Bad conditions in pet shop - anything to be done?

crispsandwich

I visited a pet shop yesterday. I went in because a board outside said they had kittens.

The conditions in their 'pet room' weren't great. They had different enclosures for different animals (birds, kittens, puppies, meerkats, rats, squirrels etc). There wasn't a great deal of room and the smell was apalling. I know that a pet shop isn't likely to smell like flowers but it was horrendous. The animals seemed utterly fed up. The puppies just gazed sadly, whilst the kittens were just not interested in anything, it seemed. I know that you can't expect them all to be jumping up and down but it was really sad to see them cramped and obviously fed up, in such bad conditions.

Surely this is illegal?

trumpton

You can contact the RSPCA or your local council. I understand pet shops have to have a license from the council which has terms about how the animals must be kept.

fantasia322

Would'nt they need a license for selling meerkats, I think they would be classed as exotics, try reporting to trading standards, the criteria for animals is very strict

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Thats an awful thing to hear.. I bought a couple of Rabbits from a pet shop once when i was in there getting some cat food because they were kept so terribly.. needless to say they both only lasted a year.

Get the RSPCA onto them

cyberbob

As others report to the RSPCA. I've done this to a pet shop before. It might also if your worried about public health speaking to environmental health.

Yes you can legally keep Meercats as pets but personally I don't think you should be allowed to. The best Place for a Meercat is in the African Desert doing what they do naturally.

SDavies

here's the regulations
2.1 Animals must at all times be kept in accommodation suitable to their species with respect to construction, size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness.
2.2 Animals must be kept in an environment suitable to the species. They must not be exposed to draughts and wide temperature fluctuations. If animals are displayed outdoors, they shall have protection appropriate to their species.
2.3 All accommodation must be kept in good repair.

2.4 Housing must be constructed of non-porous materials or be appropriately treated.
2.5 In order to control the spread of disease and to prevent injury, animals must not be kept in housing in such a way that they can be disturbed by other animals or the public.
2.6 All livestock, for sale, must be readily accessible and easy to inspect, with cages sited so that the floor of the cage is easily visible.
2.7 Accommodation must be cleaned as often as necessary to maintain good hygiene standards.
2.8 Where accommodation is on a tiered system, water, food or other droppings must not be allowed to enter the lower housing.
4.1 A livestock purchase register must be maintained to determine the source of livestock. All livestock purchases must be entered and the entry must include:-
(i) the name and address of the person or organisation who supplied the livestock.
(ii) details of the type and numbers of livestock.
(iii) the date of delivery to the premises.
To simplify the livestock purchase register, entries may be cross referenced to a general invoice file for the premises, if the invoice contains the above information.


and some more stuff i found
Pet Shop Licence Conditions
Legislation and Guidance
Pet Animals Act 1951
Pet Animals (Amendment) Act 1983
Pet Shop Licence Conditions
1.0 LICENCE DISPLAY
1.1 The licence, or a copy of the licence, must be suitably displayed in a prominent position. It shall not display the licence holder's home address.
2.0 Accommodation
2.1 Animals must at all times be kept in accommodation suitable to their species with respect to construction, size, temperature, lighting, ventilation and cleanliness.
2.2 Animals must be kept in an environment suitable to the species. They must not be exposed to draughts and wide temperature fluctuations. If animals are displayed outdoors, they shall have protection appropriate to their species.
2.3 All accommodation must be kept in good repair.

2.4 Housing must be constructed of non-porous materials or be appropriately treated.
2.5 In order to control the spread of disease and to prevent injury, animals must not be kept in housing in such a way that they can be disturbed by other animals or the public.
2.6 All livestock, for sale, must be readily accessible and easy to inspect, with cages sited so that the floor of the cage is easily visible.
2.7 Accommodation must be cleaned as often as necessary to maintain good hygiene standards.
2.8 Where accommodation is on a tiered system, water, food or other droppings must not be allowed to enter the lower housing.
2.9 All accessories provided in the accommodation must be suitable for the species.
3.0 Exercise Facilities
3.1 Suitable and sufficient facilities must be available where appropriate for the species. For puppies, where required, a covered exercise area of at least 2.46m� should be provided. The area should have a minimum height of 1.8m to allow access by staff for cleaning.
4.0 Register of Animals
4.1A livestock purchase register must be maintained to determine the source of livestock. All livestock purchases must be entered and the entry must include:-
(i) the name and address of the person or organisation who supplied the livestock.
(ii) details of the type and numbers of livestock.
(iii) the date of delivery to the premises.
To simplify the livestock purchase register, entries may be cross referenced to a general invoice file for the premises, if the invoice contains the above information.
4.2 A sales register must be maintained for:
(i) Puppies
(ii) Kittens
(iii) Psittacines (parrots and parakeets)
(iv) Species contained in the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976 (as modified)
The purpose of the sales register is to enable the purchaser to be contacted in the event of an emergency, for example if the animal is suspected of being diseased. The name and address and telephone number of the purchaser should be recorded.
5.0 Stocking Numbers and Densities
5.1 The maximum numbers of animals to be stocked on the premises will be determined by the accommodation available. These are defined by the stocking density lists for caged birds, small mammals and ornamental fish and other species which are detailed in the tables at the end of these licence conditions.
No other animals other than those specified in the licence, may be stocked without prior written approval from the licensing authority.
6.0 Health, Disease and Acclimatisation
6.1 All stock for sale must be in good health and free from obvious parasitic infestation as far as can be reasonably determined without veterinary inspection.
6.2 Any sick or injured animal must receive appropriate care and treatment without delay Inexperienced staff must not treat sick animals unless under appropriately experienced supervision. 'Care & Treatment' may include euthanasia but under no circumstances may an animal be euthanased other than in a humane and effective manner. In case of doubt, veterinary advice must be sought.
6.3 All animals must receive appropriate inoculations where required for the species as advised by the veterinary surgeon. Veterinary advice must be sought whenever necessary.
6.4 Any animal with an obvious, significant abnormality which would materially affect its quality of life, must not be offered for sale. When in doubt, veterinary advice should be sought.
6.5 All animals must be allowed a suitable acclimatisation period before sale.
6.6 The facility to isolate sick animals must be provided. A procedure to deal with sick animals is required. For ornamental fish, in-line treatment or other sterilising devices effectively provide a means of isolating individual tanks in multiple tank systems. They must be of proper size and maintained in accordance with manufacturer's recommendations.
6.7 All reasonable precautions must be taken to prevent the outbreak and spread of disease. No animal which is suffering from or could reasonably be suspected of having come into contact with any other animal suffering from any infectious or contagious disease, or which is infested with parasites, shall be brought into or kept on the premises unless effectively isolated.
6.8 Individual litters of puppies and kittens must be kept separate from other litters.
6.9 All necessary precautions must be taken to prevent the introduction to the premises, and harbourage of rodents, insects and other pests (excluding livestock for sale or for feeding).
7.0 Food and Drink
7.1 Animals must be supplied with adequate amounts of food and drink, appropriate to their needs, and at suitable intervals.
7.2 All food must be suitable for the species concerned.
7.3 Food and drink receptacles must be constructed and positioned to minimise faecal contamination and spillage.
7.4 A sufficient number of receptacles must be provided and cleaned at regular intervals.
7.5 All food (excluding live foods) intended for feeding to livestock on the premises, must be stored in impervious closed containers.
7.6 The containers and equipment used for feeding must be kept in a clean and sound condition.
8.0 Observation
8.1 All livestock must be attended to at regular intervals, appropriate to the species. In no circumstances should this be less than daily. Suitable arrangements must be made for days when the premises is closed. It is recommended that a system of recording visits is maintained.
9.0 Excreta and Soiled Bedding
9.1 All excreta and soiled bedding must be kept in a hygienic manner and stored in impervious containers with close fitting lids away from direct sunlight.
9.2 Excreta and soiled bedding must be removed from the premises on a regular basis, at least weekly, and disposed of to the satisfaction of the appropriate local authority.
9.3 All containers must be kept in a clean condition.
10.0 Transportation
10.1 When receiving stock, the licensee must make every effort to ensure that it is transported in a suitable manner. It is recommended to record the registration number of vehicles transporting livestock.
10.2 Any livestock received or consigned shall be transported according to regulations laid down in current legislation, such as the Welfare of Animals (Transport) Order 1997.
10.3 Livestock must be transported or handed to purchasers in suitable containers.
11.0 Sale of Livestock
11.1 No mammal shall be sold unweaned or, if weaned, at an age at which it should not have been weaned.
11.2 In the case of non-mammals, they must be capable of feeding themselves.
11.3 No animal shall be sold to any person under the age of 12 years.
11.4 No animal should be sold to any person under the age of 16 years who is unknown to the retailer unless that person is accompanied by a parent or legal guardian or provides appropriate written consent. Sales to a juvenile less than 16 years (but over 12 years) of age who is known to the retailer can be carried out in the absence of a parent or legal guardian or appropriate written consent, provided that the retailer is satisfied as far as possible that:-
(i) the parent/guardian would not object to the acquisition;
(ii) the juvenile is sufficiently knowledgeable as to the needs, care and nature of the species acquired;
12.0 Dangerous Wild Animals
12.1 When dangerous animals are kept, the cages must be of a secure construction appropriate to the species. A fine wire mesh, glass or plastic safety barrier must be incorporated into the cage system.
The local authority must be notified of any intention that the pet shop wishes to offer for sale any dangerous wild animal.
12.2 Licensees selling animals on the Schedule to the Dangerous Wild Animals Act must inspect the purchaser's licence to keep such an animal and inform the issuing authority of the details of the purchase.
13.0 Pet Care Advice
13.1 Pet Care leaflets (e.g. leaflets produced by the Pet Care Trust) or other similar written instructions must be made available free of charge to customers at the time of purchase, in addition to any offer to purchase pet care books or leaflets.
13.2 Purchasers must be given proper advice on the care of the animal and, where necessary, on the maintenance and use of any accessories.
13.3 Appropriate reference books (e.g. The Pet Care Manual produced by the Pet Care Trust) relating to all species for sale must always be available at the premises for use by staff.
14.0 Staff Training
14.1 No animal should be stocked or sold unless the staff (or a member of the staff) is familiar with the care and welfare of that animal and has a recognised qualification or suitable experience.
14.2 In respect of new applications (not renewals), at least one member of staff working at the licensed premises must hold the City and Guilds Pet Store Management Certificate, or some other appropriate qualification; or must be in the course of training and obtain the qualification within two years of the licence being granted.
14.3 The licensee must formulate a written training policy for all permanent staff, and demonstrate that systematic training is carried out.
15.0 Fire and other Emergency Precautions
15.1 Suitable emergency precautions and written procedures shall exist and be made known to all staff, including arrangements for evacuation of livestock.
15.2 Entrances and exits must be clear of obstructions at all times.
15.3 Suitable fire fighting equipment must be provided, maintained and regularly serviced by a competent person and sited as advised by the local Fire Protection/Prevention Officer and in consultation with the local authority.
15.4 The licensee, or a designated key-holder, must at all times be within reasonable distance of the premises and available to visit the premises is case of emergency. (Reasonable distance can be considered as 20 minutes travelling time).
15.5 A list of key-holders must be lodged with the Environmental Health Department at Allerdale Borough Council.
15.6 An emergency telephone number must be displayed at the front of the shop this may either be the key-holder's number or the emergency telephone number 999.
15.7 When pet shops are sited within other premises, the licensee or key-holders must have access at all times to the premises containing the livestock.
15.8 All electrical installations and appliances must be maintained in a safe condition.
16.0 Premises
16.1 Walls and floors must be finished with a non-absorbent surface so that they can be easily cleaned.
16.2 A sink with a constant supply of hot water must be provided. This must be in addition to any wash hand basin. Procedures must be in place to keep equipment provided for human use stored and cleaned entirely separately from livestock equipment.
17.0 Boarding of Animals
17.1 No pet shop should be used for the purpose of boarding any species of animal for which they are not licensed to sell. If it is intended to board cats and dogs, suitable and sufficient accommodation must be provided and the appropriate licence obtained.
18.0 Licence Variation
18.1 Once the annual licence has been granted, if the licensee wishes to stock species of animals not detailed on the licence, they must inform the Environmental Health Department and receive approval for the variation.

Proc

The only thing you can do is not buy from them. And report them.

Anybody that pays for a kitten is a mug (unless it's been properly vaccinated, chipped etc) because there are so many going for free in the papers. I'm guessing that the shop takes in unwanteds from the papers and sells them on. Given that I couldn't imagine a kitten selling for much more than £25 they'd have to be kept in pretty cheap conditions in order to remain profitable. Also, what happens to the kittens that don't sell? Do they stay in there forever? Are they let loose in woodland? Or are they given up to join many others in a rescue homes? Are poorly ones given proper treatment? I've always thought that there's something fundamentally wrong with the trading of certain live animals for profit. I'm no eco-warrior but some places shouldn't exist, and this pet shop sounds like one of them.

Velcro_Hotdog

What you also have to remember is that a pet shop is not a perminent house for the animals, they may only be there a day or two before being sold. I've seen this complaint lots of times and people assume that the animal should be kept as they would be kept at home which just isn't possible when trying to run a business.

Did the animals have food and water?

The smell could have been caused by a poo minutes before you walked through the door.

What made the conditions bad?

As mentioned these shops have to have a valid pet shop license and these are renewed after checks each year

peachyprice

Proc wrote: »

Also, what happens to the kittens that don't sell? Do they stay in there forever? Are they let loose in woodland? Or are they given up to join many others in a rescue homes? Are poorly ones given proper treatment?

A particularly appalling pet shop near me used to put any unsold puppies and kittens in the freezer. Tragic.

Jeff_Bridges_hair

Proc wrote: »

The only thing you can do is not buy from them. And report them.

Anybody that pays for a kitten is a mug (unless it's been properly vaccinated, chipped etc) because there are so many going for free in the papers. I'm guessing that the shop takes in unwanteds from the papers and sells them on. Given that I couldn't imagine a kitten selling for much more than £25 they'd have to be kept in pretty cheap conditions in order to remain profitable. Also, what happens to the kittens that don't sell? Do they stay in there forever? Are they let loose in woodland? Or are they given up to join many others in a rescue homes? Are poorly ones given proper treatment? I've always thought that there's something fundamentally wrong with the trading of certain live animals for profit. I'm no eco-warrior but some places shouldn't exist, and this pet shop sounds like one of them.

Nah they can go for much higher - we got ours from a good breeder and paid 50 each for them.. 2 brothers so couldnt take one and not the other

smile86

peachyprice wrote: »

A particularly appalling pet shop near me used to put any unsold puppies and kittens in the freezer. Tragic.

That is awful. I hope it got shut down. :mad:

And that karma comes back to the people that did it.

I'd report it to the council. Am sure there is legislation for this kind of thing.