Companion Dilemma

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Ivy45

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi everyone, I have recently taken in a rabbit and guinea pig that were being mistreated. The girl took on the rabbit as her other guinea pig died. The pair have lived together for about 9 months. I know this is not ideal but they get along very well except for the guinea pig climbing on the rabbit a lot which makes me feel quite sorry for her as she is very placid and just lets him.
Anyway, me getting any more animals is completely out of the question - I have a newborn premature baby, one of my dogs is going blind and I have my own health issues. I am under a lot of stress. So I have the opportunity to get the guinea pig on a waiting list for a really nice piggy rescue where he can be bonded with another piggy and hopefully rehomed. My Mum thinks this would be best for everyone but my boyfriend thinks we should keep him as he is. What are your thoughts?
 
@Ivy45 It sounds like you're the main carer for the pig and rabbit so what you want is what should happen.

The rescue will be able to find him a great new home. I know from personal experience that although rabbits and pigs can get along fine, it can soon change and the pig gets injured. You don't want to leave him living with a rabbit.
 
I don’t think that the guinea Pig and rabbit should be left together. It’s not just the risk of the guinea pig getting injured by the rabbit, rabbits carry a bacteria which is dangerous to piggies. They may have lived together this long just fine, but I wouldn’t risk leaving them together.
Rabbits are also social creatures and should ideally be kept with another rabbit.
 
They may appear to be getting along well but they are different species and have different needs. Their diet is different, their means of communication is different, their exercise needs are different, l could go on!
To see 2 rabbits bonded is a wonderful thing, they groom each other and sit together. Similarly 2 piggies that are bonded can express their full piggy behaviours rather than having a substitute piggy friend.
The risk of infection and injury is real in addition.
Please pass both of them to a reputable rescue. If you let us know where you are we can advise on local rescues.
Congratulations on your new baby, l hope all goes well
 
Thanks for the replies everyone. I am definitely going to take the guinea pig to the, rescue when a place opens up. I'm thinking I will keep the rabbit though at least for the time being as she is on meds for a bladder infection and leg sores.
 
That must've been a very tough decision to make, well done for doing the right thing
 
Also @pig in the city I'm in Newcastle. The rescue I'm on the waiting list for is Gertie's Lonely Guinea Pig Rescue. I contacted Pawz for Thought about the rabbit but received no reply. I absolutely despise this girl for putting me in this position. I've never gotten rid of a pet and I'm finding it really upsetting but I just can't cope. I broke down in tears the other day because I had to give the rabbit her meds right after her food and just as I was about to do so the baby started screaming and I discovered one of the dogs had peed on her pram. I have type one diabetes and I'm barely finding time to care for myself I'm being pulled in so many different directions :'(
 
Ivy45 said:
Also @pig in the city I'm in Newcastle. The rescue I'm on the waiting list for is Gertie's Lonely Guinea Pig Rescue. I contacted Pawz for Thought about the rabbit but received no reply. I absolutely despise this girl for putting me in this position. I've never gotten rid of a pet and I'm finding it really upsetting but I just can't cope. I broke down in tears the other day because I had to give the rabbit her meds right after her food and just as I was about to do so the baby started screaming and I discovered one of the dogs had peed on her pram. I have type one diabetes and I'm barely finding time to care for myself I'm being pulled in so many different directions :'(
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I will ask our rabbit lady at BARC and see if she knows of any rabbit rescues up your way who can help.
 
Ivy45 said:
Thank you, I appreciate it.
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I am sorry but Angie doesn't know anyone in Newcastle. Our rescue can't take the bunny at the moment as the lady who runs the rescue has just had surgery. But if you want to contact her or me in a couple of weeks she might possibly be able to help.
Either message me on here or contact Angie via her email [email protected]
We would be able to help sorting out transport if you don't have a car.
 
pig in the city said:
I am sorry but Angie doesn't know anyone in Newcastle. Our rescue can't take the bunny at the moment as the lady who runs the rescue has just had surgery. But if you want to contact her or me in a couple of weeks she might possibly be able to help.
Either message me on here or contact Angie via her email [email protected]
We would be able to help sorting out transport if you don't have a car.
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That's a shame :( every time I try to organise something it falls through or I get ignored. I can't cope and I'm getting increasingly desperate =7
 
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