Adoption

[Kosson]

My piggy Moru (soon she will be 3yo) lost her friend Kosson last June.
Since then I (mum) grieved terribly and missed so much Kosson, I could not think of adopting other guinea pig for Moru.
Meanwhile my daughter and I really cared Moru and she survives, but she does look very sad even now. As Kosson and Moru were cared separately most of the times, I guess that Moru expects to see Kosson one day. But as time passes and no good news for Moru, I believe she gets really sad, by realising that she would never be able to see Kosson.

I feel so guilty that I could not do it earlier, but finally I decided to adopt a guinea pig (2 to 3 years old sow) for Moru.

I contacted my vet (exotic animals specialist) but there is no guinea pigs who is looking for a new home. I asked them to contact me when the right one arrives.
Then I phoned local animal refugees etc but they do not have piggies (dogs and cats only etc.) Even on the internet, I could not find anything.

I am wondering if anybody know any refugees / adoption centre in France where guinea pigs waiting their new home . So far I have looked Second Chance, SPA, Bagheera and some forums.
I live in Pays de la loire and hope I could find a future friend for Moru very soon.

 

[Siikibam]

I’m sorry for your loss. It’s good you’re looking for a friend for Moru. They really do need 24/7 companions of their own kind. Unfortunately I don’t know any rescues in France, but perhaps more long-standing members may. Where did you get Moru and Kosson from?

I would say don’t restrict the age you look at for a friend. Liking each other is more important than age. Have a read of the guide below and see how you can look after Moru for now.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

@Wiebke @VickiA @furryfriends (TEAS) do you know any rescues in France?

 

[Little fluffballs]

Hi! I’m very sorry that you lost Kosson.
Have you looked at Les Amis De Théophile?
Hopefully you will find a friend for Moru.
I hope that this helps you.

 

[Bill & Ted]

So sorry you lost Kosson x Hope you can find a friend for Moru very soon
Sleep tight little piggie

 

[Wiebke]

I’m sorry for your loss. It’s good you’re looking for a friend for Moru. They really do need 24/7 companions of their own kind. Unfortunately I don’t know any rescues in France, but perhaps more long-standing members may. Where did you get Moru and Kosson from?

I would say don’t restrict the age you look at for a friend. Liking each other is more important than age. Have a read of the guide below and see how you can look after Moru for now.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

@Wiebke @VickiA @furryfriends (TEAS) do you know any rescues in France?

No, sadly there are very few rescues in France and I am not in contact with any of them, so I can't give you any tips. I don't know whether any will offer rescue dating. You best contact all rescues within your reach and speak to them.

 

[Kosson]

I’m sorry for your loss. It’s good you’re looking for a friend for Moru. They really do need 24/7 companions of their own kind. Unfortunately I don’t know any rescues in France, but perhaps more long-standing members may. Where did you get Moru and Kosson from?

I would say don’t restrict the age you look at for a friend. Liking each other is more important than age. Have a read of the guide below and see how you can look after Moru for now.
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities
Looking After A Bereaved Guinea Pig

@Wiebke @VickiA @furryfriends (TEAS) do you know any rescues in France?

Thank you Siikibam,

I continued to search rescues around here after I posted and found some. I will phone them tomorrow and keep fingers crossed!

 

[Kosson]

Hi! I’m very sorry that you lost Kosson.
Have you looked at Les Amis De Théophile?
Hopefully you will find a friend for Moru.
I hope that this helps you.

Hi Little fluffballs,

Thank you for your kind words. Yes I found it a little after I posted.
I will phone them tomorrow and hope that we can find a good friend for Moru there.

 

[Kosson]

So sorry you lost Kosson x Hope you can find a friend for Moru very soon
Sleep tight little piggie

Thank you - I really do hope that I can see real happiness of Moru very very soon.

 

[Kosson]

No, sadly there are very few rescues in France and I am not in contact with any of them, so I can't give you any tips. I don't know whether any will offer rescue dating. You best contact all rescues within your reach and speak to them.

Yes but it is really hard to find the names themselves... I asked several people, including the vet but, for example, nobody had told me about the rescue Les Amis de Théophile. Anyway I will continue to search and ask people. Thank you for your advice!

 

[Wiebke]

Yes but it is really hard to find the names themselves... I asked several people, including the vet but, for example, nobody had told me about the rescue Les Amis de Théophile. Anyway I will continue to search and ask people. Thank you for your advice!

Have you considered googling? That is usually a good way of finding rescues.

Unfortunately very few countries have accessible lists of rescues and even fewer have actually checked the rescues they feature as to how good their welfare standard actually is. Finding them is not easy at all.

With many European countries there is the additional language problem so it is not just that there is very little communication between rescues within a country but it also doesn't penetrate the language barrier and is even more difficult to access from abroad. I have tried with my rusty school French but I sadly didn't get very far with the few French rescues I found.

Be aware that the quality of rescues can vary enormously. There are for instance more rescues and 'rescues' in the UK than are on our list but they often fail on standard, practices or ethics. Rescues can also vary from rather large multi-species places to little backyard outfits in somebody's homes. That doesn't necessarily

A good rescue should:
- Have mandatory quarantine and vet care (if necessary) on arrival. Guinea pigs are only put up for adoption when they are healthy.
A good test is to ask the rescue how they treat for mange mites - the bad ones use at the best some low grade stuff that won't do anything and explain piggies with bald patches as 'dry skin'. Stay away from those.
- A good rescue won't have any hesitation to show you the premises or talk about them/send you pictures (in view of the current situation). Beware of places where you are handed over a piggy at the door!
- They will do a home check and require minimal or more than the minimum welfare standard in terms of housing. The most extreme rescues on the other end of the scale will only accept super-duper homes that the average owner will not be able to comply with.
These are the two areas that are easiest to grade for a first time adopter.

I hope that this will help you and wish you all the best!

 

[Kosson]

Thank you for such detailed advices and even having tried to find some names for me. I really appreciate your kindness.

I should have mentioned, the ways I used for searcing were Google and people (followed by Google again).
I see, some rescues are more serious and take responsabilities (as normally a good rescue is supporsed to be) than some others... When it comes to adopt one from a rescue, I will keep that in my mind and will check the points you mention.

 

[Kosson]

Update ---

I contacted Les Amies de Théo by filling the form on the web this morning. They are asking lots of questions, such as about the place we live (house/ flat etc.), nutrition, budget for animal par month, size of cage etc. and they were asking if they could visit our flat before adopatation, too.
From the form they sound that they are good people who really care the animals.

I hope they have a piggy for Moru. Really keep everything crossed!

 

[Swissgreys]

Update ---

I contacted Les Amies de Théo by filling the form on the web this morning. They are asking lots of questions, such as about the place we live (house/ flat etc.), nutrition, budget for animal par month, size of cage etc. and they were asking if they could visit our flat before adopatation, too.
From the form they sound that they are good people who really care the animals.

I hope they have a piggy for Moru. Really keep everything crossed!

It all sounds very positive so far.
Fingers crossed for you and Moru.

 

[Little fluffballs]

Update ---

I contacted Les Amies de Théo by filling the form on the web this morning. They are asking lots of questions, such as about the place we live (house/ flat etc.), nutrition, budget for animal par month, size of cage etc. and they were asking if they could visit our flat before adopatation, too.
From the form they sound that they are good people who really care the animals.

I hope they have a piggy for Moru. Really keep everything crossed!

That’s great!