I am writing a letter addressed to a new pet shop at my local shopping center about their sale of "pets". I have never actually written a letter like this - they are always to g'ments, councils, etc, usually to organisations where no doubt many others are writing about similar things. As this shop has been open only 2wks I'm hoping the manager/owner takes on my opinion (not holding my breath though) and that I can walk in and see no fluffy cats, dogs or rabbits in the windows.
I'll let you know if I get any response.
What letters have you written to local stores, and if you got any response - what was it?
It really depends what you're writing to them about. If it's a serious animal neglect issue, it's easier to bypass the individual pet shop and go straight to an organisation like R.S.P.C.A. Especially if you have photographic proof of it.
I used to work in a pet shop which was run really well, but the R.S.P.C.A would get called in weekly, usually because someone had snapped a picture of bird poo in a bowl of FRESH water. Or taken a picture of a puppy looking all wet and scraggy (after just being washed) If something like this happens, they have to act on it straight away.
On the other hand, I had a situation with my neighbour who had a problem with my 3 month old kitten 'sitting' on his front lawn. He left a poisoned rissole on my patio, and after taking it to police and the R.S.P.C.A, I got told that the police couldn't do a thing unless he threatened me, and the R.S.P.C.A couldn't do a thing unless the kitten had eaten some of the rissole, or died. What a joke.
definitely a fantastic idea - getting in so early, i reckon you're in for a chance.
it's a shame the store is inside a shopping centre. if it wasn't - and the pet store didn't carry out your proposed changes - you could have stepped it up in the form of leafleting sessions/mini demos.
it's amazing how well a serial pest works on changing the menu of restaurants/'stock list' of pet stores. haha.
It really depends what you're writing to them about. If it's a serious animal neglect issue, it's easier to bypass the individual pet shop and go straight to an organisation like R.S.P.C.A. Especially if you have photographic proof of it.
I used to work in a pet shop which was run really well, but the R.S.P.C.A would get called in weekly, usually because someone had snapped a picture of bird poo in a bowl of FRESH water. Or taken a picture of a puppy looking all wet and scraggy (after just being washed) If something like this happens, they have to act on it straight away.
On the other hand, I had a situation with my neighbour who had a problem with my 3 month old kitten 'sitting' on his front lawn. He left a poisoned rissole on my patio, and after taking it to police and the R.S.P.C.A, I got told that the police couldn't do a thing unless he threatened me, and the R.S.P.C.A couldn't do a thing unless the kitten had eaten some of the rissole, or died. What a joke.
I think rav3n was moreto the actual selling of the animals into an overpopulated domestic pet world... which is well passed crisis point in my opinion. not the actual conditions of the animals in the store - altough animals kept in bad conditions at pet stores definitely provide a spark to engage the wider non-vegan public and initiate required change.
it's a shame the selling of animals - dog, cat, bird or rodent - isn't banned absolutely yet.
Well in that case, I don't know how you're going to put your point across without being laughed at. It's a pet shop. Instead of asking them to not sell animals, wouldn't it be better to try get them to sell desexed animals?
it's a shame the selling of animals - dog, cat, bird or rodent - isn't banned absolutely yet.
There are signs of hope: WeHo (West Hollywood) has banned the sale of most cats and dogs in pet stores (http://articles.latimes.com/2010/feb/17/local/la-me-weho-pet-stores17-2010feb17). We know that Australia drags its feet, but no doubt in the not-too-distant future we will be celebrating victories like this down under!
I'd like to see pet stores getting their animals from animal shelters
It isn't like there aren't some adorable dogs and cats out there or there would be a shortage of animals...
Well in that case, I don't know how you're going to put your point across without being laughed at. It's a pet shop. Instead of asking them to not sell animals, wouldn't it be better to try get them to sell desexed animals?
Pet shops can become pet supply stores... supplying food, toys, accessories, etc. They can also help promote the adoption process at RSPCA. I wanted to open a pet supply store and have the glass cages for dogs/cats but fill them with posters of animals at the RSPCA or another shelter.
That and when these pets are sold they are no where near old enough to be desexed. Most these days do come with desexing included in their price - but there is nothing reminding/forcing the new owner that it has to be done.
Pet shops are hoping for impulse buyers. Impulse buys leads to unwanted animals. Nuff said.
Well in that case, I don't know how you're going to put your point across without being laughed at. It's a pet shop. Instead of asking them to not sell animals, wouldn't it be better to try get them to sell desexed animals?
Pet shops can become pet supply stores... supplying food, toys, accessories, etc. They can also help promote the adoption process at RSPCA. I wanted to open a pet supply store and have the glass cages for dogs/cats but fill them with posters of animals at the RSPCA or another shelter.
That and when these pets are sold they are no where near old enough to be desexed. Most these days do come with desexing included in their price - but there is nothing reminding/forcing the new owner that it has to be done.
Pet shops are hoping for impulse buyers. Impulse buys leads to unwanted animals. Nuff said.
Pet shops require a cool off period for puppies and kittens after you've purchased them (usually 3 or so days) before you can take them home, in which time you can change your mind and get your money fully refunded. And I've been refused the sale of rats to me by pet shops, as they believed I was going to feed them to snakes, assuming this was because I have tattoos.
Not all pet shops are bad places, and they take animals off people that would have just taken them to the R.S.P.C.A instead, or they take birds and rodents off people who cannot home them anymore. It's really not that bad, they are homing unwanted animals, just like shelters do.
The store you're talking about is a stock feed store. Pet shops tend to sell.. pets.
