neglect, by Pet store armley Leeds

[degualot]

I was visiting a Pet store in Armley in Leeds called "The Pet and Garden" centre.

I rescued my new Degu Victor from there, He was left in a small tank with no ledges, broken tail and no hay to eat.

Now I walked in Yesterday and to my horror they have just got 2 more pairs of Degus in. two females and two males both in tiny seperate cages with a huge wooden hut inside the cages taking up more than 3/4 of the room in the cage, These are just young pups starting out around 7 weeks, again no Hay is given, I told them about this last time. They seem no have no interest in learning what a Degu needs.

I didn't have a measure tape on me but to my eye the cage looked,

Length: 66 cm
Width: 30 cm
Height: 35 cm


which is basically a small fish tank, The top provides on little ventalation but i'm just so concerned that Pet stores in the UK have no idea how to take care of Degus, either that or they just don't care.

I will post a picture of the cage soon which I took at the store, I'm thinking the best thing to do is contact the Pet store licencing authority or the rspca, should I contact both do you think.

you see this is not the first time this has happened but they don't listen, Personally I hope the place shuts down, one less cruel pet store in the world. God help the goos when It gets hot, there is no ventaliation in there hardly.

Also this store has no problems selling Goos in singles, Even though there's only 2 brothers, they will sell one if the customer only wants one. so sick of this.

[degualot]

sorry I meant it's called "Pet and Garden World"

[fred]

I am afraid you won't have any luck with the licensing authority (council). I looked into that a while ago and was absolutely shocked by what I found. Requirements for pet shops don't seem to have moved on from Victorian times. This a the link to Leeds council: www.leeds.gov.uk/Community_and_living/Animal_welfare/Pet_shop_licences.aspx. Where councils list requirements for degus, they usually are 20% above those for rats so the cage you mentioned could probably accommodate up to four degus. I just don't understand it, it doesn't befit a country whose peoples have a reputation for loving animals.

The lack of hay and the apparent refusal of the pet show owner to remedy this should give you a good reason to contact the RSPCA cruelty help line. Please keep us updated what how it develops.

[degualot]

no problem, well i'm at a loss now, I'm going to go back to the pet store at see if they are giving them hay.

what, that's crazy I wouldn't even keep 1 Degu in that thing.

I don't understand this country sometimes. They say they care but I think cage size is probably the most cruel thing of all. because they live in them all their lives almost. Ok the pet store won't keep them forever but just in general.

I also laugh at the cages that pet stores reccomend not just for Degus, but rabbits, guinea pigs and others. they are basically all poop boxes.

I'll let you know what happens, I just feel sorry for those Goos, they are just starting out and already they are in trouble.

[lollie24]

unfortunately unless something really drastic is done no one is going to do anything about the state of pet shops it was the same with zoo's in this country during the 80's it wasnt untill one of the elephants at london zoo killed one of the keepers something was done so unless ther is a death by bunny incedent no authority is going to give a crap

[malteser60]

And unfortunately I can't see a 'death by degu' ever happening - not that I want the death, don't get me wrong, but with rodents there will never be a strong enough incident that will shake the system up enough so that changes are made.

[lollie24]

I know it just makes me mad I used to work quite closesly with the RSPCA rescuing rabbits mainly as well as a couple of cats and dogs and the fact that the law means there hands are tied is really frustrating.

[degualot]

yes it really bugs me, now I realise why animal rights activists do what they do, it's out of frustration. but it's human nature. We use animals all the time.

[maddy4moos]

That Pet shop is known for being bad - I used to live in Leeds and it is apparently owned by someone with a bit to much money and power in the council and so gets away with it.