FB conversation with 'experts' made me fume

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Shuvvy

Shuvvy

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Last night I was on a FB group for Essex guinea pig and other small animal rehoming, run by an 'expert' breeder and rehomer. I saw a member asking whether to keep pigs in pairs and what size cage to gets. Two members, including the 'expert' replied that yes you should get a pair and it was fine to keep them in a 100cm cage. So I came into the conversation and this is what followed :

Me: Sorry but I'd just like to point out that the rspca recommended minimum for 2 is 120cm. 100 is too small

Member: 100cm is fine as long as they have a run. Half of mine are in a cage this size & they're fine.

Expert: I have been breeding for 20yrs and never had issue. It's people who don't let them out. RSPCA have a issue with rabbit cage sizes, they're not really pushing cage sizes on guinea pigs

I then posted the link to rspca accommodation site for pigs

Expert: I have rspca inspections once a year and they have never commented on cage sizes as they have runs. Also had two rescues inspect me and they have not commented either. Don't matter how many links you post, it's rabbits they're pushing to have large cages

Me: You're talking about temporary homes though, permanent should be 120cm

Member: I had 2 diff pairs in 100cm and they were fine

Expert: I have pets who also live in 100cm and had high inspection scores on them so don't try and preach something you're not 100% on.


At this point I left the group as I was so angry. Now, I would actually prefer for someone on here to tell me that they were right as I hate the thought that this woman is running a group and giving out wrong information.
 
I'm glad it's not just me but in a way I'm not seeing as they're clearly not giving they're pigs enough space mallethead
 
The RSPCA guidelines are 120cmx60cm for a pair. This is the size that rescues within the Piggy Bank use as a minimum requirement.



The 5 Freedoms were recommended to D.E.F.R.A. by the R.S.P.C.A as part of the Animal Welfare Act. These are the minimum recommendations that are referred to in a court of law.

A proper diet, including fresh water. Fresh food at least twice daily, unlimited good hay, with hay making up the main part of the overall diet.

Somewhere suitable to live. 4 foot by 2 foot/120cm by 60cm accommodation for two guinea pigs.

For any need to be housed with or apart from, other animals. Guinea pigs are sociable and must be housed with other compatible guinea pigs (not rabbits).

The ability to express normal behaviour. To be able to burrow in hay, run and have shelter to ‘hide’ in if desired. To have a friend(s) in the correct living sized accommodation.

Protection from and treatment of, illness and injury. Access to a guinea pig competent vet, find one before you need one!

Guinea Pig Welfare support the 5 freedoms as outlined by the RSPCA. They should be viewed as the minimum acceptable level of care for guinea pigs.
Source:
http://www.guineapigwelfare.org.uk/guinea-pig-care/



The breeders governing council deem that 3sq ft is adequate for a single or pair. (ie 3ft long by 1 ft wide). With 1sq ft extra for each additional pig, which is why the sizes used by rescues and pet owners are not taken seriously.

"A cage housing a single cavy or pair of cavies should be a minimum of 3 square feet and of a height of at least 15 inches. An additional square foot should be allowed for each additional adult cavy in the cage. These should be seen as the minimum sizes."
Source: BCC welfare code.

Suzy x
 
I'm 99% sure this is the same 'expert' that told me to put vicks on guinea pigs bits to stop them fighting.
She clearly know nothing. She preaches to everyone about guinea pig rescues being over-run and how many rescues she has had in the past few weeks. But is a guinea pig breeder?!
Work that one out! Helping the problem or adding to it?
 
I think this thread illustrates something:-

Rescues v Breeders
Who looks after the welfare of animals and who treats them as commodities to be given the minimum they can get away with?

Don't take any notice of this silly person - she is a BREEDER !
 
Its no wonder that new owners get the impression tiny cages are satisfactory :(

I saw earlier on, in the 'Guinea Pig lopedia' book that an 'ample size' cage for 2 pigs is 62cm x 38cm (2ft x 15in) ... Vile but supposed to be informative to new owners!
 
CharlieH said:
Its no wonder that new owners get the impression tiny cages are satisfactory :(

I saw earlier on, in the 'Guinea Pig lopedia' book that an 'ample size' cage for 2 pigs is 62cm x 38cm (2ft x 15in) ... Vile but supposed to be informative to new owners!
Click to expand...

What? that's barely big enough for a mouse or dwarf hamster!
 
Katie Krafter said:
What? that's barely big enough for a mouse or dwarf hamster!
Click to expand...

I know, its on pg 31 :( it also says 'they never feel safe in a hutch or run that is large owing to their poor eyesight' then go on to say a summer daytime run of 1.2m x 1.2m is giving plenty of space :(
 
CharlieH said:
Its no wonder that new owners get the impression tiny cages are satisfactory :(

I saw earlier on, in the 'Guinea Pig lopedia' book that an 'ample size' cage for 2 pigs is 62cm x 38cm (2ft x 15in) ... Vile but supposed to be informative to new owners!
Click to expand...

Even my dwarfies get larger than that hahaha they get 80x40cm ...

Never heard of the piglopeadia though might hav a loook
 
Hahahaha - yes you can see he's terrified of the open space, so much so he had to have a lay down to get over the fright. :))
 
Suzygpr said:
Hahahaha - yes you can see he's terrified of the open space, so much so he had to have a lay down to get over the fright. :))
Click to expand...

oh the living room isn't "open space".

No no, I prefer to terrify my little Jeffrey by allowing him full run of the living room, hall, kitchen, bedroom and garden!
 
I don't search on just Guinea pigs, I always add popcorning, running, floortime, syringe feeding etc - whatever i want to see, and have a read of the description before I play the vids.

I don't like watching yucky ones either and this filters nearly all out but if one sneaks in I pause it as soon as I realise and report it.

Suzy x
 
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