Buy or Adopt?

[next_croc-hunter?]

HI I'm Liam I'm 14 and i live in Middlesbrough in England ,

Well my question is pretty much in the subject title i will soon be a first time guinea pig (cavy) owner and i was wondering should i adops from a rescue center (as i am into saving things i.e. birds,snakes ect.) or should i just buy a baby cavy from the pet store
bare in mind i will leave home in four years as i will be off to university (hopefully!) plus i dont really mind if they are middle aged.

PS. I have a little sister (Kate) and she will be there when i leave so i guess if i taught here and bought here a couple of cavy books then she could take care of them when i leave.

Thanks for all answers they are appreaciated by me andd my future guinea's ! O0

Liam

 

[MemberY]

Welcome to the forum Liam
Well as you are only 14, your parents would have to source getting guinea pigs for you as you are too young. It is better if you can adopt as you are giving a home to an unwanted piggie. They will do a homecheck first, but this is necessary to make sure the piggy will be well cared for. Also, you will need to get 2 piggies as they are social animals and need company of their own kind
Do think carefully before deciding. Any pet is for the life of the pet and cavies can live anywhere from 5-8 years or even more, so it is a long term commitment. Your parents have to be able to pay vets bills if need be as you are too young to have your own income.
Then there is the cost of bedding, food housing etc, I worked out with my hubby the other day that I spend about £50 a month on my 4 guineas on food and bedding, thats not including vets bills or treats for them!
Well done for asking questions first. Have a good look round the forum and find out as much as you can about piggies before making your final decision. They take more time to look after properly than you may think

 

[miss_piggy]

Hi Liam,

Hopefully your parents are happy for you to get some guinea pigs. When you do go off to uni someone needs to be able to take care of them in your absence. I'm 24 but spend a lot of weekends away so I really heavily on my mum and dad to look after mine when I'm not there.

I would also strongly recommend adopting. I don't live far from you but check out guineapigrehome and also Bunny Burrow in Richmond N.Yorks have guinea pigs to adopt.

 

[next_croc-hunter?]

Thanks for your help O0 I will look in to those adoption places but first ill look at the RSPCA in Great ayton, I will ask pleanty more questions if i can think of any (i already bought 15 cavy care books ;D) bye for now