WE recently heard with some dismay that the Do It All store on Westgate in Morecambe are intending to market a range of animals as pets.

The thought of people deciding on impulse to "pick up a pet" while in a store to buy tins of paint and rolls of wallpaper is most distressing. There are already far too many ill treated, neglected and unwanted pets in this country as is evident from the numerous pet rescue/care organisations in existence.

Do It All intend to provide information sheets on the various animals. However, the specialised knowledge and housing arrangements for reptiles in particular cannot be immediately learned from such a sheet - casual buyers are unlikely to have suitable special housing, for example, already in place. I would expect that more knowledgeable and committed prospective owners would choose to visit a specialist supplier for their purchases. This is also where those people not yet familiar with pet care should also go to buy their pets and receive expert advice.

I accept that pet shops themselves do not always keep their stock in ideal conditions and may not always provide sound advice. I am sure that Do It All will be providing good conditions to house the animals while in the store. However I feel that the sale of animals as pets, whether common or exotic should certainly not be encouraged in a "supermarket" environment where impulse purchases by people without total commitment to the welfare of their animals will be much more likely.

I believe that Do It All should think again about this plan which is surely driven purely by business considerations without thought for the future welfare of the animals.

A J Draper Endsleigh Grove Lancaster

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