7 replies to this topic

[A~HM]

Curious on other people's viewpoints. Obviously many people don't support buying animals from pet stores, but what would you do if you went inside a store and you saw animals in bad condition? Would you buy one to spare it the suffering or leave and report the store? Answer this question as if you had the ability to care for the hamster (space, supplies, etc ready for a new pet).

 

As for me, depends on how bad it is - if I am able to help an animal (time, money, space/supplies ready), I consider it better to try to help it than to leave it there. Filthy conditions, sick, etc I would give it a chance.

Edited by A~HM, 26 January 2022 - 01:27 AM.

[lil BIG dwarf]

If it was injured or sick, than yes. I’d maybe point it out to an employee though, as at my petsmart they usually adopt out (meaning, the money goes as a donation) injured/sick animals once they’re better or if the owner has a good understanding of vet care and stuff. If the conditions were really bad, I’d get them as well.

[Sparrow]

The hamster will just get replaced by another one, placed in the exact same awful situation. You're only subjecting yet another hamster to go through what the one you adopted out went through, it's not an act of mercy.

[hamsteradmirer]

I would probably get it if it was in super bad health because pet stores do not take their animals to the vet. I would also feel guilty though, because getting live animals form pet stores is wrong. 

[nebit]

Absolutely not. I've been in this position, and I make a note and boycott those stores. Buying from them only encourages them to continue selling hamsters because they are able to make sales, thus causing more hamsters to suffer in the long run.

[meh]

I would and I have done so several times. I know the arguments against it, but I think in that moment my moral responsibility is to the individual standing right in front of me, not a future hypothetical being.

Edited by meh, 26 January 2022 - 11:08 AM.

[Lillias]

I would not want to support a store that takes bad care of their animals (I even avoid buying supplies at such stores). If you are going to buy a hamster at a pet store, at least do so at a store that tries to keep their animals healthy. I could see making an exception for an animal who has special needs that are not caused by their care (or lack thereof) at the store.

 

However, I do understand the emotional pull. If it's a chain store, complain to corporate. Several chains make ethical claims on their websites, so call them out when they aren't meeting those claims.

[Rapha689Pro]

Not all people can access refugies with exotic mammals,but at my petco I never seen a injured animal,the only problem its feeding that to omnivore rodents they don’t feed the adécuate diet,to omnivore rodents they only feed a 100% herbivorous diet