I had an idea today while traveling back from a business meeting, I stopped at a pet store to buy some cat litter, while in the store I decided as a normal Jo public to ask a simple question about Rabbits and Guinea pigs, here is what happened.
I requested some info on Rabbits and Guinea pigs as I was considering buying some for my children.
I was told I should buy a Rabbit and a Guinea pig to live together as Rabbits don’t socialize well together, and I obviously don’t want to be breeding Guinea pigs and they are unable to guarantee the sex of any animal I was also assured that there dietary needs are the same..
I could, maybe should have at this point corrected them on there poor knowledge, but I think confronting these people in this situation rarely has the desired affect.
So I pondered the situation and came up with this:-
Why not have a self governing board of breeders and rescue centers who can supply the correct information to pet stores, new breeders and new rescue centers, as most of the problems we have are not the animals, or where they are bought but more the 1st point of contact information given to the new owners. Money should not be the driving force while selling an animal.
Most of you who already run a rescue or a breeding center are basically running a business, all we need to do is certify that while you are doing this, you are doing it with the correct intentions and with the animals’ welfare at heart. I would like to think that most of you are already doing this. But there are masses of breeders, rescue centers and shops that are not. If we could start this venture with a small and narrow view of one species, namely Rabbits, we could over time invite other animal lovers and there interests to do the same, giving overall a much better solution to the pet trade.
What we could aspire to do is…
Certify pet shops that they are selling their rabbits with our backing, al the rabbits they sell are bred by breeders that we also certify, Rescue centers breeders and shops are scrutinized by the group and this would include the group members as well. And then publicize our existence and that these recognized outlets are really the best place to buy your new pet.
This would ultimately reduce the number of animals in rescue, with only the odd animal requiring a rescue center.
The better breeders and shops would have no real implications, the bad shops and breeders would still exist for a while, but eventually they would die out as the public will only buy from recommended stores and breeders.
If this was to work, then why not use the same organization to cover other species, with a different board for each animal type.
These where my thoughts… What now, well, we would need to discuss, may be in this forum what our ideals are, this needs to be both breeders and rescue centers, and really shops as well. We then need to arrange a board which should have an equal number of representatives from each area possibly each rep being voted or suggested by the others in that group. This I feel is the most important part, as if this is to work we need an even playing field for all. The next stages are really time consuming more than any thing with meetings of this board to discuss and forward the whole thing.
You will notice, I have not named this as I have no idea what we could call it, as if we want to expand then we must use a name which will umbrella the whole of the animal trade. I have also not suggested who should head this, as I have no idea who would be best to do this. I would suggested this be a project started fresh by a group that is totally removed from the RSPCA as numerous people have already voiced there concerns over some of the RSPCA’s ideals.
I do how ever feel that it should, if it comes into fruition be a registered charity with fundraising for its self to cover administration costs, and if it proves to be a suitable solution, then may be we should request our input into the animal rights bill and attempt government backing.
Sorry its so long, but I felt a full explination of my thoughts may save hundreds of questions I am not going to try and answer, the whole idea is you question each other and find that level ground where we can meet and solve a big problem. I can understand some of you have your "ideas" but unless we sway a little and give a little we will never have an end to this.
I requested some info on Rabbits and Guinea pigs as I was considering buying some for my children.
I was told I should buy a Rabbit and a Guinea pig to live together as Rabbits don’t socialize well together, and I obviously don’t want to be breeding Guinea pigs and they are unable to guarantee the sex of any animal I was also assured that there dietary needs are the same..
I could, maybe should have at this point corrected them on there poor knowledge, but I think confronting these people in this situation rarely has the desired affect.
So I pondered the situation and came up with this:-
Why not have a self governing board of breeders and rescue centers who can supply the correct information to pet stores, new breeders and new rescue centers, as most of the problems we have are not the animals, or where they are bought but more the 1st point of contact information given to the new owners. Money should not be the driving force while selling an animal.
Most of you who already run a rescue or a breeding center are basically running a business, all we need to do is certify that while you are doing this, you are doing it with the correct intentions and with the animals’ welfare at heart. I would like to think that most of you are already doing this. But there are masses of breeders, rescue centers and shops that are not. If we could start this venture with a small and narrow view of one species, namely Rabbits, we could over time invite other animal lovers and there interests to do the same, giving overall a much better solution to the pet trade.
What we could aspire to do is…
Certify pet shops that they are selling their rabbits with our backing, al the rabbits they sell are bred by breeders that we also certify, Rescue centers breeders and shops are scrutinized by the group and this would include the group members as well. And then publicize our existence and that these recognized outlets are really the best place to buy your new pet.
This would ultimately reduce the number of animals in rescue, with only the odd animal requiring a rescue center.
The better breeders and shops would have no real implications, the bad shops and breeders would still exist for a while, but eventually they would die out as the public will only buy from recommended stores and breeders.
If this was to work, then why not use the same organization to cover other species, with a different board for each animal type.
These where my thoughts… What now, well, we would need to discuss, may be in this forum what our ideals are, this needs to be both breeders and rescue centers, and really shops as well. We then need to arrange a board which should have an equal number of representatives from each area possibly each rep being voted or suggested by the others in that group. This I feel is the most important part, as if this is to work we need an even playing field for all. The next stages are really time consuming more than any thing with meetings of this board to discuss and forward the whole thing.
You will notice, I have not named this as I have no idea what we could call it, as if we want to expand then we must use a name which will umbrella the whole of the animal trade. I have also not suggested who should head this, as I have no idea who would be best to do this. I would suggested this be a project started fresh by a group that is totally removed from the RSPCA as numerous people have already voiced there concerns over some of the RSPCA’s ideals.
I do how ever feel that it should, if it comes into fruition be a registered charity with fundraising for its self to cover administration costs, and if it proves to be a suitable solution, then may be we should request our input into the animal rights bill and attempt government backing.
Sorry its so long, but I felt a full explination of my thoughts may save hundreds of questions I am not going to try and answer, the whole idea is you question each other and find that level ground where we can meet and solve a big problem. I can understand some of you have your "ideas" but unless we sway a little and give a little we will never have an end to this.
