guinea pigs. And if you are showing pigs they don't need pedigrees to be shown not like dogs.

 

[CavyMama]

Breeders are breeders, regardless of how well they take care of the pigs. Regardless of where the pigs end up. If someone allows a male to impregnate a female, they are a breeder...period. Whether they will show the pups or sell them to private owners or sell to a pet store. We are aware that most pet stores get their stock from a breeding mill and not a private breeder. But the fact of the matter is, breeding mills are still breeders. It doesn't matter what the breeders' intentions are, breeding mills, private breeder or otherwise, they are still contributing to the overpopulation problem. They are still putting sows at risk. What makes them a breeder is the act of breeding.

 

[Starthecavy123]

Well I didn't say it was okay to buy pigs from breeders if they are gonna show them. I was pointing that out because someone said something about pedigree. And I wanted to be clear that there is no such thing as pedigree in guinea pigs unlike dogs.

 

[CavyMama]

I know [MENTION=28349]Starthecavy123[/MENTION], I wasn't responding to your post. I was responding to the original post.

 

[Starthecavy123]

[MENTION=12813]CavyMama[/MENTION] oh im dumb lol

 

[maddy harper]

i would say get your pig from a rescue if you can rather than a pet store.
these pigs deserve a home if not more so because their in a rescue.
i will be getting my next pigs from a rescue rather than a pet store and a friend.

 

[animalmadlover]

Six years ago when I brought Molly-Ann she was covered in sores so now I know never to go to a pet store again. Esspecially THAT pet store, my friend bought a guinea pig from that particular pet store as well and she turned out to have all sorts of health problems. I will honestly never get my pets from a pet store again.