My Thoughts On Buying From Pet Stores.

This is a very controversial topic when dealing with animal lovers as everyone has a different idea of rather or not people should buy from pet stores. This post is my thoughts on that touchy topic.
When asked if they should go to the pet store to buy a new pet I am always kind of unsure of what to tell them because I see this topic two ways..
On one side:
This is the same argument as my parents made to me growing up when I went through the whole "I don't want to eat meat, an animal has to die"and my parents would always say "The animal is dead, it didn't die because you wanted to eat it, and if you don't eat it now you're wasting it and it died for nothing" now it don't sound like that should be the same argument as buying pets from pet stores but; hear me out. If you are one of those people that believe buying an animal from a pet store supports the animal mills and mistreated animals then, I do agree with you because if people never bought them, they wouldn't keep bringing them into stock, however those animals that are there, are either going to be there until someone buys them, or they will die and rot in that store. So in my mind, buying a pet from the pet store almost feels like I'm rescuing said animal, from the poor conditions they were kept in. Including the small improper enclosures, improper use of bedding, cedar and pine wood shavings are not good for many animals, although pet stores use them because they are good at controlling the odor of the animals, as well as repelling unwanted bugs or insects. However these shavings have potential health risks involved with using them that a lot of pet owners aren't aware of because people assume "well they use them in pet stores, so they're good" but truth is they aren't especially when it comes to the respiratory problems, such as asthma, inflammatory, allergic reactions and these can develop into pneumonia, which can very often be fatal to your pet. As well as studies have shown that housing your pets in shavings can cause dramatic changes to the liver enzymes. So with so many other better methods out there like as I use for both my ferrets and rats, just plain laid out news paper, (which is also recycling ;)) there is no reason for people to be using shavings and exposing their pets to these risks. I will never discourage buying small animals from pet stores because I think of it as saving and rescuing, however when it comes to dogs, I won't discourage it so much as I will warn, these are mill dogs, and because of that they have not been properly socialized, they probably are not in good health, they are not dogs for just anyone, even though you think it is easy to just go to the pet store and buy a dog, make sure a task like that isn't for everyone and buying from a good well known breeder is a much better method for almost everyone, unless you have the proper training, time, money, and vet care that this animal may need after taking it from the pet store, because although I still view it as a rescue it will have it's disadvantages that can be avoided by buying from a breeder.
The other side:
Simple as this: They are mill animals, kept in cruel conditions and bred for quantity not quality, mass producing, inbreeding, and buying from them does support and empower pet store owners, and the companies.
If you choose to buy from a pet store be sure to know what you are looking for, this is very important in ensuring you pick the one in the best health:
1. Check the eyes, for discharge. Check the ears, making sure they are clean. Check the nose, making sure there is no red mucus (this is not blood, but mucus, a sign of respiratory infection).
2. Check teeth, mouth and gums, you want to see a nice pink colour.
3. Beware of bald spots, sometimes with rodents bald spots simply mean they are allergic to their bedding of horrible shavings but could be a symptom for bigger problems.
4. Watch for coughing, sneezing, or shaking of the head, these are obvious signs of there being something wrong, but again it may just be the result of horrible bedding, or bigger problems.

However instead of supporting animal mills and risking health risks and heartbreak, why not go to your local animal shelter and adopt a loving animal that is has already been health checked and is in need of a loving home?
:)