Advice Needed Please (bit Long I'm Afraid)

[Jude]

A nature garden has recently been set up at my girls' school. The lady who has set it up has a farming background - she is also a teacher there. There are 2 ducks and a number of chickens and 2 lion head rabbits - all in suitable enclosures - no problems there, although I'm not convinced they are being cleaned out enough.

There are also 4 young female piggies (I think they were 2 months old). Initially, I was led to believe they had been rescued but I've since found out they were bought from Grimtree - aaaaaagggggghhhhh!

I went to speak to the teacher, who admitted to me that she knew nothing about guinea pigs. I spent 40 minutes with her going through the basics - I am no expert but have learnt quite a lot over the 2 years we have had ours. I got the feeling that although she was listening, it wasn't really going in. A Pets Club was set up, with the children involved having to clean the hutches out etc but according to one of my girls, this was not done well or daily. The hutch they were in was one of those small ones which balance on top of a 4 x 4 run, so a fairly steep ramp to a very small hutch area. To be fair, they did seem to manage the run but it is far from ideal.

Anyway, to cut a long story short, I offered to have the babies for the summer holiday - being a bit of a control freak, I knew that they would be looked after properly. So we've had them for 2 weeks now and I love them! They put on approx. 50-60g each in the first week we had them. My girls are working on a scrap book, written by the piggies, saying how much they like the grass, the hideys, lots of lovely hay, the nuggets, fresh veg etc - reinforcing the requirements of pigs without being preachy.

I have booked them in to see Val, who runs April Lodge Guinea Pig rescue near Dover, to give the babies a check up before they go back to the school but the problem is, I don't want them to go back! I worry about the following:

If one is ill, who will notice, who will take it to the vet, who will pay for it?
They are not getting fresh veg every day
They are being fed a cheap, bulk bought general small animal feed (which the rabbits get as well)
Their hutch is not adequate - what will happen in winter?

I have thought about suggesting to her that I take on ownership of them, they spend a few days a week in the school and come back to us at weekends and the holidays. I've no idea if she will go for that and, if I'm honest, do I really want another 4 pigs on top of the 5 we already have.

Any ideas, advice would be really appreciated

 

[badger2503]

Unfortunately, I've noticed a lot since getting my piggies that people tend to brand them as "disposable pets" along with all the other small furries, and seem to think that putting them in a hutch in some corner, giving them pellets and water and cleaning them out occasionally is adequate. People neglect small furries in ways they wouldn't dare neglect a dog/cat for fear of being done by the RSPCA! They probably haven't given much thought to vets or daily care aside from the above...I like the idea of a nature garden for kids to educate them about the pets and having them take turns to care for it, but if the adults don't know what they're really doing then it's not exactly going to work is it? The fact she's from a farming background is a bit worrying, as farm animals tend to pretty self-sufficient once they have feed/shelter/water, but piggies require a lot of dedication.

If she won't let the piggies go to you, maybe you could arrange for a volunteer from a local piggy rescue (if there are any nearby) to come in and speak to the teacher about the care required? That might make her realise the effort needed and let you have them...if not, maybe the local rescue volunteer could come in once a week to oversee the piggy care/educate the kids (or maybe not, I'm sure they're very busy). Or if all else fails, could you volunteer to come in once a week and do that? But I'm sure you've already got enough on your plate as it is! Sorry, other than that, I can't think of any other suggestions

 

[rome_italy]

you are a lovely person, but I don't like this story and I don't see any educative purpose in this project at school! they are only teaching the children to act irresponsibly as many adults do: that is "consider pets as part of your amusement without thinking of ANYTHING boring for you and your wellet".
I wonder: what would have it happened without your precious help?
For replying to your sad questions "if one is ill... what are they eating... what will happen in winter..." I don't foresee an happy end as these great teachers have just done something without thinking carefully.
Here schools have gardens, children can take care of vegetables and flowers, not pets (they are forbidden, there was a mess when my daughter's teacher catched some tadpoles and brought them at school, it was seen as a violence).
I respect different cultures and habits, but this is beyond my imagination... does the Headmistress agree when the piggies will die in front of children' eyes? some sensitive child might fall in love with these pets, how will she explain the fact? What if the piggie fall ill and the child himself ask for going to a vet?
I stop here, it is better...
Another story is that some parents get the responsability of looking after them, but who will pay the expensive bill at the vet?
I prefer our system: pets are not allowed into the school, not even for fetching children at the exit, but children sometimes visit farms, rescues and some special educative zoo.

 

[Jude]

Unfortunately, I've noticed a lot since getting my piggies that people tend to brand them as "disposable pets" along with all the other small furries, and seem to think that putting them in a hutch in some corner, giving them pellets and water and cleaning them out occasionally is adequate. People neglect small furries in ways they wouldn't dare neglect a dog/cat for fear of being done by the RSPCA! They probably haven't given much thought to vets or daily care aside from the above...I like the idea of a nature garden for kids to educate them about the pets and having them take turns to care for it, but if the adults don't know what they're really doing then it's not exactly going to work is it? The fact she's from a farming background is a bit worrying, as farm animals tend to pretty self-sufficient once they have feed/shelter/water, but piggies require a lot of dedication.

If she won't let the piggies go to you, maybe you could arrange for a volunteer from a local piggy rescue (if there are any nearby) to come in and speak to the teacher about the care required? That might make her realise the effort needed and let you have them...if not, maybe the local rescue volunteer could come in once a week to oversee the piggy care/educate the kids (or maybe not, I'm sure they're very busy). Or if all else fails, could you volunteer to come in once a week and do that? But I'm sure you've already got enough on your plate as it is! Sorry, other than that, I can't think of any other suggestions

Hi - thanks for your advice. Completely agree with you about the educational side of things - so important but she clearly has no idea about the furries. Was only aware of fly strike in sheep! I did try to stress that piggies are pretty high maintenance in that they need daily care and attention but don't think she really gets it. Unfortunately I work full time so couldn't go in and 'help' - it is also slightly awkward in that my hubby is taking over the running of the school from September and I don't want to be seen as interfering as it will go straight to him and he really doesn't need it! I have thought of asking Val the rescue lady if she would come in and talk to the children involved about looking after the pigs and get the school to pay a donation to her rescue. I am looking on Grimtree daily for large second hand hutches just to try and get their housing sorted.

 

[Jude]

you are a lovely person, but I don't like this story and I don't see any educative purpose in this project at school! they are only teaching the children to act irresponsibly as many adults do: that is "consider pets as part of your amusement without thinking of ANYTHING boring for you and your wellet".
I wonder: what would have it happened without your precious help?
For replying to your sad questions "if one is ill... what are they eating... what will happen in winter..." I don't foresee an happy end as these great teachers have just done something without thinking carefully.
Here schools have gardens, children can take care of vegetables and flowers, not pets (they are forbidden, there was a mess when my daughter's teacher catched some tadpoles and brought them at school, it was seen as a violence).
I respect different cultures and habits, but this is beyond my imagination... does the Headmistress agree when the piggies will die in front of children' eyes? some sensitive child might fall in love with these pets, how will she explain the fact? What if the piggie fall ill and the child himself ask for going to a vet?
I stop here, it is better...
Another story is that some parents get the responsability of looking after them, but who will pay the expensive bill at the vet?
I prefer our system: pets are not allowed into the school, not even for fetching children at the exit, but children sometimes visit farms, rescues and some special educative zoo.

I absolutely agree with everything you have said and I really appreciate your response - it is reassuring to know that I am not a mad piggy loving, animal loving weirdo, just someone who sees them as living beings, who must be cared for properly. This was not thought through properly and I am now trying to make it better in some way.

 

[rome_italy]

Unfortunately, I've noticed a lot since getting my piggies that people tend to brand them as "disposable pets" along with all the other small furries, and seem to think that putting them in a hutch in some corner, giving them pellets and water and cleaning them out occasionally is adequate. People neglect small furries in ways they wouldn't dare neglect a dog/cat for fear of being done by the RSPCA! They probably haven't given much thought to vets or daily care aside from the above...I like the idea of a nature garden for kids to educate them about the pets and having them take turns to care for it, but if the adults don't know what they're really doing then it's not exactly going to work is it? The fact she's from a farming background is a bit worrying, as farm animals tend to pretty self-sufficient once they have feed/shelter/water, but piggies require a lot of dedication.

If she won't let the piggies go to you, maybe you could arrange for a volunteer from a local piggy rescue (if there are any nearby) to come in and speak to the teacher about the care required? That might make her realise the effort needed and let you have them...if not, maybe the local rescue volunteer could come in once a week to oversee the piggy care/educate the kids (or maybe not, I'm sure they're very busy). Or if all else fails, could you volunteer to come in once a week and do that? But I'm sure you've already got enough on your plate as it is! Sorry, other than that, I can't think of any other suggestions

and farm animals go the the oven very fast. They don't need a vet because they don't even grow up...
I have many relatives living in the countryside with their farm animals. Last year I visited my uncle there who was allowing his grandchild (4 years old) to play with the cute rabbits... you cannot imagine the violence to these poor rabbits and when I started politely telling the child "please, don't pull their ears and their fur" he only replied "who cares? they have to die"... with a spontaneity which scared me and my daughters (who don't want to visit those relatives again!). Farmers look at animals differently from how we do

 

[rome_italy]

I absolutely agree with everything you have said and I really appreciate your response - it is reassuring to know that I am not a mad piggy loving, animal loving weirdo, just someone who sees them as living beings, who must be cared for properly. This was not thought through properly and I am now trying to make it better in some way.

I am definitely a weirdo and proud to be!
I mean: I taught my daughters to not step on ants and insects, I am the one who, after the rain, walks on the pavement catching all the earthworms putting them again on the soil... and they are "only" worms...
Maybe it would be more practical to have a normal brain and stop caring of such "silly things"....

 

[Jude]

I am definitely a weirdo and proud to be!
I mean: I taught my daughters to not step on ants and insects, I am the one who, after the rain, walks on the pavement catching all the earthworms putting them again on the soil... and they are "only" worms...
Maybe it would be more practical to have a normal brain and stop caring of such "silly things"....

I pick up worms too and apologise to spiders if I destroy their webs!