While you may fall in love with that adorable hamster in the store window it is important to be selective where you get your animal from. Most pet stores are a horrible place to buy pets, the animals are mass produced to be sold with the same consideration they give to a bag of bedding. Animals are inventory. Many pet stores buy from breeding mills. Back Yard Breeders breed unhealthy animals that may have genetic problems, and contribute to the overpopulation problem. Even some 'reputable' breeders have the practice of dumping excess, non-show quality animals in shelters, pet stores, or literally on the side of the road.

As tempting as it is to 'rescue' an animal from a bad situation in a breeding mill, pet store, etc....DON'T. By patronizing these establishments (including buying supplies from them) you are perpetuating the problem by providing them with the funding to continue the cycle of animal abuse.

If you MUST buy from a pet store, look for a pet store that is not a chain pet store that keeps their animals in stellar condition. Go to talk with them first, make sure they are providing those animals with all the care they deserve. Ideally, shop at a pet store that does not sell animals at all unless it is run and stocked with rescue animals. These rescue pet stores are an excellent option, as there is a good variety of pets on display usually, and the money goes back into rescue. There are retail stores that do not carry pets that are also an option to purchase your supplies from.

Your time is better spent really saving an animal's life. You will often pay less to adopt an animal that has been vet checked, given it's vaccinations, spayed/neutered, and socialized then you will to buy a potentially sick, mill bred, unsocialized animal. There's no reason NOT to adopt.

Please take the time to read through some of these articles on animal cruelty that we've collected. Remember, if you simply avoid buying pets from retail chains and pet stores you can be part of the solution, and not part of the problem. If you have an article that you believe should be up here, please E-Mail Us With a link to the story.

WARNING - May Contain Graphic Images

"Rat's R' Us" Breeding Mill produces 20,000 decayed, dead, and dying rats
A producer of feeder rats for snake food makes a death trap where rats are crammed into cages so tightly they literally cannot draw a full breath. Rat poison litters the floor to kill escapees.

RMCA's Guidelines for Reporting Abuse
If you see animals kept in horrible conditions at a pet store, you can help. Follow RMCA's guidelines for reporting animal cruelty.

Rabbit Cruelty at Petco
Rabbits kept sick and dying, and offered for sale to unsuspecting customers.

Hoarding 499 Animals
A couple convicted of animal cruelty. Recovered from their home, among other animals, 115 Guinea Pigs and 93 Hamsters

1,300 Rats Found In Apartment
Petaluma Hoarder, actual account from the shelter workers was that over 2,000 rats were brought in and 1,100 immediately euthanized.

Pet Store Risks
By CavySpirit, a very useful resource to read up on the best and worst places to get a pet.