It’s sad. I know of a few very good stores out there, but I strongly believe that animals shouldn’t be sold in a store, pet stores are for supplies only or for display animals in proper habitats with proper lighting, bedding, etc.
I had gotten Bo at an awesome pet store. They have one rabbit at a time (usually a few months between them), they will occasionally have a ferret, both of which will be litter trained or nearly there. They have Guinna pigs, small rodents (hamsters, gerbils), and a few reptiles. All of which are singlely caged and fed at appropriate times. The only thing I have a problem with is that they sell live feeders. Now I am not against, and the mice and rats are kept in clean (albeit overcrowded) cages, but food is changed daily as is water and the cages are cleaned every few days. I had bought my Emma Bug (RIP) from the pet store 3 years ago, great little bugger to have.
But yeah….
EDIT: I am also all for licensing and microchipping. With all the nonsense in Florida with reptiles, the shops are responsible for selling overbred large animals, the owners are responsible for making sure cages are secure, and those caught dumping an animal (of any kind) should be prosucated to the fullest extent.
I’d be find if I had to pay a one time fee for an animal and have it tagged and the info stored someplace, to have different sexs living in one place UNALTERED, a breeder fee imposed. Now I understand that in many places, legit animal breeders are out there, but if they want to continue with their practice they must pay the fees to. If you can’t afford the fees (which should be reasonable and yearly for breeders) then you can afford to breed properly. Dog breeders must meet minimun breed requirements. Pet stores should be selling fixed animals (hell add it to the price). You want a breeding animal? Buy it from a breeder.
I can keep going and going on this….
.
