Animal sales at Pets at Home

Strix · 08-08-2006, 15:34

Reading another thread, it has become evident that this subject needs it's own thread, so here it is.

It seems a few forumers have purchased pets from this company, and would like to share their experiences.

Before we start, I'm going to insist that any post made concerning experiences in one of these stores contains the location of that store, and can we try to keep it tidy (factual) just in case we decide we'd like to share our concerns with head office

*binty* · 08-08-2006, 15:38

I dont think i'd ever buy from Pets @ Home again. I bought 2 hamsters from there and they both died within a week! xx

Shiesh · 08-08-2006, 15:43

Can we do this???? It is a deliberate attempt to be defamatory towards Pets at Home and in view of the story in todays newspapers about Mumsnet it might not be a good idea!

Just thought I would mention it Strix as you are a well respected friend and I would hate you getting into trouble over it!!

On the subject of P@H I can honestly say I have never bought furry mammals from there but have bought fish and they have always been happy to offer replacements for any which have died within a couple of weeks of purchase !

Just my experience!

PS I have only ever used Heeley Retail Park and Crystal Peaks !

JBee · 08-08-2006, 15:48

I'm pretty open to the idea of defaming Pets at Home actually. When I bought my rabbit, I had actually intended to get a bunny from a rescue centre, and only went into Pets at Home to buy a cage, but when I spotted what is now my rabbit huddled in a corner with a bleeding foot I decided that buying her could be loosely classed as a rescue mission in itself!

When I pointed out her foot to a member of staff, they just looked confused. Then a squarking child tried to get its mits on her (not a fan of children having pets without proper supervision) so that swung it for me! This was at the Edinburgh branch.

Check out this link for further Pets at Home horror stories...

http://www.greenwichrabbitrescue.com/petsathomedont.htm

Strix · 08-08-2006, 15:49

Shiesh, I have asked forumers to share their experiences here, as there were too many posts about this topic on another thread.

I expect us to wind up with as many posts like your's Shiesh, as people having a gripe, which is why I think it's important that we know which branches people have visited.

(can you edit your branch in please?

)

Brude and I usually shop at Crystal Peaks branch, and we never manage to get in and out of the place without a visit to the bunny cage, and the hamsters and gerbils, and the chinchillas

I have never seen an animal in need of medical attention at the CP branch, and was alarmed to read some of the posts which I've shuffled off the other thread - without knowing where people were shopping

Moonbird · 08-08-2006, 16:03

To be quite honest i would be most unhappy to buy anything other than fish from a pet shop.
The animals are pushed together often in totaly unsuitable small cages, they are from different homes and stressed (not to mention the lack of basic care they often recieve) this makes a perfect breeding ground for germs and mites etc.
The last time i was in pets at home it was the mansfield branch, the rabbits and guinea pigs there had neither food nor water and no sign of there having been any that day, one by one the poor things were trying the food bowl and water bottle.
On approaching an assistant about this i was told oh yes i know i will see to that, and with that he carried on with what he was doing.......i rest my case.

Strix · 08-08-2006, 16:26

Everybody at CP seems to know most of the visiting dogs by name, and always make a great fuss of them. When Brude was injured, one of the assistants put a quid in a trolley, and lined it with a cushion for him to ride around in instead of me having to carry him (heavy lump that he is

)

They were great with him. We were welcome to just browse around, without buying - just to stave off the boredom for a little dog who couldn't walk or play

Brude likes neon fish

He couldn't see them before he rode in the trolley

baileys_mum · 08-08-2006, 16:32

I personally think they need to get in "qualified" people to sex thier animals, or maybe they do it on purpose? Thats always been a big question in my mind

MARY POPPINS · 08-08-2006, 16:38

I went to cp and it was boiling hot all the rabbits were laid flat out panting, the assistant told me it was even worse at night when all the doors were shut but they were all right cos they gave them bottles of cold water to lay next to, thats ok then just need to educate the rabbits and pigs to use them. I reported it to the rspca.

Moonbird · 08-08-2006, 16:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by baileys_mum

I personally think they need to get in "qualified" people to sex thier animals, or maybe they do it on purpose? Thats always been a big question in my mind

Well it makes you wonder after reading the link jbee provided, they know they will most likely be offered the offspring of any pet they sell, and pay next to nothing or nothing for them, very good profit margins me think

baileys_mum · 08-08-2006, 16:49

mate of mine ended up with 5 rabbits instead of 1, she demanded hutches to seporate them and she flatly refused to give the babies to them

Jess22 · 08-08-2006, 16:50

I bought our guinea pig from Pets at Home (had only gone to get the dog a new tag when we moved house!) Me and my partner love animals and when we were walking in he got excited like a child and said can we get a new pet?? My stern answer was no! no! no! If we get any more pets, they will be from rescue homes (firm believer in helping out charities financially before large shops!) We did however go and look at all the cute and cuddlies. I saw this little baby guinea pig and asked if we could have a closer look. The lady in the shop picked him up, passed him me and left us alone, about 10 minutes later I collered her and asked if he had a cold or something? his eyes and mouth were all runny and scabby. She said no it will be from the hay and left us again. Anyway we ended up buying him because I felt like he was un cared for, and when I got him home bathed his eyes for a few days and he got better. They did say if they didn't get any better I could come back and swop him.

(he is not a jumper!) and I was impressed with the fans and cool water bottles to keep them cool. They also had plenty of water and food. But I wouldn't say any of the animals looked particulary healthy, I really would have hoped that a shop like that sold healthy animals. I do think they are overcrouded too.This was the Heeley branch of P@H

Strix · 08-08-2006, 17:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by MARY POPPINS

I went to cp and it was boiling hot all the rabbits were laid flat out panting, the assistant told me it was even worse at night when all the doors were shut but they were all right cos they gave them bottles of cold water to lay next to, thats ok then just need to educate the rabbits and pigs to use them. I reported it to the rspca.

Somebody posted on the bunny thread that that's what they do with theirs too. I wonder why they didn't have cool bottles all day?

BobbyBunny · 08-08-2006, 17:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Strix

Somebody posted on the bunny thread that that's what they do with theirs too. I wonder why they didn't have cool bottles all day?

Thats what I do for Bobby - BUT I have to lay it straight next to him, because he sometimes wonders what he should do with it. I also put a damp towel in front a small fan near his cage for when we go out.

I went into pets at home (chesterfield branch) and saw that all the bunnies were huddled around one of these frozen bottles, and there were about ten bunnies and five guinea pigs in one of those run things! I also saw a white mini lop rabbit with a cut on the end of its nose, and when I told the nearest staff member, she just said 'oh'. I would have taken this rabbit right there and then, if I had the room. It was a doe, and Bobby isn't neutered yet, so we can't risk it..

I don't see why they can't freeze three 2L bottles over night, and then circulate them throughout the day or put them all out a once, so there isn't such a scramble for the buns to keep cool.

shihtzumad · 08-08-2006, 17:30

I have purchased hamsters from pets at home and died within a fortnight and they dont do nothing about it. I have also bought numerous fish and they died, even though my water is clear and tested regually. Their fish is full of white spot, would neva buy any pets from their. I only buy my puppies pads. The staff seem like little kids, and don't no enough information when you ask questions.

Strix · 08-08-2006, 17:42

which branch are you using Shihtzumad?

Twiglet · 10-08-2006, 14:24

The Lincoln branch is also full of white spot. Out of 7 tropical fish we have bought there (staggered over many weeks) only 2 survived, and even they were at risk from the new fish passing on the disease. The ones that died did so within 3 days of being purchased.

Several years ago we also bought some Russian hamsters there, and ended up with the same scenario as the rabbits link, 49 hamsters. (I hasten to say that I would have had the sense to separate them immediately after the first litter, unfortunately my housemate who had taken them home for Christmas did not!). Fortunately we found homes for them all but I dread to think how often this happens. Someone I worked with bought 'two male gerbils' which also had babies.

parcher · 11-08-2006, 20:17

I have had several fish from Crystal Peaks all of which were healthy (as it seemed to me were all the fish in their tanks - I used to keep tropicals, so I still ogle them). I have had a canary from them too which sadly died after two weeks. He was replaced by them when my husband went to see them. Some of you will have heard how he (hubby) chose a blue one, which was actually a budgie (hubby said they looked the same and he likes blue). That budgie is really happy and healthy as is the white one I bought to keep him company, and the four finches that arrived shortly after.

Their cages always seem to me to be clean and in fact, one morning I arrived while they were cleaning them - I was told they are cleaned, watered and fed each morning. I was pleased to see that the couple of escapee finches had been provided with a bit of seed and some water on top of the aviaries too!

So, all in all, I quite like Crystal Peaks.

Twiglet · 14-08-2006, 10:39

Quote:

Originally Posted by parcher

I have had several fish from Crystal Peaks all of which were healthy (as it seemed to me were all the fish in their tanks - I used to keep tropicals, so I still ogle them). I have had a canary from them too which sadly died after two weeks. He was replaced by them when my husband went to see them. Some of you will have heard how he (hubby) chose a blue one, which was actually a budgie (hubby said they looked the same and he likes blue). That budgie is really happy and healthy as is the white one I bought to keep him company, and the four finches that arrived shortly after.

Their cages always seem to me to be clean and in fact, one morning I arrived while they were cleaning them - I was told they are cleaned, watered and fed each morning. I was pleased to see that the couple of escapee finches had been provided with a bit of seed and some water on top of the aviaries too!

So, all in all, I quite like Crystal Peaks.

This brings up an interesting point. I have heard from a few people that not all Pets at Home stores are the same, and that the Outer Circle store in Lincoln is actually much better and they are a good place to get fish from. Perhaps it all depends on individual store management as opposed to the way te chain operates.

DaFoot · 14-08-2006, 11:37

I bought my 3 rats from P@Home in Barnsley. They are perfectly happy and healthy 3 months(ish) on.

They looked well cared for in the shop (clean cages, food supply, clean water) as it seemed were the other animals there. They even knew not to keep the ratties on woodshavings

The assistant dealing with me was helpful and clearly loved the animally part of her job.

My only gripe was that the ratties had not been handled much while there, but that is hardly suprising for many pet shops. At least they managed to figure out they were male rats (unlike a certain other pet shop I got my last rats from).

from me for P@H Barnsley