Guinea pigs for sale in awful conditions

Pantalaimon

Pantalaimon

Junior Guinea Pig
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I hope this doesn’t break any rules.
I have found an advert on gumtree for three female guinea pigs in London. They are living in horrific conditions, no visible bedding apart from their own faeces, one small bowl of pellets, a dirty mostly empty water bottle and severely overgrown nails. The cage appears to be very very small for three adult guinea pigs, though they don’t show the other end of the cage which makes me concerned as to what is there that they are not showing. There appears to be no hay whatsoever. Even the plastic area of the cage has a brown residue from not being cleaned, with just a clear area where the guinea pigs sit to access the food bowl.

I have contacted a guinea pig rescue in London (east Peckham guinea pig rescue) on Facebook but have not yet had a response. Does anyone know what else I can do to try and help these guinea pigs?

I can post a link but thought it would probably be against the rules.
 
I’ve seen people post links on social media and people have “bought” them purely just to get them out of that situation. I’m not sure what the rules are on here regarding that. What about RSPCA?
 
Pantalaimon said:
I hope this doesn’t break any rules.
I have found an advert on gumtree for three female guinea pigs in London. They are living in horrific conditions, no visible bedding apart from their own faeces, one small bowl of pellets, a dirty mostly empty water bottle and severely overgrown nails. The cage appears to be very very small for three adult guinea pigs, though they don’t show the other end of the cage which makes me concerned as to what is there that they are not showing. There appears to be no hay whatsoever. Even the plastic area of the cage has a brown residue from not being cleaned, with just a clear area where the guinea pigs sit to access the food bowl.

I have contacted a guinea pig rescue in London (east Peckham guinea pig rescue) on Facebook but have not yet had a response. Does anyone know what else I can do to try and help these guinea pigs?

I can post a link but thought it would probably be against the rules.
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Please don’t post a link as that would indeed breach forum rules.
Sadly guinea pig rescues are all pretty much full to overflowing at the moment. Adoptions are at an all time low and surrenders are at an all time high.
I don’t look at free ads sites as tbh it’s just heartbreaking and we simply can’t save them all.
 
VickiA said:
Please don’t post a link as that would indeed breach forum rules.
Sadly guinea pig rescues are all pretty much full to overflowing at the moment. Adoptions are at an all time low and surrenders are at an all time high.
I don’t look at free ads sites as tbh it’s just heartbreaking and we simply can’t save them all.
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Thank you for confirming what I thought about the rules!
I am aware that rescues are struggling which was why I was looking for other possible ideas or other rescues in that area. I see how it could be upsetting to look at ads like that, I feel really sad that I can’t help some of them. I once found an advert for a seven year old sow who’s friend had died and the owners were selling her as they didn’t want guinea pigs anymore, I desperately wanted to give her a nice year or so (she didn’t look to be in excellent health) but she was far too far away. I still keep looking just in case there are any close enough that I could help, even if just to care for them while they are rehomed through a rescue.
I am quite familiar with seeing the standard dirty/too small/overcrowded enclosures usually on these advertisement sites but this one is far beyond the “normal” level of poor care.
 
Josie_lg said:
I’ve seen people post links on social media and people have “bought” them purely just to get them out of that situation. I’m not sure what the rules are on here regarding that. What about RSPCA?
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I am thinking I will have to go down the RSPCA route, though I know they are not always very reliable with small animals.
I wish I could buy them but it is too far and I can’t have any more pigs!
 
Well done you for trying and thinking how you could help them! It breaks my heart to hear things like this and really hope they get a good outcome.
 
One problem with free ads is that you can't trust the seller. Yes some will be genuine but there are many trying to palm off ill pets they just don't want to pay for or backyard breeders trying to palm off their unwanted stock to make space for more. Basically you can't trust that taking in even 1 piggy is saving a piggy. You might be saving that particular pig whilst freeing up the space for the seller to take on another one. It's horrible but the main reason I don't look anymore, there are too many unscrupulous and uncaring people
 
Hello everyone

Ive been a member for some long time(lurking). Pantalaimon, do you mean the pigs in Manor House?
 
Ive messaged him also. I live a few miles away from him. I used to have guinea pigs till March this year (my last boy died:() I wasn’t planning on getting more because of the heartbreak but I could take them in if no rescue wants them. There’s a good rescue in Richmond, London (This Little Piggy).
 
Agata said:
Ive messaged him also. I live a few miles away from him. I used to have guinea pigs till March this year (my last boy died:() I wasn’t planning on getting more because of the heartbreak but I could take them in if no rescue wants them. There’s a good rescue in Richmond, London (This Little Piggy).
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This Little Piggy is the rescue who I am talking to about taking them! They say they have not got much space but can just about squeeze them in due to the conditions. I have been quite impressed by the responses I have had from rescues, they all want to help though some have no space.

Also, did you get a response from the seller? And do you know the rough area of where it is? I looked at the map on gumtree but didn’t feel I could trust it and the address given seemed to be a house name rather than a general area of London, though of course I am totally unfamiliar with London (I’ve never been there!) so didn’t know if it was a small area with that name.
 
No, no response. Emailed him 2 hours ago though. It’s quite an old ad, no? Yes, Manor House is the name of a tube station and an area in London. It’s near Stamford Hill, Finsbury Park… North London.
 
Agata said:
No, no response. Emailed him 2 hours ago though. It’s quite an old ad, no? Yes, Manor House is the name of a tube station and an area in London. It’s near Stamford Hill, Finsbury Park… North London.
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Thank you! Google was not helpful. I think the ad is about seven days old, I didn’t think that was that old but I don’t really know much about selling stuff so not sure.
 
Pantalaimon said:
Thank you! Google was not helpful. I think the ad is about seven days old, I didn’t think that was that old but I don’t really know much about selling stuff so not sure.
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Hi
He‘s replied, saying they’re still available. I’m willing to pay the full price if I have to cus, like you said, their poops are their bedding:( I thought it was something like Back to Nature at first. Has he replied to you?
 
VickiA said:
Please don’t post a link as that would indeed breach forum rules.
Sadly guinea pig rescues are all pretty much full to overflowing at the moment. Adoptions are at an all time low and surrenders are at an all time high.
I don’t look at free ads sites as tbh it’s just heartbreaking and we simply can’t save them all.
Click to expand...

You really can’t save them all. Do what you can though.
 
Agata said:
Hi
He‘s replied, saying they’re still available. I’m willing to pay the full price if I have to cus, like you said, their poops are their bedding:( I thought it was something like Back to Nature at first. Has he replied to you?
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I’ve had a response but they say have had an offer of £75. I have asked them whether this offer was for the whole lot or just the pigs but have not had a response yet, and probably (understandably) won’t until tomorrow.
 
Pantalaimon said:
I’ve had a response but they say have had an offer of £75. I have asked them whether this offer was for the whole lot or just the pigs but have not had a response yet, and probably (understandably) won’t until tomorrow.
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He asked me if I was willing to pay the 110. It wasn’t my offer (the 75), by the way. Maybe he’s made it up as he wants someone to offer more than 75? Obviously, I wouldn’t want the cage or anything anyway.
 
Agata said:
He asked me if I was willing to pay the 110. It wasn’t my offer (the 75), by the way. Maybe he’s made it up as he wants someone to offer more than 75? Obviously, I wouldn’t want the cage or anything anyway.
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Perhaps he has made it up (hopefully). I just hope they don’t go to someone looking to get the whole lot cheap as a child’s pet. Those guinea pigs will most likely need to see a vet.
 
Ugh I just looked up the Guinea pigs you’re talking about. How awful! It’s shameful that they say ‘well looked after’ :yikes:
Their nails are SO long, those conditions are disgusting. All they have to eat are pellets.
Please bear in mind if you take them on they may have dental issues due to the fact they don’t have hay. Expect vet bills!..
 
Hannah_xx said:
Ugh I just looked up the Guinea pigs you’re talking about. How awful! It’s shameful that they say ‘well looked after’ :yikes:
Their nails are SO long, those conditions are disgusting. All they have to eat are pellets.
Please bear in mind if you take them on they may have dental issues due to the fact they don’t have hay. Expect vet bills!..
Click to expand...

Sadly it doesn’t look like they will be rescued. The seller has had an offer of £75, hasn’t responded to me asking whether that is for the whole lot or just the pigs. They may have already been sold.
 
Pantalaimon said:
Sadly it doesn’t look like they will be rescued. The seller has had an offer of £75, hasn’t responded to me asking whether that is for the whole lot or just the pigs. They may have already been sold.
Click to expand...
I’ve got them. They’re asleep in their houses. They seem young and are very energetic. They smell:( (through no fault of their own). The guy said he put them up on a farm somewhere as he’s going away for 2 weeks. He asked one of his employees there to look after them. Their conditions there were similar to the photos from Gumtree. Flies, smelly, dirty hutch, green water bottles. At least they had some, brown and probably dirty, hay. The other animals there looked quite happy; the ones that were outside.
 
Agata said:
I’ve got them. They’re asleep in their houses. They seem young and are very energetic. They smell:( (through no fault of their own). The guy said he put them up on a farm somewhere as he’s going away for 2 weeks. He asked one of his employees there to look after them. Their conditions there were similar to the photos from Gumtree. Flies, smelly, dirty hutch, green water bottles. At least they had some, brown and probably dirty, hay. The other animals there looked quite happy; the ones that were outside.
Click to expand...

I’m glad now in your hands.
 
Agata said:
I’ve got them. They’re asleep in their houses. They seem young and are very energetic. They smell:( (through no fault of their own). The guy said he put them up on a farm somewhere as he’s going away for 2 weeks. He asked one of his employees there to look after them. Their conditions there were similar to the photos from Gumtree. Flies, smelly, dirty hutch, green water bottles. At least they had some, brown and probably dirty, hay. The other animals there looked quite happy; the ones that were outside.
Click to expand...
How dreadful, but their future looks a lot brighter now they're with you.
Good luck with everything, and I hope their road to recovery is a quick one. ❤

Edit: I just looked up the advert, and the conditions they were in were horrendously bad- I'm sure they will be ecstatic to be in your loving care. How people can be so cruel is beyond me.
 
That’s incredible! I have been so worried about them all day today but couldn’t think what to do.
Can I ask, how did you manage to get the seller to agree?
I am so happy about this!
Do their teeth seem ok? (Really sorry for all of the questions, I am so relieved and excited)
 
ScrufflesRules said:
How dreadful, but their future looks a lot brighter now they're with you.
Good luck with everything, and I hope their road to recovery is a quick one. ❤

Edit: I just looked up the advert, and the conditions they were in were horrendously bad- I'm sure they will be ecstatic to be in your loving care. How people can be so cruel is beyond me.
Click to expand...

I also just saw it, 😢. You have done the best thing for them.
 
Pantalaimon said:
That’s incredible! I have been so worried about them all day today but couldn’t think what to do.
Can I ask, how did you manage to get the seller to agree?
I am so happy about this!
Do their teeth seem ok? (Really sorry for all of the questions, I am so relieved and excited)
Click to expand...
I gave him 90 quid, in case the 75 offer person existed:) I haven’t looked at their teeth but we will be going to the vet anyway. One of the piggies has a bump above/at the grease gland. Maybe it got infected because of the squalor? They all seem happy so I don’t think it’s painful. Had a first popcorn yesterday:)
I also think they have static mites, maybe. One of the pigs is mostly white and you can see tiny weird things in the fur. I need to have a better look. I don’t want to stress them out too much.
 
Agata said:
I gave him 90 quid, in case the 75 offer person existed:) I haven’t looked at their teeth but we will be going to the vet anyway. One of the piggies has a bump above/at the grease gland. Maybe it got infected because of the squalor? They all seem happy so I don’t think it’s painful. Had a first popcorn yesterday:)
I also think they have static mites, maybe. One of the pigs is mostly white and you can see tiny weird things in the fur. I need to have a better look. I don’t want to stress them out too much.
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That’s wonderful to hear. Could you post some pictures?
The bump could perhaps be a sebaceous cyst as on the advert it said they were around 3 years old and cysts are common in older pigs. It really sounds like you have things going in the right direction for them.
 
Agata said:
I gave him 90 quid, in case the 75 offer person existed:) I haven’t looked at their teeth but we will be going to the vet anyway. One of the piggies has a bump above/at the grease gland. Maybe it got infected because of the squalor? They all seem happy so I don’t think it’s painful. Had a first popcorn yesterday:)
I also think they have static mites, maybe. One of the pigs is mostly white and you can see tiny weird things in the fur. I need to have a better look. I don’t want to stress them out too much.
Click to expand...

Well done for taking them in! They will be so much better off now.

Hay mites - you will see black specks stuck to the hair shaft. You will not be able to see anything moving.
Lice - are pale crawling creatures, visible to the human eye. Sadly can be found in piggies living in poor conditions.

New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
 
So pleased that they have been rescued and found a special home with you. Looking forward to hearing all about them.xx
 
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