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Post by Esther on Aug 21, 2007 13:04:38 GMT -8
I am looking to get gerbils but am not sure what the best source is. I live in the Chicagoland area, Il, USA and am considering a breeder but there doesn't seem to be any near me. PetSmart seems to be my best option at this point. I purchased my 3 little girls from PetSmart--one died young of an ovarian tumor, one died after 3 wonderful years, and the last one died recently after 3 yrs 8 mo. I miss them terribly.  PetSmart seems to have sound policies on its website, but I'm not sure where it gets its gerbils and if they are bred to have "good genes" or at least not perpetuate bad ones. So I'm wondering where people recommend getting gerbils. I would like to get 3 or maybe more of the same sex, and don't have any color preference. If anyone knows of a breeder in the Chicago area (city and surrounding counties) or if they think PetSmart is a good place to go, please let me know! Thank you! |
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dippy
Member
In loving memory of Hans.
Posts: 1,691
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Post by dippy on Aug 21, 2007 13:47:07 GMT -8
Well my Petsmart is a pretty bad place, all the gerbils had a parasite that 2 of mine died from. Of course not all petsmarts are like that, but I really wouldn't recommend buying from any petstore in general. A breeder really is best. I will be right back, gonna look at the AGS website and see if there are any breeders in Chicago.  |
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Post by Esther on Aug 21, 2007 13:56:43 GMT -8
Yeah I looked there...and posted there as well, although I don't know if anyone will be able to help. There are two listed in Illinois, one's across the state from me and the other's about halfway down the state from me, so pretty far. |
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dippy
Member
In loving memory of Hans.
Posts: 1,691
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Post by dippy on Aug 21, 2007 13:59:30 GMT -8
Yes I didn't know how far away they were from Chicago...sorry about that... |
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Post by Esther on Aug 21, 2007 14:22:52 GMT -8
No worries. That was the first site I thought of, too bad there aren't more registered in IL.
If anyone has any ideas, I'm happy to hear them! Thanks again!
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Post by hungeglinafb on Aug 21, 2007 20:08:34 GMT -8
Have you tried the one in Lake Geneva, Wisconsin? It is about 2-3 hours drive from chicago. www.agsgerbils.org/Wisconsin.htmlYou could make it a road trip. You could visit Lake Geneva (i've been there and it's beautiful) and pick up the gerbils. Don't know about the breeder, though. Remember to pick up some sweet corn from there too. |
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Post by malabui on Aug 22, 2007 0:31:53 GMT -8
PetSmart seems to have sound policies on its website, but I'm not sure where it gets its gerbils and if they are bred to have "good genes" or at least not perpetuate bad ones. That is a debatable question. Also just because someone has some policies listed, it doesn't mean that they will follow them or pay any attention to them. I think you have to go to a store and check out yourself how they are in that store. I myself have had gerbils from Pets @ Home (Petsmart changed their name in the UK due to a huge scandal over how they look after their pets) and after 2 and a bit years they are fine, but I have heard of many that haven't been. Are there any other small petshops in your area that sell gerbils? If so they may be able to give you the phone number or allow you to talk to who ever had breed the gerbils and you could make a decision about them that way. |
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Post by SilverGerbil on Aug 22, 2007 9:53:38 GMT -8
Well Pets At Home (Pet Smart) is where my brother got his two gerbils, when we went and bought them they were the only 2 in the shop, (a ginger one and a grey/beige one). They had sawdust, a hide and water bottle in the tank. His ginger one has a bend in its tail and if you feel, you can feel a break in its tail where it seems she had her tail shut in a cage/tank door. His gerbils were fully grown (dont know how old) when we bought them and the girl getting them had troubles catching the two in a tiny (not even 2ft) tank, and she caught them by their tails and weedled them into a box (as he didnt have a carrier). But they seem fine other than that, very shy and they dont like other people coming into his room without danger tapping! Other than that the Pet's At Home shop seems ok by all means, though they have the Degu's in a wire mesh cage...not sure if thats safe!...  I got mine from a small pet shop, and there was a group of them in together (family of young gerbils im guessing!) but the lady their caught my two and sexed them (correctly! Suprisingly!) and sold them, to me. I would say look around, at small pet shops, and Pets At Home (Pet Smart) and see what gerbils you like best, also have a look around at breeders gerbils!.. Best i can say to help  xoxox |
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Gerbiee
Member
I <3 Gerbils
Posts: 432
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Post by Gerbiee on Aug 22, 2007 13:12:39 GMT -8
My local petsmart is great! I think you will have to check it out for yourself. Have you tried googling breeders? 'gerbil breeders in -where you live-'
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Post by lizzy on Aug 23, 2007 11:09:29 GMT -8
Buying a gerbil from any pet shop carries a risk. I'd recommend a breeder if you can find one.
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Post by jeramy on Aug 27, 2007 7:56:35 GMT -8
Another way you could find some is actually looking in the classifieds of your town's newspaper and surrounding cities. That's how I found my gf's two boys. Sometimes, very kind and great gerbil owners will have an "accident" and get a litter they can't keep, or even issues such as moving may come up. If you do find some in a newspaper, make sure you ask many questions and really look over the gerbils and to make sure that they are healthy and have been raised properly.
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Post by Esther on Aug 28, 2007 9:23:42 GMT -8
Thanks to everyone for the suggestions! I'm not sure what we'll do at this point but I appreciate all the help.
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