cjbapp
05-22-2006, 10:35 PM
We went to a hardware store by my cousin's yesterday, and they have a large pet section, basically a petshop in the hardware store. I have been in there a few times, but not for about 5-6 months. Anyway they usually have a hedgie in there but I never had time to look, nor have I really wanted to, since I get a bit irritated when I see one living in a pet shop...or any animal actually. So this poor little guy (we think) was balled up in the corner of a dinky cage with a litter pan and a bowl of Vita-vittles or whatever that wheel-shaped hedgie food is I see in the stores.
So I asked to see him. I sorta wish I didn't. The girl goes and gets a leather glove!! Then she says he probably won't open up, and that's why they don't know the sex. I asked how long he has been there....and she said before she started which was in SEPTEMBER!! The poor thing had chunks of poop months old stuck in his quills around his face and when he finally poked out his little nose at a meal worm (which they happened to have ...more on THAT later) I saw that his poor little nose was all snotty, and his nails have never been trimmed. His skin is all dry and scaly and he never did open up. We (hubby and I) held him for a good 15 minutes, he licked my husbands fingers but never actually unrolled.
Now he needs to get out of there!! I complained to the girl, who is a HARDWARE store employee who has no clue. I said he needed a bath and a place to sleep. *HUH* was all I got. He was priced at $130, and I told her we would pay $100 to get him out of there. She called the manager who said the lowest she would go is $105. Well any other week, I may have convinced my husband. But we just spent $100 on all sorts of hedgie supplies and were on our way to buy fencing materials so he was in no mood to spend $110 with the tax on SICK critter. He felt bad too I know, but he makes the money around here and I really could understand why he didn't want to. Had I been alone...my visa would have covered it up. :)
Ok...so I went back today and I had a little chat with the barely 18-year-old *Manager* of the pet department.
I took a couple pics and will send them to any who are interested...(no one saw the camera)...you can see in the closeup some of the matted garbage on its forehead. It actually poked its nose out at me today.
I was polite and said I was concerned that the hedgehog was not getting the necessary care items, like a wheel and place to hide. I also pointed out my observations yesterday and asked when it had been to a vet. She said it was about 3 months ago, and she was kinda of snotty, like I was telling her how to do her job. Believe me, I tried very hard to be nice, and explained that I am only interested in the health of the little guy, and was hoping they would be able to provide better care.
She got a little irritated and more snotty when I asked where it was from. She said it comes from a USDA licensed breeder. When I asked if it was in WI she said no it was not, but she would not provide any other information. She also said she didn't know about the runny nose, and feces caked on its forehead or the toenails because she doesn't have time to check on the animals herself!! *That is the employees job!* I then said that I realize it overwhelming to have someone tell you one of the animals is sick, and if she feels she cannot provide the care needed, I would be able to give them $80 for it and care for it myself. She said no, they paid more than that, and have to get more out of it. It was all i could do to continue to be nice, but before giving up, I asked if their profit margin would be hurt at all if the hedgehog were to get sicker and not survive. She assured me that it will be *just fine*.
So...I never got up the courage to ask about the other one they said they had in back. I am thinking she would not provide me with any information what-so-ever on it, so for that, I will have to go when she isn't there.
The hedgies are in a store called ******* in New Richmond, WI. The phone number is ****** for anyone who wants to verify the info. But it was suggested that no threats be made or the hedgies will dissappear to who knows where. Better for them that they get out peacefully before filing any complaints, etc.
I have attatched photos, but if you want a full-size one, let me know.
Thanks to all who read this far!
Cher
So I asked to see him. I sorta wish I didn't. The girl goes and gets a leather glove!! Then she says he probably won't open up, and that's why they don't know the sex. I asked how long he has been there....and she said before she started which was in SEPTEMBER!! The poor thing had chunks of poop months old stuck in his quills around his face and when he finally poked out his little nose at a meal worm (which they happened to have ...more on THAT later) I saw that his poor little nose was all snotty, and his nails have never been trimmed. His skin is all dry and scaly and he never did open up. We (hubby and I) held him for a good 15 minutes, he licked my husbands fingers but never actually unrolled.
Now he needs to get out of there!! I complained to the girl, who is a HARDWARE store employee who has no clue. I said he needed a bath and a place to sleep. *HUH* was all I got. He was priced at $130, and I told her we would pay $100 to get him out of there. She called the manager who said the lowest she would go is $105. Well any other week, I may have convinced my husband. But we just spent $100 on all sorts of hedgie supplies and were on our way to buy fencing materials so he was in no mood to spend $110 with the tax on SICK critter. He felt bad too I know, but he makes the money around here and I really could understand why he didn't want to. Had I been alone...my visa would have covered it up. :)
Ok...so I went back today and I had a little chat with the barely 18-year-old *Manager* of the pet department.
I took a couple pics and will send them to any who are interested...(no one saw the camera)...you can see in the closeup some of the matted garbage on its forehead. It actually poked its nose out at me today.
I was polite and said I was concerned that the hedgehog was not getting the necessary care items, like a wheel and place to hide. I also pointed out my observations yesterday and asked when it had been to a vet. She said it was about 3 months ago, and she was kinda of snotty, like I was telling her how to do her job. Believe me, I tried very hard to be nice, and explained that I am only interested in the health of the little guy, and was hoping they would be able to provide better care.
She got a little irritated and more snotty when I asked where it was from. She said it comes from a USDA licensed breeder. When I asked if it was in WI she said no it was not, but she would not provide any other information. She also said she didn't know about the runny nose, and feces caked on its forehead or the toenails because she doesn't have time to check on the animals herself!! *That is the employees job!* I then said that I realize it overwhelming to have someone tell you one of the animals is sick, and if she feels she cannot provide the care needed, I would be able to give them $80 for it and care for it myself. She said no, they paid more than that, and have to get more out of it. It was all i could do to continue to be nice, but before giving up, I asked if their profit margin would be hurt at all if the hedgehog were to get sicker and not survive. She assured me that it will be *just fine*.
So...I never got up the courage to ask about the other one they said they had in back. I am thinking she would not provide me with any information what-so-ever on it, so for that, I will have to go when she isn't there.
The hedgies are in a store called ******* in New Richmond, WI. The phone number is ****** for anyone who wants to verify the info. But it was suggested that no threats be made or the hedgies will dissappear to who knows where. Better for them that they get out peacefully before filing any complaints, etc.
I have attatched photos, but if you want a full-size one, let me know.
Thanks to all who read this far!
Cher