Please do not buy from pet stores that sell live animals.
Why?
Because, simply, they are contributing to the pet overpopulation problem. They get their animals from breeders, which usually only care about the money. Usually pet stores are not educated about the needs of the animals they sell, and give out potentially dangerous advice.
Why do you think that some major pet stores are no longer selling dogs and cats? This is why. However, they still think it's ok to sell smaller animals like cavies, bunnies, hamsters, etc. It is not ok at all! It's wrong for the same reasons they are not selling dogs and cats. The reason that they still sell these small animals is that there are not so many people that have these animals, and that research enough about them to know what's good and what's not. Those who do need to raise their voices against this cruel treatment if we have any chance of stopping them. It can be done, as shown by the successes with the larger animals.
All pet stores are selling their animals. They are not adopting them out. They are simply earning a profit by selling a living thing; whether or not it is well-cared for after purchse is not an issue to them. In fact, they don't want it to be. They want you to have to continue to purchase more. They also want to squeeze everything they can out of you, and so give you incorrect advice about the needs of your pets. For example, the pet store cages for cavies are over $100.00 and are around three (3!) square feet. A cavy needs at least 7.5 square feet, and a cage can be handmade out of cubes and coroplast (see Cavy Cages for more information) for $40 or under! Also, since they just want to make a profit, why would they bother getting medical care for sick ro injured animals? The sick and injured are merely "casualties," much as a moldy loaf of bread is to a grocery store. It means nothing to the industry that this so-called "merchandise" has a beating heart.
Think pet stores can't all be that bad? Well, they can. Please look at this site: Petco Cruelty
Or, take a look at this site: PetNo.
I know that I have said you can find certain items at pet stores, but I have tried to add other sources whenever possible. It's just a problem because so many people will only buy from these sources, so I felt obligated to post them, no matter what my personal beliefs.
What can you do to help?
The only way to stop pet stores from selling live animals is to stop the demand. Even if you know that a pet store treats its animals decently and the staff is caring and knowledgable, if it is a chain store you are supporting all of the retailers, good and bad. You are still paying for cruelty, and the needless breeding of thousands of animals. True, you aren't doing the cruelty yourself, but you're paying the people that are. Even if the pet store that's two blocks away is awesome, you are contributing to the problem of pet overpopulation and the death of millions of shelter animals each year. Stop the cycle. Opt to adopt.
Do a search on Google for a rescue, shelter, or humane society near you.
On forums online that are pet-related (some have adoption listings).
Look for ads in local newspapers (watch out for breeders!)
A few more tips:
Don't believe anything you see or hear in a pet store. They give out false advice constantly, and on purpose to make more money. Remember--that's all they want.
Get your information confirmed by several sources before you believe what a pet store says. (Ask online on reputable forums, ask veterinarians, look in books (though many carry incorrect information as they are made or sponsored by breeders/pet stores, so watch out!)) and ask others you know that have the type of pet you are interested in.
Don't buy products based on an employee recommendation alone--remember, get it confirmed first.
The same goes for stores that carry more than one sex of animals; please get their sex checked out by a qualified veterinarian first. Too many unwanted pregnancies happen because they are mis-sexed by employees.
You can read more about pet stores and where you can buy supplies here.
