First APH

[Shell195]

Tomcat wait until she self annoints that is really cute

[Shell195]

Originally Posted by EVIEMAY

GOBSMACKED doesn't cover it - I cant believe this thread has turned so nasty.

There is so much I want to say but as I have spent so long reading it - then replying to it - then accidently deleted it before I got a chance to post it so I am keeping it simple.

Firstly I bought my APH from Fantapants - he came with his own personalised pouch - enough of his food mix to last weeks - his own fleeces that he had been used too and the reassurence that I could phone at any time for advice.

Secondly - I am sad that the conversation between Fantapants and Animal Addict turned out the way it did - as they are both very passionate about their animals and a great help to alot of people.

Finally - WTF gives TAO the right to make a comment like that about Ste LLoyd ....

Sadly a lot of threads turn out this way

[Emmaj]

Originally Posted by Shell195

Sadly a lot of threads turn out this way

thats so true shell

but at least tom is happy as a hog in shizer with his new hedgiepig

[Tomcat]

Originally Posted by Shell195

Tomcat wait until she self annoints that is really cute

She was doing it last night when i got her home, made me laugh.

I could see why it would worry new owners, but i had expected it and wondered when she was going to do it haha

It looks so cute

[Tomcat]

Originally Posted by EVIEMAY

Tom glad you have finally got your little hoggie - they are a wonderful pet.

Thanks Eviemay She is fantastic!

[Mrs Mental]

I think a few of you on here should be totaly bloody ashamed of yourselves for judging each other and speaking to each other the way you have, its disgraceful and certainly no help to anyone.

Personally I bought my gorgeous little hoggy from Fantapants - I paid £150 which I was more than happy with - he is a real joy and in fairness a credit to Fantapants as he's friendly, trusting but a little cautious and in my opinion she did a great job with rearing him in his early weeks. The courier (SW Reptile Couriers) who delivered him even remarked on how friendly and lovely he was.

Although I am a little disappointed that Fantapants has sold any of her litter/s to a pet shop I do trust her judgement on a hoggy professional level that the shop concerned would not in any way jeopardise the great work she'll already have done with the young animals. I feel sure that she would not have picked the pet lightly and like I say I feel certain that I can trust her judgement of the shop and its owners.

Why can't people have a little more respect for each other and instead of shouting loudly maybe try listening to each other for a change?

[animal addict]

Originally Posted by Mrs Mental

Although I am a little disappointed that Fantapants has sold any of her litter/s to a pet shop

This is purely my point - I dont have a problem with the way fantapants has her hedgies etc from a household perspective - I firmly believe that hedgies do not belong in pet shops in any circumstance - I do know people have pet shops but breed their hedgies at home - thats fine as people come to the house etc but they do not belong in pet shops to be left alone all night and I dont think good breeders should be encouraging it.

Its also some what hypocritical too because everyone always advises to go to the breeder and not to a pet shop - look on the other animal chats - everyone always says you will get better quality from a breeder etc and its been said in rattie posts, rabbit posts, guinea pig posts the list goes on!! Hoglets will be better socialised and remain socialised staying with a breeder than knocking around in a pet shop

From the AMERICAN code of ethics:
'It is recommended that breeders do not sell to any Commercial wholesale or retail pet dealers.' I chose the american one so not to be biased as I know the UK one states that it is not recommended to sell to pet shops.

Tomcat - its best to discourage the licking - it may lead to a bite - not particularly one to be nasty but shes obv licking you because your tasty and she may want to sample you and/or annoint over you - once they think biting is ok it can become an established behavior which is quite hard to stop

[Tomcat]

Originally Posted by animal addict

Tomcat - its best to discourage the licking - it may lead to a bite - not particularly one to be nasty but shes obv licking you because your tasty and she may want to sample you and/or annoint over you - once they think biting is ok it can become an established behavior which is quite hard to stop

Hiya

Yeah i had read that previously, so will put a stop to it next time she does it

[alfie99]

I have not posted here to argue or get into any discussions over the ethics. Animal addict you are entitled to your opinion like anyone else but DO NOT tar all pet shops with the same brush, and please do not make assumptions over the welfare of any animal kept by myself.
Well here is a pick of the unsocialised hogs in question,
By the way I am not joined at the hip to know one.

[Choggie]

I do agree that not all pet shops should be tarred with the same brush - as with anything a small minority can spoil it for the majority which is such a shame.

I had a phone call from a member of staff at a shop local to us who were purchasing African Pygmy Hedgehogs and wanted me to tell them how to look after them - ethically should I have done so? If you are going to have any animal for sale it is up to the individual shop to research their care requirements before actually stocking them.

The nicest compliment that we had was last weekend when a new customer came to our shop and remarked how nice it was to see the animals actually been handled - at this point Matt J had our frilled lizard on his shoulder and I was feeding my male choggie Boss Hog.

Hedgehogs are available through different wholesalers,(one of which gets bad press on here) not just breeders - if I didn't breed my own I would rather buy from a breeder than a wholesaler as I feel that I would be getting a socialised hoglet that had been well cared for.

I particularly love the unsocialised hoglet that looks like it has just pooped or is about to - never ceases to amaze me exactly how big their backsides actually are!!