Many dog lovers know that its best to steer away from buying dogs from pet stores, mainly because of the condition they are kept in before selling the dogs and also because of the behavioral problems that may arise, but what about other pets? Do you think its still wrong to buy pets such as hamsters, snakes, fish, etc from the pet store from which we wouldn't consider buying a dog? If you think its wrong where else would you think is better to buy these pets from? If you think its alright, why?

Just curious, thought this would be a good discussion topic

DeeOhGee's guinea pig came from the local shelter. They had several. Rabbits, snakes, rats, hamsters and ferrets too. At least one of the local pet stores either raises their own or buys them locally when the babies are born in someone's home. Chinchilla's are often raised on crappy farms but as far as I know the other animals are not.

Ann wrote:

DeeOhGee's guinea pig came from the local shelter. They had several. Rabbits, snakes, rats, hamsters and ferrets too. At least one of the local pet stores either raises their own or buys them locally when the babies are born in someone's home. Chinchilla's are often raised on crappy farms but as far as I know the other animals are not.

Ya I was wondering how that situation went like... I mean I don't believe there is an over population of small animals (like ferrets) but its always possible for insensitive jerks to try to expand their profit by not having good areas to keep them.

Actually, there is an overpopulation as far as those being kept as pets. There were 5 ferrets at the shelter, and 14 hamsters. They told me that very few of these animals get adopted. Most are euthanized. That word really doesn't fit what happens in a shelter. They're killed, plain and simple. People get these animals at pet stores but then decide they're too much bother.

Ann wrote:

Actually, there is an overpopulation as far as those being kept as pets. There were 5 ferrets at the shelter, and 14 hamsters. They told me that very few of these animals get adopted. Most are euthanized. That word really doesn't fit what happens in a shelter. They're killed, plain and simple. People get these animals at pet stores but then decide they're too much bother.

I guess its the same problem everywhere

I wouldn't buy any pets from a pet store because they are probably all treated a bit poorly ...if one is, especially dogs and cats, then why think a guinea pig would be any different.

great topic for discussion!

I would always look at shelters first and adopt

schnauzkyLVR wrote:

I wouldn't buy any pets from a pet store because they are probably all treated a bit poorly ...if one is, especially dogs and cats, then why think a guinea pig would be any different.

great topic for discussion!

I would always look at shelters first and adopt

Shelters and rescues are probably the place I'd go. I haven't seen any around here though, so thats why I didn't know that they took in animals of all shapes and sizes! But now I do!