Pet Trade Problems

Unsuitable / Irresponsible Owners

One of the problems faced by pet stores is assessing wether a customer is a suitable potential owner for a pet. Most responsible pet shops will discourage someone from buying an animal for the wrong reasons and will not sell an animal to a child under 16, unless accompanied by an adult.

Unfortunately some people buy pets on a whim, without much thought of wether they have the time or money to spare to look after the animal.

Too many abandoned and killed

There are hundreds of animals who are abandoned every year by owners who can no longer be bothered to look after an animal, or the novelty has worn off! These animals often end up in shelters, waiting for new homes. There are still shelters in the Uk and USA which kill healthy dogs and cats because they have too many and cannot rehome them all. These animals are either injected or if money is tight they are gased, because it is cheaper. Gasing can take up to 20 minutes for the animal to suffocate.

These dogs and cats are being euthanised because people continue to breed their pets and many people buy puppies because they are small and 'cuter' for the first few months! Also many people breed animals for the money and have little concern for the future of the animals, exotic birds, reptiles and puppies tend to be the animals who this happens to because they can be sold at a high price.

Bad treatment / Conditions

A small minority of pet shops keep animals in bad conditions and treat the animals as little more than another product to make money on. There are animal licensing laws which pet shops must follow, so keeping animals in the wrong way is illegal in this country. If you see animals not being cared for properly please report it. 

Lack of Laws Abroad

In many other countries they do not have strict laws over the way animals should be kept in commercial Pet Stores. In many pet shops keep puppies and kittens in tiny cages, with no stimulation such as toys or chews to keep them from getting bored. There is no comfort for these animals because often they have to just sleep on the floor of the cage. They can not get the exercise they need. 

Many animals crammed into cages

Strays and Ferals

Many countries have stray dogs and cats, who have at some point had a home but ended up on the street. Feral cats are ones born in the wild, whose ancesters probably were strays. Greece in particular is infamous for its problems with a large number of strays.

A feral Cat with three kittens begging for food in a restuarant.