Local Pet Store RANT!

[breannaloo]

So I had to rant about this somewhere because it’s really irritating me right now.

A few days ago, I went with my mother to pick up pizza because we had people over. They said it wouldn’t be ready for about 10 minutes, so we decided to just pop into this pet store that was next to it so I could check and see if they had any bun toys or anything I hadn’t seen before for them, to check out prices, etc.

This pet store has been in my small town for years (i think the 1960’s?). It’s a family owned store, not a chain. I’ve heard bad stuff about it before, but I never went in there so I try not to judge. As far as I knew they only sold supplies for pets, and fish, hampsters, mice. Well I went in there and instantly the old man behind the counter was rude. It smelled filthy instantly, the A/C felt like it wasn’t on (I live in Florida!), the store was extremely cluttered. My mom and I were looking around and asked the man if he had any rabbit supplies. He gave us some rude response and ushered toward the back of the store. Then he said “there’s a lop one down there” and pointed downward behind us. I looked around confused and then, I instantly got an ache in my heart at what I saw.

On a dirty bottom shelf was a cage. This cage was maybe the size of a small fish tank (in fact it was glass with a screen on top). It was probably a foot and a half tall, two feet wide, by another foot. Literally. Like a fish tank. Inside was a five poundish mini lop, ADORABLE precious bunny, breathing extremely heavy and laying on the floor of his tiny cage. HE COULDN’T EVEN STAND UP IN IT. His water dish was EMPTY. WITH NO A/C ON. IN FLORIDA. I have three extremely happy, binky filled buns at home. I did not intend on getting anymore, until *knock on wood* the rainbow bridge took one because they are of course lots of work (but full of so much love). This sweet mini lop looked so depressed, unhealthy, and looked to be suffering from heat exhaustion.

My mother looked at me and we both started crying. Partly because of anger and partly because of the heartbroken beautiful creature in that tank. We walked outside as to get away from the devil man inside the store. She instantly said to me “We HAVE to bring him home. I know buying him is supporting that awful man, but I don’t care. I want it home with us.”  I agreed. I didn’t want to give that man a penny of my money, but all I wanted was the bun home with me, right now, with a huge bowl of water, space, love, and A/C. I walked in there and told the man “I want that rabbit now”. He simply swiped my card, put her in a cardboard box and said “it’s a girl”. That’s all.

This bunny spent the first day at my house in my hallway with a gate up, drinking bowl after bowl of water (i’ve never seen a rabbit drink that much before), eating hay and pellets, and sleeping. He also was stretching CONSTANTLY. Like literally, every five or so minutes. I have no idea how long this sweetheart was in that tiny cage, the horrible days, it literally makes me cry thinking about it. Ever since that first day at my house, he now CONSTANTLY binkies and runs and skids around the corner. He is the happiest, sweetest boy ever. It makes me so happy to see him literally light up.

Oh and did you see that I said “he”?! Yes. “It’s a girl” was definitely incorrect. He smelled my girl bunny, and I instantly saw a very non-girly part pop out. His name is Louie.

I never buy from pet stores but I am SOOOO happy I went in there that day. It was meant to be. Louie has an appointment Monday to be fixed and get a well-check! No idea how old he even is.

 Now I’m spreading the word EVERYWHERE about that horrible pet store.

[breannaloo]

oh and here’s my louie posing for the camera!

[breannaloo]

oh and by “he couldn’t even stand up” I meant that his cage was so small, there wasn’t room for him to stand up.

[tanlover14]

This is a horrible story but at the same so heart warming. Personally, I’m glad you took the bunny. And I’m glad he’s finally living a happy life and not stuck in a horrifying glass cage like that one. Thank you so much for rescuing this poor boy! Pet store or not, you definitely rescued him. I’m pretty sure I would’ve bawled if I saw that too. Ugh. He’s adorable by the way. I just love those loppy ears!!!

[Roberta]

I not only would have bought Louie and cried but if no one was looking I would have dragged the man out the back and stuffed him in the fish tank !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[breannaloo]

Yes it was awful and it took everything in my power not to leap over that counter and slap that man across the face! I was nice because I didn’t want him to refuse to sell him to me. But now that I have this baby boy at home, I don’t want another bun (or any animal) to go through that again so I’m definitely spreading the word all over my area! And I know, his ears are my favorite! He also just seems to love my mom and I. I think he knows we saved him, haha. I know craigslist and such I can rant about this business, but does anyone know something else I can do about this terrible place? I actually looked up this business online and there are a couple reviews people have written about them abusing other animals, too!

[NewBunnyOwner123]

I got Sally from a pet store and I vowed to never go to a pet store again 3 of the 4 buns I got from them died within 2 weeks of getting them and Sally is my baby and only survivor. I try to stay far away from pet stores now to avoid temptation of “rescuing” any creatures knowing it may cause me heartache in the future. Horrible experience.

[breannaloo]

Yes I agree! I avoid them, too. But something told me to go in there that day. I didn’t even know they sold rabbits at this one, either. My mom said they probably sell whatever they can get cheap and make a profit on. Scummy place. He seems to be in good health now that he’s hydrated and has space to run and jump. Hopefully his well check goes good on Monday! I’ve been giving him stuff to chew cause he didn’t have anything in that cage so hopefully his teeth are good.

[Ava]

Aw, poor Louie! Glad you were able to save him! He must have been ecstatic when he was first able to run, hop, and stand tall!

[MoveDiagonally]

I can’t go into pet stores any more unless I know that they’re good to their pets. I would end up with 20 more furkids!

I’m glad Louie is safe and he’s lucky that you walked into that store. Good on you and your mother. He’s so adorable too!

[DUSTBUNNY-CLYDE]

thank goodness you rescued poor louie!! I hate when people treat animals like crap!!! they should be locked up in jail!!! I’m so happy that louie is bouncing and stretching and free to run around, the way it is supposed to be!!! yay!!!! congrats on your new baby!!! he’s beautiful!!!

[LBJ10]

Aww, what a sweet bunny. I’m glad you were able to save him. Are there other animals there living in obviously poor conditions? I would call your local police or animal control or whoever would be in charge of investigating animal cruelty. If they pop in and see obvious forms of abuse and neglect going on, then maybe they can give this guy a hefty fine that would make him think twice about selling animals.

[breannaloo]

Thanks for all the compliments, he’s a handsome one! He definitely already knows how loved he is and forever will be now in his forever home. Who knows what kind of journey he’s had so far! Is there any way to figure out a bun’s age? I know that’s probably not possible once they reach sexual maturity. I just wish I knew! And yeah I think I will call Animal Control. I saw reviews online about the business that said they abuse their gerbils, too! And that there is always dead fish floating in their fish tanks! Ugh, it drives me mad. I don’t understand why some people don’t see animals as equal to us. Especially animals as smart as bunnies, dogs, and cats. I wish I could rescue every single one! And lock up all the abusers.

[tanlover14]

I think there would be some way — I know a lot of animals they look at their teeth and I’m PRETTY sure they do that with rabbits too. Although, I’m not positive. I imagine there has to be a way as Humane Societys and rescues adopt them out by the “age” determined by their vets usually. I would definitely ask your vet about it.

I’m so glad you saved him. Every time I look at his picture I just melt. It really is sad. I got my first three bunnies from a breeder and my fourth just came from a rescue. He had been rescued by THIS rescue because he was going to be euthanized by a shelter. And seeing him binky around and be happy is probably one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt in my entire life. So I can only imagine how wonderful it is with your little guy too!

[Monkeybun]

Poor little guy! I so wish pet stores would learn about the animals they carry, its so sad Glad he is doing well with you, and can finally binky and be happy!

[bunnied]

What a horrible, disgusting story. That poor bunny. Sadly, this sounds like a pet store by me (which is also next to a pizzeria, and also in Florida and is also locally owned). I’ve gotten two of my bunnies there (which was before I realized how horrible buying them from petstores was) and the people working at the pet store seemed just like that guy was :/

So horrible. I’m so glad the bunny found a loving home though! He’s gorgeous x

[breannaloo]

That would be awesome if it can be figured out by his teeth! He’s such a happy boy.

[Snowytoshi]

I think you can definitely report them. Florida does not have as many pet store guidelines as it should, but it does have guidelines for the proper housing of animals.

Here is a link describing Florida’s laws regarding animal cruelty: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/animalcruelty/florida.pdf
I got that link from this website: http://www.nationalaglawcenter.org/assets/animalcruelty/index.html

[breannaloo]

Florida doesn’t have good guidelines for much of anything lol. thanks so much for the links! i will definitely look into it!

[BinkyBuster]

He looks so sweet!! The animals that were treated poorly are often the ones that will love you the most as well, I’ve found.
So good of you to take him in. Can you keep going back to that store and checking to make sure he doesn’t keep buying more and putting them in that tank? If you go and see another I’d report him (not sure to who, but that’s just terrible.) NOBODY should ever get away with that.

[breannaloo]

well i may have to send a friend in to check the tank because i posted something on my facebook including the actual name of the pet store. word got out and all of a sudden i had a friend request from a shift manager that works there! haha, i guess i got them angry? anyways i blocked that person. but now they know for sure who i am. and i have bright purple hair so it’s not hard to miss me lol. but i could always get my best friend to pop in there. also i’m working on contacting local people. i also posted something on my local craigslist urging people to avoid that store. sorry to them… but i’m not sorry. no one treats a bunny, or any animal for that matter, with such cruelty and doesn’t get word spread about it in my book!

[Author]

Messages