I came to this shop today with my mother to buy a guinea pig as we had one and lost it not too long ago due to cancer. A female worker asked us questions like 'do we have the enviorement to keep a guinea pig' or 'Do you have a cage for a guinea pig' and I explained that we had a guinea pig and he was alone but he was very often petted, taken on hands and was running around the room. My mother is also disabled and spents most of the time with the pet. Even her doctor adviced her to keep a systematic contact with a small pet so she could exercise her weak hands. The same female worker then took us and asked 'can you show me what cage you have?' I showed her the one we had and she explained it was too small so I told her that we also had another cage which was as big as the cage for the medium sized dog. She told me that it was still to small, so this time she showed me a much bigger cage for an adult rabbit and tols me that this is the required size for a guinea pig and it would be best if there was a second floor to it within years and this is the policy. I asked her to show me that policy on paper because I couldn't believe it. She went to talk to someone and asked us to wait. After some time she came back and said 'Sorry we don't have this on paper, but we have our guidlines and we can refuse to sell, and this this purchuase is refused.' I went out of the shop and went back home to search up a little bit and this is what I found:
guinea pig cage measurement: 2x4 ft (120x60 cm) or 8 ft square - https://squeaksandnibbles.com/guinea-pig-cage-size/
'One guinea pig: 7.5 square feet cage (minimum), but more is better; generally 30" x 36" is a good size.
Most cages marketed for guinea pigs are way too small. Guinea pigs need appropriate room to roam and separate spaces for a nest, bathroom area, and food and water. No animal is meant to live in a cage all the time, so make sure to provide your pig with proper exercise outside of a cage.' - https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/guinea-pig-housing
While some small animals enjoy climbing on multi-level platforms in the cage, guinea pigs generally prefer flat, open spaces. Guinea pigs tend to be scared of heights, and even a gentle ramp leading up to a second level may be too frightening for a guinea pig to attempt - https://animals.mom.me/need-guinea-pig-cages-10162.html
minimum cage size for two guinea pigs is 120cm by 60cm; or 4 foot by 2 foot. - https://www.preloved.co.uk/blog/animals/best-living-conditions-guinea-pig-cage/
Our guinea pig was running around the specificaly secured room, he recieved permacultural and organic only food, we have a huge garden where we grow our own organic salads, carrots, grass etc that he ate. We also have another pet which is disabled and is well taken care of. As our vet said 'This guinea pig lived one year longer than it should have. Whatsoever it is my first time to see a sick guinea pig so kind, loving, energetic and quiet as they usually are more aggressive and depressive. You must have really loved him' So I don't understand why this female worker refused the purchuase. I would appreciate it if you rethink your 'policies' and at least print them.
Also I would like explanation for this:
https://www.gumtree.com/p/guinea-pigs/2-female-guinea-pigs-plus-complete-set-up/1325528421
The person clearly looks like one of your workers, but the photos look like taken with a phone and there is no sighn showing that the shop sells them.
Thank you and have a nice day! read more