Another Pets At Home Shocker!

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Galaxy&nibbles

Galaxy&nibbles

Adult Guinea Pig
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well, I went in today to get my hay and pellets and of course to see the cute piggies and to my horror one big group of guineas had a hay rack full of STRAW!
Suffering from anxiety I struggle to talk to people especially something like this, so hubby went and told someone that worked there and he said "oh yes that does look rather straw like, I will get someone to change it."
I did see him take someone over and show them so hopefully they've done it now.

Can't believe a shop could be so stupid! It's not like it doesn't even say on the back of the pack straw isn't suitable for guinea pigs!
 
At least you spotted it... basic welfare... hopefully a one off. I must say the local one to us are very good with their husbandry.
 
Wow o.O

I bought straw the other day to put in the guinea pigs hay box as bedding as they've now taken to peeing in there and Sakurai, the girl in the cosy in my avatar, took one bite and immediately spat it back out when she realised it wasn't hay and turned to eat the large lump of hay on top of it. I think she was offended it was in the hay box xD

Glad you let them know though. Sometimes I want to work in that store just so I know the guinea pigs will be ok x.x
 
Julesie said:
Wow o.O

I bought straw the other day to put in the guinea pigs hay box as bedding as they've now taken to peeing in there and Sakurai, the girl in the cosy in my avatar, took one bite and immediately spat it back out when she realised it wasn't hay and turned to eat the large lump of hay on top of it. I think she was offended it was in the hay box xD

Glad you let them know though. Sometimes I want to work in that store just so I know the guinea pigs will be ok x.x
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:)) How dare you Mummy!
 
Hopefully it was a new member of staff and they've been better educated now and it won't happen again.

Rosehip said:
I'm writing to PAH at the moment re my girls.... Don't tempt me on ranting! lol! x
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Is that where the two poorly girls you've got were from?
 
I can't believe they were that stupid! The staff shouldn't be allowed near the animals if they don't know how to look after them (I applied to work there once years ago and got told it would be months before I did anything other than shelf stocking etc so this is even more baffling!)

@Rosehip - I got two girls from P@H and after two weeks the one of them died of a heart problem that was in her genetics! I'll never get over losing her. The vet I took her to when she was ill said she'd come from bad stock and probably a rodent farm! He said he's seen so many guinea pigs from that store that had bad genes it was unbelievable. Stupidly I went back there to get a sister for my one remaining pig and when we got home I found she had a wound on her lip! I got her to the vet and luckily it cleared up and healed, the other girl I got originally and the new edition love one another and seem to be fine now at least but the lack of care of the people at pets at home has caused me a lot of pain, not to mention the stress and pain to the animals. I'll never get a guinea pig from them again! I shouldn't have in the first place but the other animals I've had from there have all been fine. I'm sorry you had a similar experience, it's horrible.

Sorry, rant over!

@Julsie - :)) I can just imagine the look on your girl's face when she realized it was straw and not hay! I'd be in trouble with my little ones for weeks if I did that!
 
This is terrible. You would think that working there they would know what to do.
 
Doesn't surprise me! Our beautiful piggy Stella was bought from there and already pregnant, and only 6 weeks old! Luckily all went well and we kept the two girls Nala and Kala unfortunately we had to give the boy to a rescue. My profile pick is them and my first post on here is all about them. Pets at home offered to have her back thru her pregnancy and keep the babies. At this time she had bonded with our other pig Luna and I said no as we think it would cause her stress, they said yes it probably would! They did say it was rare to buy a pregnant one from there! We all know that's not true don't we!
 
I imagine my suggestion won't go down well, but why don't guinea pig owner groups try to engage with the pet store to improve the conditions there? Start a dialog with the store manager; show them how to look after guinea pigs; encourage them to follow best practices. My feeling is that the problems everyone experiences are not because of deliberate mistreatment but just through lack of knowledge. These stores need to be educated and there are enough pet owners around to do that. The situation won't change by itself. Working with the stores increases the chances of a change.

Just my tuppence worth.
 
Don't get me started on pets at home!
Have you see as well how they so proudly advertise that to work in pets a home all there staff have to take 13 exams & read 5 books.. I often think that's aload of bull as they all seem completely clueless
 
My 3 came from there, when Chocolate died yesterday I rang them just to let them know out of courtesy and said it might just be one of those things but was making them aware, he said "would you like us to take a look at him"...... "look at what, he has passed away?" "we can dispose of him for you" I said "no thanks I want to bury him" they then said they were happy to offer me a replacement, I havent even thought about getting another one...........
 
@Shades I know what you mean, but people on here have emailed and personally spoke to petsathome on numerous occasions and no response. Our Input doesn't seem to make any difference. As they are such a big chain of pet stores, they should all know what they should be doing etc, not us to tell and inform them. People who don't know about poggies, bunnies etc rely on the people that work here for the correct information, and the store should be able to provide this.
 
Shades said:
...why don't guinea pig owner groups try to engage with the pet store to improve the conditions there? Start a dialog with the store manager; show them how to look after guinea pigs; encourage them to follow best practices. My feeling is that the problems everyone experiences are not because of deliberate mistreatment but just through lack of knowledge. These stores need to be educated and there are enough pet owners around to do that. The situation won't change by itself. Working with the stores increases the chances of a change.
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Personally the stores near me (3 of them) provide great in store care. The staff are knowledgeable. They are quick to get sick animals off sale and to the vet for treatment. If you buy an animal and it becomes sick, shortly after, they are quick to pay vets bills.

The main problem with pets at home is the source of the animals itself (worse than puppy farms) and the too small cage size recommendations they have signage up for. Obviously there are some stores that aren't run as well as others too, so knowledge may be lacking in those stores.
 
niklovesrats said:
My 3 came from there, when Chocolate died yesterday I rang them just to let them know out of courtesy and said it might just be one of those things but was making them aware, he said "would you like us to take a look at him"...... "look at what, he has passed away?" "we can dispose of him for you" I said "no thanks I want to bury him" they then said they were happy to offer me a replacement, I havent even thought about getting another one...........
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They were actually trying to do the right thing. Under the sale of goods act anything sold should be fit for purpose - this does actually apply to live animals too (although the whole thing, especially "fit for purpose", is a horrible way to speak about an animal). Therefore they should offer a replacement or refund. They probably offered to take him back because some people don't want to keep them and bury them.

From a friends experience, If they were bought recently, if you ask they would not only refund the cost of your little piggy whos gone to the bridge but would reimburse you for a full veterinary check up of the other two, at your own vet, and any other treatment required. Might be worth it to make sure the other two are definitely OK.
 
I have to say I live in close vicinity to 3 stores and the one I use does seem particularly good, the animals are always clean and I have always had a follow up call, 3 days after you buy an animal they phone just to check how everything is going. I havent taken them up on the offer of a replacement cause I dont feel ready at the moment
 
@RosieHardy

I've neither seen a Pets at Home advert nor been in one of their stores. But I do know that letting off steam on a forum won't change anything. My experience is that things can change through constructive dialogue. What is stopping a group of well-informed gp owners to get in touch with their local store manager; not only to highlight their concerns but also to guide the manager towards better animal welfare. there really is nothing to lose.
 
I understand you too. I know it's hard to build a trusting relationship with the store managers. Going in all guns blazing is not gonna work. Patience and persistence can pay off.

@Galaxy&nibbles
 
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