Pet Stores This needs to be stopped.

[maple&teddi21]

Disclaimer: This is not a hateful comment towards the workers who work at petco or petsmart, because some don't know, and some want to try and help. So please, do not take this as hating on the employees.

Please stop supporting awful practices like pet stores breeding mills. I have done so in the past, and believe me, they aren't healthy because of their genes. I've given them amazing care, and they've all died within 1 month and 1/2. (ii. i'm talking abt hamsters.)

I know every pet deserves a home, but if we continue to buy from petstores, we will continue these horrible practices! No pet deserves to be horribly bred, and given a horrible, unhealthy life, because of money. The whole reason these places aren't ethical is because of money!! That's the whole reason the pet store chain is soo messed up.

i'd recommend you go to shelters. They tend to be more healthy, and they need homes, and you aren't supporting breeding mills.

Please help stop this madness!!!! <3

 

[4boipigs]

I generally agree. I would not get hamsters from pet stores. I used to work at a vet in a pet store. One of the Syrians I bought got wet tail and was pts (long story, but I had a warning it would happen and still bought it/was sold it). My dwarf hybrid didn't last a year until he got hit with possible heart issues and died. I have had 3 shelter hamsters and they've all done well so far. My shelter Syrian I have rn is estimated to be 2.2 yrs old if his old owners age guess is right.

As for gpigs, no I would not recommend people buy from them pet stores, but there's exceptions. I was still working at 'a vet in a pet store' when my youngest/newest, Talwar, came to the store. tl;dr he was bought and returned by a customer same day. Was returned to the store with a horrible cut. It is NOT just pet stores who suck, a lot of the customers are horrible people and have no right owning animals. My old coworkers did they best to make sure the animals went to the right homes. Anyway, I felt sympathy for Talwar (aside from looking like a past pig of mine), and after he was healed...I bought him. I was supposed to 'adopt' him, but the store said he was fine to be sold so I had to buy him off the floor.

You can't have something like that happen in front of you and ignore that pig, if you're in a spot to help one anyway.

 

[maple&teddi21]

I 100% agree. It does depend on the situation because all pigs/pets need homes, especially when hurt. I’m so happy you were able to take a pig in need home <3

I remember when I got my first hamster, the worker made sure I had everything required to properly own a hamster. So they deserve some praise when doing that.

 

[Anawilliam850]

Thank you for bringing up this important issue. Supporting pet stores that source animals from breeding mills only perpetuates the cycle of animal suffering and contributes to the overpopulation of animals in need of homes. Adopting from shelters or rescues is not only more ethical, but it also helps reduce the number of animals in need of homes and gives them a second chance at life.

 

[maple&teddi21]

Exactly! And you're welcome! It needs to be said