Another P@H questions........

[bramleycaviesrescue]

Can I ask peoples thoughts on this then:
We are actually attending a pets at home (Guiseley) next weekend (26/27th)and we are taking some of our piggies along to show people. We are hoping it will raise awareness on guinea pig ownership and also gives piggie owners time to chat to us etc and raise awareness of the rescue.

Now I see the Guiseley store as being a very good one. (I know pets at home very well- I worked for them as a manager many many years ago) I dont see pets at home as a particularly good store in general however I do have to encourage the fact that there are some knowledgeable staff within the business and staff who generally care about the pets. I have seen both sides of things and when I changed stores- I left imminently as the care wasnt as good as Guiseley.

I think from my experience many shop at PAH because they feel it is convenient, it has everything under one roof. I personally would shop online or at independants- but this is because I feel PAH is expensive.

Back to my original question |) What do you think of a rescue attending a PAH to promote the rescuing of guinea pigs and also raising awareness?

I am just curious about this we have own beliefs on the store- many of which are good but also many of which are not so good.

Just to add I have worked in 4 different pet shops all as manager and all independant except PAH. I have to say PAH were the only one that encouraged vet visits for ill animals (I had to fight with the owners of the companies for the others to pay for their care)- hence the reason I no longer work within the pet retail industry sector.

Your thoughts please.

 

[Bailey]

Although I dislike the store I think it is a great idea. If someone is thinking of getting guinea pigs and have gone along to P@H to get some and they don't know that a rescue exists, they might just think twice about where they get them from.

Also someone might be in there buying dog or cat food, and if they can see and handle (?) yours which aren't skitish and nervous like the young piggies there will be their thoughts on ownership might change and that may make them think about getting guinea pigs and hopefully from your rescue.

Have you got a rescue piggy vs pet shop piggy pros and cons thing that you can show people - if P@H allow that in store?

 

[KimberleysWheekers]

I think it's a great idea.

In Leicester, Honeybunnies have a notice board in the St Georges Retail Park store (pretty big one too) where they have pictures of their rabbits/piggies and their contact details, and Avalon GP Rescue have the same in the new Fosse Park store.

I can't really see what the big fuss is about, people can't change what goes on with them as a company but from what I've seen, P@H are not adverse to showing support to local rescues.

Working together might well be the key in raising awareness. A lot of people who buy from P@H may not be aware of small, local rescues, however if you advertise there, you may find that it brings adopters your way.

 

[Lady Kelly]

I agree with Kimberley I think this way you are giving potential buyers all the information they need to make fully informed choices and look after their pets properly. That way regardless of whether they purchase from you or P@H the piggies are less likely to end up neglected and turning up at your rescue because the owners don't have the time/space/money etc to look after them

 

[nutmeg]

My local store will only advertise animals that they don't sell themselves. x

 

[Fudge and Rainbow :)]

That would be fantastic! My local cats protection were in my local pets at home and they were promoting cat welfare and advertising cats and kittens needing loving homes, I even saw my cat in the book showing cats that had found forever homes! x) It's great that by doing that, rescue animals are being helped to find new homes. If rescues just stand back because they don't like a place, it isn't going to get them very far...