Hutch Advice And Rescue Centres

[N&S]

Hi everyone,

I am planning to get two piggies early next year. I have always grown up with pets (including gp) and I want the same for my son (3 yrs), sadly we lost our cat last year and after lots of research we have decided that gp will be the best animal additions for our family. Anyway I am trying to prepare now and am starting to get some bits and pieces, our gp will be kept outside (go into garage in winter) but I am also planning to have an indoor cage so for days when we are at home all day and the weather isn't nice I want to bring them inside so they can be around us and we can handle them etc. I have two main questions which I am hoping you guys will be able to help with. I have decided I want a double cage but with a closed bottom as they will be on concrete, my budget is up to 80 pounds and I have seen lots on the internet but it is difficult to tell the quality so I was wondering if people have bought any specific ones or from certain sites which they would recommend as good quality and long lasting. I know this question was asked before but it was a few years ago and the ones that were recommended (on ebay) don't seem to be there anymore.

My second question relates to where to buy a guinea pig from. We haven't lived in this area very long so I don't know a lot of places. I really want to buy young guinea pigs because as it is going to be for my son as much as me I want them to live as long as possible and am reluctant to buy one that is 2 years plus and potentially already a quarter or more through their life. I know people have said pet shops aren't great and when I was younger and got two piggies I ended up with seven because pet shop didn't sex correctly! I don't want that again so I was wondering firstly does anyone know of any reputable breeders in wiltshire/bath area or even Berkshire/Buckinghamshire as can travel or failing that several rescue centres in area I could contact nearer the time for piggies 6 months or younger. Also on that note has anyone changed a piggies name which they got from rescue centre as we already have 2 names picked out?

Many thanks for any help.

 

[LisaAli]

Hi to the forum..

It is great that you are doing your research first before thinking about getting into the world of piggie slave-ship. On the forum we would highly recommend that you go to your nearest reputable rescue to adopt your piggies. Not only can you be assured that they are correctly sexed, but healthy and well bonded too. The forum has a rescue locator for reputable rescues .. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/pages/guinea-pig-rescue-locator/

It is well worth the effort to contact a rescue, as they will also offer lifetime support for you and your piggies. In addition they can give advice about the correct housing & enrichment that your prospective piggies need. Recently we travelled over 150 miles each way to adopt 2 baby boars as forever friends for 2 of our single boars..

In the meantime can you please add your location to your profile as it helps fellow members give any answers to questions you may have that may be area/country specific. This can be done by clicking on your username, then personal details, then add location......http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/...cation-and-creating-an-avatar-picture.107444/

Oh and changing names of adopted piggies is not a problem, as we changed the names of several of our adopted piggies..

We also have many great care guides for you to have a look at.. Have fun browsing...

Lisa & Ali..

 

[N&S]

Thank you very much for your advice

 

[Deleted member 114675]

welcome to the forum.

I hope you have had a chance to look at the links above.

I second the view that the best place to start looking for guinea pigs is your local rescue. Her 2 links to other threads you may like to read.

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/faq-are-guineas-pigs-for-me.36801/

http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/threads/getting-a-guinea-pig-items-youll-need-to-buy.112288/


It's not easy answering your question about what sort of hutch to get. If you are keeping them in a hutch outdoors during the summer, you will need one that is secure form potential predators.. Wherever you buy your hutch from , please make sure the mesh is fox proof ( any reputable pet store will discuss this with you) . I am sure some other forum members will give you links to hutches they have bought online.

We will look forward to hearing more about your guinea pigs in due course.

 

[Rachsan]

Hi,
I bought a great double hutch from Bunny business which I got through eBay but you can get them through amazon and ukpetonline. They provided a cover in the price as well and I phoned to ask them a question and they were so helpful. My cage has a bottom to it and it has good bolts which I think make it safer to predators (including our cats!)
Good luck with getting your cage and your guinea pigs!

 

[N&S]

Thanks very much for the links piggieowner I will have a look.

Thank you to Rachsan that's great I will check them out