The BEST Way to Acquire 'Pocket Pets'

[Die Fledermaus]

>> Letters to the Editor

Acquire 'pocket pets' from hobby breeders
Dec 09 2006

The Nov. 28 front-page article regarding the health risks of exotic pets was quite accurate, but by including more traditional "pocket pets," the journalist neglected to mention that one way a potential pet owner can minimize the risk of contagious diseases is to purchase a pet from a hobby breeder affiliated with a national breed club or a rescue organization affiliated with such a club rather than from a pet store.

Like breeders of purebred dogs and cats, breeders of the "Magnificent Seven" pocket pets -- hamsters, gerbils, fancy rats, fancy mice, guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets -- may choose to belong to an organization dedicated to the responsible ownership of these charming companions. Small mammals purchased from pet stores are largely "factory" raised and receive little socialization; if the health is checked by a veterinarian, it is a cursory check for obvious illnesses.

Hobby breeders live with their pets day-to-day, regard them as members of the family, and are intimately familiar with their health over a long term. Pups and kits are handled from birth, receive excellent socialization and are constantly monitored for signs of any illness.

An additional benefit unrelated to health is that club-affiliated hobby breeders often undercut the prices of pet stores, as they are not in business to make a profit -- it's a labor of love, and the charge simply defrays daily expenses.

Adults interested in acquiring a home-raised pet for a child or themselves can locate breeders or rescues on the following Web sites: Rat and Mouse Club of America: http://www.rmca.org; American Fancy Rat and Mouse Club: http://www.afrma.org; American Gerbil Society: http://www.agsgerbils.org; House Rabbit Association (Rescues): http://www.rabbit.org; Rabbit and Guinea Pig Breeders: http://www.rabbitandcavydirectory.com; and American Ferret Association: www.ferret.org.

Further links and clubs may be identified by searching for "(species) + breeders + clubs" on any search engine.


Christina S. Vrba
NEW MILFORD <<

leisure.newstimeslive.com/opinion/letters.php?id=1024702

[Hamsters82]

So they're saying to get the "pocket pets" from hobby breeders and not pet stores?
But with some breeders you have to watch it as they may interbreed with the animals.

Guess one will have to do that "+ search" thing to locate hamsters.

[Die Fledermaus]

This was from the AGS site, so it focuses on gerbils.

It is clearly BETTER to get animals from reputable breeders. Either way purchase may result in more breeding, but if given a choice of new animals coming into the world I would assume the animals will be better treated by a breeder. The animals also likely will be healthier, on average.