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Breeders?

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Graceandowen

Graceandowen

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Hi
I have found a guinea pig breeder and shower in my village...
He has piggies for sale and also shows pedigree pigs.

Is it wise to buy from a person like this? I have decided the rout to go is a baby piggy for sonic as there are just no local rescues around here and after contacting the RSPCA about adult boars they have they have said they will not rehome any of them with my piggie as they all need to be kept on their own, due to bullying reasons.

This person says they breed and exhibit Shelties/texels/teddys/coronets/peruvians/alpacas

They also said they have lots of baby piggies that are not quite upto showing standard that I could try and befriend sonic with.
I must admit there is a cute teddy for sale at the moment, But I want to go more on temprement that looks / breed.

So would / have you bought from this sort of person before and is it a good idea?
 
People on here might be able to help you find a rescue near you, and they might have babies too. :)

But if you can't find one you could also check free ads websites and see if people are giving away guinea pigs that they can't keep anymore.

And if you can't find any, then the next best option is a good breeder. :) This person sounds pretty good, but you also need to see what kind of a set up they keep their guinea pigs in. If they won't show you then don't buy from them, cos you never know what it could be like . . . If the cages are a good size, they are all clean, they have hay and good food, and the breeder seems knowledgable and responsible, then that's good. :)

You can ask them questions like how many guinea pigs do they have, how many litters a year does each sow have (1 or 2 litters a year is enough for a sow, any more than that and that seems like too many), what do they feed them, do they get hay and veggies, etc. Just ask the questons generally, so it sounds like making conversation, rather than quizzing them :))

And you should get a good idea of whether they care about the guinea pigs or not :)
 
They do have a website with piccies and have been looking in the backgrounds lol. Have seen lots of veggies there haha! grooming items and allsorts of bits and bobs.
Going to phone and ask for a visit I think
 
People on here will be able to help you !

This is going to sound really harsh but I an fed up of people buying from breeders but belonging to a RESCUE forum ! mallethead

Sorry RESCUE all the way :))
 
Rescue would be fine for me, IF there were any local that were WILLING to rehome a piggy with mine,
Have tried the rspca who just dont want to know at all and to be honest I dont know where else to look that is not more that 50 miles away, I dont want to risk getting a piggy that I or sonic have never met before as that would mean another lonesome pig.
Its not for the want of trying, I'm looking everywhere for a friend for sonic as have been told here that he MUST have one.
I have spent the last 2 weeks whilst on this forum TRYING to get a pig from rescue but its not happening.
So please do not critisise me for turning to a breeder as I simply dont have the time to travel over 50 miles to get a rescue pig as I work 10 hour days 7 days a week!
 
Graceandowen said:
Rescue would be fine for me, IF there were any local that were WILLING to rehome a piggy with mine,
Have tried the rspca who just dont want to know at all and to be honest I dont know where else to look that is not more that 50 miles away, I dont want to risk getting a piggy that I or sonic have never met before as that would mean another lonesome pig.
Its not for the want of trying, I'm looking everywhere for a friend for sonic as have been told here that he MUST have one.
I have spent the last 2 weeks whilst on this forum TRYING to get a pig from rescue but its not happening.
So please do not critisise me for turning to a breeder as I simply dont have the time to travel over 50 miles to get a rescue pig as I work 10 hour days 7 days a week!
Click to expand...

Not a critism at all, like I have said, I am sure people on here would be able to help :)
 
You might have done this already, but if you post in the rescue wanted section and say "are there any rescues near . . . " then maybe people can tell you, or some rescues can help delivering them. Though I understand that you don't want one that your pig has never met, that makes sense.

If there are no rescues around, then it's not your fault, nothing you can do. Going to a good breeder is a million times better than going to a bad breeder or pet shop. :)
 
But that still doesnt solve the problem of sonic meeting the piggy before hand. I guess its my own fault for living in the sticks lol.
I just dont know where else to turn to be honest now and am considering giving up on the whole idea as its causing more stress than ever for us
 
Well altho I am classed as Nottinghamshire I am inbetween Sheffiled / Notts /Chesterfield and Derbyshire But close to none of them lmao!
I am in worksop
 
Not quite sure how far you have got with your search (although have to admit I couldn't see much in your area on GP rehome) but worth contacting any rescues within an hours drive of you. Some rescues will bring pigs to you for bonding at the same time as doing a home check.

But if you've explored all the options, then the most important thing is to do what it right for Sonic. Wherever you get a new pig from, you should be able to see where they are living and if they look healthy and well looked after. If you have any doubts, be prepared to walk away.

This is a rescue friendly forum but as we've all been reminded recently, the friendly part is as important as the rescue.
I hope you can find a friend for Sonic as it will make him happy.
 
No. It is not a good idea. Would you rather save a life than help create more guinea pigs that will never find a home? Adopt a guinea pig. There are hundereds that are waiting for a loving home. This breeder may think he is doing good but he is just taking away the chances of other guinea pigs having a safe and secure home. If you really care, adopt.
Guineagurl and Gang
 
I do sympathise with you, as I encountered the same issues when wanting to adopt some piggies :(

When looking at breeders, I suggest being aware of the following:
-Are they knowledgeable about piggies? i.e, do they send you a lovely long e-mail back giving advice on the pig that is right for you, or do they simply say "Yes, we have 3. £5 each".

-Do they have photos on their website? Does it look clean? Do they invite viewings?

-Are they willing to take the pig back if it all goes wrong? Some breeders offer to take them back, so that they can pick and choose who they want the next owner to be.

-Do they give you some food to go home with to prevent tummy upsets in a quick change? It's something little, but they would do because they care.

-Do they allow piggies to be sold to live on their own? Obv if they do, perhaps they aren't very clued up, or just after money.

-How often do they allow their sows to have litters?

-How do they prevent interbreeding? Do they have family trees?


I hope that helps!
 
Brill idea 24 miles away :) I am sure you could go on blind date. We did this whe our male bunnies wife died, though we had to travel 52 miles and she was the only wifey he would contemplate :)

Go on give it a go :)):))
 
I did post on your other thread about Cavy corner and posted their web page and you said you would e-mail her - I know Worksop is 20 mins down the A1 from here (Doncaster), I was born in Worksop so often go to visit family.

Obviously the choice is completley yours where to get your new piggie from, as long as you weigh up all the pros and cons which sounds like you are.
:)
 
This Little Piggie said:
People on here will be able to help you !

This is going to sound really harsh but I an fed up of people buying from breeders but belonging to a RESCUE forum ! mallethead

Sorry RESCUE all the way :))
Click to expand...

My best friend is a breeder, which is where all but one of my piggies came from.

I support rescues, but as I've said before... I believe ALL piggies deserve a good loving home... not just the piggies in rescues. Breeder or no breeder, if the piggies look well cared for and healthy then I don't see a problem with you getting a baby piggy from them.

If they are anything like my friend, she/he will take your piggy and pair him/her up with a baby of your choice and keep them with her for up to a week to make sure they are happy together.
 
Cavy Corner sounds like a good option (I'll bare them in mind too as i've just moved to Woolsthorpe, not too far from Nottingham).

Another option could be: Monica1607 posted a thread about needing two find a home for her two baby piggys (1 boar, 1 sow) she lives around the Nottingham area so perhaps you could contact her, heres the thread below:
http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=71346

Hope that helps,
Rachel x

Update: sorry i've just noticed you've already tried contacting her
 
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Emiley said:
My best friend is a breeder, which is where all but one of my piggies came from.

I support rescues, but as I've said before... I believe ALL piggies deserve a good loving home... not just the piggies in rescues. Breeder or no breeder, if the piggies look well cared for and healthy then I don't see a problem with you getting a baby piggy from them.

If they are anything like my friend, she/he will take your piggy and pair him/her up with a baby of your choice and keep them with her for up to a week to make sure they are happy together.
Click to expand...

With respect, IF may be small in stature however has a MASSIVE meaning!
 
This Little Piggie said:
With respect, IF may be small in stature however has a MASSIVE meaning!
Click to expand...

Understood, however IF implies to not get a piggy from the breeder unless theirs do look well cared for and healthy.

I agree with you completely that research needs to be done on the breeder prior to purchasing any animals from them (visits etc)...

Ideally, rescues are a better choice but it's down to personal preference.
 
guineagurl said:
No. It is not a good idea. Would you rather save a life than help create more guinea pigs that will never find a home? Adopt a guinea pig. There are hundereds that are waiting for a loving home. This breeder may think he is doing good but he is just taking away the chances of other guinea pigs having a safe and secure home. If you really care, adopt.
Guineagurl and Gang
Click to expand...

That's really unfair. Of course she cares, it's just not always that simple to get to a rescue, like she said there aren't many near her, unless she can get to cavy corner. I understand the predicament, i had to drive for nearly an hour and a half to get to one. Breeders will breed, that's just the way of the world and there's not a lot we can do about them. By saying she would take away the chance of saving a life is a cruel guilt trip and is NOT 'rescue friendly', more like guilt tripping someone into it.

We all have a choice as to where we buy our pets from. All we can do as a rescue FRIENDLY forum is hely educate people as to what choices are out there and help them make the best choice for their circumstances.
 
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gogoguineas said:
that's really unfair. Of course she cares, it's just not always that simple to get to a rescue, like she said there aren't many near her, unless she can get to cavy corner. I understand the predicament, i had to drive for nearly an hour and a half to get to one. Breeders will breed, that's just the way of the world and there's not a lot we can do about them. By saying she would take away the chance of saving a life is a cruel guilt trip and is not 'rescue friendly', more like guilt tripping someone into it.

We all have a choice as to where we buy our pets from. All we can do as a rescue friendly forum is hely educate people as to what choices are out there and help them make the best choice for their circumstances.
Click to expand...

agreed!
 
I would contact Cavy Corner, Suze is lovely and I'm sure she maybe able to help.

Rescues don't just hand out pigs - it takes time, effort and commitment. You can't just say I want one now and there's none here so a Breeder it is. Sonic can wait on you to find the perfect friend, you've already said your only getting him a friend as this site says he needs one so judging from that answer he's not in dire need. Rescue's are more difficult to rehome from as they are about the animal not about the money.

Please take your pig to a reputable rescue for boar dating as you can be rest assured they have been quarantined, treated for any illnesses and are healthy. You can't be guaranteed this when going to a breeder and you only have to look at the threads everyday to see how important quarantine is and how many pigs from breeders have lice etc.

Don't just take your boy to anyone, good luck. x
 
Thanks for all the replies. I care a lot about sonic and only want what is best for him really. I am totally up for rehome as all of our pets past and present bar the piggies came from the RSPCA or cats protection. I will get in touch with cavy corner but the issue I have is time really( typing as I work lol) working from home is fab for the family not so good for your life outside the home! I had an email back from thornberry this morning and basically is said you should not get another boar as they will fightable should get sonic neutered and find him a lady :(
 
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Graceandowen said:
Thanks for all the replies. I care a lot about sonic and only want what is best for him really. I am totally up for rehome as all of our pets past and present bar the piggies came from the RSPCA or cats protection. I will get in touch with cavy corner but the issue I have is time really( typing as I work lol) working from home is fab for the family not so good for your life outside the home! I had an email back from thornberry this morning and basically is said you should not get another boar as they will fightable should get sonic neutered and find him a lady :(
Click to expand...

incorrect, in most cases.
an adult boar will live quite happily with a baby boar.. in SOME cases this won't work so you may need to get your boar neutered and put him with a sow... it depends on your boar.
 
Too true Emily! I've been keeping boars for 20 years and never had any problems! Yes they all have the odd scrap but i've never had anything more than that.

Don't be put off by that, do try boar dating if you can, I've just done it and a reputable rescue will have quarantined their animals and knows what to look for when pairing up. I've just got a 7 week old boar for my 2 year old.

It's all about keeping an open mind and don't feel you have to rush it either. :)
 
I think you should have a look at Suzy's BDS thread as it clearly shows male are bonded frequently - the time and effort that goes into bonding is amazing.

She bonds adult boars which does work and there are numerous examples on the boar thread some bonds work some don't but they don't leave the rescue without being fully bonded.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=59233&highlight=bds

This is why rescue is the best way forward - I'm sure Suzy isn't the only rescue in the uk that bonds boars.

If you can find the time to visit a reputable rescue - I'm sure you boy would benefit.
 
If you can't find him a baby boar or someone to help with bonding adult boars why don't you get him a couple of neutered sows, if you don't want him neutered?
 
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