[Aonir]

I went to the mall today, and when I walked inside the petstore, I seen a little 'black' kitten being bought. First things first, that somewhat scared me because of Halloween is a month away! Anyway, I walked passed them to go see the puppies. (pet stores have never really angered me so much til today) and seen a WHOLE litter of Jack Russel Terriers! That was a bit overboard to me. Then I seen 2 Bulldog/Pug mixes. One looked exactly like a pug, and the other exactly like a Bulldog. I KNEW they were both from the same litter, but they had those two separated - and the Jack Russels in the same cage. Why couldn't they been in the same cage??
I watched as someone was interested in a Jack Russel Terrier puppy then I noticed the huge cage the kitten was from. And alas, two more BLACK kittens! One was sleeping and it wouldn't wake up for me. The other was fluffy and drinking water. It drank soo slowly, looked soo weak. Then it looked up at me and let water drip out of its mouth.. )))) Then kitty went over and started eating. Little kids came over in awe over the cute kittens, but couldn't tell how sad they actually were!

I left with my stressed/sad eyes and was quiet as we left. I couldn't stop thinking of how sad those kittens were. My fear is up because of black cats and halloween... They even only cost $20 each.
As we left my fiance said we could go get the kittens if I wanted to - so permission granted.
HOWEVER, I'm having very mixed feelings here. I want to save those kitties and make sure they are safe through Halloween and then try and get them homes. BUT I do not want to support a puppy-store.. Tell me what do I do?! I also have to make an appointment for my rescued senior kitty, Clyde, to see if he has a skin disorder - I REALLY wish that vet called me back and gave me a job!

 

[yayi]

Someone told me that pet stores sometimes drug their wares to keep them quiet. Those kittens sound like they are o.d.!
I agree with you that buying those kitties will just encourage the store to do this over and over again at the expense of the animals.
Maybe you can talk to the store manager first. Also, since you are visiting the vet, he may have other suggestions. Perhaps even the local SPCA will help!
Good luck!

 

[Ioana]

It is so sad, Aonir - I know what you are going through. I just wanted to tell you that I admire you for getting involved and caring so much. You are a special person and you are a great example to follow

 

[lexxie109]

I know. It also makes me upset when I go and see the dogs and cats at the pet stores near where I live. I understand it's sad to see the little guys but buying them is only bringing more to the store.

 

[Aonir]

I'm having problems finding my local SPCA I hope to find it by tomorrow so I can give them a call...

 

[Jeanie]

How terribly sad! Dogs and cats should be raised in homes with people who love them. You're very kind to care so much. More power to you! I hope you can help those babies.

 

[Sol]

It shouldn't be allowed to sell any animals in pet stores. A pet shop isn't the right place for any animal to spend their young years in.

I wish more people would see the PETA-films about how the puppy mills works.

I believe that boycott is a good way to make a statement but I understand that you wanna take care of those babies and I won't blame you if you do decide to take care of them. Do the people that work at the pet shop know where their animals come from? If not, maybe you should inform them. No normal person would wanna support an industri like that,

 

[tanyuh]

I went to the mall today, and when I walked inside the petstore, I seen a little 'black' kitten being bought. First things first, that somewhat scared me because of Halloween is a month away!

We got Samhain on October 28th - I hope no one was worried about us!

 

[Aonir]

I called the SPCA, and guess what those ignorant humans said. "We can't stop them from selling them, as long as they have food and water." Well, what about HEALTH and happiness? What about the well-being of these animals?? The phone call didn't last close to one minute. I'm angry. Those kittens were so sad and weak, how does HE know that they aren't sick? He didn't even care that it was close to Halloween. Unfortunitely, I'm not the one to start an arguement with some guy in a classroom

What do you guys think I should do now??

 

[yayi]

How could the fellow at SPCA be so uncaring? :shock: I can't believe it!
In another forum, I read of someone who has fish as pets went to the local Walmart and did not like the condition of the betta for sale. She was advised that she email Walmart with her complain and the branch number of the store. I believe it helped.

 

[Jeanie]

Aonir, you have gone through channels. So I would now call the owner of the store and ask him if he intends to get medical care for the kittens. If it's a chain, call the president of the chain. Send follow-up letters. If you don't get a satisfactory answer, speak to whoever is in charge at the SPCA - the top person. If the SPCA won't investigate, write a letter to the editor of the newspaper. Of course, you can't mention the store name, but you can explain the reasons you believe people should not buy cats and dogs at pet stores and puppy and kitten mills. Tell it like it is, but be careful not to commit libel!

Don't let people intimidate you. They'll certainly try, and most people give up. It's hard to "fight city hall," but if more people had the courage to do it, there would be less inequity to people and less cruelty to animals. The problem is that those who care enough to stand up and be counted are a small minority. At least you'll add one to that number.

p.s. I believe you are underage, so speak to your parents before you do anything.

 

[Ioana]

But then if no-one will buy the animals at the petstores what is going to happen to them? I am assuming it will take a long time till all of this is settled. If the stores will be finally forced to stop selling pets then there should be a direct connection between them and no-kill shelters so the animalas can go there..and hopefully find new homes.

 

[Aonir]

Yes I am 17 years old. EXCEPT I've never lived with my parents. I grew up with my grandparents. None of my family is animal lovers.. I'm the only one besides my sister. I live with my fiance right now. I'm also already graduated from highschool and I'm in college.

Here's a plus, my fiance's father works for the news station.

 

[Jeanie]

Ioana, even if many people put pressure on this issue, it will take years for the transition to take place. The puppy mills and kitten mills will still breed and sell their animals privately, and people will still neglect to spay and neuter their pets. But when (thinking positively) this practice stops, the pet stores will know what's in the works with legislation, etc., and will not purchase animals that need more room. Pet shops will pay for kittens, whether registered or not, but it costs money to leave a kitten or pup at a shelter. But then the kitten or puppy will have its first shots and be spayed at a very reasonable fee when adopted. The fee is justified.

Aonir, I wish you the very best of luck. We need millions of people to be informed about this whole puppy/kitten mill/pet shop problem and those people have to act. But every person counts!

 

[Ioana]

I know that changes take a lot of time. I just felt it was necessary to draw the attention towards the animals. Your explanation shows me though that there will be a direct connection and the animals won't be at risk. That is all that matters to me.

 

[Zalensia]

This is so sad

i read a while ago on a guinea pig forum how someone was soo sad about the emount of animals in small spaces, and how sad they are ( i also have 5 guinea pigs) they were also in the usa, im so surprised about this.
i work in a pet shop in the UK, although soon to be leaving to start a teaching course (if all goes well ill be a quialified infant scholl teacher)
anyway here in the uk we have very tight legislation over how many animals can go in cages, we forever get surprise inspections, not they they ever had anything to say, but it saddens me so that these shitty petshops around drag down the rest of them that really do take such care of thier animals, because the people who work in them (such as myself) have pets of thier own, aho they love and care for, and for me at least this follows on to the animals i see and go at work.

do they not have such legislations in the usa? so surprise inspections? here if the authorities are not happy with the conditions they have the power to shut you down on the spot.

 

[maymariya]

Go On!

I say buy those two. Kittens are really fragile, especially in a pet store. Keep one of them if you want. Don't worry, I got my black kitten near Halloween, and nothing happened, actually it was fun to dress him up as a mini superhero!LOL :lol:
Go Ahead, get them and help them have a good life!!! :wink: