Question:
I am wondering what the best thing to do is when you have pet stores repeatedly mixing sexes, overcrowding, underfeeding & keeping animals under poor conditions?
Recently Banshee, Ratlady & I have complained about the way animals were treated @ 2 local pet stores, but nothing was done about the issues & we are now treated like personae non grata.
Can the SPCA be called in cases like this? Management in both cases have been spoken w/ & nothing has changed except we get treated like crap when we visit the stores.
Where's the ALF when you need them?


Answer:
First you can try contacting the management, then you can report them to the local Humane Society or SPCA.


Answer:
It just seems that the local SPCA is only concerned w/ loose dogs. To call them & report that a chinchilla shouldn't be kept under lights w/ no shelves in a noisy pet store seems like it would be treated as trivial, because, after all, the chin isn't crapping on someone's property or attacking anyone.
But you know what Ludi, I'm going to try it next week.


Answer:
Good luck Neuro. Let us know what happens.


Answer:
You CAN call the Humane Society... if it is the first complaint , the agent will check out the store and see if the problem is still existing and if so will give them a warning to fix the problem... they can then go back & check at another time and see if it's been dealt with. If it's an issue of a sick animal that isn't getting medical attention the agent can order them to take it to a Vet and if it isn't done they can confiscate the animal... believe me, I have made quite a few complaints myself..
I must say that different provinces might handle it in differently.. I always say that if you don't report it, it can't be fixed. I would also suggest that all 3 of you put in complaints b/c they might take it more seriously if they get more than one complaint.


Answer:
Thanks Suzoo, it's good to hear from someone in the biz that the complaints may actually be listened to.


Answer:
Well I wish you luck and hope something is done about it.


Answer:
I hope you get results Neuro... like I said, depending on your local HS they mightn't take it as serious as other places.. so the more complaints they get, they won't be able to ignore it.


Answer:
Hi Neuro -- just to repeat what Suzoo said, the SPCA near you should check it out. I've complained about over-crowded cages and the feeding of the wrong type of food, and in all cases a SPCA Agent went, checked it out, and issued an order.
Remember though, that the laws aren't very stringent. The SPCA can only issue an order in regards to improper feeding/watering, and improper shelter. Being under bright lights may not be an inforceable charge, but certainly underfeeding and crowded cages can be.
Good luck, and keep us posted as to what happens!


Answer:
Good luck! I sure hope that the situation improves!