Pets At Home Adoption Scheme

MissMuppet

I only found out about this the other day when I visited one of the stores... I think it's a really good idea but I don't think they are advertising it enough.

I was in another store this week and there was a gorgeous rabbit in there, which if I could have afforded the cost of looking after her I would have snapped her up... But as I was walking round people didn't really seem to notice her and were looking at the other costly rabbits.

Apparently the assistant in there was telling me they sell these adoption pets at a cost that you can afford, which is a good idea if people knew they were there.

Not really sure what I'm trying to get across on this post, maybe if you're looking for a new pet take a look in Pets at Home to see what gorgeous pets they have up for adoption!

hayleyc_2

I've seen these in our local pets at home too. My only concern is whether the normal adoption requirements are being met. E.G If you went to the RSPCA or somewhere then they would carry out a home check to make sure you can look after the animal, and had suitable housing. You'd also have to sign an agreement to say you'd return the animal if you can no longer look after it rather than just selling or passing it on to some other random person. Are these animals just being sold to anyone in the same way as the others that Pets At Home sell??

MissMuppet

Mmmm, not sure about that hayleyc, the guy I spoke to didn't really say. I just looked on their website and could find nothing about the scheme at all which is strange... maybe it's a new thing?!

When I'm next there I'll ask... but then I am guessing that the pets not up for adoption don't have to meet the requirements, ie no homechecks etc...

lil_me

When buying an animal from them no home checks etc are made so I can't see them doing it with adoption

Ours have an adoption thing but I've never seen any animals in it, I don't know if that is a good sign however that any they have had have been rehomed.

pboae

I'm not a fan. They imply the animals are rescued, but actually many are just surplus stock, i.e. unsold animals that are too old to be sold at the regular price.

I suppose techincally they are getting a second chance, as they would go back to the breeder and be put to sleep otherwise, but this way the pet shop still get to make a profit (albeit reduced) on the animal. Would people be so keen to buy them if they just had 'reduced for quick sale' on the cages instead? It doesn't sound quite so cute as an 'Adoption Centre'.

If the petshop concerned stopped selling, or at least stopped overstocking, small animals they wouldn't need 'rescuing' in the first place.

MissMuppet

Well the rabbit I saw last week was only 4 months old and the guy told me why she had ended up there... whether it was true or not I can't say but we have to be optimistic in this world!

pboae

Some of the animals are genuine rescues, or at least animals that have been returned unwanted, but many aren't. I know they have been reported for false advertising, so we'll have to wait and see if anything comes of it.

I just think it's disgusting that they are playing on people's good natures, so that they squeeze a little more profit out of the animals.

duchy

The American chain pet stores have done this for years. It's legit-they give the space to a local rehoming charity who still do all the usual checks (My friend bought a cat whilst I was there and I saw the whole process).
I'd be surprised if it's any different over here.

pboae

Many pet shops here do it that way duchy, and other pet related stores too (like MyPetStop who advertise dogs that are up for rehoming in local rescues). Some Pets at Home stores have rehoming days too, usually for dogs and/or cats where local rescues bring animals in, and that is all legit. But these small animal rehoming centres that they have in the stores are different.

Rainbow61

I work at PAH, and it is mainly pets that people have returned, not worked there long, and to be honest, I don't really understand it myself!

Smashing

They could greatly reduce the number being returned by ensuring people understand what is involved in caring for a pet for its LIFETIME not just until they get bored.

They also need to improve the cages/hutches they sell - few, if any, are large enough to provide a happy environment for an animal. That starter kits in particular are appalling - far too small.