Chinchillas Baked to Death at Filthy, Dilapidated Pipsqueeks Pets; PETA Seeks Criminal Probe

For Immediate Release:
August 18, 2025

Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382

A damning, just-released federal report reveals that young chinchillas died of apparent heatstroke, nearly 100 guinea pigs and hamsters were packed into tiny, severely crowded enclosures, and 13 guinea pigs were denied water at local pet store Pipsqueeks Pets. In response, PETA sent a letter today to State Attorney for the Fifth Judicial Circuit Bill Gladson urging him to have investigators visit the facility with a veterinarian who has expertise in small mammals and file applicable charges against those responsible for the neglect.

According to the reports, on July 15 a federal veterinarian found 39 guinea pigs packed into three severely crowded enclosures where each had as little as 8.2 by 8.2 inches of floor space. Thirteen guinea pigs had no water, and when it was provided, many of the animals rushed to drink for two to more than five minutes, with some fighting to gain access. Nearly 60 hamsters were found in enclosures that allowed them just 4 by 4 inches of space, and others were kept in bins just 4.5 inches high. The facility was littered with rodent droppings, and a store representative admitted that deteriorating insulation often fell into animal cages. In May, two “very young chinchillas” baked to death when an air conditioning unit failed overnight. Pipsqueeks Pets has racked up 17 citations for alleged violations of the federal Animal Welfare Act since October 2023.

“Young chinchillas suffered terrifying, agonizing deaths and dozens of small animals were crammed into plastic bins at Pipsqueeks Pets, which treats them as nothing but commodities to be churned out as cheaply as possible,” says PETA Vice President of Legal Advocacy Daniel Paden. “PETA is calling on local authorities to prosecute those responsible for these animals’ deaths and suffering and urges everyone never to buy any animal from a breeder or a pet store.”

PETA is pursuing charges under state law because the federal government doesn’t render relief or aid to animals during its inspections and these violations carry no criminal or civil penalties.

PETA—whose motto reads, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—points out that Every Animal Is Someone and offers free Empathy Kits for people who need a lesson in kindness. For more information, please visit PETA.org or follow PETA on X, Facebook, or Instagram.

PETA’s letter to Gladson follows.

August 18, 2025

The Honorable Bill Gladson

State Attorney, Fifth Judicial Circuit

Dear Mr. Gladson:

I hope this letter finds you well. I’m writing to request that your office (and the proper law-enforcement agency, as you deem appropriate) investigate and, as suitable, file criminal charges against those responsible for severely—and fatally—neglecting animals at Pipsqueeks Pets Inc., located at 10654 U.S. Highway 441 in Belleview. PETA hopes investigators will visit the business with a veterinarian who has expertise in “exotic” animal health to identify any individuals in need of care and opine on the conditions of and for the approximately 300 mammals and birds—among other animals—there.

A U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) veterinarian documented neglect at the company in the attached reports. On July 15, the veterinarian discovered that two “very young” chinchillas had died of apparent heatstroke after the facility’s air conditioning unit malfunctioned. An owner of the store apparently admitted to the veterinarian that the business had “ongoing issues” with the unit and lacked proper insulation for the building. The same day, the veterinarian found 13 guinea pigs deprived of water. When water was provided, at least nine of these animals then fought to drink for two to more than five minutes.

Also on July 15, the USDA veterinarian found 39 guinea pigs in three severely crowded enclosures in which each had as little as 8.2 inches by 8.2 inches of floor space in which to try to exist. Nearly 60 hamsters were discovered in enclosures where each had no more than 4 inches by 4 inches of space, while others were kept in bins just 4.5 inches tall. The veterinarian found an “excessive accumulation” of rodent droppings throughout the store and its upstairs animal-breeding facilities. A Pipsqueeks Pets representative evidently admitted that deteriorating insulation “often” falls into animal enclosures.

If you’d like to learn more about the USDA’s findings, please see the contact information for its office here. The agency renders no aid or relief whatsoever to animals on site; these reports carry no criminal or civil penalties and don’t preempt criminal liability under state law for acts of animal neglect. These findings appear to violate Florida’s prohibitions against cruelty to animals and confining animals without properly providing for them. Florida law provides these victims with their only hope for a small measure of justice. We urge your office to seek it.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Daniel Paden

Vice President of Legal Advocacy

cc:       Chief Terry Holland, Belleview Police Department