It's truly a dog's life in there

Puppies in small cages; parrots, sparrows, rabbits, ducks, and pigeons forcibly removed from their natural habitat and crammed into tiny cages, inside which they fight and injure one another. They languish in unhygienic conditions, often exposed to the hot sun just so that they can catch the attention of passers-by. Often the animals are kept without adequate food or water.

On a tour around the city, The Sunday Times caught many glimpses of such inhuman handling of animals at city pet shops in Kirulapone, Thalawathugoda and Mount Lavinia. However, despite the fact that these animals are shabbily treated, customers do patronise these shops and shop owners sell the animals, especially the pups of different breeds for high prices.

At a pet shop in Kirulapone, the Sunday Times witnessed how five puppies inside a small kennel were fighting each other. According to the vendor, puppies are locked up in this manner only while they are at the shop but released once they are taken back to the owner’s home in the evening. The other animals available for sale - guinea pigs, rabbits, parrots remain in the shop throughout the day. The puppies are often as young as four weeks old, and sold at a prices ranging from Rs. 10,000 - Rs. 25,000. The inhuman handling of parrots was another distressing sight - 12 parrots clinging on to the sides of the cage with no space to move was indeed heartrending.

Birds such as munias (Vee Kurulla) are in high demand as they are used for various poojas. People consider it meritorious to set these birds free, the Sunday Times was told by one of the traders in Thalawathugoda. “We usually sell about five or six pairs for a week,” the vendor said.

Another example of cruel treatment of ducks and pigeons was evident at a pet shop in Mount Lavinia. Asked why the ducks are not kept in water, the owner says it is not necessary and the customer can go home and put them into water directly.

Apart from the discomfort and pain the birds and animals feel when held in captivity, the impact it has on their overall growth is something prospective buyers should bear in mind. Director of the Pet Vet Clinic Dr. Nalinika Obeysekera says the separation of puppies from their mothers will have an impact on the young animals. Puppies should remain with their mothers for at least four to six weeks, she stressed.

During the first five to eight weeks puppies learn dog language and dog related behaviour, eating habits etc from their mother. If they are taken away and not brought up with other dogs they will not learn these important ‘social skills’. This will also have a psychological effect on them which would in turn result in abnormal behaviour, aggressiveness and other undesirable traits,” she cautioned.

Different Breeds of Guinea Pigs | PetLvr Community Blog And Forum ...

Professionals recognize 13 official breeds of guinea pig or cavy, though several more are popular. Within this set is a group of differently colored types that add further variety to this amazing animal. To top it off, there are ‘satin’ varieties, in which the hair shafts are hollow, giving them an ultra-shiny appearance and smooth feel.

The Abby is among the oldest of breeds in a group going back to the 16th century. Despite the name, they don’t originate in Ethiopia (the present name for ancient Abyssinia). They are easy to spot in a crowd of cavies, with their distinctive rosettes. Rosettes are tufts of hair that swirl from a whorl, forming a spiral of fur.

They also have an endearing mustache that gives them a definite comic look. They can be found in multiple colors such as the brindle, in which different colors like brown and black bunch together to form patterns. They also come in a satin breed variety.

This breed is what will come to mind for most when they think of a guinea pig. Also known as the English cavy, their hair is short and sleek. They have the familiar ‘chunky tube’ body, blunt nose and come in a wide variety of colors. Some are the Self type, denoting a solid color, such as black, beige or white. Others are roan (white and another color, such as red or lilac).

This breed, too, comes in a satin type with a glossy coat that feels like what the name suggests. The fur is very dense, soft and has a translucent sheen.

The Peruvian cavy is one of the most popular long-haired breeds. Hailing from South America, where the Andes mountains can get bitterly cold, this breed stays warm in the coldest of weather. The smooth hair can grow up to 17 inches/43 cm, though 6-12 inches/15-30cm is more normal. The Satin has a similar appearance, but again with more glossy, satiny fur.

Another long-haired breed, the Silkie differs from the Peruvian in having hair that sweeps back from the face. The Peruvian may look like a wig, with its face and hindquarters completely covered by long, flowing hair. The Silkie’s face is clearly visible, having a clearly marked forehead.

The Silkie’s hair is also finer and typically softer than its cousin’s. The Satin has the expected sheen, but in the Silkie the soft texture is brought to a peak.

This adorable breed has short, wiry hair and a series of whiskers. The hair is kinked, meaning it moves back into place after being brushed backwards. They resemble the American breed and have a Roman nose, blunt and curving back toward the body.

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