So sad....and frustrating.

[lil22]

I went to a pet store yesterday while I was in southern NH to pick up some pet wipes (I had one of my babies with me and had run out...you gotta be prepared!). Anyway, this pet store had a lot of unique animals. I went and looked at some reptiles (I miss my chameleons :() ...then I saw an aquarium with 5 hedgies in it. I was sad that they were there, but wanted to go see them. I picked one snowflake guy up. Very handsome...also very scared, but he did uncurl and relax a bit...then I picked up another one to see that he had sores on his face!!! :( Some sort of infection...lookes a bit like the lumps on cricket's babies. And there was a small chunck missing from his ear...it seemed to me that this little guy was attacked. :sob: They were pretty big hedgies, too...I'm guessing at LEAST 3.5 or 4 months, if not older. I asked about him and they said he was on antibiotics...I mean, at least they're trying to treat it, but COME ON! They OBVIOUSLY need to be separated!!! Then I picked up another...this one was a female...quite chubby...I turned her over to get a look at her tummy, and guess who wal almost definitely pregnant! YUP! It took ALL my strength not to break down and get both the girl and the poor injured boy, but I know we should NOT be supporting this kind of animal treatment...At that point, I just had to walk away...I have no idea about the other two poor little hedgies :dunno: ...I just couldn't take anymore of it...I just hope that the boy's wounds heal and that the girl either isn't actually pregnant (which I doubt highly) or she finds a home with someone that has at least SOME hedgie experience and knowledge...I just can't stop thinking of them... :cry3:

[razzle]

This really makes me sad......I honestly fear going into pet stores now for this very reason. What store was it, by the way?

[lil22]

I think it was called Sea World? It's in Salem, NH...I wonder if they'd just let the little injured guy go to someone who would take care of it...like, I honestly don't think someone will buy a hedgie with open wounds...ugh...I know I need to stop contemplating...bad lillian! bad!

[razzle]

Uggh...I thought it might be Sea World.

I actually got Razzle there. I wasn't knowledgable about hedgies at the time, but even then, I didn't like the looks of how they were keeping them and had to get him out. They didn't seem to really know about hedgies (in fact, they couldn't tell me if Razzle was a boy or a girl because they "didn't know how to tell"). It makes me so sad.....and I know that by buying them, the pet store will just get more, but what about the poor ones that are there? It's such a hot topic - pet store v. breeders...but it breaks my heart to see these little guys in bad conditions like that.

And you're right - who is going to take a hedgehog that looks sick or has wounds? What happens to these poor little things?

Maybe we can write letters to that store, or call them or something, to tell them they have to separate the hedgehogs. At least that will stop the pregnancies and the fighting between the males. Maybe I can threaten them by telling them I'll contact PETA or something if they dont' clean up their act!

[illinidairychic]

Is there anyone in the NH area that could at least take in the pregnant girl?? If I was closer I would take her in. I know that it's only encouraging them but, I hate to see a mother hedgehog in that much stress. That poor girl...and the hoglets won't have a shot born in a tank with 4 other adults. It's going to be horrible!! It is very frustrating... How much are they asking for them? sigh

[illinidairychic]

apparently it's not a well liked store:

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/states/nh.html

[lil22]

it's close enough to me that I could certainly take her...I just didn't know if I should...like if that would be just as bad cuz I'd be supporting them...I really wanted to take her and the injured guy to foster at least...maybe they'd drop the price on at least the poor wounded one...especially if I got them together? That way they wouldn't be profiting as much...But would that be the right thing to do? I don't want to be a bad guy (well, girl) by supporting the pet store...I just don't know...maybe you people can help me decide what to do...let me know what you all think. I could at least foster them til they're better and ready for a good home...I just don't know if that's the right thing....ugh...I'm so torn...any input is greatly appreciated.

[illinidairychic]

It seems to me that the animals are suffering and something should be done. I don't know if we can do something about the store to prevent it from getting any more. I would think that there is someone that you can report them to. I just don't know who that would be. But the injured one and the preg. one need some serious help ASAP. Of course I can't make the decision for you, Just do what you feel you can.

[razzle]

I really don't think that would be a bad thing to do at all.....I think you'd be giving these little guys a chance. I would hope they would give you a good deal, especially if you tell them they are not going to be able to sell a hedgehog with open wounds and the poor little guy is just going to suffer. And I highly doubt they know what to do with a pregnant hedgie.

In the meantime, I'm just wondering what to do for all the other little hedgies there. I'm afraid if I call, they are just going to say, "yeah yeah yeah" and not do anything. I could tell them I'm a member of the International Hedgehog Association. That will scare them straight. ;)




Sea World Pet Center, Salem, NH 03079, 603-898-1441

[kaiteedyd]

I would report them. Buying animals from this store is just going to encourage them to restock. You might want to offer taking the animal for free. Say something like, "you know this is really horrible husbandry and you've got two choices, give me the animal for free or let me report you to the authorities."