IDK about the US, but I think this wouldn't actually be legal anywhere. In Portugal, for example, there's some rules about this, even for personal consumption. I didn't read anything about gerbils in particular but it's not necessarily as straight-forward as just buying some animals, killing, and cooking them. It's because of public health laws.

[–] Serinus@lemmy.ml 8 points 1 year ago

In the US, the PACT law seems to apply. Unless they're eaten.

Most animal cruelty laws are at a state level, so you're going to have a lot of variance.

[–] DessertStorms@kbin.social 5 points 1 year ago

I don't know about the buying from a pet shop and grilling in the parking lot part, but in Peru for example they eat Guinea pigs, which aren't that far off gerbils, so in that respect it might not be illegal everywhere

[–] Ruben@feddit.nl 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Also, is it legal for everyone to just buy a pet and kill/slaughter it? Wouldn't that be animal abuse?

[–] norawibb@sh.itjust.works 5 points 1 year ago

not if its a big enough industry to control the legislation. animal agriculture is a nightmare