We are grief-stricken because had Petco management responded seriously to
numerous flood warnings issued in advance, this could have been prevented.
We little ones bred and sold at "Big Box" chain stores live there in cruel,
unhealthy conditions and customers are not educated about the special needs
we have. Which are many and should be conveyed to any potential "buyers"
of guinea pigs, ferrets, rats, sugar gliders, and all "exotics" bred and sold
purely for one thing and one thing only: PROFIT. These stores will eagerly
sell you a guinea pig and just as eagerly sell cages that are so small they
become prisons, toys which are dangerous, food which is toxic, "treats"
which are toxic, and customers are not aware of how we cannot produce
our own Vitamin C, how to supplement it, how much time we need to
run around OUTSIDE our cages (2 hours/daily is recommended) and
these stores continue to sell toxic litter bedding along with trash which
only shortens our lives at the expense of higher profit. A store in B'ham
actually sells cages which are too small yet include this sign: "Free guinea
pig with purchase of cage."
We are encouraged by so many new blogs and websites striving and
dedicated to enlightening the public about how special we are and how
much time, energy, and money it REALLY TAKES to give us the quality
of life we are entitled to.
Thank you, we are sad tonight.
YumYum
