Well, I certainly didn't come onto the forum to start an argument or get into a pet shop debate. I only wanted to state a fact, because people seemed to be getting confused between the two companies.
Though as certain points have been brought up, I had might as well address them...
Why do healthy animals need probiotics? There is no cavy owner or vet that I know that would recommend using them routinely.
The probiotic used is Pro C -
Pro C probiotic.
It is to ensure healthy gut flora and is designed for routine use (I guess a bit like Yakult in people), rather than a 'veterinary strength' probiotic. Because the animals are likely to get a bit stressed from moving house, it helps to support their digestion and try and ensure they don't suffer any problems. It's trying to minimise the chances of a problem occurring, rather than waiting until the problem arises.
Are they intolerant of the rubbish that they are fed?
I don't know, it depends on your personal opinions of guinea excel, timothy hay and fresh veggies.
we have also reported escaped birds in stores with staff who have simply said 'I know' on more than one occasion
Absolutely. There is nothing else they would be able to do at that point in time. If a bird escapes, there is no point chasing it around the store when there are customers walking in and out of the doors all the time...if it is being chased, it would be more likely to fly around and injure itself. The usual mode of retrieving a loose bird is to wait until night time, then leave the light on in one room when everything else is dark. The bird usually then flies to the light room and can be caught. It is not a simple exercise trying to catch a bird in a large shop! Chasing it during the day will just stress it out and likely increase the chance of injury. When a staff member has been told by about 10 people that there is a bird loose, there really isn't a lot else to say...although they could have been a bit more tactful with their choice of words. I personally would say 'yes we know, but thanks for pointing it out'
Why are solitary species of animal like Syrian hamsters housed in a tank in groups?
Because they are still youngsters - they are not normally aggressive to one another when just weaned, so they are able to live together at that stage in their life. However, they aren't sold in pairs! That would just result in a massacre!
reported rabbits hellbent on happily whizzing around the cage unwittingly terrorizing huddled bunches of piggies and knocking into them as they scoot past them
This is why all the rabbits runs have to contain guinea pigs houses for them, and why the company is refitting the stores with separate runs so these problems do not occur.
have reported filthy water bottles in the animal pens to the staff
If these were green, it would have been the probiotic.
Why are some of the animals "reduced to clear" when the store can't shift them?
This shouldn't really be happening, it is not a company guideline to do so... that's obviously something going wrong at store level, rather than company-wide.
Why was a member of staff allowed to sell a cage stated on the shelf as suitable for 2 guinea pigs for 4?
Did somebody say to the staff member 'yes, I allow you to do that'? That is basically retardation on the staff members part. The COMPANY stated it was suitable for two. The idiot member of staff ignored their guidance. Therefore said member of staff should be complained about, and hopefully disciplined.
I honestly have no time for some of the moronic staff members who work there. But the point that I am trying to make is that the company as a whole is better in it's outlook...i.e. new policies etc. And i'm sure they would be more than happy to come down hard on the imbecilic staff who think it's ok to ignore them!
