I got Thea from a petshop as were the 6 or so hammies I had as a kid all were fine one lived to 3 years old. But with Thea it was more I'd been thinking about getting one for a while and she was too cute. I had no idea there were other places to get them outside of petshops before this forum

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Owned by Buster cairn terrier/australian cattle dog mix, Silas rough collie/alaskan malamute mix, Sophie Goldendoodle, Max Bouvier de Flandres, Damien moggie, Leo bunny, Thea syrian hamster and a tropical aquarium

I agree that this is wrong and that it shouldnt happen, but i also think that trying to get these places shut down is a bit of a dream although yes it would be great!
However if you are going to start a petition i think it would be better to take baby steps and maybe petition for laws on better living conditions! Its difficult and people do need to be educated. I had no idea about P@H getting rats that came from places like this and i dont think they know what kind of conditions the rats come from (im saying this after a convo i had with an employee of P@H). I also have to say that i dont think all of these farms are going to be this awful and that this is an extreme. I do think that this is wrong and that the animals need better living conditions.

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Syrian Hamster - Bubbles
2 Rats - Dini and Custard

I also think that if people shut down UK based farms then shops are going to start importing rats from other countries! Have people thought what that would do to the rats! Bringing my rats home was stressful enough for them let alone transporting them across countries, rats would die, breed and become even more unhealthy! I think it would be a much better option to campaign for laws for better treament etc as you would see more and better results!

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Syrian Hamster - Bubbles
2 Rats - Dini and Custard

Better living conditions are a good start but that still doesn't improve the genetic health of the animals, just their quality of life. What would be ideal is if the shops supplied by rodent farms were not allowed to sell animals anymore, unless they were being supplied by a licensed small breeder or something? I know that shutting down pet farms in the UK wouldn't solve all issues but it would certainly be a step.

The main way to go about it in my mind is to encourage people to buy from responsible, ethical breeders. Not to buy animals from pet shops and to, if possible, buy equipment from pet shops that do not sell animals atall. I breed rats and I offer a delivery service for a small fee if someone wants an animal off me but cannot reach me because of distance. I encourage potential buyers to come in and look at my rats, handle them, look at vet health certificates, handle the babies and ask me any questions atall. Not something you bcan do in a pet shop really because the plebs there will tell you anything just to make a quick sale.

Peace
Akai-Chan

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Akai - Chan i will be coming to you next time i get some rats! after seeing those pictures really opened my eyes! HOw much do you sell your rats for if you dont mind me asking

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Syrian Hamster - Bubbles
2 Rats - Dini and Custard

Mine are £10 each and they come with a weeks supply of food if you need to switch over and my support for all of their lifetime if you have any questions

Peace
Akai-Chan

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That is awful the way those poor rattys are kept
If I was able to get my rattys off you I would, but I'm too far
Three of my rats came from a rat rescue but the other six were from a pet shop I don't know if the pet shops here get there rats from a hellish hole like that or not, but I hope not.

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Mum to Archie,Wilma,Cindy,Leni,Simon, Blossom, Petal, Angel and Harry my precious rattys, and Gypsy,Gracie,Georgia and Sarah my precious felines
Pets are Gods way of apologising for our family.

very useful. thanks