Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!)

Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (Full Version)

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Phoenixpower -> Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 12:26:19 PM)
Hi there, yesterday I stumbled somehow over that link online and as I liked it I thought to make you aware about in case anyone (who unfortunately is supposed to have an address in the UK...) is interested to sign up for it as well. I signed up for it as I remember how uncomfortable I felt when I moved to the UK and did see so many dogs and cats in cages in pet shops, as this is either not allowed in Germany or simply not common (as far as I know it simply is kind of normal there not to sell pets which are bigger than a rabbit in a pet shop...). At home I always got my kitten via privat adverts for free of charge (or from animal shelters) as there people were glad when they found someone who took them because they could not be sold in pet shops. That's why I approved of this link when I stumbled over it and thought to show it on here, in case anyone else is happy to sign up at it. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/petshopkittens/ The fact that kitten and puppys are sold here in the pet shops annoys me even more when I read article like these (which state the two pet shops which are in the areas where I am mainly around...[&o]) http://www.kingstonguardian.co.uk/news/4255510.MPs_asked_to_act_over_Sutton_and_Kingston_pet_shop/ http://www.se-ar.org.uk/resources/leaflets/sear_leaflet_petsville.pdf and http://celebrifi.com/gossip/Tiny-Handbag-dogs-born-into-cruelty-30107.html

Toppingfrmbottom -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 2:09:09 PM)
I hear that animals sold in pet stores, the cats and dogs at least are not well cared for, plus I think it's horrible for breeders to continue to grow the animal population, when there's so many animals out there in need of good homes, and people only go to breeders for pure bred and animals of pedigree, I feel.

Phoenixpower -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 2:38:18 PM)
Yep. That's why I felt quite surprised when I realised that there is a petition going on at the moment. Whilst I don't expect to come too much out of it, I am still happy to support the attempt to try to change it. As I understand that form it seems they need 500 signatures until their deadline in November and I am currently sending that link to vets and animal shelters via email. It might be that they don't bother about it, but I am fairly confident that my vet does, because they earn a lot of money either way, they are not dependent on the cats from those shops. Once they would not be able to sell them in the shops people would realise it does not work out (or at least is more difficult) to earn money via kittens and over time the numbers (hopefully) will get back. In Germany if someone has kittens they know they are in trouble as it is not easy to find someone who is looking for kittens (particular considering how many there are available free of charge as well). And the pet shops there can give contact details for breeder for pedigree cats but they can't (as far as I know) or simply are not supposed to sell them in their shops. I have never seen a cat or a dog in a pet shop in Germany (though with having a quick look online there was quite some outrage to find where it seems some shops briefly tried to do it. So I guess it is not necessarily law at home why we don't see them in our shops as it is here).

DomKen -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 2:39:25 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Toppingfrmbottom I hear that animals sold in pet stores, the cats and dogs at least are not well cared for, plus I think it's horrible for breeders to continue to grow the animal population, when there's so many animals out there in need of good homes, and people only go to breeders for pure bred and animals of pedigree, I feel. My cat is from a breeder. I got her instead of a cat from a shelter, which was how I got my previous cats, because I had met the breeder through relatives and really loved the cats she bred. So my cat is, by my choice, the least show worthy pure bred Maine Coon from her litter. I was present from right after the birth until I took her home and knew the, pampered, conditions she and her litter mates were in. She is fixed and I would never take her to a show to compete.

LaTigresse -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 2:52:25 PM)
It is quite common here in the US, at least my part of the country. I hate it and refuse to do business with those shops. Which is why I buy my dog's food online, a local pet shop is the only other option within many miles. The animals in pet shops tend to come from the horror that is known as puppy/kitten mills. Animals that are usually inbred, poorly socialized and often have a list of both medical and behavioural problems. I've never purchased a cat or dog, unless you call paying a shelter adoption fee such. I would rather give an unwanted animal a second chance at life than perpetuate the horror of puppy mills.

Phoenixpower -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 2:52:28 PM)
I tried to take 2 from shelters over here but there were always other reasons why I was annoyed about them and so I gave up. Once I had spoken to a person who really seemed to be nice, but she needed ages (and I mean ages) to get back to me (a colleague from her was meant to check my area if it is safe enough for cats traffic wise) and once she called me back about 6-8 weeks later by then I bought my 2 cats in a cat shop (though at least it seems that was a cat shop from a bit of a more responsible nature as he had 2 cats at home and only sold the kittens when she had some...so apart from getting pregnant once in a while she was living with him normally and I had not really a doubt about that it was true on that occasion). My 3rd cat was homeless at work...and as he desperately opened the recycling box at night time in december to have it a little bit warmer I decided to take him on...he is a gentle giant [:)] In Germany I had quite a few from animal shelters in the past, where once a male cat chose me lol He got up when I was there with a friend, stretched his paws and went right to us and literatelly into my arm...kind of saying "no need to look any further...just take me and lets go." He wasn't a beauty at all and I am fairly sure he was a siamese mix due to his head and his vocal abilities...however, he was lovely.... However, the shops mentioned in the articles I know them and already the staff there is putting you off with their attitudes. I hope they will shut down in the near future and there is also something going on on facebook regarding that particular shop. Regarding your Maine Coon, gosh I know one at one of my work places and that lady she is such a beauty...however, nevertheless I try to find a Birman for a change, am currently in touch with one person who has a female kitten left for rehoming [:)] Whilst I am not that much into pedigree cats, I want that change for a change and I love them with their white paws...if I can't find one (e.g. if that female kitten gets sold to someone else) then I will probably go for a siamese, as that one at least has still the same fur colour [:)]

hizgeorgiapeach -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 2:56:38 PM)
I used to help breed Maine Coons for Show - Champion and Grand Champion quality litters, of which there were typically one or two that weren't considered "show quality" and sold as household pets. Those sold specifically as non-show were all under contract agreement to have the animal spayed/neutered, so they weren't capable of breeding further, and typically cost about 1/3 of what a show quality animal cost with papers. Our grand champion quality felines were priced between $1500 and $3500 per animal, depending on the bloodlines, markings, and gender. A "household pet" quality from the same litter would typically run between $300 and $600. They were pampered, spoiled, and generally treated like royalty. They were seen by a vet regularly, given only top quality food, played with and groomed daily, protected asiduously from anything that might even Potentially harm them..... and I woulda traded places with any of the furry lil brats in a heartbeat. We never sold to stores, specifically - but we never Ever had a litter that all of the kittens weren't spoken for before they were even Born. Whoever had provided the stud services generally got pick of the litter, regardless of whether they wanted literally The Best of the litter or the Runt. After that, we had a waiting list according to who wanted male or female, and if they were waiting for a kitten from a specific bloodline, crossing/pairing, or set of markings.

DomKen -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 4:25:58 PM)
Sounds like you might have worked with the woman who bred my cat.

hizgeorgiapeach -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 5:26:19 PM)
quote: ORIGINAL: DomKen Sounds like you might have worked with the woman who bred my cat. Ken, what the cattery I worked with did was very much Standard Practice amongst show breeders, as were our prices and the contract terms for non-show quality household pet picks from the litters. Even though I worked with it more than 25 years ago (I was barely into my 20s at the time, around the same time I was having my eldest spawn) practices haven't changed much and aren't likely to. Those who are dedicated show breeders are typically those who show the ones they're breeding - we're fanatically dedicated to our animals, and Very Staunchly in favor of OUR Breed over every other breed. Whoever we happened to be getting ready for the show ring that year, queen or stud, proven champion working on Grand status or untried "youngster" we were working to get sufficient wins under for Champion status - they pretty much ruled the roost for "their" season. The hard part was trying to keep myself from getting attached to the various litters, when I knew before they were born that they were already spoken for at exceptional prices. And that's even though every single potential buyer was carefully vetted to make certain that they were up to what WE expected as far as how they would deal with the animals.

DomKen -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/15/2009 9:03:04 PM)
I think the biggest surprise for me is how much more social this cat is compared to my previous cats. She was handled by people frequently since birth and is extremely well socialized. She comes when her name is called. She comes to me seeking affection and not just to scent mark me. She is patient with having her nails trimmed and will stand in shallow water in the sink and be shampooed. As I understand it if her markings had been clearer they would have simply clipped her 6th toes and she would have gone to the show ring. But her stripes are blurred so she lives a life of luxury with me with all 22 toes intact.

Arpig -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/16/2009 8:49:29 PM)
All my cats(and I have had a shitload of them in my day) have been freebies from somebody.

pahunkboy -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/17/2009 12:42:44 PM)
PA has some new laws on puppy mills. On the one hand- the mills are bad. I tho- am leary of any new laws at all...... to me- we need to be deleting laws- not making more. One good thing that DOES work- is I participated in a program to spay my dog. That brought the cost down alot and was the deciding factor for me to spay her. On Jims cat- that I now own- he had all that done to the cat- being that everything is done to the cat- the spay- declaw- and training her- and the shots- made it alot easier for me to take her into my home. :-) and to STAY here. I hate the smell of cat urine.

Phoenixpower -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/21/2009 5:21:13 AM)
quote: ORIGINAL: Arpig All my cats(and I have had a shitload of them in my day) have been freebies from somebody. Well, in Germany all my cats have been freebies, as there the shops don't sell them and therefore people won't get any money for them if they want to have a chance to get their kitten a new home (after all, who would pay for a "normal" (meaning non-pettigree) cat when the adverts are overfilled with kitten free of charge looking for a new home anyway.) Over here it is a bit different, you might get lucky and find them free of charge but I did not 2 years ago when i was looking for my first two youngsters over here. I got now my 4th cat (a pedigree for a change, Birman cat, as they are told not to go out that much and hope that this is the right company for my female cat who does not go outside much as she is a scary cat outside) and the breeder was eager that I send the petition link to her that she can send it around in her breeder-world too. However, I am glad to see how much the numbers got up in the last weeks, because when I signed it was around 200 and now its 467. So close to 500 and I have no doubt it will at least get there until deadline in october with this breeder sending it around and me (hopefully soon finding the time) to sending it out via email to the animal shelters...just to raise awareness. Whilst I am realistic about that this might not change one thing here...nevertheless I am glad about this try to change it.

slaveboyforyou -> RE: Petition to ban the sale of kittens from pet shops (in UK!) (8/21/2009 12:53:53 PM)
My cat came from a pet shop. It wasn't my choice. My younger brother was living in Shreveport, and he got a cat from a pet shop free when he purchased a litter box. His landlord didn't allow pets, and he found out about the cat. Long story short, I ended up with the cat. I've had her for 11 years now, and I love her to death. She is by far, the most clever cat I've ever seen. She figured out how to use the toilet on her own. I didn't teach her that; she just did it. As a kitten, she was always fascinated with sinks, the bathtub, and the toilet. Everytime I turned on a spicket, she jumped up to watch. One day, I came in to the bathroom, and she was propped up on the edge urinating. I was amazed. I'm not against pet stores entirely, but I have heard the horror stories. Edited to add: Of course they did tell my brother that she was spayed. Um, she was not. I found that out when she went into heat. I tryed to keep her inside, but she managed an escape and promptly got herself pregnant. I had to find homes for 5 kittens later on. Thankfully I managed to achieve that goal. So I was a tad pissed off about that.

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