depends on how you look at it

Well, I went. And I was not disappointed. Although there were no dogs or cats at this small auction , there were other animals that will be dinner tomorrow. I got there at 6:30 and it was fairly empty still. Most people wait until the end to come for the animals.
After the cute little birds were sold for a few dollars a pair, they moved on to yard sale stuff .
Those little birds will likely be in some pet store today with prices of $100 or more with no health certificate.
Then they sold American produce for 1/4 of what you would pay in a grocery store and I could see lots of greedy corner store folks rubbing their hands with glee at the deal . Now unsuspecting people will pay the extra .
On to the animals. Lots of chickens, some ducks , a huge Tom Turkey, and pigeons.
A lot of these birds were show animals but wont make it there this year.
Pet rabbits , several, were sold off and there were only two there that I could see will be pets. They were the wee dwarf bunnies and they will be mauled by new owners today. Baby Guinea Pigs and a hamster were the next pets to go.
The local Mennonites have a huge bake table set up about five feet from the holding cages and I couldn't see me eating anything from that table . The prices were no better than at Basics.
The cages were apparently , up to par, but I felt that the birds were too packed in, not much room to move and all were very frightened. Those cages were dirty . I don't know how long the animals had been in them but I couldn't smell any cleaner of any kind anywhere . The floor in the building was dirty before anyone went in. There were probably a hundred crates along the back wall with dirty straw in them, waiting for the next animal to spend its last hours in.
Everyone there seems friendly enough. The auctioneer is only doing a job. The people running it are my neighbours. Damn.
I watched and I learned. I will be there again next week and any other day they run the thing.
Next week, I`ll go later, sit in the back row with the other serious bidders and watch.
On the 19th I plan to go early and try to get the dogs before the 'dog eaters and breeders' do. I heard the regulars talking about that.
I did rescue some tomatoes(washable) and bananas( come in their own wrap). Cant get any cheaper than the amount I paid.
If I had a building for the animals, we`d have bunnies and birds all over the place.
I think I was upset the most about the person that bought all the pet rabbits . I know people eat them . I only saw one meat rabbit there, the rest were pets. Why do people buy them as a spur of the moment pet for their already overly spoiled kid and then throw it away when the kid tires of caring for the poor thing.
If I ever have a Saturday free, I think I`ll drive up to Trails End by London and have a look around. Sounds like these same people make their rounds weekly and grab up cheap meat . I wonder what butcher shops they run? Remember, none of these animals have vet checks or health certificates. Have a look on line as to the miriade of diseases that birds and bunnies carry.
And I wonder, do I need some of those geese ? I`ve been thinking about it . Good 'watch dogs', ya` know.
The only place to wash hands is in the bathroom, way the other side of the building by the food area. Smelled good, wouldnt eat it.
Think about it. And take a crate with you if you go. or a leash . or a box. Anything.
later