It's a never-ending story really. I am totally against pet shops selling animals the shop I got the rat from was really horrible there were so many kittens, puppy's and every kind of small animal you can imagine all in awful conditions........

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"Life is not about how many breathes you take, but about the moments that take your breath away"

If they're really bad report them to the local authority, they can revoke their license to sell animals

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Hot topic eh!

I'm one of those awful individuals who will purchase from a pet shop where I know the animals are bred by the owners/staff, and done so in a manner I find acceptable. I also make a habit of not buying from shops where staff exhibit absolutely no passion for the animals they stock, i'm not expecting experts in every species, but at least an active interest in small furries, or a love for birds, obsession with fish, something, anything, other than some of the lack luster creatures who refuse to handle the poor creatures!

I remember some photos were taken by a rat breeder of a large commercial business that sold small furries to pet shops, and as appalling as those photos were it simply made me determined to find those few, far flung shops which were basically using the shop as a front for their hobby breeding. Perhaps not individuals who exhibit their animals, but ones who keep records, who care, the ones who are truly horrified whenever you dare insinuate that they keep their rats in the sort of systems found in large scale feeder breeders. As strange as it may seem I have been to shops where contracts similar to those drawn up in the rat fancy exist, and when faced with having to come back, show pictures of the cage (including measurements) and discuss how they intend to keep the rats (or any small furry...) many exit. True, they usually go to one of the plentiful first come, first serve shops, but people like that will always exist.

Anyway.

In recent years, as i've aged and realised i'm far more interested in companionship that show/breeding potential and found myself perfectly happy to cuddle up to the lumpy, bumpy, not-quite perfect rescue fuzzbum i've drifted away from breeders and pet shops all together. I'd rather go to a rescue/re-home privately than purchase them. I have no reason to do so and until I find myself unable to cope with the potential health problems of a rescue then that's the way it's going to be.

I'll never completely say "no, pet shops bad!" only ever "do your research, really investigate the shop, check out their animals". Even if they were banned from keeping animals you'd then have to consider the number of appalling breeders around who are just as, if not worse, than the pet shops. The pet shops simply buy in their small furries for profit. The bad breeders are the ones keeping their animals in such an appalling state.

Basically I take the same view of pet shops as I do with those who breed and sell privately. I do my research, I ask around, I ask if i'm able to see breeding facilities and ask questions. Rescues too. There are some awful people calling themselves rescues, people who mean well but find themselves unable to cope, people who seem to be using the term "rescue" to acquire free animals from which they can make a profit (and I mean profit given the lack of veterinary care).

Wherever an animal is from, it's important to question, background check and make sure you can view everywhere that is reasonable to ensure you are not having wool pulled over your eyes.