Meerkats and monkeys on sale in Blackburn pet store

8:50am Saturday 27th November 2010 in Blackburn Photograph of the Author Exclusive By David Watkinson, Deputy news editor

CRUELTY STORM: One of the meerkats CRUELTY STORM: One of the meerkats

MONKEYS and meerkats have gone on sale at East Lancashire's largest pet store — prompting a storm of protest from animal rights campaigners.

One animal protection group said selling the wild animals was 'cruel' and another group said it deplored the actions of Blackburn-based Aquamania.

Craig Redmond, of the Captive Animals Protection Society said: "They are such social animals and have specialist needs."

And he added that meerkats were burrowing creatures and were likely to 'trash your sofa and carpet'.

Aquamania bosses said they had received threats and were planning to make a complaint to police.

They insisted the animals would only be sold once any potential buyer had been thoroughly researched.

The borough council has also been criticised for granting a licence allowing the store in Higher Audley Street, to sell the animals.

Aquamania opened in the 28,000sq ft site of the former Tommy Balls last year becoming one of the largest pet stores in the country.

Boss Ashley Cook said they spent £10,000 building an enclosure to house two pairs of meerkats and four marmoset monkeys.

He said that each animal would cost £2,500 when bought with the appropriate enclosures.

The marmosets are all nine-months-old and will grow to around 12 inches tall. The meerkats - which have become increasingly popular thanks to an internet car insurance comparison website - are 14 months old and are fully grown.

Mr Cook, 42, said: "We will not sell them to anyone who just walks through the door. We will take a long time, including making home visits, before a sale is completed.

"So far we have not sold any of the animals but we could have done so 10 times over, such has been the level of interest.

"The monkeys and meerkats need indoor and outdoor enclosures and require a lot of attention."

Mr Cook said he bought the animals from one of his 'trusted suppliers' and that they did 'a lot of research' before making a decision to put them on sale.

He said: "The monkeys are tame and can be fed by the hand. The meerkats are quiet tame and curious. We have worked to give them the best environment that we can in the shop. Both animals are mischievous and should not be given the run of the house.

"We wanted to offer something different.

"The reaction from shoppers so far has been amazing. The vast majority are chuffed to bits to see them."

Mr Cook said he had been taken aback by the level of some of the criticism.

He said: "There have been threats coming in to the building which are completely out of order and we will be informing the police.

"But I am open to any constructive advice. "

Craig Redmond of Manchester-based The Captive Animals Protection Society, said the charity had already received 'a handful' of complaints about Aquamania.

He said: “It’s fairly unusual for primate to be sold in shops, but if that’s what the pet shop licence allows, as decided by the local authority, it is legal.

“But we certainly wouldn’t encourage shops to sell primates or meerkats in this way. They are such social animals and have specialist needs. It is cruel.

“They are wild animals, regardless of where they are kept, and are hard-wired to behave in certain ways and to live in large groups.

“Meerkats are burrowing animals and if they are kept in the house they will trash your sofa and your carpet."

Mr Redmond said there needed to be tighter controls as people did not need a licence to buy one of the animals, and there was no requirement for follow up checks.

Pendle-based Brian Jackson of the East Lancashire branch of Friends of the Earth, said he 'deplored' the actions of Aquamania.

He said: “These are wild animals and we should protect the habitat they are supposed to be in.

“I think Blackburn with Darwen Council is completely out of touch with the outside world by allowing this.

“A fair better way to have an interest in a wild animal and to directly have an impact on it is to sponsor it through the World Wildlife Fund.”

Peter Dillingham, head keeper at Blackpool Zoo, said he had 'serious worries' about the sale of monkeys and meerkats.

He said: "These animals are not domesticated at all.

"Just because you have seen a meerkat on a commercial and thought it looks cute it doesn't mean having one as a pet is a good idea. They should be left to the experts."

Blackburn with Darwen Council confirmed it has granted a general exotic pets licence to Aquamania.

Coun Dave Harling, executive member for regeneration, said: “No special licence is needed to sell meerkats but documentation is needed for each of the marmoset monkeys showing where they have come from."

Comments (26)

9:41am Sat 27 Nov 10

up-yours-sunshine says...

The best place for Meerkats is in the Kalahari Desert where they belong they are not pets and never should be
The best place for Meerkats is in the Kalahari Desert where they belong they are not pets and never should be up-yours-sunshine

11:36am Sat 27 Nov 10

time.team says...

Simply a case of supply and demand. These are animals that should live in their own environment and not here as play things!
-
If you have no concern about the animals that are put up for sale near Christmas then you should be ashamed of yourself. Likewise, think before rushing off to buy an animal as a present for your little child to play with. They may become fed up and no longer want to look after it soon after. Children of all ages that is?
Please remember, the more animals that are sold under the pretence of giving them a better life then many more will be made available by traders to fill that gap. Instead why not get yourself a toy that can be disposed of after the novelty wears off. You can even get toy dogs now that actually bark when stroked and don‘t make a mess or need feeding! Show a little thought about the animals in pet shops and be responsible and try to see the pet animal trade for what it is . . . A disgrace!
Living animals in pet shops is a disgraceful trade run by thoughtless animal business people only. But if you must take yourself off looking for a pet then how about going to the many animal rescue charities to see the results of this trade. Those that you will see are what happens when people don’t want them or can not afford them any more. But if your really determined to get yourself a pet then I’m sure that one from an animal charity is waiting for you right now?
-
PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE!
Simply a case of supply and demand. These are animals that should live in their own environment and not here as play things! - If you have no concern about the animals that are put up for sale near Christmas then you should be ashamed of yourself. Likewise, think before rushing off to buy an animal as a present for your little child to play with. They may become fed up and no longer want to look after it soon after. Children of all ages that is? Please remember, the more animals that are sold under the pretence of giving them a better life then many more will be made available by traders to fill that gap. Instead why not get yourself a toy that can be disposed of after the novelty wears off. You can even get toy dogs now that actually bark when stroked and don‘t make a mess or need feeding! Show a little thought about the animals in pet shops and be responsible and try to see the pet animal trade for what it is . . . A disgrace! Living animals in pet shops is a disgraceful trade run by thoughtless animal business people only. But if you must take yourself off looking for a pet then how about going to the many animal rescue charities to see the results of this trade. Those that you will see are what happens when people don’t want them or can not afford them any more. But if your really determined to get yourself a pet then I’m sure that one from an animal charity is waiting for you right now? - PLEASE BE RESPONSIBLE! time.team

1:43pm Sat 27 Nov 10

eddie the eagle says...

Great grandfather Meerkat did not go through all that,for his grandchildren to end up in an enclosure in Clitheroe.
Great grandfather Meerkat did not go through all that,for his grandchildren to end up in an enclosure in Clitheroe. eddie the eagle

2:02pm Sat 27 Nov 10

Stone Island says...

If advertising companies stopped using these types of animals, to make their adverts, people wouldn't want them.
Lets face it, before the 'meerkat adverts' most people couldn't tell the difference between a meerkat and a bobcat.
If advertising companies stopped using these types of animals, to make their adverts, people wouldn't want them. Lets face it, before the 'meerkat adverts' most people couldn't tell the difference between a meerkat and a bobcat. Stone Island

2:39pm Sat 27 Nov 10

DEO VOLENTE says...

Digusting, the depths that some will sink to make money is truly appalling. What century are we living in? Animals deserve to be treated with respect and these poor creatures should not be in captivity. Boycot this shop! On a broader point society can be judged on the way that it treats animals. That said, a society that allows animals to be ritually tortured to produce Halal and Kosher meat will, I am afraid, not trouble itself with captive meerkats and Monkeys. Shameful. "Fiat Lux"
Deus Vobiscum
Digusting, the depths that some will sink to make money is truly appalling. What century are we living in? Animals deserve to be treated with respect and these poor creatures should not be in captivity. Boycot this shop! On a broader point society can be judged on the way that it treats animals. That said, a society that allows animals to be ritually tortured to produce Halal and Kosher meat will, I am afraid, not trouble itself with captive meerkats and Monkeys. Shameful. "Fiat Lux" Deus Vobiscum DEO VOLENTE

2:54pm Sat 27 Nov 10

burner says...

Stone Island wrote:
If advertising companies stopped using these types of animals, to make their adverts, people wouldn't want them. Lets face it, before the 'meerkat adverts' most people couldn't tell the difference between a meerkat and a bobcat.
. . . or a market !!
[quote][p][bold]Stone Island[/bold] wrote: If advertising companies stopped using these types of animals, to make their adverts, people wouldn't want them. Lets face it, before the 'meerkat adverts' most people couldn't tell the difference between a meerkat and a bobcat.[/p][/quote]. . . or a market !! burner

3:11pm Sat 27 Nov 10

useyourhead says...

Anyone who spends 2.5k on a meerkat must be simples.... more money than sense, donate it to an animal charity, they will be looking after them when little johnny or jemima gets bored with it anyhoo!
Anyone who spends 2.5k on a meerkat must be simples.... more money than sense, donate it to an animal charity, they will be looking after them when little johnny or jemima gets bored with it anyhoo! useyourhead

3:16pm Sat 27 Nov 10

useyourhead says...

for all thier self righteous bleetings about vetting the new owners blah, blah, blah there is one thing they have conveniently overlooked....
-
Both species are members of social groups and will suffer phychologically if kept alone, lets face it, at these prices it is highly unlikely anyone is going to buy more than one!
for all thier self righteous bleetings about vetting the new owners blah, blah, blah there is one thing they have conveniently overlooked.... - Both species are members of social groups and will suffer phychologically if kept alone, lets face it, at these prices it is highly unlikely anyone is going to buy more than one! useyourhead

4:41pm Sat 27 Nov 10

wing commander bomber harris says...

eddie the eagle wrote:
Great grandfather Meerkat did not go through all that,for his grandchildren to end up in an enclosure in Clitheroe.
lol, although there's not much eating on a meerkat
[quote][p][bold]eddie the eagle[/bold] wrote: Great grandfather Meerkat did not go through all that,for his grandchildren to end up in an enclosure in Clitheroe.[/p][/quote]lol, although there's not much eating on a meerkat wing commander bomber harris

4:44pm Sat 27 Nov 10

wing commander bomber harris says...

DEO VOLENTE wrote:
Digusting, the depths that some will sink to make money is truly appalling. What century are we living in? Animals deserve to be treated with respect and these poor creatures should not be in captivity. Boycot this shop! On a broader point society can be judged on the way that it treats animals. That said, a society that allows animals to be ritually tortured to produce Halal and Kosher meat will, I am afraid, not trouble itself with captive meerkats and Monkeys. Shameful. "Fiat Lux" Deus Vobiscum
a good comment and i agree 100%. If you could transpose this ideology on to humans, we'll have you being a fire breathing socialist just like me!!

trouble at t' mill
[quote][p][bold]DEO VOLENTE[/bold] wrote: Digusting, the depths that some will sink to make money is truly appalling. What century are we living in? Animals deserve to be treated with respect and these poor creatures should not be in captivity. Boycot this shop! On a broader point society can be judged on the way that it treats animals. That said, a society that allows animals to be ritually tortured to produce Halal and Kosher meat will, I am afraid, not trouble itself with captive meerkats and Monkeys. Shameful. "Fiat Lux" Deus Vobiscum[/p][/quote]a good comment and i agree 100%. If you could transpose this ideology on to humans, we'll have you being a fire breathing socialist just like me!! trouble at t' mill wing commander bomber harris

6:14pm Sat 27 Nov 10

peanuts327 says...

Meerkats belong in the wild.
Simples!!!!!
Meerkats belong in the wild. Simples!!!!! peanuts327

6:39pm Sat 27 Nov 10

ghost of sceptic says...

monkeys and meerkats both live in large social groups it is not right to sell these or other animals like them as pets shame on you at aquamania and the council should ban em from selling them
monkeys and meerkats both live in large social groups it is not right to sell these or other animals like them as pets shame on you at aquamania and the council should ban em from selling them ghost of sceptic

9:16pm Sat 27 Nov 10

gwynatlarche says...

I am angry and disgusted that these wild animals are now on sale to the general public. I went to see it for myself today and the enclosure is no where near big enough, they have no outdoor space and they are being stared at all day by customers. These creatures elong in the desert not in someones living room. They need expert care. Also it will increase the chance of these animals being taken from the wild to try and sell as pets illegally. How is that right. Imagine
You have been with your whole family since you have been born. Suddenly your put in a completly new environment, no family, nothing familiar, your stressed scared and alone. How would you feel.?
I am angry and disgusted that these wild animals are now on sale to the general public. I went to see it for myself today and the enclosure is no where near big enough, they have no outdoor space and they are being stared at all day by customers. These creatures elong in the desert not in someones living room. They need expert care. Also it will increase the chance of these animals being taken from the wild to try and sell as pets illegally. How is that right. Imagine You have been with your whole family since you have been born. Suddenly your put in a completly new environment, no family, nothing familiar, your stressed scared and alone. How would you feel.? gwynatlarche

9:34pm Sat 27 Nov 10

Darwenbert says...

i agree with what most of you say, These wild animals should stay in the wild, But i don't here anyone complaining about keeping huge snakes in tanks now your not telling me that's OK.....
i agree with what most of you say, These wild animals should stay in the wild, But i don't here anyone complaining about keeping huge snakes in tanks now your not telling me that's OK..... Darwenbert

9:34pm Sat 27 Nov 10

burty basset says...

whats wrong with coming home from work and sitting down with your monkey and drinking a can of stella each watching telly
whats wrong with coming home from work and sitting down with your monkey and drinking a can of stella each watching telly burty basset

9:36pm Sat 27 Nov 10

Darwenbert says...

burty basset wrote:
whats wrong with coming home from work and sitting down with your monkey and drinking a can of stella each watching telly
train it to go to the fridge....
[quote][p][bold]burty basset[/bold] wrote: whats wrong with coming home from work and sitting down with your monkey and drinking a can of stella each watching telly[/p][/quote]train it to go to the fridge.... Darwenbert

10:32pm Sat 27 Nov 10

tpreece01 says...

Stone Island wrote:
If advertising companies stopped using these types of animals, to make their adverts, people wouldn't want them.
Lets face it, before the 'meerkat adverts' most people couldn't tell the difference between a meerkat and a bobcat.
What's a bobcat? I'd have adoped a family of meetkats well before the adverts. Infact, those adverts are just annoying!
[quote][p][bold]Stone Island[/bold] wrote: If advertising companies stopped using these types of animals, to make their adverts, people wouldn't want them. Lets face it, before the 'meerkat adverts' most people couldn't tell the difference between a meerkat and a bobcat.[/p][/quote]What's a bobcat? I'd have adoped a family of meetkats well before the adverts. Infact, those adverts are just annoying! tpreece01

12:15am Sun 28 Nov 10

lush lips says...

gwynatlarche wrote:
I am angry and disgusted that these wild animals are now on sale to the general public. I went to see it for myself today and the enclosure is no where near big enough, they have no outdoor space and they are being stared at all day by customers. These creatures elong in the desert not in someones living room. They need expert care. Also it will increase the chance of these animals being taken from the wild to try and sell as pets illegally. How is that right. Imagine
You have been with your whole family since you have been born. Suddenly your put in a completly new environment, no family, nothing familiar, your stressed scared and alone. How would you feel.?
omg :) you moan about people staring at them all day and you went to see them !!tut tut!!! these animals are captive bred and wouldn't do well in the desert now. i have been to see these meerkats and monkeys and the staff are very knowledgeable about them and do explain that eveyone will be vetted before a sale is made and they are only sold in pairs!! and i believe them. its the latest craz at the moment thanks to silly adverts on TV . if you dont believe in buying the real meerkats then buy the meekat teddies that they sell! but seriously you all need to get a grip!!!!!! they are well looked after and none have been sold, unlike the pet store in bolton ! they had 2 when we last went ! where has the other one gone????????? i am a loyal aquamania customer who will not see thier name slated, for what, giving some meerkats/monkeys some food and a warm home, becasuse thats all they are guilty of!!!!!!!!! good luck aquamania your the best pet store around :)
[quote][p][bold]gwynatlarche[/bold] wrote: I am angry and disgusted that these wild animals are now on sale to the general public. I went to see it for myself today and the enclosure is no where near big enough, they have no outdoor space and they are being stared at all day by customers. These creatures elong in the desert not in someones living room. They need expert care. Also it will increase the chance of these animals being taken from the wild to try and sell as pets illegally. How is that right. Imagine You have been with your whole family since you have been born. Suddenly your put in a completly new environment, no family, nothing familiar, your stressed scared and alone. How would you feel.?[/p][/quote]omg :) you moan about people staring at them all day and you went to see them !!tut tut!!! these animals are captive bred and wouldn't do well in the desert now. i have been to see these meerkats and monkeys and the staff are very knowledgeable about them and do explain that eveyone will be vetted before a sale is made and they are only sold in pairs!! and i believe them. its the latest craz at the moment thanks to silly adverts on TV . if you dont believe in buying the real meerkats then buy the meekat teddies that they sell! but seriously you all need to get a grip!!!!!! they are well looked after and none have been sold, unlike the pet store in bolton ! they had 2 when we last went ! where has the other one gone????????? i am a loyal aquamania customer who will not see thier name slated, for what, giving some meerkats/monkeys some food and a warm home, becasuse thats all they are guilty of!!!!!!!!! good luck aquamania your the best pet store around :) lush lips

6:00am Sun 28 Nov 10

AnimalReid says...

I should also say that on the odd occasion when I find that the monkeys are misbehaving, I do discipline them.
...
Spanking my monkey is something I dont enjoy but sometimes it has to be done.
...
I would be interested to know if any other ape owners spank their chimp from time to time?
I should also say that on the odd occasion when I find that the monkeys are misbehaving, I do discipline them. ... Spanking my monkey is something I dont enjoy but sometimes it has to be done. ... I would be interested to know if any other ape owners spank their chimp from time to time? AnimalReid

10:22am Sun 28 Nov 10

Teal says...

To the people who think they can justify this sale by pointing to good care standards by the pet shop, I'm afraid you are missing several points. First, meerkats are animals that should live in large social groups. That is their nature, domesticated or not. Not in pairs.
Second they should have alot of room (ie more than anyone in Blackburn has).
Third, where do you think the original meerkats came from to produce the pets in pet stores? The wild. And they won't just have taken a few and left it at that. They will continue to do so while there is money and a demand for it. Then they will be bred from, and animals will have to be shipped to other countries for sale and more breeding. Either they will then be inbred as a population (causing health problems our vets will have no idea how to deal with) or more will be taken from the wild at the other end of the supply chain. For the animals in Aquamania to be here, in a relatively domesticated state, thousands of other meerkats will be suffering and have suffered.
I am not questioning Aquamania's animal care ability or standards. What I object to is that Meerkats are a current fad, and what they are doing by selling them is not only encouraging that fad, but affecting the meerkats in the wild, and causing suffering to many so that selfish people can have a cute little pet like the one on the telly.
In response to the person who thinks that it's better to provide for them in a safer environment (ie at home) than in their natural environment; seriously. You think that we should concentrate all our efforts on moving wild animals into domesticated bliss rather than protecting them in their natural environment?? Words fail me.
Blackburn Council = Fail. And I object to you granting a licence to the fair to bring live fish in plastic bags every year too, it's disgusting.
To the people who think they can justify this sale by pointing to good care standards by the pet shop, I'm afraid you are missing several points. First, meerkats are animals that should live in large social groups. That is their nature, domesticated or not. Not in pairs. Second they should have alot of room (ie more than anyone in Blackburn has). Third, where do you think the original meerkats came from to produce the pets in pet stores? The wild. And they won't just have taken a few and left it at that. They will continue to do so while there is money and a demand for it. Then they will be bred from, and animals will have to be shipped to other countries for sale and more breeding. Either they will then be inbred as a population (causing health problems our vets will have no idea how to deal with) or more will be taken from the wild at the other end of the supply chain. For the animals in Aquamania to be here, in a relatively domesticated state, thousands of other meerkats will be suffering and have suffered. I am not questioning Aquamania's animal care ability or standards. What I object to is that Meerkats are a current fad, and what they are doing by selling them is not only encouraging that fad, but affecting the meerkats in the wild, and causing suffering to many so that selfish people can have a cute little pet like the one on the telly. In response to the person who thinks that it's better to provide for them in a safer environment (ie at home) than in their natural environment; seriously. You think that we should concentrate all our efforts on moving wild animals into domesticated bliss rather than protecting them in their natural environment?? Words fail me. Blackburn Council = Fail. And I object to you granting a licence to the fair to bring live fish in plastic bags every year too, it's disgusting. Teal

10:29am Sun 28 Nov 10

Carl S'berg says...

There was an old lady mugged on Todmorden Road, Burnely a couple of weeks ago and subsequently died as a result. There were 3 (three) comments on that story. There were literally hundreds on the Daily Mail story boards but 3 (three) on this Lancashire Telegraph site. And with this about Meercats, there are 33 above. 33 for a Meercat story and t3 for the tragic killing of a Burnley pensioner.

Makes you think, dunnit?
There was an old lady mugged on Todmorden Road, Burnely a couple of weeks ago and subsequently died as a result. There were 3 (three) comments on that story. There were literally hundreds on the Daily Mail story boards but 3 (three) on this Lancashire Telegraph site. And with this about Meercats, there are 33 above. 33 for a Meercat story and t3 for the tragic killing of a Burnley pensioner. Makes you think, dunnit? Carl S'berg

5:38pm Mon 29 Nov 10

bernard righton says...

Carl S'berg wrote:
There was an old lady mugged on Todmorden Road, Burnely a couple of weeks ago and subsequently died as a result. There were 3 (three) comments on that story. There were literally hundreds on the Daily Mail story boards but 3 (three) on this Lancashire Telegraph site. And with this about Meercats, there are 33 above. 33 for a Meercat story and t3 for the tragic killing of a Burnley pensioner. Makes you think, dunnit?
Couldn't agree more - there are things going on in East lancs that are actually important and worth some consideration.
'
It never ceases to amaze me that whenever a report coming in of some drowned puppies or a burnt cat the number of posts is at 30 0r 40 within a couple of hours, pensioner mugged. killed, raped - half a dozen posts at most.
'
i have to question whether this story is actually newsworthy? a licensed pet shop responsibly selling animals it is allowed to sell? - sounds pretty dull to me
'
i await the hail of posts from "animal lovers and liberation activists"
'
Have to say though - i think you lot need to rethink your priorities
[quote][p][bold]Carl S'berg[/bold] wrote: There was an old lady mugged on Todmorden Road, Burnely a couple of weeks ago and subsequently died as a result. There were 3 (three) comments on that story. There were literally hundreds on the Daily Mail story boards but 3 (three) on this Lancashire Telegraph site. And with this about Meercats, there are 33 above. 33 for a Meercat story and t3 for the tragic killing of a Burnley pensioner. Makes you think, dunnit?[/p][/quote]Couldn't agree more - there are things going on in East lancs that are actually important and worth some consideration. ' It never ceases to amaze me that whenever a report coming in of some drowned puppies or a burnt cat the number of posts is at 30 0r 40 within a couple of hours, pensioner mugged. killed, raped - half a dozen posts at most. ' i have to question whether this story is actually newsworthy? a licensed pet shop responsibly selling animals it is allowed to sell? - sounds pretty dull to me ' i await the hail of posts from "animal lovers and liberation activists" ' Have to say though - i think you lot need to rethink your priorities bernard righton

12:13am Tue 30 Nov 10

burty basset says...

think i will buy a pair and breed em, i reckon i can knock em out for 350 each anyone interested
think i will buy a pair and breed em, i reckon i can knock em out for 350 each anyone interested burty basset

7:40am Tue 7 Dec 10

tracijscott says...

"You can judge the moral progress of a nation by the way it treats its animals" Mahatma Ghandi
The council should never have granted the licence & Aquamania as a large respected pet shop should never have considered selling these animals. I'm all for people having pets or inspiring people to be interested in nature & animals but not at the expense of the animal. 40 - 50 years ago people could buy lions from Harrods we now know that was wrong. Its the laws & legislation that need to be changed to take into consideration the emotional welfare of these animals as well as the physical welfare. Come on animal wellfare charities we need change, however this can only be achieved through education & discussion, not through threats or violence.
"You can judge the moral progress of a nation by the way it treats its animals" Mahatma Ghandi The council should never have granted the licence & Aquamania as a large respected pet shop should never have considered selling these animals. I'm all for people having pets or inspiring people to be interested in nature & animals but not at the expense of the animal. 40 - 50 years ago people could buy lions from Harrods we now know that was wrong. Its the laws & legislation that need to be changed to take into consideration the emotional welfare of these animals as well as the physical welfare. Come on animal wellfare charities we need change, however this can only be achieved through education & discussion, not through threats or violence. tracijscott

5:03am Wed 8 Dec 10

Pionites81 says...

I visited Aquamania to check out what I had heard. I was told by the staff that it is fine to give the marmosets Haribo sweets & marshmallows! I was told that if you buy a marmoset you get a big parrot cage with it, & they are fine to live on their own. I was also told that the RSPCA are working with Aquamania to home check people who want to buy a marmoset. This is highly unlikely, as the RSPCA is against monkeys as pets! The staff told me that meerkats never drink, & they are also fine to live on their own. All very bad information!
I visited Aquamania to check out what I had heard. I was told by the staff that it is fine to give the marmosets Haribo sweets & marshmallows! I was told that if you buy a marmoset you get a big parrot cage with it, & they are fine to live on their own. I was also told that the RSPCA are working with Aquamania to home check people who want to buy a marmoset. This is highly unlikely, as the RSPCA is against monkeys as pets! The staff told me that meerkats never drink, & they are also fine to live on their own. All very bad information! Pionites81

2:36am Fri 10 Dec 10

Pionites81 says...

Im only stating what I was told by staff at Aquamania! On the subject of marmoset diet, do you think fruit & mealworms constitutes a good diet for them then? I also saw poor conditions for the more commonly kept species of animals, like a bearded dragon who looked dehydrated & sickly, degus crammed into a small glass tank, & a chinchilla (a nocturnal animal) living on the counter right next to the till! Is that ok for the animals then?
Im only stating what I was told by staff at Aquamania! On the subject of marmoset diet, do you think fruit & mealworms constitutes a good diet for them then? I also saw poor conditions for the more commonly kept species of animals, like a bearded dragon who looked dehydrated & sickly, degus crammed into a small glass tank, & a chinchilla (a nocturnal animal) living on the counter right next to the till! Is that ok for the animals then? Pionites81

Comments are closed on this article.

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree