RSPCA Cage Recommendation

[Shelley]

So the RSCPA say that the minimum size for a cage should be 120cm x 60cm x 45cm, but do they actually do anything if people are keeping guinea pigs in a cage that is too small?

I find it totally unacceptable that pet shops are allowed to advertise cages for the homing of guinea pigs that are clearly against these kind of recommendations as well as verging on cruel! I've also seen 'guinea pig balls' online which makes me really angry. I'm sure those, even with the best of intentions, will buy these cages not even realising that it is far too small a space for two piggies.

 

[Pepperdog]

I think the problem lies in their recommendation is taken more of a guideline than an actual size minimum.

We had acreage guidelines for how much space each farm animal needed, but unless neglect and cruelty could be proven, if you happened to keep a small flock of sheep in too small a field there was nothing that could be done really.

 

[mstori]

there were talk of trying to bring licensing back (dont know if that is just for cats and dogs though)
i agree that certain things should be banned. My local pet store stocks 2ft hutches.. what on earth could you have in that!?
when the rspca came out to mine, they were very impressed with all my cage and hutch sizes, even though i would much prefer larger!
Ive tried to have my local pet store investigated many a time, but they are still open pow-pow

 

[Shelley]

I really had no idea about cage sizes etc until I decided that guinea pigs were a good idea and started lurking about this site a few weeks ago trying to find out more about them etc. It's so irresponsible for pet shops to promote anything less than adequate. It's actually something I've started to feel quite strongly about, especially when I see how happy my 2 are (in fairness, my c+c is pretty big just for the two but I have the space so thought why not). When I was in p@h (just for a wee look), I really couldn't believe how small some of these cages are. There doesn't seem to be much anyone can do about it though. Before being on here I wouldn't have known so how many other people are buying smaller cages without even realising?

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

This is something I feel very strongly about too grrrr

I feel very sad when I walk out of a shop where I have seen very small cages for sale, I actually feel whelmed up with emotion, but the likes of staff at major outlets like P&H and Jollys dont think there is anything wrong with the sizing of their hutches and cages. I am going to mail Jollys a letter after picking up some supplies the other day. They sell some wonderful stuff but the cages for hamsters, hutches for Rabbits and Piggies wern't only tiny but inadequately made and unsuitable for any animal to live in.

I like this http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/RWAFsmallhutches-final.pdf the RWAF trying to promote and eduacte the public on hutch sizes and the needs of a rabbit. Sadly not enough people are getting educated and a much bigger information campaign needs to happen, but unless the big pet stores get behind this 'thinking' of animal welfare and the products they are selling then joe puplic isnt gonna know any different.

Also this leaflet http://www.rabbitwelfare.co.uk/pdfs/RWAFpetindexflyerbullet2010.pdf which is a retailer charter leaflet, which I quote - Happy healthy bunnies = healthier profits Pet retailers are often the only source of information to owners, so they play an extremely valuable role in educating people on their responsibilities, and preventing the all too common cases of neglect

The same thing could be draw up for Guinea pig, and other small rodents couldn't it?
The Rescue I foster for have a family of Gerbils that need at least a 3ft tank, you wont find one of those in these crappy stores!

My 2 rabbits have a playhouse and pemanant 16ft run and more garden to play in when I'm at home, (which is most of the time), I feel very happy that I am supplying them with an adequate enriched enviroment to live in = happy bunnies. I know not everyone can offer this size home, all I'm trying to get at is if Joe public can see for himself the benefits and pleasure of supplying an adequatley size home to our pets - after all pets we love deserve a good stimulating home if he is going to be caged up, lets make it a big cage!

My Piggies are in large C&C cages too, It gives me great satifisfaction to see them in an enviroment they can run and investigate in.
Unfortunately many small animals are what I can only describe as being in a prison too small that they are sat in their own feaces

My last rescue piggies came with his 2ft by 1ft cage which was his home for 18 months, forgotten about much of the time and almost starved to dealth

Sorry for the long post :red

But yes I am very passionate about this subject too.

 

[Shelley]

I completely understand where you are coming from. It is upsetting to think there are small animals - not just guinea pigs - that are destined to live out their lives in these small cages that are inadequate to the point that they will impact on their quality of life . Although a lot of research is obviously up to the potential owners themselves, many people will be going to pet shops for advice and guidance, something which clearly they are not getting. And in many cases, I think people are actually being given false information which is worse because it is obviously sales/profit driven. I very much doubt the well being of the animals are ever taken fully into consideration and will never be prioritised over making money.


Those leaflets are really very good. Especially the wording. They are both informative without sounding preachy or patronising, which I think is important. It is a shame that most pet shops, especially the bigger ones, would likely be reluctant to have these readily available in store. Do you you know where the RWAF distribute these leaflets?

 

[CiaraPatricia]

It's not illegal to keep guinea pigs in small cages, not here anyway, think it's the same in the UK. As long as they can turn around and walk a little, it's legal

It's obviously totally wrong that that's the law, but the RSPCA can't do anythign about it.

Like you can keep a dog in a crate or on a lead tied to its kennel, or how you can keep a chicken or a pig somewhere that it can barely move

 

[daftscotslass]

The only legally enforceable rules on cage size are for pet shops, not private owners. They would still take action if conditions were cramped or there were too many animals in a certain amount of space but it would probably be space of less than a quarter of what we would consider small.

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

No, their isnt any legal requirememts, only recommendations, which come from animal welfare groups.

Although the law does state that an owner is legally obliged to care for their pet properly by providing these five basic needs:

•somewhere suitable to live

•a proper diet, including fresh water

•the ability to express normal behaviour

•for any need to be housed with, or apart from, other animals

•protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury.

And the RSPCA has more powers now these 5 basics have been made.

However in Wales the goverment passed a code of practice for the welfare of Rabbit - which is the right way to go, I wish it would be passed here in England too. Maybe then one day Guinea pigs will have a look in. These include housing needs of a Rabbit and daily exercise.
http://wales.gov.uk/docs/drah/publications/091109rabbitcodeen.pdf

But going back to the other subject of Pet stores selling small cages and hutches - if pet stores change, and supply us with good housing then the public will buy these hutches and cages. The Pet stores have to make changes for the welfare of animals for people to take notice and realise the needs of caged animals.
When the likes of rescue centres and animal enthusiasts like us keep repeating ourself over and over again about minimum cage sizes to people Pet stores actually make it very hard work by not supplying a large enough cage ready to take away from their shop floor.
Thats also something that keeps coming up on this forum, People enquire about rescue piggies and are told the minimum cage size only to find in their local shop they dont even sell the minimum size that is needed before they rescue. Or that a cage has already been bought in preparation to be denied a pet from rescue because housing isnt large enough.

Pet stores do have responsibilty to the welfare of an animal and this is an area I feel very strongly needs to be address by these stores.