To be disgusted with Pets at home?

[MadHattersHat]

I had to pop in there yesterday to get some food. I had my toddler DD with me so we had a look around all the animals. We got to the adoption bit and there was a gorgeous brown rabbit there called Thumper - if I could have taken him home I would. He was so friendly and kept trying to reach up to us - really friendly. However, his water bowl was bone dry with what looked like remnants of what looked like straw.

I went over to one of the employees to let them know he was completely out and was rudely told: "Well, I'm a bit busy at the minute!"

Fair enough, they might have been busy - but they weren't swamped and there were about 3 of them working in the store. But I found their tone disgusting. They seriously don't care - despite what they like to say.

I just hope he did get his water. I feel awful that I wasn't able to take him. If I could, I would have in a heartbeat.

Trofast I completely agree that only neutered rabbits should be sold - anywhere - not just by them. I was unaware of the cage issue but, if that's true, then I agree with that too.

I should point out though that you can choose which animal charity to donate your VIP points to, they don't choose for you.

Sorry only read page 1.

I really like my local one too - staff really well trained, nearly all of them seem to actually own and love animals.

You are clearly very knowledgeable about rabbits and it doesn't sound quite right. Perhaps phone and just let the manager know.

It has been pointed out that they are going to be selling neutered animals.

Secondly why on earth should they have to neuter animals? It is the responsibility of pet owners! Once again irresponsible pet owners blame everybody else for their own inability to take fiscal responsibility for their own pets.

Grrr

LESuffolk what we're saying is that, in an ideal world, ONLY neutered rabbits would be sold, and of course the price would increase to reflect that, so the story wouldn't be 'subsidising' this as said above.

And the reason is that although of course everyone should take responsibility for neutering their pet, in reality there are a hell of a lot of feckless, irresponsible or lazy people out there, not to mention those that feel they can't afford it. So while it shouldn't be necessary to take the onus off the owners, in reality it would benefit the animals considerably if that is how it were done. This is why rescue centres never (as far as I know) rehome animals without neutering them first (providing of course that they are old enough).

'store' not 'story'

FWIW, I don't think it's every store - as I said, it could have been a one off but despite a feeding rota, an animal's water bowl shouldn't be able to get slow low that it's completely gone.

I have only ever bought one animal from PAH and that was one in the adoption bit because he was lone and was meant to be sold in a pair. But his brother had died. I felt sorry for him and he'd been there weeks. I kept going back to visit until I read up on his species.

Every other animal I've had has been a rescue. There's plenty out there in desperate need of homes so I'd much rather give an animal in dire need somewhere to call home rather than a baby. Just remember, they're not babies for long.

Totally agree catneuterer. Yes owners should be responsible but many aren't. Rabbits are attractive pets as they are 'cheap' to buy but veterinary costs are similar to those of cats, however a lot of owners are of the opinion that 'well it only cost a few quid, cheaper to replace than treat', same for all small furries.
If they were sold neutered at a higher cost then those less responsible owners would think twice about purchasing one.
Rabbits can get pregnant 24 hours after giving birth and produce up to 60 young per year.

My bunnies have cost way more than my cats.

Almost £300 a few weeks ago for a dislocatex hip.

Also have paid (different bunny) over £400 for an impacted bowel, £300+ for a brain parasite she had when I purchased her and about £250 after a fight with anothet bunny.

My cats (6 of them) have cost less than that betwedn them!!

"Our Syrian hammy has a smallish cage, but she goes into her ball a couple of hours a day and seems happy. She gets lots of cuddles and attention."
But expatinscotland how do you know that the hammy isn't thinking "WTF am I doing in this thing! How the f**k do I get out!?" when you put her in the ball? I've always thought they were horrible things; the animal has absolutely no choice in the matter does it.

"We LOVE Syrian hamsters"
But you keep them in "smallish" cages

Regarding PAH, any place that still sells bowls for fish is not a place "Where pets come first" as is their catch phrase!
This is just attrocious:
www.petsathome.com/shop/biorb-with-light-30ltr-silver-coldwater-aquarium-starter-kit-16397

No, actually I didn't realise I am being a vile oppressor by putting her in a ball, or having a smallish cage. She is a dearly loved pet.

what's wrong with bowls for fish?

LividofLondon I have a dog and do everything that I should; he gets loads of exercise, goes to doggy day care when I'm at work so socialises with other dogs, has great quality food, gets lots of mental stimulation through training toys and general training, loads of cuddles, rarely left alone, is fed good quality food, gets medical attention ASAP if needed etc. Yet, I have no idea what he thinks about his life and I never will!

my cats think 'food, sleep, wee, poo, food, water, cuddle, sleep, mouse, wee, poo, play, food sleep' I suspect

a few years back they did a vip rabbit sales - excuse the lack of capitals, i have my very demanding, cuddly little guinea-pig boy on my lap. and yes, he's a guinea from rescue but not a 'pets at home' guinea.

iirc the rabbits were sold ready neutered and innoculated.
brilliant.
except the age they were neutered at was way too young- but in order to sell them, they needed to be young

no idea what they sold for but i'd imagine it was ££

Our hammy climbs all over us. She is so tame! DD2 and I bond with her. She's a black hamster with a streak of white under her mouth and white/pink feet. So cute!

Its not fair to tar all the stores with the same brush, you need to contact your local store's manager explaining the problem. If he doesn't sort it, take it higher. Some stores are brilliant, some get away with substandards.

Hate the place, in fact anywhere that trades in the sale of animals.

Let's not forget that it is respected registered breeders who are responsible for the grotesquely deformed and genetically unstable dogs and cats we see today.

Not PAH.

P@H treat animals appallingly and frequently sell animals that are too young to be sold. Best friend has bought some tiny baby guinea pigs from there that were definitely too small to be sold (she bought them for their own safety tbh). One of them was a little boy kept all alone (very bad for guinea pigs, they are social animals and can get ill from loneliness) and he was really quiet and unhappy.

However, I think it probably varies - friend has since moved and their new local one is much better, animals of a good size and very lively. Guinea pigs popcorning is a good sign!

LESuffolk yes but P@H don't sell cats and dogs. They sell small animals/rodents and fish (do they sell birds at all?). They certainly use unreliable breeders of those animals.

Yy to Ninja and Velvet, small animals are seen as cheap and disposable and I think P@H cashes in on this. They also give deeply inaccurate info re guinea pigs' life expectancies, see here.

Small animals cost more in terms of medical care because their bodies are smaller and more fragile. Pregnancy can be extremely risky as well.

I have never had a problem with p@h.

I got my 2 gerbils from there, they are still heathy 2 years on. Told us how to take care of them and gave us loads of information. They are never board as they have loads of toys and are handled once the cat is sleeping. ( which is a new thing as I have only had her 2 weeks)

Same with the cat we have just had.

I'm sure some breeders have fucked up rabbits too. I seem to have seen some grotesquely over exaggerated characteristics lately.

There is no moral high ground to be had if you have brought any pet from somebody who sells for profit and breeds animals who have been perverted to suit human aesthetics.

Doesn't matter I suppose whether it is a rabbit, Degu or a dog.

gordy you absolutely cannot keep coldwater fish in a 30l tank. Certainly not goldfish! They create too much waste. Coldwater tanks are so difficult to keep healthy. They also sell a 15l coldwater starter kit :(

mine are all tropical with no more than 4 small fish in - they seem happy enough (mine even have a )