Another friend?

[S97]

My boy Joe is very recently bereaved and I'm really not sure what to do next. I haven't experienced this situation before and I'm reading and hearing conflicting advice. Joe is not the most social lad, he's quite shy and doesn't like being petted or touched very often. He's a 3yr old and was bonded with his buddy Ciccio for a long time. I really don't want him to be alone but likewise I wouldn't want to bring in another guinea and for them to start fighting or be uncomfortable with each other. That and the practicalities of buying a single pig in the first place. Ideally I'd adopt an adult but I haven't found a singular rescue that's close to me in Glasgow or the Scottish central belt.

I'm also not 100% sure he's been neutered which complicates things further. I think I remember Pets At Home saying he has been but I've recently spoken to someone who says that male guinea's aren't routinely neutered because of the cost?

 

[Wiebke]

My boy Joe is very recently bereaved and I'm really not sure what to do next. I haven't experienced this situation before and I'm reading and hearing conflicting advice. Joe is not the most social lad, he's quite shy and doesn't like being petted or touched very often. He's a 3yr old and was bonded with his buddy Ciccio for a long time. I really don't want him to be alone but likewise I wouldn't want to bring in another guinea and for them to start fighting or be uncomfortable with each other. That and the practicalities of buying a single pig in the first place. Ideally I'd adopt an adult but I haven't found a singular rescue that's close to me in Glasgow or the Scottish central belt.

I'm also not 100% sure he's been neutered which complicates things further. I think I remember Pets At Home saying he has been but I've recently spoken to someone who says that male guinea's aren't routinely neutered because of the cost?

Hi

Neutered boars don't have any testicles. You can see the difference in the reference pictures in our Sexing guide link. We provide a second opinion of wished.
Illustrated Sexing Guide

I would strongly recommend contacting Ayr Guinea Pig Rescue - it is also one of our recommended guinea pig rescues and the closest to Glasgow where the rescue will rehome to. The rescue itself is not far from the station with excellent railway and road links to Glasgow. They do offer speed dating at the rescue.

It's well worth travelling that distance for having your major concerns taken care of and making a day out of it if you can. I have travelled on the train much further with piggies of mine, including in one case for dating a new group husboar.
This link here explains rescue dating: Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs

 

[S97]

Hi

Neutered boars don't have any testicles. You can see the difference in the reference pictures in our Sexing guide link. We provide a second opinion of wished.
Illustrated Sexing Guide

I would strongly recommend contacting Ayr Guinea Pig Rescue - it is also one of our recommended guinea pig rescues and the closest to Glasgow where the rescue will rehome to. The rescue itself is not far from the station with excellent railway and road links to Glasgow. They do offer speed dating at the rescue.

It's well worth travelling that distance for having your major concerns taken care of and making a day out of it if you can. I have travelled on the train much further with piggies of mine, including in one case for dating a new group husboar.
This link here explains rescue dating: Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs

Yeah just double-checking Joe and I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any testicles! The guy I was speaking to was obviously misinformed.

Ayr is not difficult to get to at all, I'm just a bit concerned Joe would be shaken up by the travel, the only time he's out of the house is going to the vet which is 10 minutes away from me but maybe I'm just projecting my own fears.

 

[Piggies&buns]

If you got him as a baby from the pet shop then he is not likely to have been neutered. They don’t neuter them for sale.
From the adoption part is different if he was owned by somebody else before you - he may be neutered in that case.

Piggies travel very well. We have some on the forum who travel for hours to see the vet in Northampton

 

[Wiebke]

Yeah just double-checking Joe and I'm pretty sure he doesn't have any testicles! The guy I was speaking to was obviously misinformed.

Ayr is not difficult to get to at all, I'm just a bit concerned Joe would be shaken up by the travel, the only time he's out of the house is going to the vet which is 10 minutes away from me but maybe I'm just projecting my own fears.

You are welcome to post a picture of the genitalia for confirmation. We offer a second opinion service.

Piggies actually travel comparatively well. You can get Joe used to his carrier, feed him and let him sleep in there.
Travelling with guinea pigs

My longest train journey with adopted guinea pig pigs was the 5 hours it took me to get from Sandwich in East Kent back to Coventry, including a mile footwalk between St Pancras and Euston in London but it was just two trains. Getting to places like Keighley in West Yorkshire via a Cavy Corner event in Doncaster on one memorable August bank holiday Sunday involved taking 8 trains in alll; three on the way home. I'd been waiting to adopt Pili Pala 'Butterfly' for over 5 months with two adoption cancellations to her persistent mites problem. She lived to 6 years and never had mites again... It was worth the patience and persistence as well as the mad trip!

Joe will be fine but please bring a separate carrier for any new mate for the return journey in case one of them panics during the journey. You can conduct the bonding back home on neutral ground but give them a little time to get their bearings with a divider first so they can interact while they recover overnight - it depends on the age and gender of any mate.

 

[Merab]

When we had piggies they moved house with us - 200 miles, and frequently travelled to Yorkshire with us.
They were fine.
Just make sure there’s plenty of hay in the carrier and maybe some cucumber.

I hope you find a lovely new companion for Joe

 

[S97]

If you got him as a baby from the pet shop then he is not likely to have been neutered. They don’t neuter them for sale.
From the adoption part is different if he was owned by somebody else before you - he may be neutered in that case.

Piggies travel very well. We have some on the forum who travel for hours to see the vet in Northampton

I adopted them from the pet shop, they were already 8 months old. I've given him a good look over but I'll post a picture later on for a second opinion! I've got in contact with the Ayr rescue and I'll try and organise something for the end of this week when I've got time. Glad to know they travel well, it's just over an hour from my house to Ayr station so that shouldn't be too much hassle.

 

[S97]

You are welcome to post a picture of the genitalia for confirmation. We offer a second opinion service.

Piggies actually travel comparatively well. You can get Joe used to his carrier, feed him and let him sleep in there.
Travelling with guinea pigs

My longest train journey with adopted guinea pig pigs was the 5 hours it took me to get from Sandwich in East Kent back to Coventry, including a mile footwalk between St Pancras and Euston in London but it was just two trains. Getting to places like Keighley in West Yorkshire via a Cavy Corner event in Doncaster on one memorable August bank holiday Sunday involved taking 8 trains in alll; three on the way home. I'd been waiting to adopt Pili Pala 'Butterfly' for over 5 months with two adoption cancellations to her persistent mites problem. She lived to 6 years and never had mites again... It was worth the patience and persistence as well as the mad trip!

Joe will be fine but please bring a separate carrier for any new mate for the return journey in case one of them panics during the journey. You can conduct the bonding back home on neutral ground but give them a little time to get their bearings with a divider first so they can interact while they recover overnight - it depends on the age and gender of any mate.

Would the rescue provide a carrier? I only have the one. Even a brown carboard box they give you from the pet shop would do for an hour.

 

[Piggies&buns]

Would the rescue provide a carrier? I only have the one. Even a brown carboard box they give you from the pet shop would do for an hour.

Unlikely - you will need to buy another yourself to take with you.
I would not use a cardboard box (no matter the length of the journey) as they don’t offer any protection in the event of an accident

 

[Wiebke]

Would the rescue provide a carrier? I only have the one. Even a brown carboard box they give you from the pet shop would do for an hour.

Could you lend a cat carrier from family, friends or a workmate?

 

[S97]

Unlikely - you will need to buy another yourself to take with you.
I would not use a cardboard box (no matter the length of the journey) as they don’t offer any protection in the event of an accident

Yeah very fair point. Also never know how busy the train will be and if we'll have enough space.

Could you lend a cat carrier from family, friends or a workmate?

Yeah, I should be able to do that.

 

[S97]

Here's the pictures btw, hope they're the right angle!

 

[Wiebke]

Yeah very fair point. Also never know how busy the train will be and if we'll have enough space.

Yeah, I should be able to do that.

Just give the carrier a good clean with F10 to get the scent turned down and take a fleece that hs a faint scent of guinea pig. Your two piggies can still hear and smell each other during the journey.

 

[S97]

So I've filled the adoption form and sent all the required details, still waiting on a reply back. I've got itchy feet to be quite honest because while Joe is eating fine it's quite clear to me he's bored and missing a pal.

 

[Wiebke]

So I've filled the adoption form and sent all the required details, still waiting on a reply back. I've got itchy feet to be quite honest because while Joe is eating fine it's quite clear to me he's bored and missing a pal.

Hi

Please accept that rescues (even the RSPCA ones) are run by volunteers doing this in their free time. Emergencies, vet trips and serious illness care/medication etc. have to take precendence.

It is understandable that now that you have jumped the hurdle you want to get the race really taking off. Hopefully you'll get an answer over the weekend.

 

[S97]

Hi

Please accept that rescues (even the RSPCA ones) are run by volunteers doing this in their free time. Emergencies, vet trips and serious illness care/medication etc. have to take precendence.

It is understandable that now that you have jumped the hurdle you want to get the race really taking off. Hopefully you'll get an answer over the weekend.

I know I just really feel bad for my wee pal. Like I've said, he's not the most social piggy, he's always recoiled when I've tried to pet him, just part of his nature I suppose. It's not fair to have him alone for a prolonged period of time. The rescue replied to my initial email in a few hours but that's been 5 days now since I sent them the form.

 

[Wiebke]

I know I just really feel bad for my wee pal. Like I've said, he's not the most social piggy, he's always recoiled when I've tried to pet him, just part of his nature I suppose. It's not fair to have him alone for a prolonged period of time. The rescue replied to my initial email in a few hours but that's been 5 days now since I sent them the form.

Contact the rescue again and be patient. As long as your boy is eating and drinking he will hold.

 

[S97]

Contact the rescue again and be patient. As long as your boy is eating and drinking he will hold.

That's been over a week and still no reply back. Bit disappointed to be quite honest. Joe is doing ok but I don't know what else to do, I go to see him and it's clear he's missing his friend as you'd expect. The only other option is the pet shop.

 

[Wiebke]

That's been over a week and still no reply back. Bit disappointed to be quite honest. Joe is doing ok but I don't know what else to do, I go to see him and it's clear he's missing his friend as you'd expect. The only other option is the pet shop.

Have you contacted them again? Including by phone if they have a number?

 

[S97]

Have you contacted them again? Including by phone if they have a number?

I last sent them a follow up email on Friday and they don't have a phone number. I'm going to send another email now.

 

[Wiebke]

@Julie M

Can you help?

 

[Julie M]

@Julie M

Can you help?

Hi, I'm not in at the rescue for the foreseeable future (my husband took seriously ill in September). I've got caring commitments at the moment. I will chase it up with The other volunteers. I know we are really short staffed on the admin side at the moment. Most of their time goes into caring for the piggies in the centre.

 

[Julie M]

I last sent them a follow up email on Friday and they don't have a phone number. I'm going to send another email now.

Hi, I've asked one of the other volunteers. As not all volunteers have access to the emails. (More of us have access to the Facebook messages, myself included) Although I'm probably not much help at the moment because I've not really been in since September so don't really know who's available or what day bonding volunteers (I can do that job too) are in.

 

[Wiebke]

Hi, I've asked one of the other volunteers. As not all volunteers have access to the emails. (More of us have access to the Facebook messages, myself included) Although I'm probably not much help at the moment because I've not really been in since September so don't really know who's available or what day bonding volunteers (I can do that job too) are in.

Thank you very much. I know that you are no longer a rescue volunteer so I haven't linked you in straight away as I used to but any help is appreciated.

 

[Julie M]

Thank you very much. I know that you are no longer a rescue volunteer so I haven't linked you in straight away as I used to but any help is appreciated.

I've got one of the other volunteers on the case.
I still answer questions or queries on the Facebook messages when I have time. But some questions I can't help with.

 

[Wiebke]

I've got one of the other volunteers on the case.
I still answer questions or queries on the Facebook messages when I have time. But some questions I can't help with.

Thank you. I am currently taking a break from social media.

 

[Julie M]

Thank you. I am currently taking a break from social media.

I don't blame you. Sometimes it's awful.

 

[Merab]

Hi, I'm not in at the rescue for the foreseeable future (my husband took seriously ill in September). I've got caring commitments at the moment. I will chase it up with The other volunteers. I know we are really short staffed on the admin side at the moment. Most of their time goes into caring for the piggies in the centre.

Sorry about your husband. I hope he’s doing better now.

 

[Julie M]

Sorry about your husband. I hope he’s doing better now.

Thanks. It's a slow process. But at least we are moving forward in the correct direction