Serremonte pet store….makes me sad.

[Floppy]

Hello all!

For those who live in the bay area, you guys will know which mall I am talking about.

So last week, I went to Serramonte mall for the first time. My friend tells me theres a

petstore in the mall. Sadly its a small store that sells …bunnies as well as puppies in small

cramped cages. The place is small, dark and smells. I don’t understand why people have

the heart to do this to animals…my question is…is there anything I can do? I thought about

contacting the humane society, but then I thought I’ll just leave it alone because pet stores

that sell animals still exists…but days have gone by and I am still thinking about those poor

animals awaiting homes in that cramped space. any suggestions?

After finding some MALL MANGEMENT contact info…I sent them a lovely email:

I am an animal lover. I believe that there are more than enough animals who need homes in shelters. I understand that pet stores that sell pets still exists and certainly attracts attention…but the pet store that is located in your mall is absolutely depressing and disgusting. The dogs are cramped into small cages that are filthy. It is obvious that professional health care for these animals is non-existent. Have you read the reviews on YELP.com? I am certainly not the only one who is disgusted by this pet store. Such an establishment should not exist in a mall that prides itself in its recent renovations. Perhaps it’s time for you to take a look for yourself.

–disappointed visitor.

oh and then I found the actual website... Here are the yelp.com reviews

I think I shall send them a copy of that email as well. “Not another boring supply store” they claim they are.

in the small animal section, they brag that they get new bunnies in every week…UGH!!!!!!

[Lisa_43]

Gees, this place needs to be shut down. The poor animals.

[LittlePuffyTail]

You could start a Petition of signatures of people who will not shop there until things change. If you get enough signatures and bring it into the store owner it might have some impact. I’ve learned that companies care more about losing money from potential customers than moral beliefs. If I lived there, I would definitely take action.

[JK]

Oh god that’s horrible.  Will this ever stop?  I think I would contact the humane society and see if they can step in.  If the welfare of the animals is at risk then they should do something.  Good start on the letter though. I hate to say this because I might get some flack but it really starts with the breeders!  Why are they selling to pet shops!!!! Of course I know why but they just fuel the fire! 

[Beka27]

i would find the contact info for the humane society and call them and file a complaint.  i would then private message or email each of the people (can you do that?) on the YELP site and give them the info and ask them to call and file a complaint for themselves.  even if only a few of them actually take the time to do it, that would be something.  and if it’s so bad i’m sure folks have complained in the past.  they took the time to write a review, so they might call (if they have not already).  jellyrose (i believe) called humane on a place near her and they responded and took the bunnies out of the area to get them help!  it’s not an empty threat anymore.  that’s why they exist, to help the animals.  please do that and keep us posted.

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

That’s sick…That’s an excellent email. When it’s angry or words are chosen poorly it’s less likely to get attention.

If I were you I’d write a letter to the paper, and since you probably can’t name the store and the mall; Something you can do is say ‘a pet store’ at a”a mall in sacremento located near blah blah’ and really insinuate the store, and basically reiterate what you said in that email.

Call you local humane society or spca. Call often. Enough violations may shut it down.

I shouldn’t go in pet stores that sell animals as I just want to take them all home, BUT I do allow myself to go in and check on the conditions of the animals. If I find anything not satisfactory (example: diarhea in a cage) I complain at the counter, and stand there until they clean it up. I generally look less at how small the conditions are (sad but often the case), but more at if the animals look healthy (they aren’t missing fur/feathers) and that the cages are clean, food and water provided and clean etc. etc.

I think what you wrote was excellent. If it’s still bothering you take more action. *HUGS*

[kimberleyanddarren]

let us know if you get a reply you could always go there and take pictures on your cellphone and things so you have evidence if ever they say ‘no no our cages are clean look!’ because they knew they where coming and cleaned them

[Beka27]

well, i *think* that if the humane society is contacted they do an unannounced check and relatively soon after the complaint, within a few days or so.  i’m sure the animal cages wouldn’t be any cleaner or they would suddenly recover from whatever afflictions they suffer from.

[MarkBun]

The Serremonte pet store is THE major supplier of unaltered buns to the public. It is they who cause many issues of the overpopulation here in the bay area. If they were closed down, it would be a major help to the rescue shelters in the area. But, as the shelters all know about them, and they’re still in business, it is hard to get them closed down. They need to get caught in some major legal issue with the rabbits and hopefully that will stop them.

Something that I am thinking about is having a picket line outside of their store during the week before Easter to try and keep the bunny buys to a minimum – but I’ve never formed a picket before so dont’ know the legal states of things. Maybe convince one of the stores next door to allow a massive “Make Mine Chocolate” poster be put into it.

The Penninsula Humane Society offers free alterations to pets at the mall every 2nd and 4th wednesday from Feb through July.

[Beka27]

Markus, is there any way the humane society would confiscate the animals (dogs and buns) and not give them back?  they can’t sell Easter rabbits if they don’t have any to sell.

[Floppy]

Markusdark…wow, I am not surprised to find out that the pet store is one of the main reasons why
we have so many bunnies in shelters. (sigh…) I will keep you guys up to date to see if I get any
responses back. about this though:

The Penninsula Humane Society offers free alterations to pets at the mall every 2nd and 4th wednesday from Feb through July.

alterations @ the mall? like they actually do the procedure there?

[MarkBun]

Unfortunately, there is nothing illegal about selling bunnies – even during Easter time.  And as long as they’re being relatively well taken care of, there’s nothing the humane society can do.  It may look pitiful to us but I’d imagine they’re operating within requirements set by the law else they’d have been closed down long ago.

One thing that happens is that many shelters (even the SF Animal Control Center) will screen potential adoptors and will tell them things like, “You know, I don’t think you’re lifestyle would be healthy to raise a bunny,” or inform them of other such things (they shouldn’t be a present for a new baby, etc.) and the people will huff at the shelter as if they’re being insulted or segregated and then head off to Serremonte and the pet shop says, “Sure, you can raise a bun with a kid.  Oh, and why not get two?  They’re fixed (not).”

 The alterations are done by a vet in a mobile clinic.  It is the county’s way of trying to keep the pet population down.  “Have a pet but don’t have the money or time to get them to the vet?  We’ll come to you!”  They are not connected to the pet shop in any manner.  I think it might have been a compromise by the pet store and the mall against complaints about selling pets unaltered.  Now, they can say “Well it’s the buyer’s fault they never came back.”

 

[JK]

I keep hearing about all the pet shops that are down right lying about whether a rabbit is spayed or neutered! Right there, they should be fined or fed to the wolves!!! This is insane! Can’t they get them on the fact that they are lying?

[Beka27]

oh.  i know there’s nothing illegal by selling rabbits, but if they are visibly sick, will they be confiscated?

[MarkBun]

If they are visibly sick, the officers will issue a warrant of compliance which means that the owners will have X days to get the rabbit medical treatment. Unless the pet is in immediate danger of dying will they take the pet away and then come back with cruelty charges.

As for the lying – how can you prove it? You’d need to have them recorded saying it or a written document that says that they are altered. Then, you’d have to take them to court to pay for the surgery and any damages you can put on top of that – which probably won’t reach a level worth your time going to court nor really hurt them at all.

Now, if there was a way to connect, say, the 29 bun explosion to them, then they’d be into tens of thousands of dollars and THAT might stop them from selling buns.

[JK]

I’m just saying that maybe the pet shop could get into trouble by saying that their rabbits are fixed when they are not. You could prove that the rabbits were fixed by producing records from the vet who performed the surgeries. Couldn’t they ask to see those records? We all know these places do not spay/neuter their rabbits. Then if they were not able to produce any documents they could file charges at that point.

[MarkBun]

Unfortunately, I’m not an animal control officer so I couldn’t tell you what would be legally actionable or not. We’d all like to believe it is simple to arrest the bad guy but sometimes the law protects them.

[Floppy]

Their Response:
I received your email message. I am sorry you feel this way and even more sorry that you did not stop in the Serramonte Pets store and talk to the owners.
Serramonte Pets is a family owned business that has been at Serramonte Center for nearly 40 years. It is owned and managed by people who are dedicated to their business and care deeply about the animals they sell and care for. The dogs are in the store are all exercised regularly have very good care and are quite healthy. The owners have close ties to the Humane Society and are regularly visited by that organization.
I will let Mr. Husak respond for himself but you should know that he has a dog purchased from Serramonte Pets (a Wheaton terrier) about 2 years ago that he is very happy with.
I read the comments on YELP and understand that people with complaints will voice them often and loudly. Unfortunately, customers with good experiences are quiet. I assure you that Serramonte Pets would not still be in business with the third generation of the family working there if they did not have far more success stories than problems.
If you have had problems with the store or with products purchased at the store then you should take that up with the owners. It is not right or fair to make assumptions based on hearsay or simple observation that is not based on known facts.
I hope you will take the opportunity to go to Serramonte Pets and actually talk to the owners and gain knowledge and understanding of who they are and how they handle their responsibilities.

Thank you.

Richard N. Bartlett, CSM
Vice President, General Manager
Serramonte Center
3 Serramonte Center
Daly City, Ca. 94015
(650) 992-8687
Fax (650) 992-1945
dick.bartlett@am.jll.com

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

***STEAMING****

Floppy don’t let this letter discourage you…What are your plans now?

[Floppy]

I wrote him back a letter, that basically said what Markusdark told me about
that pet store being one of the main causes for the shelter bunny population. I also
told him that I was not pleased with his response. Instead of telling me that he would
at least look into it, he instead backed up his store and the owners which I understand
has been there for years. I then told him that just because a store has been in business
for years doesn’t mean that it is performing at it’s best. Along with how people are
unaware that rabbits are considered Exotic pets by Vets and how I am sure that the
owners do not screen the potential rabbit owners. Oh and I also told him that I am a
member of Yelp.com and that i ALWAYS review about my good experiences because I
believe that good business deserve good reviews and well crappy businesses deserve
bad reviews. I ended the letter telling him, “thanks for your ‘time.” After sending
the letter though, I realized his name was DICK and I should of started off the letter
with, “DEAR DICK,”

[Kokaneeandkahlua]

HAHAHAH you totally should have!

That’s a great response! I’m glad you didn’t get put off!! If I lived in your area, I’d go with you to go talk to the owners…For me, that guys response makes me want to “pull out the big guns’!!

[JK]

Floppy – Too funny about DICK!  Sorry about his response. DICK sounds real wishy washy.  I would still contact the humane society and see what they say.  I doubt the pet store is passing inspection.

[kimberleyanddarren]

lol! yes but it would have been funny but you really need to keep professional and write as if you are very well educated and stuff using like proper grammer as they tend to take the members of society they deem as ‘high’ more seriously
also did u ever think of doing what i suggested? go under cover and photograph the animals in a poor state, without water or in dirt or whatever and just say look u can fob me off with bullsh*t but i have evidence and if you dont get anything done about it will report you to (it would be the RSPCA here but i dont know the american equivalent) stand your ground, be professional and get evidence! keep us posted!

[KatnipCrzy]

I think that your best bet for any follow up with a pet store in the US- would be to contact the USDA (United States Dept of Agriculture).  I know that they are regulated to some extent- but not sure what the current laws are.  Even if they are not regularly inspected now- I believe that complaints are followed up on.

Unfortunately dealing with any branch of the government is frustrating and time consuming due to paperwork and getting to talk to or send your letter to the right person (inadvertant run-around).  I had not found them to be terrribly efficient in knowing what anyone else does other than their job- and was transferred to office to office a few years ago when I was dealing with them.

When filing any type of complaint regarding animal/pet treatment- I suggest being polite, state the facts, do not state your emotions or anger- be short and to the point.  State the problem(s) clearly and concisely.  Unfortunately I think that when we get angry and our emotions are involved it is ALL TOO EASY to be shrugged off as a “PETA nutcase”.  But when we are calm and rational- our complaints and statements draw attention.  People don’t care about the “ranting radicals”  BUT they do care about educated informed citizens.

http://www.aphis.usda.gov/

(No disrespect intended to PETA) And the suggestion is not in relation in your earlier post.  I am just passing along info on they best way to get your statements noticed.

 

[Hannah]

I don’t know how I missed this post earlier. There’s a petstore *just like this* in the mall where I work over school breaks. They’re right next to a Sears– I wonder if Sears would be willing to put up a Bunnies and Easter DOn’t Go Together sign or something? I do work at the mall, so I’m not an “outsider.” Taking pictures is also a brilliant idea– I could go in and just act stupid and fawn and take pictures, because the animals there are in pretty sorry condition. Hmm.

[Author]

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