Pet stores: opinion. Please read :)

cavylover2002

cavylover2002

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Hello.

I would like to discuss a topic recently brought up here on the forum. Some forum members are bothered that other newer members talk about their pet store bought guinea pigs, either presently or in the past because they believe it is wrong to mention pet stores here on this forum, while intentional breeding should never be provoked, as stated in the forum rules.

On the one hand, pet stores are not a good choice for buying guinea pigs. There is always the possibility your guinea pig will come from a horrible breeding mill. Pet stores also can mix guinea pigs with rabbits, risking the fact that rabbits can transfer deadly diseases to guinea pigs. If you buy a pair of pigs at a store, this can be risky, as employees often missex and you could end up with a pregnant pig and be unable to take care of the babies. On the other hand, there are many reasons people may buy from a store. They may be unaware of what breeders they are supporting through the store. Guinea pig rescues can be scarce in the area they live in. Guinea pig rescues might also not have the age + sex they are looking for, so they are unable to adopt from that specific rescue. You may feel inclined to buy from a store if you see a guinea pig that is sickly or lonely. It is also possible that when you buy from a store, you just saved your pig from being snake food.

I got my first pig, Ginger, as a rescue. He was dumped on my porch in a box. A phone number was on the box and I contacted the very person who left him. Turned out to be a breeder. They agreed to give me a birth certificate to make it up to me for the fact that they just dumped him (I later found out they missexed Ginger and claimed he was a sow, hence my first thread posted: IS MY SECOND GUINEA PIG A BOY OR GIRL? ). But, my Buttercup was from a ‘pet supplies plus" store in the USA. I unexpectantly went to buy bedding and ended up taking him with me. But before that happened, I spent two weeks trying so hard to find a rescue with a 4 month old pig the same age as Ginger. I had two rescues near me that had guinea pigs but all were the opposite gender and they happen to be adults. There was only three pigs at each rescue, not many at all. I started feeling pressured, as Ginger had started to be alone for sometime now and I felt he could be happier. That is how I ended up with a store bought pig. And I love Buttercup, I wouldn’t trade him for any pig in the world. He is the greatest lil guy.

I would just like to clarify that you should never feel ashamed if you’ve bought from a store. It’s awesome if you’ve rescued. The forum is here to encourage rescuing and our forum members should never NOT give helpful advice, only because someone bought from a store. Circumstances vary and it’s not always possible. I do think it would be sad if someone had the opportunity to adopt from a reliable rescue, but decided to reject that animal. My point is, all guinea pigs deserve to have a great loving home. They were not asked to be bred and put in pet stores, where their welfare is not always thought of and it is not their fault they are there in the first place. I am the last person to ever want to purposely support cruelty, as all our members are. I do believe rodent mills exist as much as puppy mills do. Adopt if you are able to and always follow your heart.
 
:agr:

Well put, cavylover2002! I would just like to add that for some of us, adopting is not even an option. In my province in Canada, there are no guinea pig rescues, and most SPCAs here focus primarily on cats and dogs. While other kinds of pets do end up in these SPCAs, it's very uncommon.

That is why I felt I had very little choice when I purchased my first two pigs, Bliss and Cuddles, from a pet store. For me, it was actually a much safer choice than relying on the local classifieds, which was where I got my third pig, Frolic. Due to her ill-informed, irresponsible and abusive previous owner, she was pregnant when I got her. One of the babies didn't make it. I'm just so lucky she didn't have any other major health problems. Yes, I did a good thing, taking Frolic away from that terrible place. But one could argue that I, with my naiveté and good intentions, unknowingly at the time enabled this person who could very well be a backyard breeder. She still had many male and female guinea pigs, which she could easily breed again. Because of this experience, I'm highly hesitant to adopt this way again.

From what I understand about my town's only pet store, it's a decent enough place, and certainly better than some of the terrible pet stores I've read about. Besides, it's not like many of us have much of a choice here, sadly. Adopting would mean travelling halfway across the country, which is beyond my means.
 
I agree all piggies deserved a loving home, they don’t choose to be born. Animal shelters do a fantastic job re-homing rescues and in an ideal world should be your first port of call. But location and other situations don’t always make that a possibility.
my two boys came from a hobby breeder, very well cared for, lovely cages, even put out on grass in runs but I did not know this at the time. They were just listed in the local paper, 2 baby boars looking for loving home! I assumed it family pets. I was new to the area, didn’t know there was an animal shelter 20 miles away, would have gone there x but then I adore my two so win win x
 
Although I agree buying from pets stores is not always the right choice, I disagree with what you said. I have never personally witnessed anyone on the forum intentionally not giving helpful advice to someone with store-bought piggies. Many people do tell new-owners to stay away from pet stores in the future and to watch out for mis-sexing or diseases, but I do not feel someone has ever been shamed or berated.
 
I can't rehome piggies from a rescue as mine are outside and in a double decker hutch both of which my local rescue doesn't like. My piggies however love their hutch scurry up and down the ramp like nobody's business and are kept warm in the winter when it is cold outside. They are happy, healthy well adjusted guinea pigs who are looked after well and are loved. Just because you buy piggies from a shop instead of getting them from a rescue does not mean they will be forgotten about in a grotty hutch, sad and unloved at the bottom of a garden and only thrown food when the owner remembers. There are reasons why people don't adopt from a rescue.
 
Betsy said:
I can't rehome piggies from a rescue as mine are outside and in a double decker hutch both of which my local rescue doesn't like. My piggies however love their hutch scurry up and down the ramp like nobody's business and are kept warm in the winter when it is cold outside. They are happy, healthy well adjusted guinea pigs who are looked after well and are loved. Just because you buy piggies from a shop instead of getting them from a rescue does not mean they will be forgotten about in a grotty hutch, sad and unloved at the bottom of a garden and only thrown food when the owner remembers. There are reasons why people don't adopt from a rescue.
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My boys have always loved their two storey run with hayloft. Ramps have never been a problem for them, they love being outside on the lawn it’s their favourite place to be. In summer they are out from 8 till 8. I always kept my previous piggies outside all year and they were very healthy and happy and well cared for, they definitively grow a thicker coat for winter x
 
I genuinely don’t know what you have been reading. There is plenty of encouragement to adopt not shop before piggies have been purchased but once they are home there is no difference in how owners are responded to.

The only exception to this is when there is a suspicion of intentional breeding or withholding medical care when members are clearly riled.

Sorry. Great sentiment but you really are barking up the wrong tree.
 
I think some people have misunderstood the op's post. I can't see any mention of forum members not being helpful when a piggy has come from a pet shop. I think they are just clarifying their opinion that this should not be a barrier to someone coming to this forum for friendship and support.

As with everything in life, individuals need to make their own choices. There are bad pet shops and some not so bad, there are bad breeders and some not bad, there are some awful rescues, some good and some exceptional. I have before adopted a piggy from a "rescue" only to find out she was bred in the rescue in the hope of a companion for the mum. Sadly the mum died giving birth but left two boys and a girl needing a home. I have also taken in a baby from a breeder that I have had lengthy discussions with, wasn't annoyed with me asking about length of time between litters for the mum's etc, have seen the full set up and who contacted me asking for photos etc to check she was settling in. Looking at those two examples I would not hesitate to buy from that particular breeder again but I have never gone near the "rescue" ever again.

The forum is focussed predominantly on the welfare of the piggies whose slaves come here. We have not turned anyone away or been less than welcoming because someone has purchased from a pet store or breeder. In fact, we have not turned people away who are dealing with health problems as a result of intentional breeding, instead we prefer the route of trying to educate and help people to make sensible decisions going forward. Again this is done for the welfare of the animals.

The only no tolerance we have is actively discussing intentional breeding and using the pregnancy section to support their intentional breeding.
 
Just to clarify, I never said members have purposes picked on others because their pigs were purchased at stores. But I want to make sure it never happens. This is a very wonderful supporting forum-very happy we support one another.
 
Tigermoth said:
I genuinely don’t know what you have been reading. There is plenty of encouragement to adopt not shop before piggies have been purchased but once they are home there is no difference in how owners are responded to.

The only exception to this is when there is a suspicion of intentional breeding or withholding medical care when members are clearly riled.

Sorry. Great sentiment but you really are barking up the wrong tree.
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You might be unaware, but we recently lost a member on the forum who thought that talking about pet store pigs should of been banned and they left because people on here have been. I thought it was unfortunate that they were unaware of how some members do not have the opportunity to adopt. I just had to clarify some things so more members don't feel this way. I have seen this on other forums too, so yes, it does happen. But I'm glad I've made peace with this specific topic because it bothered me terribly :)
 
One other thing, a lot of pigs in rescues came from pet stores. When a child wants a guinea pig, the parents buy one from a pet store, and when the kid gets bored, the pig gets dumped at a rescue. The other pigs are usually results of unintentional breeding. All of my pigs are from rescues, two were previous pet store pigs and the other went from rescue to rescue since he was a baby and his first home accidentally put a male and female pig together.
 
Basicly, rescues are open because of pet stores and pet stores are in business because of breeders, stop the breeders and it all ends, but we love guinea pigs, so the only solution is to only have responsible top quality breeders with a license and regular checks,where you visit them to get a guinea pig, that havnt been mass inbred. Simples😉.

What would work i think, is for good rescues to breed good quality guinea pigs and also take in unwanted ones still, But i think the inbreeding has gone way too far already, how can it start from scratch again? I dont see how
 
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These post conflict each other as all ways of getting a piggie are covered.
I personally have adopt piggies had 2 pigs given on the promise if I didn't take that be PTS. One of them is Mrs Dougal.
I just feel whateva circumstance that animal is in your presence it has 0% control over that.
We all have opinions and I've been asked to leave a pet store because I voiced mine.
I'm no expert at all but I suffer from ill informed people who only care about money and profit..
Until a piggie tells me different I keep mine. Remember if each day we make 1 person smile. . then the world is a better place and you helped.
 
I think it’s about time people gave a bit more thought as to why they want a piggie and are they truly committed to having that piggie for possibly 8 years, long after the novelty wears off and vet bills creep in x It’s this throwaway society that’s to blame mainly, pet shops and breeders are supplying a demand driven by the general public!
 
denverguineas said:
After my most recent vet visit withe the boys, people around me kept saying "If you didn't have those nasty rodents, you would have more money." While it is true that I would have a lot more money without the pigs, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now with my three 'nasty rodents'.
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I have friends who give me why. . .etc. vet bills etc. Then one time I reminded him his dog. (puppy pug) cost about £1400 and bills oh and new carpet as the cute pup had bottom trouble. And now daughter who moans till she gets what she wants now lost intrest in dog.
Piggies 1
Doggy 0.
 
denverguineas said:
After my most recent vet visit withe the boys, people around me kept saying "If you didn't have those nasty rodents, you would have more money." While it is true that I would have a lot more money without the pigs, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now with my three 'nasty rodents'.
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There is a debate that guinea pigs are not rodents 😉
 
denverguineas said:
After my most recent vet visit withe the boys, people around me kept saying "If you didn't have those nasty rodents, you would have more money." While it is true that I would have a lot more money without the pigs, I wouldn't be as happy as I am now with my three 'nasty rodents'.
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The same rule goes for everything.

My parents would have had alot more money if i wasnt born.

I would have alot more money if i didnt have a mortgage, and quite a new one at that.

I would have alot more money if i didnt eat so much

I dont see a point to the persons comment.

Shall we all jus give up on what interests us or keeps us happy and just die?
 
SkyPipDotBernie said:
The same rule goes for everything.

My parents would have had alot more money if i wasnt born.

I would have alot more money if i didnt have a mortgage, and quite a new one at that.

I would have alot more money if i didnt eat so much

I dont see a point to the persons comment.

Shall we all jus give up on what interests us or keeps us happy and just die?
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Agree! I've come across a much milder form of this attitude, but you can compare it to people who like designer clothes, or a coffee shop coffee, or going to the pub every week. None of these are necessary, but everyone has that thing that is worth it to them.
 
Nassala said:
Agree! I've come across a much milder form of this attitude, but you can compare it to people who like designer clothes, or a coffee shop coffee, or going to the pub every week. None of these are necessary, but everyone has that thing that is worth it to them.
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O god, designer clothes lol. Walking around advertising for huge companies that use slave labour in china and other countries. But if they enjoy the quality then so be it
 
@cavylover2002 I like your post that started this thread.
I’m sorry if the original thread and loss of a member has upset you.
I hope that now we can draw a line under this matter and be grateful that in a forum that spans so many members in so many countries and of all ages and circumstances there is so rarely disagreement that descends to discourtesy and distress
 
Merab's Slave said:
@cavylover2002 I like your post that started this thread.
I’m sorry if the original thread and loss of a member has upset you.
I hope that now we can draw a line under this matter and be grateful that in a forum that spans so many members in so many countries and of all ages and circumstances there is so rarely disagreement that descends to discourtesy and distress
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Thank you. I agree :)
 
All pigs are descendants of shop pigs one way or another. It’s a shame that most pet shops see all their wonderful animals as stock to neglect and give ill advice for and I wish we had better laws for them etc but I’d hate for it to create a divide on this lovely forum.

I’d always recommend a good rescue and never a pet shop, however I wouldn’t be rude to someone who bought from a pet shop. Pretty much how this forum is really, from the years I’ve been on here on and off.

It reminds me of the dog rescue debates I always seem to end up in about rescuing abroad instead of at home. At the end of it all people try and do what they think is right, it’s just not everyone’s version of right. And as people have said, it’s hard to think of what happens to the pigs left behind in pet shops... That’s why I can never go in ones that sell animals.
 
I see it like this, i dont think bad of people who buy new stock pets from pet shops, they are almost always people who dont know about rescues, i do get a bit annoyed when people buy new stock pets because they want them for a longer time, this isnt right to me. And i do like adopting from pets at home adoption section, thats as close as i will go with pet shops. But saying that, now i know more about rescuing, i will do that from now on, be it a 1 year old pig or a 7 year old pig

My first two boars i actually rescued from a primary school myself, and my current two pigs Dot and Bernie are from the pets at home adoption part👍
 
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