| I am sitting here writing my third attempt at this | | | | Many people tell me that they also dislike seeing |
| as I have been told my first two versions needed | | | | puppies in stores but that they bought one out of |
| toning down. The problem with this is that to 'tone | | | | pity as the salesperson had told them that a |
| it down' is equal to smoothing it over, covering it | | | | puppy couldn't find a home. Please don't kid |
| up, not causing offence. I can't do this, I'm afraid, | | | | yourself that this is not one of their most |
| as there is nothing warm and fuzzy about the | | | | successful sales pitches. I am not suggesting for a |
| subject matter. There is no way of putting a | | | | moment that all shops that sell livestock are |
| 'smiley face' on the subject of animals in pet | | | | irresponsible or put profit before animal welfare, |
| shops. It's black and white, you're either for it or | | | | but unfortunately for every good shop you will |
| against it and I am most definitely against it. | | | | find many that are not and because of this the |
| This is not a new topic for me as I have voiced | | | | only way to eradicate the problem is to stop the |
| my opinion about this before, but having visited | | | | trade all together. |
| some pet shops recently and seeing fish and birds | | | | Adopting a pet into your family should not result |
| dead or dying and living in distressed conditions, | | | | from a spur of the moment decision made whilst |
| and most recently having seen dogs and cats left | | | | looking through a pet store window; it should |
| in their display window boxes in shops shut for | | | | result from carefully considering whether your |
| extended public holiday breaks, I feel the need to | | | | lifestyle and household can provide an animal with |
| bring the subject up again. | | | | the security and attention that it deserves. You |
| I am not lambasting any one particular store, all | | | | should also learn about breed specific differences |
| stores that trade in livestock, be it dog, cat, fish | | | | in behaviour, temperament, energy levels and |
| or bird appall me. Those of you who support | | | | grooming requirements. There are many animal |
| these stores must ask yourselves from where | | | | sites on the web that offer information on pets, |
| these animals come, are they kept in a manner | | | | their needs and all the ins and outs you need to |
| that enables their physiological and psychological | | | | know about owning one. And finding a pet most |
| growth while in the store, and what happens to | | | | definitely does not require a shop, registered dog |
| those animals who do not find a home. | | | | breeders are easily found through your national or |
| Unfortunately where money is concerned, profit | | | | state Kennel Associations or through web |
| comes first, and when this involves the livelihood | | | | searches, and there are, unfortunately, many |
| of defenceless creatures we must be outspoken | | | | animal welfare shelters begging you to adopt |
| in their defence. The RSPCA is only able to | | | | from the endless number of homeless animals |
| intervene with pet shop practises if it is shown | | | | that they care for. |
| that the animals are being ill-treated. If isolation | | | | I belong to an industry that has a cruel and |
| and containment for long periods of time in | | | | unethical side and as such I have a responsibility |
| unattended stores is not ill treatment then I don't | | | | to be vocal and try to affect change. The |
| know what is. | | | | argument for not knowing what goes on behind |
| Puppy mills and backyard breeders are just one | | | | the scenes does not hold, as common sense |
| unfortunate example of an off-shoot industry | | | | should surely make us question the morality |
| caused by the upsurge of 'designer dogs' sold | | | | involved in keeping animals in confined conditions |
| through pet stores, with the breeding dogs often | | | | for any length of time, displayed in boxes like so |
| being housed in unsatisfactory conditions resulting | | | | much fresh produce. |
| in poor health for both the adult dogs and the | | | | Ignorance, I'm afraid, is not bliss it is just plain out |
| puppies. | | | | and out ignorance. |