Adopting From Rspca

Alfie Froud

Alfie Froud

Junior Guinea Pig
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I am wanting to adopt from the RSPCA for my first guinea pigs but the problem is I keep snakes do you think this is something that would stop me from being able to adopt from them?
 
Hi, did you discuss it with them? Even over the phone will give you an idea. On home visit they can decide if it's problem or not. Depending on if you let your snakes out, what is their set up, if you have separate bedrooms for snakes and piggies, what do you feed your snakes etc etc. C&C would be no go for you.
 
I’m afraid I don’t know the answer to that. You are best asking the RSPCA branch that you plan to adopt from. You would have to satisfy them that you could keep the piggies safe.
 
Would the piggies know that snakes are in the room?
I think what I am worried about is I know a lot of people are against the keeping of snakes and if the homevister is against them she will fail me
 
You really are best asking them direct. Hit the problem (it may not be one) head on and then you will know the answer.
 
Sometimes branches and centres have different rules. If you give them call and discuss it you'll know for sure. Where about are you?
 
Trust me, they will prefer to be told before home visit. Many people fail to mention "other pets" as "it's just" buggie, chicken, rabbit.
 
Thanks guys, I am in Newark so my closet branch is Radcliffe on Trent
 
That's always good news. I must admit I took it all very seriously and disclosed our gecko and fish when they asked if there were other pets in the home. I know that there will be no problem with these and I believe my local centre were very happy that I was very open with them.
 
Alfie Froud said:
I am wanting to adopt from the RSPCA for my first guinea pigs but the problem is I keep snakes do you think this is something that would stop me from being able to adopt from them?
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Hi! It would be best if you were open about your other pets and looked for possible solutions together with the RSPCA. If you are upfront about a potential problem, you always have a much better chance than if it comes up as late as your home check.

The rescue may decide that the risk is too great depending on the kind of snakes you are keeping and where you are keeping the different species; if that is the case, then please accept that. It is after all lives and the wellbeing of pets they have got out of bad situations and nursed back to health with great care by unpaid volunteers that are at risk.
 
Great news!
You can start looking for ways to secure the cage and vivs. Avoid handling snakes, then piggies and vice versa. Assuming your snakes are fed dead mice so hopefully they won't be too bothered. Just ensure no one gets out of the cage...
One of my cats is a hunter and when I had my gerbils in different set up I used to use the spiral key chain to remind me to lock them properly. I one end was fixed to the table and other end to the cage lid. When I needed to open the cage I attached it to my jeans/belt etc and when I was finished I clipped it back to the cage lid. This way I knew I've double checked it was securely closed as I couldn't open the cage without clipping it onto my jeans and couldn't move away without unclipping it and clipping it back to the cage... it sounds crazy, but I have friends who lost their pets due to momentary memory lapse/stressful situation when they forgot to secure cage etc... no matter how secure your cage is if you don't lock it it's useless... my cat doesn't bother my animals, however it would be different story if he found mouse-like rodent on the floor...Now I have different set up so don't stress anymore.
 
The issue with my snakes as horrible as this sounds is not them eating the Guinea pigs because while some snake do eat them they are are far too large for mine. The main issue with the type I keep is they are rear fanged so they are technically venomous, but they will be in a locked room! As can not locking there vivs because they are in a snake rack.
 
Hath said:
Great news!
You can start looking for ways to secure the cage and vivs. Avoid handling snakes, then piggies and vice versa. Assuming your snakes are fed dead mice so hopefully they won't be too bothered. Just ensure no one gets out of the cage...
One of my cats is a hunter and when I had my gerbils in different set up I used to use the spiral key chain to remind me to lock them properly. I one end was fixed to the table and other end to the cage lid. When I needed to open the cage I attached it to my jeans/belt etc and when I was finished I clipped it back to the cage lid. This way I knew I've double checked it was securely closed as I couldn't open the cage without clipping it onto my jeans and couldn't move away without unclipping it and clipping it back to the cage... it sounds crazy, but I have friends who lost their pets due to momentary memory lapse/stressful situation when they forgot to secure cage etc... no matter how secure your cage is if you don't lock it it's useless... my cat doesn't bother my animals, however it would be different story if he found mouse-like rodent on the floor...Now I have different set up so don't stress anymore.
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can Guinea pigs sense there are snakes around?
 
Alfie Froud said:
can Guinea pigs sense there are snakes around?
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Not if you keep them in different rooms and wash your hands thoroughly in between. Guinea pigs are small prey animals, and snakes are one of their natural predators.
 
Alfie Froud said:
I am wanting to adopt from the RSPCA for my first guinea pigs but the problem is I keep snakes do you think this is something that would stop me from being able to adopt from them?
Click to expand...
I don't know about the rspca but we got our pigs from a local rescue we also have a snake but it was fine once they knew it was a corn snake. I would say it depends on type of snake so they can be sure you aren't trying to get live feeders
 
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