Outraged!

[NMMNG]

My friend Paula and her partner went to a pet store Saturday evening and saw a serious case of animal neglect. Eight kittens were crammed into one small cage. They had no food, and their water was filthy. The litter pan was overflowing with feces that had flies buzzing all around it. There was one little hammock for the kittens to share, otherwise they had to lie on a wire grid that formed the bottom of the cage.

All of the kittens were thin to the point that their bones were showing through their fur. Two of them had eye infections that were weeping pus. One was so bad that the kitten would close its eye every so often and shake its head furiosly side to side. When my friend's partner mentioned the infected eyes to one of the store employees who was walking by at one point the employee paused, said "Awww" in an offhanded way, then continued walking.

There were four employees on duty yet not one of them could be bothered to change the litter pan, give the kittens food or give them fresh water! :grr: :grr: The two infected cats are kept with the others, which means all of the kittens will likely end up infected.

Paula called the SPCA and is calling Animal Control Monday morning.

[Tux]

1. Also

Contact Humane Society and maybe the local newspaper.

I went to a pet store to get cat food and seen hamsters crammed into a cage with old moldy food, no water, no place to crap, and infected skin. A call to Humane Society and a couple days later, hamsters got a new home, pet store has to clean up, and animals are a bit healtier and happier.

[AllyCat]

2. Good for you to call the SPCA! That is horrible and unconscionable

I get sick hearing about animal abuse, especially at the hands of people who should know better and get paid to care for the animals before they find new homes! Please keep us posted what happens.

[NMMNG]

9. Part of me would love to lock those...

...employees all in a tiny closet with no food and a just bottle of dirty water for a day, then ask how they like it!

But then I'm not capable of that cruelty.

[friesianrider]

11. Shit, I am.

I could literally HURT people I know have abused/neglected/been cruel ro animals. I'm a very understanding and peaceful person, but hurting the most innocent and helpless creatures among us? To me, abusing or neglecting animals is like abusing/neglecting someone who is mentally handicapped, an elderly person, or a baby.

[Triana]

3. This is HORRIBLE!

PLEASE tell your friend Paula to pursue this. Go back and get pictures if you can. I don't know that Animal Control won't just put them to sleep, not sure how they handle such things but have her call the SPCA again Monday and / or check to see (plead with them!) if those babies are OUTTA there!

GOD this type of thing pisses me off. There is NO excuse to abuse/neglect innocent little critters like this - and a PET store no less.

:mad:

[NMMNG]

8. That was what upset me

SPCA said to call Animal Control. I know from past dealings with Animal Control that if they get involved and take over that any animals they take end up getting "put down" . It's a shame the kittens have a choice between neglect and death. :cry:

Paula commented this morning that she almost came home with eight new cats Saturday night...

[Triana]

12. Call the Humane Society or 2nd Chance Pet Adoptions...

..or other agencies. Your friend might be able to foster home the kitties until you can find them other foster homes or permenant homes too. Sometimes, some agencies will help fund fostering too.

[madeline_con]

4. You know what to do...

Make the call! :mad:

[mirandapriestly]

5. GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR nt

[pie]

6. That is gross abuse!

Please let us know what happens.

[ailsagirl]

7. Good for her. I"ve done that before when I've sensed

mistreatment of an animal in a pet store. A terrible way
to treat these helpless little creatures. There's no excuse.

:grr:

[friesianrider]

10. Make sure to CALL IMMEDIATELY.

Why in God's name ANYONE in their right mind would BUY a kitten is beyond me. I volunteer at a shelter, and we are forced to euthanize dozens of healthy, happy, playful cats every week because there just AREN'T ENOUGH HOMES.

PLEASE call your friend Paula and make sure she calls the local rescue and animal control. Might also be a good idea to contact a no-kill shelter tomorrow or a kitty rescue group so that they can find good homes that way after their are seized (which they'd better be) and not have to worry about being euthanized at an overcrowded shelter. Animal control may seize the kittens but they will likely just be dumped in an overcrowded shelter if you or your friend can't find a no-kill shelter or rescue for them.

Also, another great idea would be to write a letter to the Editor of your local newspaper explaining what you saw and urging readers to NOT do business with this place until they show animals the respect they deserve. You need to spread the word about this disgusting business, so other people with a conscience will refuse to give their business to this repulsive place. For that matter, you may want to conatact the newspaper and see if they will do a story "undercover" or something. We had something like that in my area because of a PetCo (Horrible place to buy from BTW, consistent violators of animal cruelty laws).

[RebelOne]

13. And as a last resort, contact PETA.

I'm sure there are some members in your area who could investigate.

[IdaBriggs]

14. What state are you in?

I have some contacts with rescue groups in Michigan....?

(And THANK YOU for doing something about it!)