Help

[Gail Lambert]

Here are the facts:
* my friend who is disabled started with 4 pigs and has had two unplanned pregnancies and now has 32. she is looking to rehome and i have agreed to have two boys.
* I love animals and come from an animals family. I have always wanted guineas.
* I have a corner of my garden begging for a decent hutch and I want to build an attached run with pipe connecters
* My little bungalow isnt big enough for them to be indoors permanently though I realise they may have to come in during the depths of winter.
* I am away all of the working week at my elderly father's house - he is an active 91 - and i walk Tara the fifth family rescue dog on her 2nd walk of the day. I work part time.
* My husband works full time, lives at the bungy during the working week and is in maybe two evenings.
* I am not a big socialiser but we do have a half allotment that we work on 3 hours on a Sunday morning between March and end of July, with maybe four hours in the planting season. After that there isnt much to do as things have been harvested though husband waters it twice in the working week on warm summer weeks. My own garden is stuffed with plants watered with aqua globes and requires 3 hours work per month tops.
* My husband would check on the piggy food and water situation, oh and the hay in the week. I would clean the hutch out thoroughly at the weekends, bring the pigs in when I can and take them for trips to the front garden in their play pen that i have got at the weekends. I have some nice grass there. When we go away I would board them. I dont go on holiday abroad so much these days.
My father has been going on at me that I should not have these pigs as I wont be able to care for them enough. He has been very pushy about it and I am confused as to if I am doing the right thing. Really confused. I am treated for depression after a life time of being a carer for my severley disabled mum and brother and my animals and garden are therapy for me but if I cannot provide the boys with enough of what they need I should not have them. I guess I'd have to change my mind again and help my friend in other ways. So piggy people are my care plans good enough? Or should I drop the idea and help my friend in other ways though she is not local to me particularly. Sorry for rattling on.

Sorry for rattling on and many thanks indeed.

 

[Flutterby]

I think you have thought a lot about this and you should go ahead. Your care plans do sound good. You don't need fancy fleece of a plush indoor cage to provide everything your piggy needs. It sounds like you can give two boys a good home. As lon as they have a decent sized hutch then I don't see a problem with everything else you are doing. You seem to have done the research on their needs

 

[Chief Guinea Pig]

You sound like a busy person! If you can put aside an hour a day and two cage cleans a week I think that'll be ok

 

[Deleted member 114675]

You sound like a really caring person and it is reasurring to hear you want to help your friend out.

As above posters have said , you have done your research so, if you feel guinea pigs are for you -they'll be fine with your plan. If you have any doubts, however, I would advise you consider other options.

32 guinea pigs is a lot !

It may be worth your friend considering rehoming some of the guinea pigs.

Have you considered contacting


http://wheekandsqueak.m.webs.com/

 

[nicky]

I think you sound like you would be a very caring Guinea mum

 

[Gail Lambert]

Thank you every one for your consideration and comments. Your time is much appreciated.

 

[lovehammys263]

It looks like you have researched and thought a lot about getting the piggies and sound like you would be a great Piggie mum!