E: the inhumane treatment of rats at the Petland at Southpark Mall in Strongsville, Ohio.
I visit the store regularly and observe that they are keeping rats in a small, glass cage. There are approx. 20 or so rats in one cage, maybe 2'x2', all one level. There are large and small rats mixed together. They are NOT separating the rats by sex! These rats are now indiscriminately breeding, even the very youngest females are pregnant. This is extremely poor husbandry for any animal. Other pet stores keep their rats separated, but when questioned about it, they used the excuse of limited space. This not a good excuse to let these animals breed randomly!
I am sickened by the ignorance of animal care that this displays, and would like to know how to register a complaint that will make a difference. One of the associates actually told me that "this is how they live in the wild", "how they get more rats"... This is so wrong!
I do not buy any animals from this store, I obtain my rats from a reputable breeder. I do not buy any feed or anything from them. I go in to check on the conditions they are keeping these animals in, and to regularly give them an earful about the care these animals are receiving.
The coats on the rats look unkempt, and usually rats keep themselves meticulously groomed. The small quarters and mixing of the sexes is inexcusable. If there is any way to put a stop to this, please help. They also keep the hamsters and mice the same way, except that the smaller size of these animals gives them more room.
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