Horrible Pet Shop - Photos Included.

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squeakypigs

squeakypigs

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A couple of years a go, I went to this pet shop and I was absolutely disgusted with the way they keep their guinea pigs and rabbits. They keep all their rabbits and guinea pigs together in a cage and about 10+ guinea pigs/rabbits in a 2 guinea pig cage. I reported this place to the RSPCA after I had been there but heard nothing back.

The vets which we go to said that they had too reported this pet shop to the RSPCA but again they did nothing.

Me and my mum went in today (my mum hadn't been before) and it was just horrific. There was loads of guinea pigs and rabbits squashed together in a cage, with no food in some of the bowls. Some of the baby guinea pigs looked like they were 2 weeks old and were crammed in with huge rabbits.

One of the guinea pig's eye was in a bad way - my mum went up and asked if he was receiving treatement for it and after some hesitation they said he was getting treated. Not being convinced at what they were saying, my mum asked if we could have him and said we would carry on the treatment. They said that they only sell animals that are 100% and he was 99% (he was worse than 99%!) so he wasn't ready to go. He was living with other guinea pigs and rabbits and was out on show for everyone to see. My mum said she was experienced with guinea pigs and would carry on any treatment that he was on but they said that they couldn't give him to us. They took down my mum's number and said they would contact her when he is "ready". We think they acted like this as he don't believe he is receiving any treatment at all. The lady said he probably hurt his eye with the woodshavings so my mum told her about megazorb - her response was there they are not in their long enough to be changing bedding (that's what she was basically implying!)

Later on, I went back in but took a friend. We went over to the guinea pigs and rabbits and the cages still had no food in them. (This was couple of hours later!) I asked my friend to go up and ask if she could have him but noticed that a sign had been placed on the cage saying he was already sold - hmmm suspicious? Have they put the sign there to stop people from trying to buy him till he is treated or have they put "sold" because my mum expressed an interest?

I took some pictures of the place as I was absolutely disgusted with the way they keep their animals. The only thing that I can say is that the cages were clean.

What do you think?

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No food in bowl - there was no food in the bowl when I went back hours later

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We went to another place after which wasn't as bad as this one but the enclosures they were kept in were absolutely filthy! We took some pictures of that place too but I will upload them on another thread.
 
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I say this should be taken to the council and local papers - bet they would do something then! I have to say, I am pretty disappointed with the RSPCA!
 
That is awful! What about trading standards. I would take this photographs to the RSPCA and demand something is done. I don't know if that would work. That first pig looks penned in by the bunnies!

The cages may be clean but woodshavings isn't ideal and where is the hay to eat, I know some is on the floor but most pigs won't eat like that.

I also feel pet shops should declare when asked where they get their animals from. But thats another matter.

I wouldn't let this rest though! That is just awful, go to the local rag! Even the worst one here isn't that bad! :(

x
 
Why dont you start a petition and take it to your local MP someone did that to a pet shop around here for their treatment of birds. They were eventually taken seriously by the RSPCA and the birds were removed and they were checked on a regular basis for all new livestock.

know its hard work but there are enough of us on here alone to make an impact as well as barmy4 boars and other non related sites would jump all over this.

Start a facebook page all the animal lovers on there will seeth.

It shouldnt take a week to get the signatures you need x
 
Facebook is a great idea. There is an australian facebook page for this sort of thing but don't think there is one in the UK.
 
contact trading standards! rspca are powerless when it comes to pet shops!
 
Those photos ... particularly that first one has sent shivers down my spine. It was awful! :(:(

Well done to you for taking those photos. If the RSPCA don't act on that information, well what would they act on? Actually they would probably say that the cages are clean so wouldn't take it any further.

I hope that the piggy with the eye problem is ok. Whereabouts do you live squeakypigs?
 
I live in Warwickshire however this pet shop is not in Warwickshire but close by! I don't want to say the name of the pet shop on a public forum incase I get in trouble and jepordise anything that can be done to help.
 
squeakypigs said:
I live in Warwickshire however this pet shop is not in Warwickshire but close by! I don't want to say the name of the pet shop on a public forum incase I get in trouble and jepordise anything that can be done to help.
Click to expand...

You are right in not saying the name ... just wondered if I was anywhere nearby to help.
But unfortunately not ... too far down South.

Hope the RSPCA do something but if they house and then sell piggies and rabbits like that, then they will just buy more in and do the same.
Really bad!
 
That's awful :( Those poor piggies :( I don't have any more advice as it's already been given
 
I will e-mail their local newspaper with the pictures and will write to the local authority. If the Council knew this had gone to the papers, they would be quick to intervene (I would like to think!)
 
this is worse than the other one. what a distressing days you've had. I would have thought the council could do something about this. It would be interesting to find out who is selling them the animals in the first place. In my opinion animals being kept in these conditions are as much the responsibilty of the breeder as the petshop.
 
You already know how disgusted I am - its so sad for the poor animals as they are the ones who suffer because of idiot pet shop owners - really makes my blood boil!
 
OMG I am so sad by these photo's 8...8...8...8...8... I suggest that you either take the photo's to the RSPCA and if they do nothing about it, take them to your local paper and council
 
This was so much worse than I had imagined. I so wanted to get the piggy with the poorly eye out of there. In a way I just wish I had asked to buy him rather than questioned them about his eye first. Once I had asked about the eye, and they had said they were treating it, I feel I jeopardised any chance I had of getting him out. They said I could have him once he was 'ready' and that his eye needed to be sorted first. I said I would take him and continue his treatment, but they weren't having any of it. Quite clearly there was no treatment, and obviously I would have been asking for the drops they had been giving him. I know some people would say I was wrong in wanting to take him from there, because they will only replace him with another one, but he needs proper treatment.

This place needs reporting, and Ellie and I will be doing everything we can to ensure they are investigated and if it means going to the local papers etc then that is what we will do. What I found really distressing was the amount of people looking around these cages, showing the animals to their children and seemed oblivious to the awful conditions they were being kept in.
 
petshops

i would complain again to the rspca and if they did nothing i would go to the papers with the photos and tell themn the rspca did nothing and maybe they will go with you to the rspca, council, petshop to see for themselves and to hear their story.
i agree with what sokel said on the other thread spot checks should be done and catch these shops and the conditions they keep these poor animals in.
what is it with vets and petshops all they think about is the money and not the welfare of the animals, just makes you fed up and sick!grrrrgrrrrgrrrr
good luck with this one too, please keep us posted:)p:)p:)p
 
geeeeeeeeez this is blurry awful (I'm so trying not to say anything wrong here..) i'm crying at the same time, those poor little furries OMG it's just terrible living conditions 8...8...
I hope you guys can get something done and save these poor little defenceless buns and piggies 8...

Deb i'll pm you x
 
Hi Ellie, sorrry I missed this up until now. It is completely and utterly illegal to keep that many animals in that amount of space. Pet shops here have to comply with the Pet Animals Act 1951 and the stocking density/dimensions are as follows...

animalspace.jpg
https://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y2/daftscotslass/animalspace.jpg

It says juvenile stock but for adult stock the dimensions must be doubled. It states this quite clearly in the act. They must comply with this to meet the conditions for a livestock license.

You'll get nowhere with the RSPCA - I would get on the phone to the council on Monday and demand something be done - they can shirk off a letter but not when you want to talk to them in person! Environmental health usually are the ones that issue the licences. Here are some other bits of ammo for you. All from the Pet Animals Act...

With regards to the health of the animals (particularly the one receiving treatment).

"All stock for sale must be in good health and free from obvious parasitic infestation as far as can be reasonably determined without veterinary inspection."​

With regards to the food (or lack thereof)​

"Animals must be supplied with adequate amounts of food and drink, appropriate to their needs, and at suitable intervals."​


Will add anything else as I find it. This makes me furious!​
 
why the f--- don't the rspca do something?! they are almost useless sometimes. Poor buns and pigs, its disgusting and at the very least they should've had food. Did they have any water?
 
starla said:
why the f--- don't the rspca do something?! they are almost useless sometimes. Poor buns and pigs, its disgusting and at the very least they should've had food. Did they have any water?
Click to expand...

They're not a law enforcement agency and have no power to actually close the place down. They can advise but the buck stops with the local authority, not them.
 
aw that is terrible, its really upsetting.

I think its right that the RSPCA cannot do anything, I would definately contact Trading Standards regarding it, as soon as possible.
 
I honestly can't believe this...... you need to ask yourself why nothing has been done by others. You should be proud of yourself that you took the pics and will follow this through. xx
 
Its the local council who hand out the pet shop licence that need to be contacted and trading standards RSPCA don't have any legal duristiction with pet shops
 
Thanks for all that info Lorna. I'll be phoning the council first thing tomorrow morning. I will also put my complaint in writing too, I'll tell them that unless something is done, and quick, then we will be sending the pics to the local newspaper. In fact I think its going to be worth getting the newspaper involved anyway.
 
Only just seen this thread. Its awful poor little loves in such a small space.

Hope they get stopped from keeping animals.

Let us know how you both get on.

Lindsayx
 
Just a quick update! Have contacted the county council who gave me the following information:-

The keeping and running of a pet shop is controlled by the Pet Animals Act 1951.
No person may keep a pet shop unless they have first obtained a licence from their Local Authority.
Licenses for pet shops may be issued provided the applicant is not disqualified under any of the following Acts:
The Pet Animals Act 1951.
The Animal Boarding Establishments Act 1963.
The Protection of Animals (Amendment ) Act 1954.
The Protection of Animals (Cruelty to Dogs) (Scotland) Act 1934.
There is an application fee which must be paid at the time the application is made.
Where a licence is granted that licence and any subsequent licence will expire on the 31st December of the year to which it relates and must be renewed before that date if the premises are to continue as a pet shop.

I have been asked me to put my concerns in writing and have been told who I should send it to. We will be including the photographic evidence.

I have today phoned the pet shop regarding the piggy with the badly infected eye, as they have told me I am allowed to have him once he is 'ready'. When enquiring about him at around 1 pm this afternoon I was told 'we haven[t got round to checking him yet today, but once we do we will call you and let you know when he is likely to be ready'. I've received no call so can only presume nobody has bothered to check on his eye. Surely if he was receiving treatment he would require drops to be administered regularly. I will phone again in the morning!
 
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