Horrible dilema... don't know what to do.

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piggytoefluff

I never ever imagined I would have to type a post like this.

I have darling 2 little sows. I love them very much. I spend hours lying next to their cage watching them an talking rubbish at them and spend silly amounts of money on them for treats an housing and trying to find the best bedding and toys. Yes, sometimes they eat my hair, or the carpet, or once even my nightdress but I can't imagine my life without them.

There is a chance I will have to relocate to America later in the year. I've had the girls for 1 year. I had no idea this could happen when I got them.

I don't know what to do. I really, really don't want to give them up. I know probably with RGPR help they could find a good home, but they are part of MY home. I could adopt more pigs once I get to Texas but I don't want other piggers, I want my piggers.

If I have to go to the US, I'll have to go. There won't be a choice.

The only choice I do have is a) have them rehomed in the UK or b) take them with me. It will cost over 1500 GBP (haven't got a def price) to take them with me. I don't really care about the money, I'll go without so I can take them.

What bothers me is I just don't know if it is fair on them. I mean, I love them. That's a fact. And of course they trust me and recognise me and chat to me and I value that enormously - but is it right to put such small animals through so much drama and stress just to save my feelings? It's 5000 miles. Journey to the airport. 10 hours in the air. Quarantine. New home.

What would you do?
 
Yes, permanent. Or at least for a few years. Which is as good as permanent to a guinea pig.
 
If it was me I would probably pay out. I know its a long trip but for purely selfish reasons I would still want my pigs. That is my honest opinion.

But then if you think more of the pigs welfare then rehoming them would be better.

It's a tough one.
 
I'm not sure and cud be wrong but i dont think they travel well in planes love, I really feel for you, I re located to the states in 2000 and it was bloody hard but i didnt have pets to think about then, if the same situation came up i dont know what id do now.
I would reserch loads and get many opinions on travel and if they can travel and u have the rescorses take them but one thing.... I just remembered in USa the different states and maybe even countys have different laws about keeping rodents! some do not allow rodents to be kept as pets, so reserch that too.
wish u well and let us know x
 
you can have guinea pigs in texas, silly thing :smitten:

that was just what i was thinking - the plane journey would traumatise them. this is so cr*p. >:(
 
Awwww hun BIG HUGS to you - You have quite a long time to think about the situation your in but i was wandering if you have any friends or relatives that could look after or rehome them for you - That way you can still see them when you visit your family :smitten:
 
That is a horrid position to be in, I sympathise :-\

Think what is best for your piggies, not for you, that would be my advice. A new loving home here where they would soon settle or a long stressful scary journey? I know my opinion is obvious but if you look at it that way, the decision may be easier :(

Best of luck Charlotte, I know you will make the right choice :)
 
piggytoefluff said:
you can have guinea pigs in texas, silly thing :smitten:

that was just what i was thinking - the plane journey would traumatise them. this is so cr*p. >:(
Click to expand...
No really some states you cant have pigs, i dont know which ones...
I read it in one of my books...
 
Texas is fine, I know people on another forum who live in Texas and have pigs.

Australia is where imports are banned/strictly controlled on rodents if that's what people were thinking of.
 
i would suggest talking to your vet, other people and do research on the internet and get as much information as you can and then make your decision. as for the laws in australia i am pretty sure GP's are welcome but for some reason hamsters are banned. as the old saying goes if you love something give it away, if it comes back then it's yours. i really feel for you, get as much info as you can and then make your decision. good luck and my heart goes out to you. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:
 
if you do have to move i would happily foster them for you that way at least you know they are in safe hands.
:smitten:
 
ok.... it looks like they won't have to be quarantined.

i'm going to contact BA and find out where the animals travel. i don't want them disappearing into some pit under the plane, it would be much better if they were 'upstairs' as it were, where regular passengers travel.

still not convinced about the journey though. :(
 
piggytoefluff said:
ok.... it looks like they won't have to be quarantined.

i'm going to contact BA and find out where the animals travel. i don't want them disappearing into some pit under the plane, it would be much better if they were 'upstairs' as it were, where regular passengers travel.

still not convinced about the journey though. :(
Click to expand...

Most airlines will have animals as cargo in a heated, pressurised section of the hold. I don't think they can travel in the main cabin.
 
Hi there piggytoefluff, I've been having the same internal battle as you have been for a little while now. me and Oh want to move to canada which is 9hr flight. My situation is very different as it is something we want to do...
Anyways I checked into transporting my little piggies too and the airline company i contacted, who deal with the whole business from start to finish, said they would happily transport piggies but quote:
'long flights have been known to cause distress in such small animals'
I'm not sure if this was a disclaimer or actually from the companies previous experience. This pretty much decidded it for me. I think you have to put piggies first and the way i thought of it was that i was going to put them through all that for only my own selfish reasons, nothing good could come out of it for them, other than of course being with mummy who loves them with all her heart.
We are going to stay put for a while til the honeys have moved on to rainbow bridge (hopefully that is a long time from now) and move when we are a little older, a little wiser and a little less mortgaged!
Very difficult decision you have to make there, and it has to be all your own choice. Good luck with everything, and if you do choose to take them with you i have everything crossed for you and please let us all know how it goes, i was just imagining their little faces curled up on the seat next to you, with their little silver trays of airline nosh! ;D :)
 
Clare, that is hugely helpful, thank you so much. I'll see if I can get through to someone at BA at the weekend and grill them about it.

Grommit - I'm so glad you know where I'm coming from. The girls could live for another 6 years. I could enjoy that with them. On the other hand I could cut them short by scaring the life out of them. aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh.............
 
Is there anyone you could trust to take them? I know you may have already thought of this but it would save the hassle of moving them, but if you really want them with you, consider options.
Main Question, would they need quarnteened(sp?)? I know importing from American to UK, they go into Quarnteen for 6 months.

Emma x
 
as i said, no quarantine for british rodents by the looks of it.

nope, i don't really have any family here. and my friends don't have the time or inclination to keep guinea pigs. another reason to take them with me. :)
 
Cool at least they will not have to be in quarntine, sorry I missed you saying that.
It is a shame they could not stay here in the UK but I think if I could I would take my lot too! :)

Emma x
 
Another thing to think about is once the guineas got to America, how would they adapt to the change - is Texas hot? I think it can be? Also are there any piggy vets out there? Some refuse to treat them :( and also charge large prices. I don't know if I could put mine through the journey but on the otherhand I would be broken hearted if I had to rehome them - I probably would hate and resent my new life for a long time due to it.
 
OMG What a totally horrid situation you're in! I'm sure you'll do the right thing for the piggies - they don't have any choices but just have to live with the consequences.

I know I'd do everything I could to take them with me (so long as it was safe for them).

Good luck with your tough decision (hopefully it wont come to that and you can stay in this country) O0 :smitten:
 
Yes, Texas is very hot. My guineas live indoors with me now, if they came to Houston they would live in the house in a temperature and humidity controlled environment so from that perspective it'd be great, better than my current home which is flippin chilly!
 
I just want to say good luck to you and I know you will make the correct decision for you and your piggies :smitten:

Personally, and this is just my opinion, I think I would have to leave them behind... I'm sure quite a few people have moved country and took guinea pigs with them, but I don't know whether it is worth it from the guinea pigs point of view. Of course to you, you're willing to do whatever for your piggies, but is it fair on them? Maybe the piggies wouldn't mind and it wouldn't be that stressful, but I'm not sure whether it's worth it. This is just my opinion though, I know you'll do the right thing for your piggies O0
 
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