Metrotown Pet Habitat location under scrutiny for treatment of animals
By Mercedes Deutscher, News Editor
A local pet store is under fire for its treatment of kittens and puppies, viewed by many to be neglectful and cruel.
Pet Habitat is a Metro Vancouver based chain of pet stores, the most popular locations being located within Metrotown.
Local animal rights activists have been criticizing the store for years, with the earliest criticisms being made public in 2013. In April 2015, an online petition was started to end the sale of the larger animals within the store by Katie Walker, a concerned patron.
“Each puppy was confined to a tiny cube with a few holes for ventilation, water from hamster bottles, strips of paper ‘bedding’, and a small pan with a towel in it where the puppies were expected to urinate and defecate,” reads the petition.
The most recent actions taken against the store involved a protest outside its doors on December 26, with protestors urging potential customers to adopt a pet from a shelter as opposed to buying one at the store.
Adding to a list of concerns was Marie-Kyla Branston, a graduate from the Douglas College Veterinary technology program and currently a veterinary assistant. In an interview with the Other Press, Branston criticized Pet Habitat for their overcrowding of kitten pens and the small confinements that the puppies are housed in, which she said should be at least four times larger than they are and cleaned more regularly. She also suggested that Pet Habitat should allow more exercise time for the dogs.
“I’m not against Pet Habitat selling animals, but I would like to see better living conditions,” said Branston.
In a recent visit to the store, there was no observed excitement in the animals. Most of the puppies were around three months old, with the oldest being six months old. No puppies were removed from the pens for a reason aside from observation from prospective customers. Each pen had a small toy.
“Our puppies have gone through extensive care before boarding the plane and entering Canada,” reads a posting within the store. “Our puppies are checked weekly by the vet and given updated shots. Our Pet Habitat team values the health and happiness of our puppies. At all times, there will be at least four staff members taking care of the animals. Puppies are fed three times a day and water is available from a bottle to avoid mess. Throughout the day, we allow the puppies to play outside at least twice to receive exercise and gain social interaction.”
Management of Pet Habitat could not be reached for a comment.
