I don't really know where to start with this. I have been around animals since I was born, and was raised to treat them with respect and care. I generally expect other humans, being the higher species in the situation, to do the same. I have been exposed to neglect and abuse cases, having been a volunteer for the humane society, but when you see it, especially when you least expect it, it's never easy.
I recently became interested in raising backyard chickens, and today my family and I purchased our first chicks through MyPetChicken. We decided today was the day to broaden our Memphis feed store horizons and go on a little tour of what the town has to offer. After a loooong drive downtown, through less-than-desirable neighborhoods, we arrived at a "well-rated" feed store. First impressions are generally correct. Ours was "THIS is a feed store?"
Outside were a few rows of cages, each filled, and I mean filled, with animals. A majority of them were crammed with what seemed to be Black Star hens. The cages were about half the size of a standard rabbit hutch, and there were five hens to a cage. Among the hens there were large white meat rabbits, and behind them, geese. The stench was almost unbearable. Beneath the cages [which were elevated to about waist height] was cardboard, covered in droppings and urine and flies. Beyond this monstrosity was an averaged sized dog kennel, in which were about five mini goats, all unhealthy and rather thin in appearance. The goat pen and cages were covered with what appeared to be tarps.
I wish I could stop here and say "God isn't that awful?" but sadly, there is more. Inside of the store, where we were pushily greeted, there were more animals. When we mumbled something about chicken supplies one of the workers led us to a stacked shelf sort of contraption, filled with a mixed variety of chicks. From what I could see, they seemed in decent shape. Relatively.
What I saw next was an iguana in a filthy tank, too many cockatiels in a poo-plastered, unventilated cage, and two macaws in a single standard sized parrot cage. There were also puppies. I would like to state that I am not against bully breeds, I love them, I've owned them and kissed them and let them sleep in my bed, but occasionally when you see pits you get "that" feeling. The sort of "These aren't pets" feeling. On the door where ads for various livestock are generally placed there were ONLYads for pit bulls for sale. On the walls were the spiked leather harnesses that sure look cool, but often don't have a cool purpose.
The puppies were in a parrot cage, and there were probably six of them. They were well beyond weaning, and were playing. They were a healthy looking bunch, but I don't know how they were supposed to play/run/pee/sleep/eat in an area that size. Behind them in a crate were dobbie puppies about the same size, docked ears already healed.
We left, and I have felt sick since. I just had to share, I can't really get it out of my head. Hope I posted this in the right place.
-Moriah
I recently became interested in raising backyard chickens, and today my family and I purchased our first chicks through MyPetChicken. We decided today was the day to broaden our Memphis feed store horizons and go on a little tour of what the town has to offer. After a loooong drive downtown, through less-than-desirable neighborhoods, we arrived at a "well-rated" feed store. First impressions are generally correct. Ours was "THIS is a feed store?"
Outside were a few rows of cages, each filled, and I mean filled, with animals. A majority of them were crammed with what seemed to be Black Star hens. The cages were about half the size of a standard rabbit hutch, and there were five hens to a cage. Among the hens there were large white meat rabbits, and behind them, geese. The stench was almost unbearable. Beneath the cages [which were elevated to about waist height] was cardboard, covered in droppings and urine and flies. Beyond this monstrosity was an averaged sized dog kennel, in which were about five mini goats, all unhealthy and rather thin in appearance. The goat pen and cages were covered with what appeared to be tarps.
I wish I could stop here and say "God isn't that awful?" but sadly, there is more. Inside of the store, where we were pushily greeted, there were more animals. When we mumbled something about chicken supplies one of the workers led us to a stacked shelf sort of contraption, filled with a mixed variety of chicks. From what I could see, they seemed in decent shape. Relatively.
What I saw next was an iguana in a filthy tank, too many cockatiels in a poo-plastered, unventilated cage, and two macaws in a single standard sized parrot cage. There were also puppies. I would like to state that I am not against bully breeds, I love them, I've owned them and kissed them and let them sleep in my bed, but occasionally when you see pits you get "that" feeling. The sort of "These aren't pets" feeling. On the door where ads for various livestock are generally placed there were ONLYads for pit bulls for sale. On the walls were the spiked leather harnesses that sure look cool, but often don't have a cool purpose.
The puppies were in a parrot cage, and there were probably six of them. They were well beyond weaning, and were playing. They were a healthy looking bunch, but I don't know how they were supposed to play/run/pee/sleep/eat in an area that size. Behind them in a crate were dobbie puppies about the same size, docked ears already healed.
We left, and I have felt sick since. I just had to share, I can't really get it out of my head. Hope I posted this in the right place.
-Moriah
