[he gives a return nod in acknowledgement of Grey's introduction before following Grey's line of sight. it takes him a few seconds to quite parse what he's inquiring about this time, but his eyebrows raise a little when he does finally get it. guess he hasn't been in a pet shop before.]

It's for their own protection. Many of these animals would seriously injure each other if they could interact, and almost certainly get themselves killed if they managed to escape the store.

[but it's still a little sad to see so many caged animals begging to be taken home, even if it's understandable, so Jonathan quickly adds:]

But it usually doesn't stay that way once someone takes them home.