Where's the best place to buy gerbils?

[Dancergirl]

Thinking of buying a couple of gerbils, where's the best place to buy? Can someone explain what's wrong with pets at home?

[Dancergirl]

Anyone?

[issynoho]

As I understand, PAH use mass breeders, aren't as concerned for welfare if their animals (have seen gerbils without room to burrow, etc), animals can turn out to be much older than as sold, health problems, etc.

We got our gerbs from a local garden centre pet section. Still not ideal - would have liked a small-scale home breeder, but staff were knowledgeable, animals healthy, bright-eyed.

Have you got a local independent pet shop? Gumtree sometimes useful too.

[RattieofCatan]

A breeder preferably, but small local shops may sometimes stock from small breeders. Re P@H, they buy from mass breeders who are horrendous, when I get home tomorrow I'll dig out a link to an info page on it, it is about rats but gerbils are kept in similar conditions. They're usually kept in tiny boxes until they are old enough to sell. Whilst the quality of shops vary, it's rare for them to recommend suitable living accommodation for the animals they sell, the staff aren't very knowledgeable about the animals and often give bad, dudd and occasionally dangerous advice.
I always recommend asking on my local rat breeders fb page about rodents, there are people all over the country on there and whilst it is rat centric there are many people who own other rodents on there. If you're on fb, search for Fugly Rats and Rodent Rescue, it's a closed group but they will add you quickly usually. Somebody on there may know of a gerbil breeder near to you (if you're in Sussex my breeder has them often, usually rescues but some little ones too).

[Dancergirl]

Thanks, have found Fugly Rats etc on Facebook, will try them.

That's shocking about mass breeders I had no idea.

[issynoho]

Oh, had forgotten about the shit advice on homes! Gerbils chew EVERYTHING so the best containers are glass fish tanks. They would chew and wreck plastic, which is obvs dangerous for them to swallow, cut mouthsmouths, escape, etc. What is PaH gerbilarium made from? Plastic.

[Dancergirl]

That's interesting. I did like the look of the PAH gerbilarium. What about a cage with metal bars?

[issynoho]

Bugger, just typed a long reply and lost it.

Basically, metal is bad for their teeth, mouths and feet. And they will flick sawdust through bars, meaning more cleaning up.

Best option without spending £££ is old glass fish tank filled 2/3 full with sawdust and lid with ventilation, like homemade wire job.

Lots of good advice on forums, esp US ones.