pet store *rant*

Please excuse this rant, but I really have to get it off my chest.

I was on a mission today to find a funny cat doormat. I first checked the local petco and petsmart, as they sometimes have gifts. Each had an adoption event going on with dozens of dogs and cats. Thankfully, there were quite a few people both places looking at the pets (ok, mostly the dogs, but a few kitties were adopted).

Alas, no doormat.

So I thought about stopping at a local pets tore. I've never been there, but thought, why not? Alas, they had cages upon cages of puppies and kitties for sale. And, one puppy was being purchased for several hundred dollars.

I just wanted to take the people, shake them and shove them out the door to the adoption events. Save your money and provide a home for abandoned animals! Instead I turned around and went out the door without even looking for a door mat.

I don't have anything against purebred cats and dogs. I really hope to get my own purebred kitty someday.

But these pet stores that sell puppy mill animals just drive me absolutely insane.

I'll be going to volunteer at my usual place tomorrow, where I'll be caring for dozens of kitties, some of whom are getting into their teens. A lot of these older cats were brought to the rescue when they were kittens. Thankfully, they have had a great place to live, but they could use a home and people of their very own, not a revolving door of volunteers.

I'll probably just hug the kitties and cry. Gotta get working on operation get a second cat. The husband absolutely adores the Squeakster, I just have to convince him that he would love another cat or 2.

I apologize if I offended anyone. This may be better suited for IMO. If so, mods, I apologize. Please move it you need to.

My husband and I went looking for area rugs today about an hour from our home. On the way back, I saw a pet store and said "Stop!" He did, of course, dear man that he is.

We walked in the door and upon sighting a large glass display with two four-week old puppies huddled together, I turned and left the store. My husband never batted an eye.

I felt exactly like you did - I wanted to scream at all the customers to stop supporting that store. I'm so torn, though, haunted by those poor puppies and wanting to help them and knowing if I purchased them they'd only be replaced by others...

I know, it makes me sad. Everytime I go to our local shelter to drop one of our kitties off for a spay/neuter I just want to take them all home. But alas, I already have 8. I would like to foster or maybe open my own shelter someday but I'm afraid I won't be able to part with the kitties when someone comes to adopt them.

As for the mats, there were a couple in the Doctors Foster and Smith catalog, the Christmas issue. It says to order by Dec. 23 and I didn't see them in the new issue but you might still be able to get them. I can give you the codes so you can order them online if you don't get the catalog. There's 3 different ones: "We're so excited so see you we don't know whether to pee on the floor or tear up the couch!" with a dog and a cat on it. The other 2 are both for dog lovers though but they say "BEWARE: Dog can't hold its licker." and "This is not a joke. If you ever want to see these people again, bring me a 5 lb. rib roast in a plain brown bag. The dog." Let me know if you can't find anything else.

I don't shop at pet stores that sell animals, if I walk past one in the mall I do say something to people looking at the animals. If I don't, they may never know where the puppies or kittens come from.

They charge more then registered breeders, where the kittens come chipped, desexed, vaccinated, registered, genetically sound parents etc. The pet shop ones come with nothing - I tell people that.

The only animals that pet shops sell over here are rabbits, birds, hamsters e.t.c.. some sell kittens but not very many any more, people prefer to get them from shelters. Well actualy we don't have enough people wanting to give them homes. Our local RSPCA shelter is having to close down as they rely on donations and cannot afford to stay open. some of the animals will go to other shelters but most..well, I think you know an and it breaks my heart. I would always get an animal from a shelter if I had the choice. x

As for the mats, there were a couple in the Doctors Foster and Smith catalog...

I saw those! But we were looking for others. I already have five cat themed mats at our front and back doors and on the porch - the new ones are for the living room. (Nautical theme - any with cats in sailor hats?)

Originally Posted by Ondine

As for the mats, there were a couple in the Doctors Foster and Smith catalog...

I saw those! But we were looking for others. I already have five cat themed mats at our front and back doors and on the porch - the new ones are for the living room. (Nautical theme - any with cats in sailor hats?)

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I think you're going to have a hard time finding those, lol. Hard enough to find cat-themed mats at all.