We’re thinking about merging this section, what do you think?

[MichaelMumsnet]

Hi all,
We’re doing some work on making the Talk boards more useful and user-friendly for both regular and new users. After looking at some stats for the site, we think we could boost activity on the whole by merging some of the lesser used sections.

We’re proposing to fold the topics in this section into the Pets area.

This should increase the number of topics in the section - and hopefully lead to more posts and responses to members.

What do you think?

It can take a while to get a reply in here but at least when you do its from people who know guinea pigs or rats etc I'm happy to wait for good advice/support rather than poor advice from cat/dog/fish etc owners. Plus if noone answers in Pets the thread will get lost down the page but at least in here it stays near the top.

No, I think there's sufficient traffic to keep a separate board

I'd prefer this as a separate sections. Guinea pigs, rabbits etc are completely different from other pets and have specific needs. Knowledge and understanding of rabbits and guinea pigs has really improved in recent years amongst vets but not so much the general public.

Keep with a dedicated small pets topic.

Bad idea. As everyone else has said, a merged pet section would be less user-friendly.

I also think this section is better as a separate section. Small pets are very specialised!

There isn't anything wrong with a section being quieter when it means more specialist advice.
I think it should stay as it is.

Keep it as it is, please.