EMAILED THE RSPCA THIS WEEK

KK327

KK327

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jul 3, 2024
Messages
125
Reaction score
262
Points
285
Location
Wiltshire
I follow Mason Cavies and not so long ago she had taken in some pigs that had been fed Kale every day and sadly some didn't make it due to bladder sludge and stones - the high calcium in Kale is not good for pigs every day is it....

What To Feed a Guinea Pig | RSPCA - RSPCA - rspca.org.uk

1740127913619.webp

I emailed them to say I didn't think this was best advice and that they should contact the GP Forum to talk about dietary requirements of guinea pigs (very nicely) as this information needs to be updated. They did acknowledge my email but not had anything back yet. It's very hard to get the right advice out there for folk as it is - maybe the RSPCA could guide people to the GP Forum.
 
Bill & Ted said:
I emailed a centre once explaining that boars should ideally be kept in pairs or neutered and bonded with a sow. They were suggesting that it was ok to keep boars as a lonesome pet.
Click to expand...
Oh my goodness me ! Did they change it? It is scary the misinformation that is given - we all know the commercial side of the pet trade can be hideously awful but the RSPCA and others need to lead with the right information - I will keep on with my crusade.
 
The website still actually says that the best pairs are a neutered boar with a sow or two sows.
It says that boars can only be kept together if they are neutered and are related brothers who have always been together. We of course know this isn’t the case whatsoever and it’s a shame that it perpetuates the undeserved myths about boars.
 
All the various RSPCA branches are run separately from National RSPCA, have their own registered charity number and do their own fundraising. Our local Northamptonshire branch are amazing and use very knowledgeable and experienced fostererers. I’ve previously fostered for them and TEAS contributes to regular meetings, organised by the branch, where lots of local rescues come together, to support one another as part of a Welfare Hub.
 
KK327 said:
Oh my goodness me ! Did they change it? It is scary the misinformation that is given - we all know the commercial side of the pet trade can be hideously awful but the RSPCA and others need to lead with the right information - I will keep on with my crusade.
Click to expand...
Poor boars, they do get bad press and misrepresentation with stupid myths
 
Piggies&buns said:
The website still actually says that the best pairs are a neutered boar with a sow or two sows.
It says that boars can only be kept together if they are neutered and are related brothers who have always been together. We of course know this isn’t the case whatsoever and it’s a shame that it perpetuates the undeserved myths about boars.
Click to expand...
They need to update their info and FAST
 
CTWC said:
It really isn't too much to ask for them to at least look after them properly is it. I think I'll email them too. RSPCA messaged back saying they were forwarding my 'suggestions' to the appropriate team
Click to expand...
Lets hope they bother. I will keep up my campaign
 
furryfriends (TEAS) said:
Why don’t you contact your local branch and offer to volunteer. That’s the best way to share your knowledge and experience!
Click to expand...
No offence if anyone works or has contact with my local branch but the three times I have contacted them they have been if no help at all either passed me onto someone else or one time suggested leaving an abandoned dog tied up to a post.
 
It’s very difficult running a rescue! I do my very best for the piggies in my care, but I can’t solve every problem or take in every piggy. However, I’ve lost track with how much abuse I have hurled at me on a daily basis? I’ve actually stopped answering my phone if I don’t recognise the number, as I’m not willing to be screamed at, accused of not being an animal lover and told that when the guinea pig gets savaged by the dog, or their child gets hospitalised due to their allergies, it’ll be my fault and I should be ashamed of myself!

It’s very easy to criticise, like a woman waiting in the vets did, when she heard that a stray cat was going to be put back on the streets after being neutered. She said it was disgusting that they weren’t being kept safely indoors. I asked her if she could help and take him in for a few nights! She looked at me with disgust and said well of course not!
 
I'm in no way meaning to offend any rescue this thread was started about false and dangerous advice being given by the RSPCA about guinea pigs that is what I am suggesting people email about.
 
The problem is, unless the branches are willing/able to take in guinea pigs, the advice national are giving is very dated, as they have very little up to date knowledge of guinea pig health and well-being. Let’s be honest, many vets are still very unsure about guinea pig health. I’ve had a read of the guidelines and whilst not great, they aren’t, in my opinion ‘dangerous’. This is our local branches requirements to adopt rabbits and guinea pigs.

IMG_7907.webp
IMG_7908.webp
 
I think the original concern posted was that it suggests giving kale every day and the member had seen that Masons had posted about a number of very sick guineas who had been fed too much
 
It says daily greens, such as kale and broccoli, should be fed. I read that as daily greens should be fed and those are just two examples. More examples would be useful, I agree, but I feel this is suggesting RSPCA are not a good place to adopt from, as they’re giving incorrect advice.

Our local branch have learnt such a lot from the fosterers they use. Getting involved with local branches would be a much better way to share knowledge.
 
The RSPCA have responded to me

‘Thank you for your email.

Our colleagues have reviewed your concerns and their response can be seen below:-

I was able to locate the page with dietary advice for guinea pigs you're referring to, and although I believe that broccoli and kale were listed as examples of suitable leafy greens rather than recommended as the top two green vegetables guinea pigs can be fed daily which could of course cause implications for their health I can see that this is not entirely clear in the paragraph so will request for the advice to be changed.

Best wishes

RSPCA Advice Team ‘


That’s great news I think
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top