Question:
Ok Everybody, I want your opinions on these questions
What are some of the things you would love to see in pet stores/see pet stores do....
and this can be anything from specific stuff, to the basics like " knowledgable staff", etc.
What you hate seeing in pet stores/what you would change about them
and just any general beefs that you have, or any thoughts on what would make a truly *good* pet store
Thanks in advance ladies!


Answer:
a petstore without any animals would be perfect


Answer:
Christina, you took the words right out of my mouth The ideal petshop to me would sell no animals whatsoever.
I'd also like to see staff well paid and trained in petcare and petcare products, so you wouldn't have these eejits telling you 'Oh yes, feed your rat hamster food, and keep it on pine.' Argh!
I'd also love to see a 'Half Price Sale!' sign on those cat play furniture items!


Answer:
I would like to see a localized pet store, that only deals with animals that they have a great deal of knowledge about. I would like them to be able to order in any specific item you asked them to, and only sell things that were beneficial and safe to use with the animals they dealt with. They should have a lot of resources to back up their knowledge, and could refer you to websites or other sources that were of good use. They would not have any animals on site, but would either have a list of reputable breeders in your area, or would be able to be a go between and assist you in getting you your pet. Also I think that they should work through the SPCA, humane society, etc. whenever possible, to provide good knowledgeable loving homes to the animals in need, rather than placing more into the care of people who don't know what they're doing and end up abandoning them later.
I think pet stores are too big on selling now, instead of thinking about the best interests of animals. I don't understand why any pet store even SELLS cedar bedding anymore, but it's suprising to see how many do. It is important for the buyer to go in understanding the needs of their animal, but it is also important for pet stores to be able to meet those needs and provide things that are beneficial to animals instead of detrimental.


Answer:
How about making up "shopping lists" for everything needed for each particular pet- that way if someone is considering purchasing a new pet, they know in advance what they will need (and of course, if the pet store carried everything on each list, that would be great, too!) Also, there are some really BAD brands/types of food on the market that should not be sold to pet owners, but many stores carry them just because it makes them a few bucks, not because it is good to feed to the animals (example- Charlie Chinchilla Food)


Answer:
Rabbits at Easter time in pet stores are awful! Do you know how many children go into pet stores around Easter and say, "Mommy, those bunnies are cute!"? Then they get them! There are so many rabbit owners that say rabbits and Easter don't mix. I've seen rabbits living together in all glass pens with no breathing holes or anything. Then the pet store staff wonder why there are little baby bunnies with the "girl" and "boy" rabbit. Duh! It's so sad to see these rabbits bought any time of the year from pet stores. The staff members can be so stupid! "Yeah, buy this hy and give them it and they'll be okay." Whatever. Rabbits need hay, water, and pellets. So stupid. Why don't people opt to get a rabbit from a breeder who knows that the rabbit is healthy and knows who is too young for a rabbit? It's so irritating! That was my rant on rabbits and pet stores!


Answer:
Originally Posted by Kendra
They would not have any animals on site, but would either have a list of reputable breeders in your area, or would be able to be a go between and assist you in getting you your pet. Also I think that they should work through the SPCA, humane society, etc. whenever possible, to provide good knowledgeable loving homes to the animals in need, rather than placing more into the care of people who don't know what they're doing and end up abandoning them later.
.
perfect!!! thats what ive been saying for years!!


Answer:
I would have to disagree a little bit about the NO animals part... our Humane Society has several pet store locations that adopt cats for us... I am all for this. This past year the pet stores reached the 10,000th adoption since we started this program. The employees are trained by our program co-ordinator so that they are following our adoption policies, interviewing the potential adopter correctly & treating the cats properly etc.
I do agree that most other animals (especially exotics) shouldn't be sold in pet stores as most of the employees as well as owners don't seem to know the correct information for their care.
I also agree about the selling of Cedar shavings. It should be banned.


Answer:
No animals SALES would be fine, though. Adoptions are always wonderful. I would also like to see a lot more selection for small pets like rabbits and rodents. There is so much for dogs, cats, parrots, fish, and even reptiles, but so little for other species.
As for Easter rabbits, even knowledgeable breeders can sometimes mix up a male and a female when they are young. There is a condition called split penis in rabbits, and young males with this condition sometimes look exactly like a female! They can still sometimes breed upon maturity, though, so two "females" may have babies. It is a disqualification from showing, and breeders try to keep it out of their herd, but it pops up from time to time anyway. With that in mind, how is an untrained staff going to tell a male from a female rabbit? They also need to recommend FIXING all animals bought as pets, when it is possible in the species.
I would like to see better books. So many of the books sold have incorrect information. I even read one that said rabbits do not need water if they get veggies and fruit. Um...they still need water!!!


Answer:
i agree with sue...............pets would be op kay but ONLY if they had knowledgable staff, lived in proper cages and fed proper food.........and when bought then people were properly informed about pets care........but that would be the only way they could sell pets........and the store wou ld be selling all the good feeds and beddings that they used for their pets..........and pets would be taken into the store from reputable breeders locally and the new owners would be able to contact the breeder.........and some sort of paper shou ld accompany the pets........