Finding A New Friend For Tango

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Tbag

Tbag

Adult Guinea Pig
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Feels a bit awful having to think about this so soon but I know everyone here knows the importance of company for piggies. Focusing on being able to give another piggie a loving home will hopefully ease my grieving too.

I'm so very proud of how Tango is handling things so far. He used to hate being on his own but so far he's handling the loss better than me and Daddypig. I've caught him looking a bit forlorn a few times but mostly he's just getting on with things. We're giving him extra cuddles and lap time and the cage must still have Cash's scent which must be helping?

Anyway, if anyone can give me any advice/thoughts on the following things I'd really appreciate it:
1) how long do I wait before going dating with him? Next weekend? This weekend?
2) when we do find him a new friend will I have to get a whole new set of vet bed/cosies etc to remove any old scents?
3) where can I go boar bonding in surrey/south east? Tango doesn't travel well at all (dread to think how he'd do a journey solo) so ideally I wouldn't want to go further than 1.5 hours away. I thought crawley gpr did bonding but from the website it looks like they don't anymore - can anyone clarify? We're only down the road from there so would have been ideal. There is a rabbit and guinea rescue in Epsom who do guinea bonding but I've never really heard about them before so if anyone has any info on 'bobtails' please let me know. And if there's anywhere else in my vicinity that I've overlooked then point me in the right direction!

Thanks very much in advance, and thank you everyone for your support in this painful time x
 
Ps. Sorry if I've put this in the wrong section, mods feel free to relocate it!
 
I've never had to deal with this as my piggies are only a matter of months old, but from researching and reading round the forum I think I've gathered a good bit of info on this subject!

1) how long do I wait before going dating with him? Next weekend? This weekend?

I think as soon as possible really, so he doesn't get depressed or start to become lonely. He maybe just thinks he is away for a while, but the more time he's alone the more lonely he will get and realise that he maybe isn't just away for a trip or something. I'd go this weekend if I were you.

2) when we do find him a new friend will I have to get a whole new set of vet bed/cosies etc to remove any old scents?

I think you may be ok just washing it very thoroughly to remove all the smells. Maybe wash it 2 or 3 times to completely get rid of the smell and remember to use washing powder or something similar.

3) where can I go boar bonding in surrey/south east? Tango doesn't travel well at all (dread to think how he'd do a journey solo) so ideally I wouldn't want to go further than 1.5 hours away. I thought crawley gpr did bonding but from the website it looks like they don't anymore - can anyone clarify? We're only down the road from there so would have been ideal. There is a rabbit and guinea rescue in Epsom who do guinea bonding but I've never really heard about them before so if anyone has any info on 'bobtails' please let me know. And if there's anywhere else in my vicinity that I've overlooked then point me in the right direction!

I'm not in England so I can't help you with this particular one, but have you tried the recommended rescue locator at the top off this page?

Good luck x
 
Have you tried the rescue locator?

As for how long. You know your piggy and you know when it's time. They do mourn, i usually wait 7 days before introducing them to another friend but like I say you know your piggy and how he is acting :)
 
I introduced poppy to pebbles within a week because she was upset. Washing everything through and the cage a thorough clean should be fine. It made a big difference to her. Now have multiples so won't be in this situation again
 
Thank you all.
It seems like a week would be sensible but I'll keep a close eye on him over the next few days and if we need to we can always see about this weekend. Next weekend would be over a week.

I'll have a look at the rescue locator when I'm not on the phone as it only half loads at the mo. Bobtails is on there though which is encouraging!
 
Just contacted every rescue within an hour or so distance! 5 in total - fingers crossed one of them will be able to help us all! :bal:
 
How long should I give a rescue before sending a second message/trying an alternate means of contact? I know they all must be so incredibly busy doing what they do but I'm worried some of my messages may have got lost. I don't want to seem like I'm harassing anyone but don't want to leave things to chance either!

So far looks like we may be in for a long wait unless we want to risk traumatising Tango with a longer journey. Piggy Palace have a little guy who we're sort of first reserve on as he's already got a potential date lined up. Bobtails have a little pregnant lady in which might work out but obviously will be a wait and there's no guarantee there'll be any boys!

Who'd have thought this would be so difficult!
 
Give them at least 4 working days. It's a bit manic atm.

Have you emaled East Peckham GPR and Crawley GPR? They have contacts all over the south east including Lumpy Lodge at Hove and ARC in Twickenham.

If you're prepared to go further afield, I will be travellling to Glynneath soon (2-3 weeks) so would happily take Tango with me on an excellent adventure to see Aunty Suzy (if she can fit him in to her busy bonding schedule!)

x
 
Aw thank you for the kind offer, will definitely keep it in mind if we're still coming up empty handed. I'm not bothered about travelling but Tango was never a fan of it so that's my only reason to keep more local. I'm keeping Wheek and Squeak and Hazelcroft in mind as they are 1.5-2 hours away which is the next step up.

I'm waiting on replies from Crawley gpr, lumpy lodge and east Peckham at the mo. Haven't contacted ARC yet as thought of driving to twickenham scares me a bit - hate big urban areas like that for driving, give me a nice motorway any day!
 
The last rescue in my local area that I contacted (Animal Lifeline) have got 3 baby boars who will be ready to go at the end of the month. Here's hoping something works out!
 
Yes, that's what the website says though I don't know if they have fosterers in the general area or anything though
 
Depending on where you are in Surrey there is Anna at wheek and squeak. She does bonding and has some lovely boars for rehoming. http://wheekandsqueak.webs.com

Its a bit of a trek from Surrey but It's nearly all motorway there and some lovely countryside at the end! Good luck!
 
Thanks @Guinea Slave - I did contact Anna as the journey would have been no problem for me or Tango but she says we're too far away for her to home check unfortunately :(
 
Oh no thats a shame. Where are you? (pm if you prefer) She may let me do a home check, I am happy to speak to her.
 
Guinea Slave said:
Oh no thats a shame. Where are you? (pm if you prefer) She may let me do a home check, I am happy to speak to her.
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Oh my god that would be amazing if you could! I'd much rather go somewhere to get things done properly than trying a half hour or so with a baby boar and crossing my fingers for the future! Will pm you :nod:
 
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Going to go bonding at Animal Lifeline this sunday!
:yahoo:
They don't boar to boar bond often but have 4 baby boys in so are willing to give it a try!
Is there anything in particular I should do/have on hand? I normally cage clean Saturday morning but would it be better to wait until Sunday evening so they both go in a fresh cage?
 
Tbag said:
Going to go bonding at Animal Lifeline this sunday!
:yahoo:
They don't boar to boar bond often but have 4 baby boys in so are willing to give it a try!
Is there anything in particular I should do/have on hand? I normally cage clean Saturday morning but would it be better to wait until Sunday evening so they both go in a fresh cage?
Click to expand...

Ohhh exciting. Good luck and hope Tango finds a new friend :D . Yes they will need to be in a nice clean cage with as little smell of Tango as possible (to avoid dominance issues).

Cant wait to hear all about it...and hopefully see some nice pics of the new boy.
I know boar dating is often done over a few days, so you will need to keep a close eye over the next few days if they are home with you that day... Tango will obviously have the "home advantage" so, if you have a neutral space you could put them in for the first few days so they can iron out any differences in a nice neutral big space? This may help things before putting them straight into the cage.... but i could be mistaken.

For me I sectioned off the whole of my bedroom floor to introduce Honor and Haven.Over those first few days i kept them together on the floor and kept a close eye. After that i put them in the cage and watched for any dominance issues. I know it can take weeks to settle down with a new piggie in some cases, so don't be alarmed if they are a bit up and down over the first few weeks. Honor and Haven are still a bit jumpy with one and other so it can take time...

But hopefully all being well you will bring home a nice boy to live with Tango and all will be great :D
 
:D Thank you!
I though so about the cage. Clean on Sunday then, will have to time it right so it's done before I have to leave and poor Mr T isn't evicted from his favourite comfy tunnel for too long! I think I'd like to pop them in the cage right away just so they know they're living together now and then after a while I can pop them out onto neutral space if it's needed.

Might see if I can work from home on Monday to keep an eye on them, just for peace of mind and all! Just crossing my fingers that we come home with a friend in the first place!
 
Little Wyatt pig has arrived! :yahoo:
They got on very well and had a good half hour together before we decided to go for it and bring him home. Tango was very well behaved, did his fair share of mounting but nothing excessive and even let little Wyatt stand on his head for a bit hehe.

Forgot just how mini mini-pigs are!

He's currently hiding at the moment so going to let him settle and will share pictures when he's ready for it :shh:

Daddypig said he was close to tears when they first met each other as it was just so nice to see Tango enjoying another pigs company and wheeking again :luv:
 
All is well in pigland still! Both very chatty, tiny bit of rumbling from Tango but a lot less dominance behaviour than I expected. Think Wyatt is a bit miffed at the amount Tango sleeps though haha.

He's a very brave little boy, sleeping out in the open already!
 
Oh wow they are absoloutely gorgeous. Congrats piggies, here's hoping for a long and prosperous friendship!
 
Awww.. so glad they are getting along, he is a cutie :)

My Coco lost his partner just before Christmas and was on his own until he was matched with Pip who was a baby. Unfortunately Pip was diagnosed with kidney stones and was only with us for 6 weeks and went over Rainbow Bridge just before Easter. I live just down the road from Animal Lifeline I may contact them...
 
Oh no! That's so sad! :(

Animal Lifeline still have 3 baby boys left so id definitely get in touch with them if I were you!
 
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