I was sent this by Chinky - and I have to say I was shocked. Here is the coupon. Thanks Chinky for bringing this to my attention so I can post it here. This is terrible - when you buy accessories, you get a free hamster? Apparently you normally get a free hamster for $35, but now you can get one for only $25 if you are a Passion Card member at their Tiong Bahru Atrium sale later this month.
Please write in to Pets' Station at this email address and tell them to stop giving out free hamsters. You can also write to them at their feedback form.
Please also do write to Peoples' Association to tell them that they should not be supporting this under their Passion Card. Passion Card's contact details are here.
Update : Pet Station just wrote back to say that they are canceling the promotion. The PA also wrote back to say the promotion is off. Thanks to everyone who did write in!
21 comments:
This goes to show that a lot needs to be done to improve the ethics in the sale of animals in pet shops, if any all! Ideally the selling will stop one day and then the breeding farms will die a natural death!
I wrote them an email and they replied via email that they will be cancelling the promotion. I believe they must have received quite a number of feedback on this issue.
hihi, i saw it after i obtain email blast, but i find it quite interesting. I bought one campbell only at $10!! Cheap right? But the accessories cost me at least $50!! This promo perhap will remind the buyer to spend on product before committed to buy the hamster mah. Let choose, it is difficult to buy hamster at $10 OR it is difficult to spend $35 on product in order to get hamster free?
Good news. They are not giving away hamsters anymore after some members of the public expressed concern. I just received an email from PA about it as I'm a Passion card holder. They are giving away free water bottle instead.
haha... i was thinking to get a free hamster actually cause my campbell very lonely leh.. but is ok then.. will still pay them a visit to get my hamster stuffs
It is unlikely someone will get accessories, but it may (1) make people think its a good deal - ie its cheap to get a hamster, now is a good time to get one. It leads to impulse buying - ask anyone who has bought something unwise after a sale. (2) It makes the hamster into such a commodity that they're giving it away free.
Of course an animal costs a lot MORE than buying one. Then why not go into adopting animals out instead of bringing more in to sell? I think this is why I've noticed many of the pet stores in the US have adoption centres. You pay an adoption fee of course to the rescue groups for sterilisation, vaccination etc but I don't believe they get anything. BUT they will get repeat customers who come back and buy food, accessories, etc.
but still, even if the owner buy or accept as free gift, it does not determine on the owner's characteristics. hard to comment whether which tactics work the best right? unless like what you comment about the adoption in US. but again, it take many hands to clap. the adapabilities of those who are dog lovers, are they willing to adopt cross breed dogs than pure breed dogs? and many other factors that the pet shop is unable to control
Anonymous, there are plenty of pure bred dogs that are up for adoption - I just got emails today on four pure bred dogs that need new homes.
That's exactly my point - it's a good idea NOT to sell animals. Let me put it this way, if you walk into a pet store that doesn't sell animals, you're less likely to buy one on impulse right? That's why stores have dresses and other items in window displays - just like pet stores. Its to tempt people to buy without making them think through the consequences.
Someone who has already decided to adopt, has probably already thought through the consequences.
i still feel is the owner's problem not the seller's problem. example for me, i will definitely not to discard the hamster if i got one at the atrium. you may said it will not apply to all. however, who can judge those who purchase will not discard them? many people can express their perception. but they can't voice out on the behalf on those who sincerely wanted the free hamster isn't it?
Look at these Empty hamster cages
Unfortunately not everyone is responsible like you. These empty cages with water still inside the bottles likely contained hamsters or other small animals conveniently abandoned downstairs.
Anonymous - let's put it this way. Say you go into a shop and someone gives you a free gift. Chances are most people are going to take that free gift, whether they really want it or not. If it's just an umbrella, who cares? No one is hurt but if its a hamster, then its different altogether.
If you sincerely wanted a hamster, then whether it was free or not, wouldn't matter to you would it?
People who accept a hamster as a gift without careful consideration for hamster's housing, food, waste disposal and veterinary care for the next 2-3 YEARS ahead, the hamster is likely to be abandoned once the novelty wears off in hours/days.
Good intentions of young children/adults that they will "care" for pets are seldom matched with promised deeds.
Go to pets.com.sg hamster forum and see. There are so many threads about free hamster or hamster for adoption. People still think hamsters are disposable and allow them to breed irresponsibly. Why do we need to buy or give out hamsters when there are so many unwanted ones already?
crap. a govt orgn all over again.
AVA is not doing enough to improve the welfare of animals. It is only interesting in culling (killing) strays!
It is time for a separate animal humane department managed by people who are truly concerned about improving the lives of the animals!
SPCA should also be given more power to arrest animal abusers.
Ironically AVA infringes on animal cruelty with some of its policies when it is supposed to administer the animal cruelty act!
Shop under fire for hamster giveaway
It bring to my attention that a lot more people are also part of animal abuser! I'm a vegetarian and I can't accept any meat in my mouth. You people are shouting so loud over free hamster yet there are so many people out there eating ANIMAL? Those are life too isn't it?
Anonymous, I'm vegetarian too (and so are at least is one of these other posters), but I think you're missing the point here.
The hamsters in this case are being treated as a cheap lure to get people to buy accessories. I think abuse is a strong word to use on meat eaters - I doubt most of them go out and 'abuse' the meat they are about to eat. On the other hand, when hamsters are given away, they are still alive and if taken by someone who is not responsible, are likely to suffer neglect, suffer and be abandoned.
If you have an issue with the meat industry, that's one thing, and I don't disagree with that. On the other hand, comparing one bad example with another doesn't justify bad behaviour.
The pet shop is trying to give free hamsters to people. As another anonymous pointed out, if the person who wants the hamster REALLY wants it, they're not going to wait for a free promotion. So who are the people targetted at this time? Its mostly likely to people who have not given a lot of thought to what it entails to be a hamster owner.
I am vegetarian and it is not good to shout "moral" slogans to people who are not.
Hi Dawn - yup, totally agree, free hamsters is not the way to go - they are not toys!!!! I have a new blog, find it at http://www.hamstercagesadvice.com
Its all about hamster's real care needs , would you like to have a
look re: blogroll link exchange? info@hamstercagesadvice.com
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