Exposing a Pet Store with a Hidden Camera

[@Moddum123]

I worked at one of these places regrettably. The best thing I would do was info dump about what an animal needed and 9/10 the people would glaze over and leave. But that 1/10 times, people would say "oh wow really, okay let me do more research" and they would come back, show off everything they had prepped in picture from their phone, super proud of themselves, and buy the animals from the store. They'd come back habitually for all their supplies and more. Maybe I wasn't a good business person for doing this, but I was good for the animals and that's all that matters.

[@ShinBubblegumGaming]

im glad you could teach people about this. I think all workers should be like you.

[@beverleymason9038]

@@Moddum123 I've seen several "rescues' treating their animals badly. Come on ! Undersized cages housing too many guinea pigs. My local SSPCA shelter had an adult guinea pig housed in an 18 inch cage in the cattery area the last time I was there.

[@mayaseilish]

@@beverleymason9038 lots of rescues don't have enough funds to get large enough cages for them and it's only temporary till they find a home

[@MelodyHayes]

@@beverleymason9038 This channel has talked about that before. Something the good rescues have no space so they’re forced to go to not so good places to help. This usually happens when their situation is ten times worse than it would be at the rescue. And the rescue would be temporary. Not defending the businesses though, if they have a rescue they should do it right. Poor animals deserve the best after their awful lives.

[@BearCare24]

About 9 years ago, I bought what I was told was a pure breed Flemish Giant rabbit 4 months old. This is a very big name pet store where I live. About 10 months after I got it I was wondering why it wasn't getting big like Flemish is supposed to get. After going back to the pet store 5 or 6 times and asking why. They finally told me the Flemish giant bunnies that they had for sale are not pure breeds. They told me because people buy them and don't realize how big the Flemish Giant will get so they mix them with a smaller breed and sell them as pure breed Flemish Giants. I was so bad. I told them that's not right. Now if you go in there it will say Flemish Giant mix on the information paper. And just an FYI I litter trained the rabbit and she ran around the house. She was never in a cage. She had fresh hay and water daily alongside pellet food. She had big tubes she ran through and toys to play with. I'm only saying all this for people who would say maybe the food was not good enough or she was in too small of a cage this was not the case.

[@juliegibson7002]

It’s horrifying that a child can just reach in and grab an animal like that. I was shocked. I’m so glad you butt in about the size of that cage. I really dislike pet stores in uk but I’m so glad they are given tons of food, veggies and big spaces.

[@chanellethomas6886]

The small animal enclosures in pets at home are cruel and well below the minimum requirements. I'm not sure what kind of pet shops you're going to.

[@Anglesslays]

Yeah it’s really sad

[@juliegibson7002]

@@chanellethomas6886 that’s why I said I still dislike them but compared to THESE ones they are a lot better. My local garden centre is the best store for the small animals they sell. There’s a lady who tames them all, gives great advice and they are in huge enclosures. About ten foot for the biggest and smallest ones about six foot. I usually go there instead and won’t give pah my money.

[@Rynn21]

I’ve had applications with people wanting pets for class rooms and petting zoos. I toss the applications and tell them a big no.

[@GuineaPig-ev5si]

the child poked the guinea pig's belly, they could have internal bleeding from that!!!

[@cathyp92]

Dad's a real piece of work, and raising two spoiled brats. My kid would have been told that crying and throwing is fit is not how to get something you want, and we would have left the store empty handed. Next time, speak to the parent in $$. It's a lot cheaper to make your own, appropriate cage. It's a lot cheaper to get a pig from a rescue, and most animals in a pet store are sick with respiratory infections, and will require expensive vet treatment.

[@sophvic]

I absolutely agree and hope your comment gets pushed further up the feed. Pets are a huge commitment, not just a one time purchase like a toy.

[@cheyennejudithcw]

Exactly. Most ppl think in $. Best way is to start speaking their language when you can see they don’t care and is just appeasing their kids.

[@kiddygoat]

Damn thats a bit harsh theyre just kids

[@MelodyHayes]

@@kiddygoat The kids are spoiled but don’t be confused, it’s not their fault, it’s the parents. This behavior should have been taught not to do this at a much younger age. When they did they’re spoiled it’s not on the children, it’s on the parents.

[@nextresistance]

Reptile person here. That chameleon did not look very good. Way too small an enclosure even temporarily obviously. But while it was a short glimpse, the way it was holding itself looked like possibly metabolic bone disease caused by not getting the proper lighting and supplements. That can get really bad over time and it’s one of the worst problems with pet store “informed” impulse buyers of lizards. We’ve got a place like this in my town too. A few things I have to buy there but going in always makes me sad.

[@beachbunnystan9625]

The tiny glass tank is all I needed to see to be like yeah fuck no the rest of the care the small animals isn't tooo bad it could be worse but then I saw the chameleon and my jaw dropped

[@emilyfunk9560]

OMG why would you take kids into a pet store KNOWING they’re going to cry about getting them… if you cant afford it, why are you doing it? The kids are going to lose interest in the next 12 hours. This video was so cringe. Thank you for spreading knowledge and love towards these babies.

[@GuineaPig-ev5si]

you can tell they came from the "if you don't stop crying I will buy you something"

[@Reyyymeow]

that 'rat' cage is insane, that's not suitable for any small animals honestly it's horrible. i hate pet store cages, they never have the correct measurements and they obviously don't care about it because if they did care then they would sell the correct size cages and enclosures rather than selling the horrible cheap plastic stuff that is far too small

[@the_pet_herd]

I am 12 yrs old and have had my two piggies for about 4 yrs. When I first got them they were living in an outdoor pet store cage, but since watching your videos my piggies are in a 2,5 c&c cage living their best live. Keep doing what you are doing, because it really helps.

[@hanna2695]

This is sweet and I’m so happy to hear his videos are inspiring you ❤ give your piggies extra pats, they are so loved 🥰

[@itsjxssica]

I got my Guinea pigs when I was 8 too! Mine used to live in a pet shop cage but I would have them in a run (in summer) or in one of the rooms in the hours during the day so they weren’t in there long. I turn 16 next month and my piggies now live in a c&c cage but they don’t get out as often though it’s large enough for them to run in and I still have lots of cuddles ❤they’re different piggies now (I’ve had 9!) but I love them all the same ❤❤

[@indesomniac]

It’s really frustrating watching the dad just give into the demands of his kids because they started crying; garbage parenting which is setting himself, his kids, and those pigs up for failure. If he isn’t prepared to take care of exotic animals, it’s irresponsible of him as the adult to assume his KIDS are prepared for that. Lazy parenting at its finest. Thank you for trying.

[@SRHMorbid]

I remember when my daughter wanted a guinea pig….she still doesnt have one. Not because i wasnt interested i absolutely love them and had them as a kid. But atm i couldnt care for them. She understood and is willing to wait.

[@MelodyHayes]

Best mother right there. The fact your kid isn’t screaming and crying like the one in the video and you’re teaching them about the responsibility it needs is very telling. We need more parents like you.

[@emmaskabelund8086]

My mom just told me that she was surprised at how interested I kept being in taking care of “my” animals. She knew that she would step in if I lost interested at all or if I missed a cleaning. But I never did miss any cleaning.

[@gp1gm0m]

i wish more people considered animals actual living being with thoughts and feelings and not just “things” or toys for their children that they’re too lazy to actually PARENT and teach responsibly too

[@mayaseilish]

if you ever come to new zealand you should come to pet stores they are amazing they have no animals, no small cages, no bad treats, no bad foods, they have brochures on what to do and what to have if you want a guinea pig or any animal

[@beverleymason9038]

Just a question ? Guinea pigs are wonderful little animals. I've owned them since 1991. When the pet shops stop selling them and there's NO breeding, count 6 or 7 seven years from now and there will be none at all.

[@mayaseilish]

@beverleymason9038 no there won't be and there will always be an occasional accident pregnancy and can easily multiply and lots of people don't want to get their guinea pigs spayed or neutered so you can always breed them if there are "none left"

[@gwynethglas-brown9171]

The father by the sounds of it just wanted to keep the kids “ Happy “ so indeed not bothered what they did 🙈 Does make you wonder how long will the care of the guiean pigs stay by the 2 kids .🥺.

[@CompanionPupsNZ]

Here in New Zealand, pet stores haven't been allowed to sell any live animals other than fish for quite a few years now. We still have typical breeder issues for all animals, but pet store rules changed for the better, in regards to live animal sales, in recent years ❤

[@the_pet_herd]

Yes I live in NZ ❤

[@lululemon918]

Unfortunately this isn’t the case for australia but the pet store I’ve been to seems to take care of the Guinea pigs well and they have a decent amount of space to roam and enrichment too which I was suprised about😢😅

[@beverleymason9038]

What happens when there's no guinea pigs left anywhere ? Seriously question. All the guinea pigs in your country won't be alive in 6 or 7 years maximum.

[@beverleymason9038]

​@@lululemon918good. I'm glad to say I grew up with all kinds of animals from pets shops and were well cared for all their lives and I don't regret my wonderful childhood learning about animals. Small pet ownership should be ENCOURAGED these days with parents spending more time with the kids and the animals and they will grow into better human beings as a result, and get them away from phone screens. I'm 65 and still own guinea pigs.

[@nightlunastar]

If a pet store would keep the animals like we see in the Video in Germany, than even people who know nothing about how to care for the animals would complain about the cages they live in.

[@heatherburrell]

If petshops were serious about healthy and cared for animals, they would work alongside rescues, shelters and vets. Thankyou for showing this horrible reality, it is disturbing that these animals are literally just products.... How is this legal?? Rescuers, like scottysanimals and you, always bring pet realities to light.

[@savnygren]

Ouffff, how she just picked up the guinea pig like that and ”this is my favourite animal right now” makes me so mad wtf

[@lululemon918]

Yeah if it’s ur fav animal I would think that you knew all about them and not mistreat them

[@Rynn21]

This is probably how ALL my intakes from families with kids ended up with ptsd and/or arthritic injuries.

[@theshadywarrioryt]

The only pet store I stand is my towns family owned one that actually informs you on everything and treats their animals like absolute royalty. Like they aren’t in cages besides reptiles and tiny tiny gerbils-mice-tiny birds but even then the cages are big. The Guinea pigs and bunnies and ferrets are in huuuuuuge open enclosures with bowls for water and pellets and hay and litter boxes and hideouts. They have people set in certain areas who know about each area to inform everyone about the proper care for the pets. My Guinea pig passed away today from old age and your videos always make me smile seeing the ones you’ve rescued. 🖤🖤

[@agnessjoberg5109]

I dont understand how it can be legal to treat animals like this😥

[@EllaPlayzxx]

For real this is awful

[@cheyennejudithcw]

It’s horrible. And in Ohio they have no laws against the maltreatment of small animals from what I understood. I wonder how many other states have no laws in place to protect small creatures…

[@Rynn21]

There’s a “rescue” in Northern Ohio that has been reported by other rescues countless times and nothing has been done! Filthy cages, and guinea pigs being sold free if you get a cage…

[@lexTS89]

I love how gentle you were with helping them out.

[@ThePigRoom]

❤

[@fitzguineavision]

I've had that debate with many before about how purchasing from a pet store isn't really rescuing an animal, it's supporting the animal mills because to the store it's just another item on the shelf at the end of that day, as sad as it is. I think it's a controversial subject for sure. I'm glad you were there to at least intervene and help them get a more appropriate cage ( not big enough as you mentioned - but better than what he would have walked out with)

[@luvlytxchicpr445]

Maybe showing a few pictures of C&C cages and playpens would have been helpful. I would have been eternally grateful if someone would have showed me when I first became a guinea pig and bunny parent. Luckily, I learned very quickly by watching responsible pet owners like yourself on proper care. Now I keep handy pictures of suitable enclosures to show people I encounter that may be making an impulse buy. They seem grateful for the advice, and it saves them money in the long run. It is still hard to watch because many don't know the long-term care and proper food these precious pets require. Loving pet owners are continually learning the proper way. It never ends. You did the right thing by speaking up.

[@hauntgarden]

1:30 YES!! 👏👏 Say it louder. People need to stop behaving like purchasing an animal from a pet store is an act of goodwill or a "rescue". All it does is tell them their "product" sold and they need to replace it again and again. The cycle can end if there is no consumer demand.

[@Molly8294]

That's how I got 6 of my current hermit crabs. Two were actual rescues. The care was just so bad, I felt like I couldn't leave them there 😢 It wasn't until I joined some hermit groups and understood that I was part of the problem that I stopped going to pet stores to torture myself. I'm definitely keeping the ones I have but when I move I plan on adopting from someone who is looking to remove theirs so they won't be abandoned.

[@susanbecker5610]

​​@@Molly8294 that's me. 😁 I got two hermit crabs about 4 years ago from a pet store. I then went down the rabbit hole of research and found out I knew nothing. Now I have a 110 gallon enclosure and 10 hermit crabs. They're all rescues, except one. Of the original two I bought, just the one lived. She's thriving now along with all the others. 🙂

[@TheKatarinaGiselle]

I’m the future, you should just say exactly what you wanted to say. I understand it is scary..but in a few more years you will be older and I promise you, you won’t give a f anymore! So just practice being brave now and say what’s on your mind! Don’t worry about giving him an out on something he didn’t want to do in the first place, especially when the kids will end up learning in the process. As a mom, ai approve of what you wanted to say!

[@susanbecker5610]

As a mom, I can't agree more.

[@thecatandrabbit6988]

My daughter BEGGED me for a rabbit for years. I didn't say yes until I did my research and wanted one as well. The adult needs to be the responsible one!

[@MelodyHayes]

Amazing parent right there.

[@Koi_On_All_Fours]

Not exactly related to this video, however it can relate to some pieces and bits. This is how I got my guinea pig, Solstice. After my sister had gotten out of highschool and had started her jobs and whatsonot, her animal science teacher, (we'll call her R), asked her if she could take home one of her guinea pigs to try and get her to open up a bit more, just for a week. Both me and my sister are very happy to care for any pets no matter the species, even for a short time, and my sister had taken care of a rabbit, in which was the sweetest animal I'd ever met, many times before during highschool. Regardless, the cage that R sent the guinea pig, who's current name was Elsa, (Yuck, no offense.) was UNACCEPTABLE. it was a small cage and I'm not sure if R had multiple piggies in the cage, but regardless, it was DISGUSTING. It made me want to gag. It was well kept for the most part, however it was like 2ft by 3ft, it was not acceptable whatsoever for any guinea pig, rabbit, or ANY other small animal, to be honest. When my sister brought "Elsa" home, i fell in love with her. She was the cutest animal I had ever seen, and the worst part? She was afraid of anyone and anything. She was terrified and skittish. I felt so terrible. She is white and has a dark gray spot on her right side of her bum and face. (She's very cute!), and the hay and food that R was giving her was alright, but not great. At the moment, we use aspen bedding for her cage, i wish i could use fleece and a C&C cage, but at the moment there's alot going on in my household and I don't want to burden my parents, so I'm gonna start saving money for it. (Wow I'm responsible !!) The pellets that she had had those little green hoop things that look like grinch Cheerios, and some other weird stuff with artificial colors in it. She ate around them, but it was still not okay. The bedding was alright, not sure what kind it was, as it was in Ziploc bags. We didn't use it after we got the aspen bedding for her. Over the course of the first 3 days, my parents got her a larger cage, by acres compared to what she had, and we bought her a bunch of other stuff like toys, treats, and whatnot. And when R called my sister to tell her to take her back, my sister handed the phone to my mother, and my mother said no. In the most respectful manner, I refused to let the poor thing go back to that environment full of students who did who knows what around her or towards her. I was going to keep her no matter what. I had proved my ability to keep her and be responsible for her, and my parents agreed that I was perfectly able of taking care of her. So then that was it. She was mine. R had agreed that she'd be better off with our family than she was with all of the students, and it was then known that she was ours. I hated the name Elsa, in which she was originally called, so I renamed her Solstice. The cause being, when we got her, it was winter break for highschools in our area, so that's why my sister had to takr her in the first place, and her adoption date is December 23rd, 2021. That's how I adopted my sweet little baby. She is currently working with me to become a bit more social and open to being petted and picked up. I fo not have high hopes, ad she tolerates me and is perfectly healthy, wheeking when i get rhe food out, whistling when she smells treats, and chattering her teeth when she's over me and my petting. In NO case WHATSOEVER is it okay to ignore or neglect your guinea pig(s), or any animal. Ever. I hope this helped some of you, and have a good day/night. Happy late new year!

[@Koi_On_All_Fours]

Replying so I can return to this to edit later if I need to.

[@tw33233]

Omg pretty sure I know that place! It's pretty bad in there. Randomly stopped in a while back and saw that in with the feeders rats there was this elderly, sick/injured looking rat who clearly looked like a former pet. Asked one of the employees and sure enough his owner had surrendered him to the store and they put him in with the feeders, where he was getting attacked and had developed a URI 😢 Felt terrible and got him medical attention. Named him Roger and he was absolutely mean as shit lol, but understandable considering what he'd been through. At least he had a few months of peace at the end of a hard life 🥲

[@Temms]

I'm happy that in the netherlands animals in pet stores get good living spaces. I always see fairly large cages for guineapigs with houses, hay and vegetables. Hamsters get appropriate cages as well

[@totallynotsammm]

not all the time tho i see many pet stores with small glass cages with nothing in them

[@Temms]

@@totallynotsammm that's so sad. I personally have never seen that. In my home town and my current location all the petstores have good living spaces for their animals. I know the large companies at least try to follow the guidelines. Maybe you went to small stores?

[@ashham2784]

I got a mouse they had by itself for free due to "aggression", they where going to feed her to a snake at the end of the day if I didn't take her... Poppy could not live with other mice, she live 8 years in total and I loved her so much!! The truth was that she was horribly abused, that's why she was "aggressive" she was terrified!! Pet stores are bad in this way.... edit: spelling

[@raelenekennedy1412]

in Australia now it is illegal to sell animals in pet stores

[@LiquidSm0ke]

How do you buy pets ?

[@CeleWolf]

​@LiquidSm0ke regulated breeders I'd assume.

[@jillbrewer2335]

@@LiquidSm0ke Gumtree or a rescue

[@youreinvalid8493]

​@@LiquidSm0ke breeders or rescues

[@Ashuen_]

As someone who works at a pet store, we try very hard to educate our customers there are so many people who will impulsively buy pets and do ZERO research it’s so sad but thankfully we have the right to refuse a animal sale and if they don’t have at least the minimum habitat requirement we will not proceed with the adoption process this store is truly disgusting and I feel so horrible for those poor babies I highly recommend going to your local rescue if you’re interested in adopting an animal and PLEASE PLEASE DO YOUR RESEARCH!!

[@idarahmqvist1373]

I argued with a local pet store to stop selling rabbits etc, asked questions like where they were getting them, talked about how they were contributing to impulse buys etc. Hearing them answer that they got rabbits from people getting "accidental" babies as well as whole sales, i asked how they could guarantee the genetic health of the animals. They answered truthfully that they couldn't. A few months later they stopped selling animals in their store!

[@sallylovesguineapigs]

That is just horrifying, I have never seen as many animals at one petstore in my life. I blame all of this on the government, they need to make a change and they just don’t

[@Myhandlenamehasbeentaken]

6:43 When My Son was in school he would bug me and beg me for a lizard!! I said yes with 1 condition! He has to do the research and make a booklet from start to finish on the lizard he wanted to get. He didn’t do the research so he never got one! Just because your child wants something sooooo bad doesn’t mean they should have it, Especially when it comes to animals!

[@beccaandgoodman]

Shame on pet stores honestly for not educating customers better.. that cage was too small for a rat...

[@Alexandriaxxanime]

It’s so cruel how many animals are cramped in tiny cages 😢

[@totallynotsammm]

the rat cage aint even good for rats imagine a guinna pig

[@Haunteddollllover]

Hermit crabs are so underrated they need at lest a 20 gallon tanks. With salt water and fresh water pools they can live over 50 years with proper care. Don’t implus buy them like Guinea pigs

[@jrm2716]

Yes! I live near the ocean and there are so many shops that sell them for "souveniers"(sic?). They send them home with terrible, possibly toxic food, a sponge a small dish, all in a wire cage without any substraight. They even paint their tiny shells to make them look more attractive. No wonder most only survive a few months. This practice should be illegal. Venting over. Lol

[@CutThroatCat]

I keep a few different types of animals, but not rodentia. I mentioned I was looking at reptile items for my 3 toed box turtle, and a pet store employee suggested a Russian tortoise they’d just got in. That’s a pet you hand down to your kids because they will outlive you. Not an impulse buy. Even my box turtle is a lifelong commitment (❤). Imagine suggesting a hundred year commitment with no knowledge of my capabilities.

[@CutThroatCat]

He didn’t even know box turtles need a swimming/soaking area.

[@Aloona.a]

Thank you for advocating for these animals!

[@ScottysAnimals]

Thank you for sharing this. I've been talking about this for quite a while but nothing seems to change.

[@BethDelaney-j9z]

When l saw the rats in that enclosure it made me cry because I have rats and if they were in that situation it would devastating 😢

[@curse7469]

it's really sad. im sure many are bought as live snake food 😢I love snakes too but frozen thawed is the way to go. If you rub scent on the food there is no issue

[@reneemckinnon5731]

More parents need to realise that when they are buying a pet for their kids they are actually buying a pet for themselves. Regardless of species, children can’t be held responsible for looking after an animal when they don’t know enough, don’t have the money or ability to take their pet to the vet, etc. It’s sad how many animals suffer from parents buying their kids pets on a whim 😕

[@theresayingling2327]

I feel sorry for the two guinea pigs that they brought, the two children are going to not handle them properly and they will treat them like toys, so sad 😒

[@Rynn21]

Our intakes from homes with kids all have spinal or limb injuries

[@CelesteSerrano-i3r]

I love your videos so much! I love when you save animals! Btw hi it’s “Taylor”

[@ThePigRoom]

Hi Taylor Swift 🤪

[@susanbecker5610]

As a mom, this pains me and it happens all the time. It's a parent's job to guide and teach their child and usually that means, you have to learn it first or learn it alongside them. I just don't understand how parents don't take this more seriously when they're dealing with living creatures. Pets are great for children to have and an amazing opportunity to teach proper husbandry and a true love for animals. How do parents fail so badly in this area all the time? I personally take it very seriously. I absolutely love guinea pigs, but I can't have them, because I'm allergic. For me, it's hermit crabs. They're my passion and they have been such a great way to teach my children what it means to truly love a pet. It's not doing the minimum or a simple Google search. It's not impulse buying, it's not a hamster cage for a guinea pig and it's not a 10 gallon for a hermit crab. If one really cares, if they really really want that animal, they'll do what it takes to research and save the money to give that animal what they really need, not just guess at it.

[@sharonmcandrew5046]

I’m glad you mentioned to the dad on the Guinea pigs he didn’t look interested I dread to think in next couple of months what will happen to them when they get bored makes me want to cry when seeing videos like that your right people should be brushing up on their knowledge before getting any kind of animal 🎉

[@greenfigtree7778]

I'm very appreciative of your content as it has taught me so much. I used to be like the kids in this video, where I wouldn't understand how to properly take care for animals. I grew up with a variety of small rodents, dogs, and a cat, all of which my family was neglectful towards. I've always loved animals but was also raised to think that all they need is a somewhat clean space, food, and water. Content like this makes me feel almost healed in a way as I can learn proper ways to care for animals. For a while I dreaded the thought of one day getting a smaller rodent as a pet again, because not only did I not know how to take care of them, they also live short lives and you can't really be affectionate towards them (at least not like with cats or dogs). Your content has helped me reframe my thinking, and if I can afford it one day I now plan to rescue and or foster rodents. I see it more as me offering them a sort of retirement home, where they can live the rest of their life in an enjoyable and safe place. I'll still mourn them when they pass, and I'll sometimes wish I could cuddle them like a dog, but that doesn't mean I shouldn't help them if I can. Taking care of them shouldn't just revolve around my feelings, it should prioritize them and giving them the best life I can.

[@presleyannpoems]

I love your videos! I have a pig named snickerdoodle, and i first got her alone. But from watching your videos, i got a more understanding of piggies and we are getting a sister for her tommorow. They have a big c&c cage waiting for them!! ❤

[@orangetwelve3462]

Good of you to speak up!! Absolutely justified and necessary!! Totally agree with everything you say in this video!

[@Melissa-Izabella]

Thank you for doing what you do!

[@sockruhtease]

My heart breaks for these animals.

[@cindym7234]

This was so upsetting! Thank you for showing this reality. Love from Texas ❤

[@neelymurphy6797]

Kids are only interested in guinea pigs because they're cute and cuddly looking. Those reasons are not the right reasons for anyone to get them. Nuanced interesting and subtle behaviors of the pigs over long term are the reasons a person will enjoy them, and most kids don't have that level of patience or understanding, so they will end up seeing a stinky animal that is actually more gross the more they learn about it and probably more work and money to keep them even what's considered acceptably clean, but honestly unless you're doing constant spot cleaning or bathing them before touching them, it's still nasty because they're animals that live in their waste and there's just not much to get around it. There will always be visible waste laying there in the cage that they walk and sit in. When the kids and parents see that reality, they will be dumped at a shelter or worse or passed on to others that will eventually perpetuate the cycle. Guinea pigs are only for adults and maybe some older kids that are interested in them for the right reasons and willing to withstand the type of maintenance.

[@TheMermaidHouse2]

Thank goodness you were there and able to do something. Your channel has really improved the life and care of my guinea pigs! :)

[@Olivee367]

I work at a petstore (a chain one), and this is what i love about where i work. You bring up that rat cage asking for a guinea pig, we'll deny you. We won't sell you anything, cause its clear you don't know what you're doing. We'll even deny betta sales

[@HeyItsMaysPets]

As a petstore worker, these conditions are just absolutely unacceptable! The rat with the babies?! What the heck? Our animals always go with pamphlets on care and we always say for enclosure “the bigger the better”. We also tell people that “if you’re getting a pet for someone under 18 - you are the pets primary caregiver” and so much more!! That’s just crazy!! The baby rats seriously blown me away

[@shiroo_0001]

Im getting rats and not even that "rat cage" is good, the wire flooring is HORRIBLE and its just not great at all. I literally hate petstores, they rarely offer any good advice and they defiently should work there if they actually love animals. it has been a year before i decided i wanted rats, i watched videos, researched a lot and when i started out wanting them, i though you could just get one single one, then i found out they were social so i added another rat but then i realised they do better in groups so i'm getting 3 girls during this spring. always search up about the animal you are considering buying. as a big sister to a 4 year old sister, i explain how to handle animals and how to be around them, as well as how to behave when her big sis gets pets. shes a good listener and when i explain the animal doesn't want her near, she gets a bit pouty but understands and leave the animal alone. Its SO important to teach kids about it, and shes so gentle with animals and never picks them up, only pets them. Not to mention that the other animals on that cage package was NOT suited for the cage, it's just pure trash and no animal should be put in there at all.

[@EllaPlayzxx]

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH YOUR SUCH A GOOD INFLUENCE I WISH WE HD MORE PEOPLE LIKE YOU BRO UR AMAZING ❤️❤️❤️😭😭😭🙏🙏🙏

[@mae4031]

Hi Guys! I have a question.. I plan on having guinea pigs one day but I’m currently still doing my research, because I want to give my piggies the best life possible one day. My question is, are only these specific pig pet store cages bad or al cages that are made that way bad? Because a friend of my sister wanted to give her old guinea pig cage to me. That kind of looks like the cages they sell in the store there! The cage she wants to give me is a Beeztees Baldo rabbitcage 140 cm long and 70 cm wide and 43 cm tall. Should I decline or could I still use this cage for when I plan on getting guinea pigs one day?

[@ShinBubblegumGaming]

i guess the best here would be to talk to the workers about proper care so they could inform their customers better. I dont understand how they keep selling these awfull cages

[@Orcalover.]

It amazes me how these animals are being kept❗️I often spend my time at my pet store, I often have to educate people and now all the employes look at me like I’m some crazy highschooler❗️Keep up the good work and I hope your channel grow❗️❤

[@curse7469]

I've been to a pet store called feeder's pet supply that had the absolute worst rodent care I've ever seen. Mice and rats kept in CONTAINERS so full they're walking on top of each other! No bedding no hides no anything! Plastic container. They're kept in the back while " pet" mice and rats get slightly better care on the floor. They try to hide them. It's so disgusting. I don't even think petstores should sell live animals as reptile food because it's awful for both animals but good lord if they do they should care for the animals just the same as pets.

[@curse7469]

i left a review saying so but i doubt anyone cares

[@agnes2344]

Where were the water bottles for the guinea pigs??? Omg this makes me so sad.

[@ThePigRoom]

OUTSIDE of the cage! I had to move them into the cage and they went straight for the water. They were so thirsty 😅

[@agnes2344]

@ThePigRoom 🙏❤

[@agnes2344]

YES!!! Please people rescue animals from shelters! Thankyou Austin for everything you do for all the animals!!❤

[@Cazameilia]

I watched a video where two men were dumpster diving outside a pet store and found/ rescued still living fish that had just been thrown away to slowly die,, they were knowledgable on fish (its a fish care/rescue channel) and were able to save most of them in time. but if that's the attitude of pet stores in general I'm not surprised this happens either :( I won't buy from pet stores that sell animals anymore, all my fur babies of any type come from rescue now.

[@clinthenderson3168]

Hey there Brother. I'm really glad you make videos like this because yes the babies aka Guinea Pigs 🐹 are fragile animals. You have to handle them with care and attention. You are absolutely correct about EVERYTHING you said. I'm really glad you built up the courage to say something in behalf of the piggies/ guinea pigs. I've quite a few over the years. I made mistakes along the way doing my research and watching videos like your definitely helped me and taught me as well. So really appreciate videos like this one and others. Peace and Blessings 🙏🏽🙏🏽🙏🏽

[@yms4355]

Thank you so much for exposing this. People need to call these stores out.

[@Alondra-l2f]

Dear parents pls get a back bone!! You’re are the ADULT do not let your children manipulate you . A person who has been alive less time then you ex a 1-18 year old should not have that much control over your decisions financially or otherwise, let alone mind. You’re doing a disservice to not only the animals, your kids, but also yourself have some self respect and tell the kids NO because you’re the adult not them if we let kids run the world the world would be destroyed. Sincerely a human with logic you’re welcome:)

[@GamingWhiz14]

I remember when I was little and got a hamster from a pet store as a Christmas gift. She would do all the normal stress signs but I just thought it was cute😢🐹❤

[@sakarikokotala9160]

Wow, i get most of the animals on my property are all rescues. The sheriff department drops off small animals like rabbits and other rodents. My SPCA doesn't take in rodents or farm animals. I don't get help taking care of them so that comes out of pocket. I also have people who drop off kittens and cats to my house. I don't get help from anyone else so again it is out of pocket. I spend all day taking care of animals and love every minute of it. I have guinea pigs. The longest living one is 11 years old with their mate being around 9 years old. So I don't like when people just get animals because people like my family and I have to mop up their messes. An animal is their life long commitment. Think before you get.

[@animaanimus8011]

I gasped when that kid picked up the Guinea pig. I didn’t see that coming.

[@jadecoolness101]

It's a sad fact that "rescuing" from pet stores only makes the problem worse. A pet store doesn't care WHY you're buying the animal, all they care is "do I make money selling this animal"

[@Patimiley]

That breaks my heart😢😢 thank you for telling them

[@kannakye9359]

I have three parrots and whenever I express my interest of working at a parrot rescue, people say, why don’t you work at a pet store? I couldn’t. I would refuse 9/10 animal purchases.

[@angiesoto3431]

I'm so glad my mom made us go back and do the bare minimum research before we got our guinea pigs, even now she still does think of the pets and so do we, before we even decide to get them.(We do only browse the pet store near our home, and always did after we gave our pets to family friends)😊

[@Piggedies]

Whoa, it’s illegal to sell rabbits in pet stores here in NY. I thought it was in NJ too! Poor animals 😭 At least their cages were clean and they seemed healthy. I think pet stores should be required to give out information packets on these animals when people buy them. Too many people walk into these pet stores without knowing anything about the animals. 😢 Thanks for going out of your way to make this video. I think it’ll help a lot of people.

[@kirugai]

8:56 I absolutely HATE the fact that people do not use their brains while getting a small animal. They think for example: ''Oh, on the picture it's a hamster, this means this cage is meant for hamsters, sure, I'll buy it!'' Oh god, I'm so sick of it. The producers of these cages know very well what they are doing, selling stuff that are absplutely not suitable for ANY animal and putting a hamster, guinea pig, rat, anything else on he picture to convince people to buy it. Gross..

[@Helsbells08]

I’ve learnt a lot from your channel. So I’d like to thank you for sharing your experience with us. ❤

[@emilymanning1375]

Would love more undercover work like this 😮

[@monarchscried4915]

i never seen ferrets in a tank that small

[@cedarpinespets]

my face when i see that austin posted a vid: 😱 😱😱😱😱😁😁😁😁😁😁😁🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

[@FinnyAde26]

I hate to admit it, but I was one of those kids when I was little except I always wanted a hamster. No matter if I cried and threw a fit, my parents never gave in! It was so annoying to me as a kid, but now looking back, it was the best decision. I absolutely hate when parents give into their kids, whining as that doesn’t teach them anything and this case it’s taking an innocent animal and putting it in potentially harms way just because you can’t say no to your kids. I definitely think you should continue doing these videos and step in whenever you can! I rarely go to pet stores anymore besides Petco and Petsmart, but we do have a couple local ones that are clean, but they have male and female animals together and open top cages where kids can reach in. It is very sad!

[@tigerwoman4411]

My cousin's grandma never told him no so he had like 50 reptiles and like 6 hamsters. Only good thing was the cages were big and well cared for

[@Preppylifestyle-ck4rm]

Hiiiii I love ur vids they are so fun to watch!

[@ThePigRoom]

Thank you so much! So happy you enjoy them ❤

[@daniellerussak1665]

The birds!!!!! The birds get soooooooooo neglected.... I could hear stressed sun conures....... 😢😢😢😢😢😢😢

[@shinjiblackwing]

i felt soo sad for the rat with babies :( some one could have bought that rat with babies for snake food

[@CLOWTISMS]

Omg the rat with the newborn babies :(

[@lacey7608]

When I was younger, I went to the pet shop to get a hamster and a worker was helping me I asked her what enclosure do I need to get and she was showing me some, but she said to not get any in the pet shop because they were way too small and I am so thankful because I had to order one online and it was expensive, but it was the proper enclosure that I needed, so thank you to the woman that helped me.

[@magicdolphin3090]

Thank you for trying to say something. It's important to not normalize neglect. Unfortunately, some people do not care, but it is always worth the effort. Sad that these animals do not have proper rights yet.

[@DiamondsRescue]

As someone who works in a family owned pet store. I can say, I am glad I work there. Because I am someone who takes a lot of time to actually talk with our customers to make sure that every animal leaving our care is going into a properly equipped home. However, I will say. I do not and will not support most pet stores. But being in a very rural area, and having an exotic pet store. Most people come to us for their pets, and I am glad I am in the position to advocate proper care of the animals, even if that means we lose a few sales over people not wanting to provide the care I am telling them. I don’t lie to make the sell, I am very blunt and tell them all the pros and cons. And it makes me feel better about being able to advocate for the pets there. I have done rescue and rehab of exotic animals for over 10 years, and I want what is best for any animal, even if it’s not mine. So being in the small area I am, I do believe I am making a difference one pet at a time.

[@RhiannonBullock-gp5pb]

Thank you so much for speaking up I am quite young having animals I had a hamster when I was like 8 and I absolutely hated how small my cage was but my parents weren't educated and I didn't know and I have guinea pigs now at 15 years old and I have to say I am always trying to improve I actually got mine from a breeder and I got 3 girls but one do them turned out to be pregnant and she gave birth to one baby girl and we kept her and made the space bigger and I realised after that the mother had extra nipples really small mind you but definitely not normal however her baby didn't and I also volunteer at a rescue now and then and I adopted a spade male he's alittle older then them but they get along well and I really do adore them and your videos always inspire me I've always been upset about climate change and the effect on animals and I hope when I'm older I will have a job that can help animals big and small and maybe even do rescues like you!!

[@livingmybestlife8641]

I wish I knew then, what I know now! My sweet Jinx would have been so much happier if she wasn't in a 50 gallon fish tank. I was 12, that was 49 years ago. She did get to run around in my room, and go outside on the grass. I was a kid, not the best at keeping her cage clean, but she always had her food and water.

[@michelleschneider3220]

Oh my gosh.... the memories of my first piggie, Harriet. She is my Petco piggie. I thought i did research as at the time I was a preschool teacher and Petco had a program for teachers , a grant and educational and I picked guinea pigs, skinny pig. I went in a couple days and honestly, this is another part too, I really was overwhelmed after I got my Harriet and all the information the employee had given me---and I will tell you I did get a petstore cage, Living World, it was the biggest they had. I will tell you that the brief history given on Harriet, was she was isolated for two months or more, bonded, but they sold the bonded friend, she had no shelter, pellets that looked old and a neon pink chew toy that was buried. Besides your story of impulse buy, Petco makes it seem like they are doing a good thing with educational program. While the premise may be good, I quickly learned that Harriet as a classroom pet was not o-k, I actively researched information and learned how to properly care for Harriet. I never took the grant, Harriet was mine forever, but the damage Petco did by her isolation , being in a tank, was done. It took a lot of work for social skills as she didn't want or like furry guinea pigs and I finally found a perfect friend---actually, they are like sisters and have a wonderful bond. Clementine was another werewolf skinny like Harriet and I got her at a rescue. Adopt, don't shop! I am a strong advocate and have not put my foot in a petstore that sells animals. I only did when I was asked about a question from Scotty's Animals and found out that Harriet was the last ordered up skinny. Yes, exact words. So, I did save her as they were getting ready to get rid of her. In case you were wondering, I ditched the cage, got a Midwest, then I went to a 2x3.5 and now have a2x4 and ready to upgrade again. Yes, I did things backwards, but I had the drive to do right by Harriet and then Clementine and I tell her story and I write to Petco and yeah , unfortunately it's money and until we as a community shout out more to advocate for our precious guinea pigs, pet stores will sell to families and the cyle of surrender and dumping will continue. Thank you Austin for advocating and being a voice!

[@queenchoyo6016]

There has to be a way to get stores to stop selling animals. Wouldn't it be great if all pet stores had space for rescues and shelters to use for adoptions? Seeing all the animals in your video broke my heart.

[@TheGuineaCat]

Thank you for trying to inform that family. The pigs are better off than they would have been had you not been there, that's for sure. I avoid going in pet stores as well for the reasons you stated. It's still mind boggling how many people will impulse buy a pet just like that. I think I do more research before I buy a new pair of shoes. Thank you for your advocacy for these small creatures.

[@suigestsu3374]

I have 7 guinea pigs right now, and my mother has a friend with a pet shop, she told me about giving one of my males for breeding purposes, i was very much against it and refused to give her one, the problem became worse when i saw the the condition she kept her guinea pigs, 4 guinea pigs in the same cage as a chinchilla, along with NO bedding whatsoever just cardboard and wires as flooring, nowhere to rest or hide, no hay it was a disaster, i highly encourage not buying any animal from a pet store.

[@manycatz3746]

So many people just dont care....its just a rodent. Thats their attitude, if it dies oh well just get another. I had a simular situation. Little girl telling her dad she wanted it. I told him they are high maintenance pets and you need 2, told him about c&c cage, and watch KZbin videos so you know what you are getting into. i could tell eyes are glazing over. Employee came over debunking everything i said. Only good thing he didn't leave with a guinea pig

[@Petwonders-dogs]

Finally someone that understands

[@lululemon918]

Lucky for me, I did tons of research about Guinea pigs before getting them, and I’m glad I did because before I knew I was getting Guinea pigs, pet store cages that I occasionally saw made me believe that Guinea pigs didn’t need to be housed in cages bigger than the ones the pet stores were selling😅❤

[@Temms]

6:02 those cages are awful.. They have nowhere to hide and can barely walk in it. They are probably nervous 24/7

[@ShwintyKat]

It looks exactly like all the Uncle Bills out here in Indiana, the floor around the guinea pigs and rabbits are usually covered in tiny cages with older piggies and bunnies that were returned by families like those people