Re: 100's of gerbils & gerbil shortage

[Michelle Haines]

On Wed, 14 Mar 2001, Sarah wrote:

> The other thing about locally owned pet shops, is I know a majority of
> their animals come from the community, often taking it what people
> don't want. (your gerbils, bunnies, ferrets, and 2 of our new additons
> 2 tortises) I perfer this, plus they are always careful of screening
> new owners.

The pet store I worked for, in Colorado -- well, we took in a LOT of
strays and found animals that customers brought to us.  Including a
pregnant cat who then had kittens, and some three-week-old kittens that
someone had abandoned in a playground.  Luckily we had a nursing cat at
the time so she could nurse those kittens, too.  We cleaned them up,
vaccianted them, fed them, and then sold them again.  Usually at something
of a loss, considering the price of the food and vaccines.

Michelle
Flutist