• PLEASE NOTE - the TEAS facebook page has been hacked, take extreme care when visiting the page, for further information visit here

A little bit of help

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Nov 15, 2010
Messages
9
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Reading
Hi, I need some help/advice; my youngest daughter begged and begged for a guinea pig, against my better judgement I relented. Seven months on and we now have two g-pigs, and neither of my daughters are interested in them now. I am the one who remembers to feed them and insist my daughters clean them out. But they should be loving pets and I feel we have let them down. None of us are particularly good with animals and although we have tried, we have never picked them up (too scared) but they will happily take food from us and let us stroke them. It's got to the point where I think they would be happier with people who wouldn't be scared of them, and I'm now thinking about re-homing them, this is how I came upon this site. But at the same time, I want to make sure they will be properly cared for. Has anyone any suggestions?
 
Unfortunately your dilemma is only too common. I run a rescue, and most guineas come in not through cruelty or neglect or overbreeding, but because they were bought as children's pets and the child got bored - usually within 6 months to a year of 'begging' for them.

If you are lucky enough to be near a rescue that has any space at this time of year, they would be best rehomed by a specialist rescue who will homecheck etc. rather than doing it yourself.

Unfortunately a lot of us are rather full at the moment - we took in 25 piggies last week (unwanted pets...)


Sophie
 
I live just outside reading if you feel you can not look after them I'm happy to help.
 
Hi - do you think you would be able to show me/us how to handle them. If I felt more confident with them, I think that would make all the difference? How close to Reading are you, I actually live in Tilehurst if that helps.
 
I live in sandhurst I'm in reading alot as my mum lives there . I'm help to help in what ever way i can
 
I know how you feel about holding them, but that only goes to hamsters with me, I had one and could never hold it, guinea pigs rarely bite tho and babies are only skittish because they usually haven't been handled much. You could try and hold them in a towel for a while, or even in a snuggle sack, that way your hands are safe and they can hide when they need too.
 
Hello, Karen who runs the Reading Guinea Pig rescue lives in Tilehurst. Would you like me to put the two of you in contact? I'm sure she would be happy to show you what to do and answer any questions you have. They have a Piggy PM coming up at Active Vets in Tilehurst on Saturday 27 November where you can learn about all things piggy, might be good to take the kids along, it might respark their interest.

Kate x
 
Hi
I would definately like to be in touch with Karen, especially as she lives in Tilehurst. Thanks for the link to the 27 Nov event, I'll definately try to get along to that. It would be lovely to have them as proper pets. Thanks again.
 
I was a bit weary picking one of mine up as she hadnt been handled as much as gaga. but you just go in and do it. they will struggle a bit, but dont let that put you off. Ive had some good advice on here, and from the lady I bought them from.
I deffo agree with putting them on a towel. One to comfort them when you wrap them up and the other they pee on you.lolxx>>>
 
Hi
I would definately like to be in touch with Karen, especially as she lives in Tilehurst. Thanks for the link to the 27 Nov event, I'll definately try to get along to that. It would be lovely to have them as proper pets. Thanks again.

I'm poping up there so i might see you there
 
Hello Kate
Sorry, I thought I had posted a reply to your comment yesterday, but can't see it on the forum. Basically, I would be grateful if you could put me in touch with Karen and I've put the 27 Nov in my diary and will definately go along to that event.

Sharon
 
If you not sure/ a bit scared of picking them up you could buy something like this
http://www.cavycouture.co.uk/ourshop/cat_200112-Cavy-Cozies.html

(a few people here make them too) put them in the piggie's cage/hutch and they climb into them, then you pick them up in the cozie. The piggy feels safe and secure so they are more relaxed :)

I recommend a fleece blanket or towel on your lap for lap time just in case of little accidents.

You can get some gorgeous blankets (piggy plonks) here http://pimpmypiggy.homestead.com/ which you can have their names (or your daughters to regain interest) embroidered on to them.

I think it's great that you have come here and asked for advice instead of just ignoring the lack of interest in them, and actually wanting to do something :)) If only more people would do the same xx
 
Hi All - I keep using the quick reply option but then can't see my post - so obviously doing something wrong. Anyway, Kate thanks for the offer of putting me in touch with Karen - that would be appreciated. I have also put the 27th in my diary and will go along to that.

Thanks :)
Sharon
 
Hi All - I keep using the quick reply option but then can't see my post - so obviously doing something wrong. Anyway, Kate thanks for the offer of putting me in touch with Karen - that would be appreciated. I have also put the 27th in my diary and will go along to that.

Thanks :)
Sharon

They're showing up for me :)
(quick reply doesn't work for me for some reason lol)
 
Thanks for the Cavy couture link, have ordered two and I think this will be an excellent way to pick them up and help us get used to each other. Have to say I've ordered girly pink and purple ones and our piggies are boys, Max and Alfie, I'm sure they won't mind!
 
hehe I'm sure they won't mind it just means they are more in touch with their masculine side ;)

How old are your girls? Would a small Christmas present from the piggies to them help reignite their enthusiasm for them? Or choosing a present from them to the piggies?

Any pigtures of them?
 
Hi
My girls are a bit older, 12 (she is the one who really wanted a g-pig) and 15, she has always had hamsters and decided she would also get a g-pig as two would be company and they could share the feeding and cleaning. I mainly do the feeding now but insist they take it in turns with the cleaning out.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top