Concerned about rescue centre

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Bethshine82

Hi,

I am going to take a single boar from a rescue centre. He comes from a background of being inbred from a breeder who had 100s of piggies. Lots were put down. I went to see him on Friday - he seemed OK, hair needs a brush, a cut and a bath and he was difficult to catch but ok when held.

BUT I have reservations about the centre for these reasons:

1) None of the pigs they took on (40 plus) have been treated for mites. Lots were scratching I noticed, many had bald patches. I know they have not been treated because the lady admitted that they hadn't.

2) No fresh hay in guinea pig cage / run.

3) No questions asked. Nothing about where he was going, was he going to be bred from (obviously not) where he would live, nothing. Just told there would be a fee of £5

4) Pretty vague about any health problems. They said lots of the piggies had dry skin from vit c deficiency but didn't seem to know if it would be a lifelong problem or of it would go away now that the piggies were being fed properly. To be fair they did have vitamins in the their water bottle (only one bottle between 12 piggies) but did not see any fresh fruit or veg.

Basically knowledge seemed fairly minimal. And I would like to know what I am taking on so am concerned as to if I should really be taking the piggy on. I remarked he was small and she said he *might* be a baby or might have stunted growth from being inbred but again was really vague. She also said she'd rehomed lots to colleges for people doing animal care courses to practice with.

Should I be afraid?

Thanks
 
Vitamin C in their water isn't very good because it can change the taste of the water and so the guinea-pigs are less likely to drink it. Personally I don't think I would get a guinea-pig from this rescue, but that's just my opinion.
 
A couple of issues here. Firstly, you mentioned in your introductory post that vet bills may be an issue for you. That is probably a good reason not to get this guinea pig, with unknown health issues, as health bills may run high. Vet bills can run high even with a healthy well bred pig, so no guarantees, but you are right to consider them when choosing a guinea pig.
Second issue is the rescue itself. I agree, it doesn't sound good at all. Perhaps you could involve the RSPCA, although people have had very mixed results with them.
I would suggest you adopt from a good rescue centre, where the people will be able to give you lots of information, as much history as they have available, and will have had the guineas long enough to observe any obvious health issues.
Where abouts are you, there are quite a lot of rescues all around the country on here.
xx
 
I think I would be concerned too to be honest. If they had just took them on then they may not have had time to treat them all and examine them closely to find out exactly what ( if anything ) was wrong with each pig. I dont run a rescue but if it were me I wouldn't rehome any until I was sure they were healthy enough to be rehomed and had identified any health problems. I'd also want to make sure I know they were going to a decent home, especially with the piggies having such a traumatic start to life!

Is this a well established rescue or had the lady just saw they were in a desperate situation and tried to get them out of it? If it's the latter then maybe she had their best interests at heart but isn't sure of how to cope?
 
OMG, this doesnt sound good and I wouldnt be surprised to find out it is a 'rescue' about 20 miles from me in sussex.

I dont routinely treat for mites but there again they normally stay for at least 3 weeks before going on the website for adoption.

No hay is not good, if they were in runs perhaps they had hay in their hutches?

Any good rescue should weigh the piggy and do a full health check once they come in.

That quantity of piggies sounds an awful lot, its sad that she doesnt want to know where the piggie is going, I home check all of mine and do follow up visits, yes its time consuming but I want what is best for the piggie.

Please can you PM me if its in sussex, I am trying to build up a portfolio of one.
 
Gems said:
Is this a well established rescue or had the lady just saw they were in a desperate situation and tried to get them out of it? If it's the latter then maybe she had their best interests at heart but isn't sure of how to cope?
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This happens a lot, where well meaning people try to help by rescuing and it all gets out of hand. Although there does seem to be a lack of basic knowledge here. Perhaps she could be directed to the forum, maybe people could help her out. x
 
I am in Kidderminster, worcs. The centre is near Wolverhampton. It has many animals, not just piggies. I think I may go back for another look. Is it normal for them to rehome to colleges for training? I think the centre survives on volunteers / donations and they did seem to have the animals interests at heart but just seemed swamped and to not really know what they were doing.

She actually said they had sexed the piggies wrongly and ended up with a boar in with the sows and they now had more piggies than they started with!

The thing is now I have held him and everything I feel bad just leaving him there. He certainly was lively! Fur wasn't matted or anything, no discharge from eyes, teeth and nails looked ok, but I suppose that isn't to say there won't be problems further down the line. I think they want to get rid of them asap because she said otherwise they will start having them put down, especially the boars, as they are all living together and starting to fight.
 
I would think (hope) any guinea pigs going to a college to support an animal care course would be well looked after. There are so many people here who would be willing to help her if she could be directed to us.
Like I said before, well bred guinea pigs can have problems too though.
xx
 
i live in stoke on trent i have some space at the mo so if you could if poss,ask the lady if she is willing to give me some of the guineas to bring to my rescue? i could take in 9 sows or 3 boys and 4 sows..my website is www.guineawigsrescue.co.uk

all my guineas get treated with ivermec and have 2 to 3 treatments before they are rehomed and sos put on preg watch you are more than welcome to visit me x
 
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thankyou clairelove I will certainly do that. I had actually looked at your website before. I am planning to return this week. I may take the boar - have already named him iggy! - but may take him to vets straight away for check in case there are any problems that can be nipped in the bud. They were all quite noisy piggies but I think that is because they were fighting a bit! Not nastily really... Yet.
I could take him and he might be fine. Or he might not be. It's a gamble I suppose. But so is buying from p@h from what I have read!

Does anyone else think they know of this shelter?
 
I am in Wolverhampton and I am trying to think where this might possibly be. Do you have MSN Messenger? If you do add me on PrincessTracyx(at)hotmail.co.uk. I am VERY concerned that this may be a breeder/attraction claiming they are a rescue :x
 
The nearest RSPCA branch is Walsall; some fosterers are members on here.

I must admit that it does not sound good. A rescue that cannot even pay for something like hay or mites treatment is in DEEP trouble.

PS: Piggies should never live alone. Have you got the possibilities of getting your boy a companion eventually?
 
thanks nutmeg x x I will put some photos up but you may not be able to tell which end is which until he's had a little trim! I'll let him settle in a bit before attacking him with scissors. I'll give him a brush though I think. Poor litttle slightly bedraggled piggy.
 
Wiebke - they have actually told me to house him alone. It's about the only advice they have given me! I would certainly let him settle a bit first before looking for another piggie, but would consider having him neutered and adding a sow or looking for a younger piggie sometime in future.
 
If they have other animals, like dogs or cats etc. then it might just be that they know nothing about guinea pigs. A lot of places don't know they need hay, veggies, etc. unless it was a specialised guinea pig rescue.

They should really treat them for the mites though. :( The SPCA near me (not affiliated with the ISPCA) doesn't treat dogs for anything, so there is always parvo, mange etc. being spread through the centre, and they don't vaccinate or neuter them either. They put them down after 5 days I think too. And yet they charge a rehoming fee of €100! My friend got a puppy there and it died of parvo. Places like that are awful . . .
 
Hi all,

All rescues have to start somewhere. However this does show signs of red flags. I'm glad to see that the rescue is not "Named", which lets people make up their own mind.

Veg! no sign of. I run a rescue, and not often will you see stacks of veg sat around. I buy freash every day, then it goes straight into the cages. Having 80 mouths to feed I have to buy large amounts, which gets eaten straight away.

Hay a basic requirement. I myself always have at least 1 bail sat in my Guinea shed, on display. Guinea pig food, mine is stored in a black 80ltr bin. Although it is there, people would not notice it. Lid on to stop mice!

Health, any questions I ask fully and within my knowleadge range. I will always give the name of the vets I use to any body who wants to know.

Having piggies yourself / ourselves, we know the basic care of piggies. If it dose not sit right with you then stay clear.

Any good rescue would not hide anything. I encorage people to look around before handing over any piggy to me. Or animals that are coming on their holidays.
Take care, have a good day. Bunny.
 
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house alone?! Poor guy :( So glad he went to someone who does their research than be condemned to a life alone!
 
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