Pet Stores Frustrated With Pet Store Ignorance

[Cavyness]

A few of you might know I picked up a boar to foster then adopt, from a rescue about a month ago. Since his quarantine is up I've decided to keep an eye out for a companion for Leo. After running some errands I drove to a local animal shelter and was told there were no guinea pigs, and when they come in they usually get adopted quickly. I thought that was great news.

I remembered a near by pet store often receives owner give-ups and rehomes them for a donation to St. Jude Research Hospital. So I went in to take a look and saw they had one boar. I picked him up and was shocked at how much hair and skin flaked onto me. He had very obvious V shaped bite wounds from itching, they looked open and so painful.

My heart went out to this little guy so I asked for the store manager. I was told he was dropped off by another family and I could take the boar and his cage for a donation to St.Jude. He then tried to persude me to buy Fiesta mix pellet food. I told him I woudn't need to buy food or the petstore cage (I already have one for quarantine) and was eventually planning on keeping him with my other boar. The manager promptly told me I couldn't have him because two males will fight to the death...
I have successfully kept two boars together before and told him so but he ignored me. I couldn't convince him otherwise so I left empty handed.

I know I can always adopt another boar from somewhere else but I wanted to help that poor piggy out. Excuse the rant, I just need to vent. I hope the little guy finds a good home and gets proper medical attention.

 

[mufasa]

I totally feel your pain! What a ridiculous reason to deny your adoption. That piggy needs to go to a home with someone who knows how to give the care he needs. If the owner is saying stupid things like that to you, and recommending the wrong supplies, I can just imagine the foolishness he's telling inexperienced customers who will unfortunately believe him.

If I had a magic wand, I'd wave it and shut down every single pet store that sells live animals right this minute. I'm still seething over my visit yesterday to the hellhole where I got Mufasa and seeing a baby piggy in with the rabbits. It took all my resolve not to buy him, but I'm keeping my vow that it's adoption only because I'll never again financially support animal selling (and I know he's probably got URI anyway). I totally understand your need to vent because sometimes its the only option when your hands are tied to help a poor piggy.

 

[Cavyness]

I totally feel your pain! What a ridiculous reason to deny your adoption. That piggy needs to go to a home with someone who knows how to give the care he needs. If the owner is saying stupid things like that to you, and recommending the wrong supplies, I can just imagine the foolishness he's telling inexperienced customers who will unfortunately believe him.

If I had a magic wand, I'd wave it and shut down every single pet store that sells live animals right this minute. I'm still seething over my visit yesterday to the hellhole where I got Mufasa and seeing a baby piggy in with the rabbits. It took all my resolve not to buy him, but I'm keeping my vow that it's adoption only because I'll never again financially support animal selling (and I know he's probably got URI anyway). I totally understand your need to vent because sometimes its the only option when your hands are tied to help a poor piggy.

It's nice to have someone that can empathize. Dealing with so many animals, you'd think the workers would bother to educate themselves on proper pet care. I really don't want to walk into another pet store, but I have no where else to buy my Oxbox.

 

[Petlovr]

I would go back and talk to the manager again, and tell him you have a separate cage, and enough food for now, but "Thank you, I didn't realize until you told me...blah blah blah". Say anything, yes, lie through your teeth, and get him out of there. He's not going to make is very far without you or another experienced owner. He's suffering terribly...

 

[jgunnoe]

Dealing with so many animals, you'd think the workers would bother to educate themselves on proper pet care. I really don't want to walk into another pet store, but I have no where else to buy my Oxbox.

It's JUST a job to most. It's a way of getting money, nothing else. I can no longer go in pet stores. The last pet store I was in kept their animals in horrid conditions. I don't know how much you pay for Oxbow at your local pet store, but I just thought I'd throw it out there that I have been buying mine off Amazon recently. I pay around $15 for a ten pound bag, plus almost $5 for shipping. So... Roughly $20. But it is well worth it! Anyways, my local pet shop sells 5 pound bags for $15 so it's even cheaper!

 

[Cavyness]

@jgunnoe -Thanks for letting me know! I've been buying the 5lb bags, but 10 is better. How is the quality from Amazon? Sometimes Oxbow can be a little iffy.

 

[Cavyness]

@Petlovr -I hate feeling helpless, so I think that's exactly what I'll do. If all else fails maybe I'll have a friend pick him up for me.

 

[jgunnoe]

Well, the quality is great so far, but I'm not the best person to ask, considering I've only bought Oxbow from there twice. The pellets have been very green looking and fresh smelling and well within the best-buy date, though with any Oxbow food I've purchased, I've never been able to find a date stamped that says when it was actually packaged. I've always wondered, since I've seen posts in threads on here that you shouldn't use food after 6 months, I think... How am I supposed to know how old it is then if it doesn't say on it?? IDK... But anyways, I'm just finishing up a 5 pound bag that has a Best By Date of September 2013 and the 10 pound bag that just came the other day says January 2013. On Amazon, I think it really depends on which seller you purchase from. I am just very careful to read their seller feedback. Also, if you search Oxbow on Amazon, and click on a product that pops up, it will give a listed price. Underneath of the description of some products, it will have something that says, "3 (or whatever number) new from $12.49 (whatever price)." If you click on that, it will give you a list of other Amazon sellers that are offering that same product, and sometimes you can find cheaper prices than the Amazon listed price. I buy A TON of Amazon stuff, because I get all of it for free since I am a member of a few different "get paid to" sites on the internet, and a lot of them pay with gift cards just for doing a few things like watching videos, etc. on their sites everyday. So, I pick the Amazon Gift Cards, and it saves me a TON of money!

The 10 pound bag I ordered off Amazon recently is actually from Wag.com. They just have an Amazon store. Here is the link for what I bought... It was the best price I found. Amazon.com: Oxbow Essentials Cavy Performance Young Guinea Pig Food - 10 lbs: Pet Supplies That is for the Cavy Performance, since my piggy is very young. You just have to search around on there a bit and compare prices to get the best bargain, and I am all about the bargains. Their prices do seem to go up and down at different times, though. I was browsing the other day and saw they had a 10 pound bag of Oxbow Cavy Cuisine Adult GP Food for like $16 and $6 for shipping (so, $22), but I just looked again to give you the link, and now it says $29.49 with free super saver shipping, but that is too much, in my opinion. Another thing to add is that you can find a lot of Amazon products that have totally free shipping if you have an Amazon Prime account. It's like $70 a year or something, but if you've never had it before, they do have a one month free trial. I did that like 2 months ago, but I cancelled after the free trial, so I don't get it anymore. But it was SOOO nice while I had it!! I ordered TONS. Hope I could be of help to you!

 

[jgunnoe]

After I posted this, I thought I'd check out the actual Wag.com website, not where they sell on Amazon. And it looks like if you have anything else to order, like hay, hideys, bedding, etc., they do offer free shipping on that website for orders over $49. That wouldn't be beneficial to me, since I pay for almost everything I can with my free gift cards, but it might be something that would be helpful to you. Just thought I'd let ya know!

 

[Petlovr]

-I hate feeling helpless, so I think that's exactly what I'll do. If all else fails maybe I'll have a friend pick him up for me.

We have a kill shelter here, and I know I can go there and dig thru the dumpster to get free pet carriers-they just toss them away. (Just like the animals that end up there) I just can't go there. I get so upset thinking about it, thinking that someone's pet was dropped off there with a carrier, and now they're dead and don't need it anymore. Talk about feeling helpless.

This manager is a numbskull, and unfortunately, people like that are ignorant, and will likely remain so for life. They have no desire to learn, or improve circumstances for themselves, let alone the animals they are responsible for. I would be there in a heartbeat if I was closer. Please get him, even if it's just to turn him over to a rescue. Someone has to help this poor little soul.

 

[M.and.F.Piggies]

@Petlovr -I hate feeling helpless, so I think that's exactly what I'll do. If all else fails maybe I'll have a friend pick him up for me.

Just what I was thinking!!! Send in a secret operative (otherwise known as a friend), you know what the pet store guy wants to hear, so let your friend nod and smile at him, then GRAB THE PIGGIE AND RUN, (not literally). Then after the piggie is safe with you, you can go back and either try politely to educate them, or give them what they deserve, whichever the occasion calls for. Without having to bit your tongue, to make sure you get the piggie.