I find it hard and sad for rescues

[Salt n Peppers mum]

I think that availability just to go out and ‘rescue’ per say, a pig is very desirable. To think you can help, rehabilitate a piggie can be very luring (is that the right word?) and the availability to pick it up say whenever you please it very tempting too. I also think nowadays we live in a consumer based society, whereby when we want something we get it instantly (ie internet for example, new clothing item -shop online/24hour stores/ shopping experience) and the same goes for our pets. We can pick up a new pig tomorrow, or this afternoon if we wanted too. Simple, quick and we get what we want. I'm not saying this is right or wrong, but i think this is the world we live in today. Anyways back to my point....

Now where I live the only rescues are either RSPCA Great Ayton (30-40 min drive away) or North East Guinea Pig Rescue (hour drive away). I don’t meet the NEGPR requirements to rehome from them as I keep my animals outdoors and don’t have heating or eleccy in my shed.

I find the accessibility of rescues in my area very limited, I need to plan in advance to get there where if i was going to a pet shop its very easy to walk the ten minutes down the road and purchase a new pig.

When I rehomed Percy-Roo, I rehomed him from an independent home run rescue and I wanted a month to rehome him, and drove a three and a half hour round journey to get him (Middlesbrough to leeds). If I had the money and time I’d do this again.

I also find as an outdoor owner I am viewed (not in this community) but on some online forums and communities as a ‘bad owner’ for keeping them outside. Some online communities have made me feel like I should give up my boys as they are not kept indoors. Therefore I think rescues will consider the same view, and see me as a terrible owner for keeping my boys outside/ outdoors. I think this negativity towards keeping guinea pigs outdoors does need to be readdressed as some owners do amazing jobs and go to such lengths to provide their outdoor raised animals in healthy, warm and stimulating environments.

I think I've gone off topic....nevermind!

The fact that it is easy to obtain anything quickly and is now the norm is a lot of the reason so many animals are disregarded once they are finished with... the impulse buy... not thinking it through, which for the majority of people that go to a rescue or to extra lengths to find the right animal for them are the ones that have thought it through, and hopefully have a better chance of a forever home.

Accessibility to good reputable rescue is another big hurdle, some have to shut down because lack of funds or because it has become so emotionally draining – but for any new members that may not be aware of some of the smaller Rescues please do check out the Guinea pig rehome website where there is a list – although I’m not sure how up to date it is.

When it comes to looking at outdoor winter homes, it’s a hard one, and I’ll try to explain my point of view. My foster piggies are indoors during the night and in the winter so I wouldn’t rehome one of mine in December to live in an unheated hutch – it would be a big shock to his system.
So here goes -
As a rescue we see some very sorry sights and hear so many sad stories at winter time with Guinea Pigs freezing to death in a cold hutch. Not everyone, I’m afraid are as conscientious as you, or indeed other very dedicated owners when it comes to going to check on the piggies in hail sleet or snow. In fact you and some other forum members that are so obviously slave to your piggies are in a minority.
So from a Rescue point of view we have to look at what best for the welfare of the animal - Bearing in mind that piggies don’t make a winter coat like rabbits can. And then there is thinking about exercise for the pigs that live in a hutch over the winter, to bringing them into the house for exercise then to take them back out again into the cold is very bad for piggies to adapt to and can often cause respiratory infections – with these things in mind the ‘blanket’ policy of indoor winter or heated shed etc. is implemented. This said I would like to think that I could look at individual homes like yours Laura, and see that your piggies have exercise in a shed, in a stimulating environment with plenty of snuggle cosies, hay etc. etc. And of course you have built up relationships with members of the forum and rescues – and I have no doubt that any piggy would be in a 5* home with you!
So winter housing can be a difficult one for rescues who are wanting to ensure the welfare needs are being met in the winter as well.

 

[WillowDragon]

My pig are housed outside, always have been.

In winter the hutches get extra huts, foil insulation is placed around the outside and covers are put over, but only when the weather is bad.
They also get warm bran mash.

Pigs can cope with the cold very well... better in fact, than they cope with the heat. I worry more about my animals in summer than i do in winter.

 

[Little Pig]

This is a really interesting thread...

Confessions out of the way first: I bought Little Pig and his brother from a farm shop. At the time, it hadn't even occurred to me that I could get a guinea pig from a rescue and actually hadn't really thought much about it until I joined this site recently.

From this site, I can now appreciate the benefits of getting a pig from a rescue, so I agree with all the other comments that education is key. However, it seems to me like most people join this site after (and not before) they have a guinea pig? For me, I stumbled across the forum when I was researching Little Pig's health problems...

From the other posts, it seems like the home checks and adoption rules are the biggest bone of contention. For me, I would have no problem with a home check. The only thing that would possibly concern me is that I am a woman and I live alone, so letting a stranger in my house is slightly out of my comfort zone. But if the home-checker was also female, I probably wouldn't worry about it, and if male, I could always ask a friend to be there too. As I am looking for a rescue pig right now (to live with my 3 year old unneutered boar) I have recently read a lot of rescue's rules/guidelines and personally found them useful.

I have so far had mixed experiences with the rescues I have contacted. Most have been lovely - one lady, who didn't have any young boys, spent a long time chatting with me on the phone and was friendly and really helpful - others have recommended other local rescues to me and just generally been nice. However, one was fairly dismissive as soon as they heard I wasn't trying to adopt two - I got the distinct impression that she thought I was a breeder as I haven't had my boy castrated. Perhaps it was my fault for not being clear enough though as I do get a bit nervous on the phone!

 

[NatalieMT]

As I've said in the past, I got my pair of texels from a breeder. I think that's kind of obvious though. I just wanted to own a texel, any texel I wasn't fussed and at the time I couldn't find any in rescue and believe me I was prepared to wait and/or travel. Was it a mistake, no because I have two beautiful babies, could I have been less picky over specific coat type ofcourse. To me there is a vast difference in people who will wait over a year for a particular guinea pig as opposed to those who are purely looking for pets. People who will wait over a year are clearly looking for an animal that is physically what they consider 'perfect' rather than something for their children to cuddle.

In trying to up the number of guinea pigs being rehomed from rescue you're not trying to target those who are looking for 'perfect' stock, they aren't going to be converted. Breeders swapping stock is a whole other circle. It's those who simply think it's too difficult or too long winded that need convincing it's not.

Also you really don't have to live in a mansion. I live in a 4 bedroom semi, I have a garden but not an awful lot of it is lawn, I'm not overly well off but what I do have is time and love to give. I went to Walsall RSPCA along with many other people in this thread and I'd absolutely do it again if/when the time comes and I have space. It was a lot more exciting getting Ed because there was more of a build up to him coming home. Pickle had been living on her own for quite a while before we got Ed and they took to each other instantly and I can totally see why Walsall prefer to rehome a neutered male to live with a group of females. Bonding males is very hit or miss and I wouldn't like to get a guinea pig neutered myself so it was the perfect option. Pickle and Ed are absolutely smitten though. I think we calculated we are approx Ed's 5th home, I'm really glad he's settled here for the past few months, has a wonderful companion and seems happy and chirpy now. His coat has come on so much and my Mum says he just looks glossy. To me that's far more rewarding than popping off to P@H to get the first moving thing I see. I wish more people could see that by rehoming an unwanted animal you're giving it the chance to live out the rest of its life somewhere that is finally considered secure and comfortable.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I can honestly say that Joanne at Milhaven is wonderful, such a dedicated person who really cares about the piggies she rescues Unfortunately it is a long trip for us, over 6 hours round trip & I am not talking motorways I wish we were nearer, I've no doubt we would have had a pair from there by now.

It's not that I don't want to rescue, I do, except :

1) We live too far away to get to a reputable one, there are too many calling themselves "Rescues" when they clearly aren't, the only ones we would trust are the ones on here
2) We really don't want an elderly piggy for selfish reasons, we have just lost one aged 7, & don't want to be digging another hole in the garden just yet
3) We are kind of slightly wary of any health issues with piggies that we know nothing about their medical history (if they were rescued as adults)
4) We have a huge soft spot for Rex piggies because we have had 2 in the past & these rarely come into rescues (well females anyway)
5) Would like to meet any prospective piggies to see if we like them & them like us that rules out piggy trains really as supposing they didn't like us etc when we got them?
6 ) Would be quite happy to make donations & have home checks done

So it's not impatience that can make someone like myself "bypass" Rescues, I think we have pretty good reasons to look elsewhere (reluctantly) because we adore them as pets & we feel we can offer a very good home that is loving & caring. I spent 3 days crying solid when Poppy died this year 7 years is a long time to have a pet & it takes time to adjust after losing one that was so much part of the family.

 

[piggyme234]

My only problem rehoming from rescues is that one of my sows, Poppy, is very particular about her friends. I find it difficult to find any sows of the correct age and temperament within a sensible distance and Poppy doesn't travel well. I always try to find rescues first but have ended up with three freead piggies as they were the only suitable pigs available after several months of enquires. I am again on the look out for piggies after loosing Daisy in July but no luck yet. I would love to get any further piggies from a rescue so fingers crossed.

 

[AudioHeart]

The fact that it is easy to obtain anything quickly and is now the norm is a lot of the reason so many animals are disregarded once they are finished with... the impulse buy... not thinking it through, which for the majority of people that go to a rescue or to extra lengths to find the right animal for them are the ones that have thought it through, and hopefully have a better chance of a forever home.

Here here! I completely agree, impulse buying has become the norm and it's very sad to see. Take a look at any 'second hand' site/ newspaper and the list of unwanted pets is beyond belief, and the rescues are full up too. Not to mention the amount of abandoned pets too. Just awful, and its a never ending cycle too.

I just hope with the brilliant work the rescues are putting in, the TV shows like Animal 24/7 etc will make more and more people/public aware of the commitments of owning an animal, and whats involved in keeping them happy, healthy and alive. I do think publicity is the way forward.

Accessibility to good reputable rescue is another big hurdle, some have to shut down because lack of funds or because it has become so emotionally draining – but for any new members that may not be aware of some of the smaller Rescues please do check out the Guinea pig rehome website where there is a list – although I’m not sure how up to date it is.

Another point which makes me sad, I do think there should be more access to funding through local lottery projects/ council/ government funds for rescues or any organisation to be honest. Not only will it keep animals from being kept in unhealthy environments and being dumped on the streets/ overflowing rescues but rescues would be able to 'stay afloat' knowing they have funding there to support them.

When it comes to looking at outdoor winter homes, it’s a hard one, and I’ll try to explain my point of view. My foster piggies are indoors during the night and in the winter so I wouldn’t rehome one of mine in December to live in an unheated hutch – it would be a big shock to his system.
So here goes -
As a rescue we see some very sorry sights and hear so many sad stories at winter time with Guinea Pigs freezing to death in a cold hutch. Not everyone, I’m afraid are as conscientious as you, or indeed other very dedicated owners when it comes to going to check on the piggies in hail sleet or snow. In fact you and some other forum members that are so obviously slave to your piggies are in a minority.
So from a Rescue point of view we have to look at what best for the welfare of the animal - Bearing in mind that piggies don’t make a winter coat like rabbits can. And then there is thinking about exercise for the pigs that live in a hutch over the winter, to bringing them into the house for exercise then to take them back out again into the cold is very bad for piggies to adapt to and can often cause respiratory infections – with these things in mind the ‘blanket’ policy of indoor winter or heated shed etc. is implemented. This said I would like to think that I could look at individual homes like yours Laura, and see that your piggies have exercise in a shed, in a stimulating environment with plenty of snuggle cosies, hay etc. etc. And of course you have built up relationships with members of the forum and rescues – and I have no doubt that any piggy would be in a 5* home with you!
So winter housing can be a difficult one for rescues who are wanting to ensure the welfare needs are being met in the winter as well.

I completely agree with what you have put above, the animals welfare comes before my own wants and needs, and thats how it should be.

I just personally think rescues should state in their rescue requirements that everyone will be considered and accessed fairly, i think (personally please don't be offended) anyone with an excellent outdoor home could potentially be put off applying due to the fact that the rescue states that they only rehome to indoor homes only. I know of friends and family who have rejected going to a rescue as on their webpages of they state in big bold letters 'indoor homes only', and have told me that they probably wont even be replied too.

I think it is a tricky subject though indoor/outdoor housing hmmmm.....

 

[first_time_piggie_mum]

I am an animal loving, caring, attentive piggie mum....
My house is clean and tidy
I have the funds to provide suitable housing, food and vet care
I am relatively experienced
My piggies would have at least 5 hours a day of floor time inside
I have a whole lot of love to give to piggies

BUT

I have no grass in my garden...So if I wanted to home from a rescue would this be picked up on a home check? I bet it would, even though I went out a few days a week to pick grass for Rodney, I reckon I would be denied just because I dont have grass.

Or not?

If you are a rescue please let me know, would this one point go against me if I wanted to home a resuce pair?

I know that in a month or so it wont be an issue because I'm moving to a house with a grassy garden, but I do wonder if I was to apply now would I have a problem

 

[x-vic-x]

I am an animal loving, caring, attentive piggie mum....
My house is clean and tidy
I have the funds to provide suitable housing, food and vet care
I am relatively experienced
My piggies would have at least 5 hours a day of floor time inside
I have a whole lot of love to give to piggies

BUT

I have no grass in my garden...So if I wanted to home from a rescue would this be picked up on a home check? I bet it would, even though I went out a few days a week to pick grass for Rodney, I reckon I would be denied just because I dont have grass.

Or not?

If you are a rescue please let me know, would this one point go against me if I wanted to home a resuce pair?

I know that in a month or so it wont be an issue because I'm moving to a house with a grassy garden, but I do wonder if I was to apply now would I have a problem

It wouldn't be an issue for me at all, I would want to see that they had an exercise area so either a run outside or in (a secure room inside is fine). Grass isn't an essential part of their diet so it isn't important. We have rehomed a number of piggies to flats where they will never have any grass.

 

[x-vic-x]

As I've said in the past, I got my pair of texels from a breeder. I think that's kind of obvious though. I just wanted to own a texel, any texel I wasn't fussed and at the time I couldn't find any in rescue and believe me I was prepared to wait and/or travel. Was it a mistake, no because I have two beautiful babies, could I have been less picky over specific coat type ofcourse. To me there is a vast difference in people who will wait over a year for a particular guinea pig as opposed to those who are purely looking for pets. People who will wait over a year are clearly looking for an animal that is physically what they consider 'perfect' rather than something for their children to cuddle.

In trying to up the number of guinea pigs being rehomed from rescue you're not trying to target those who are looking for 'perfect' stock, they aren't going to be converted. Breeders swapping stock is a whole other circle. It's those who simply think it's too difficult or too long winded that need convincing it's not.

Also you really don't have to live in a mansion. I live in a 4 bedroom semi, I have a garden but not an awful lot of it is lawn, I'm not overly well off but what I do have is time and love to give. I went to Walsall RSPCA along with many other people in this thread and I'd absolutely do it again if/when the time comes and I have space. It was a lot more exciting getting Ed because there was more of a build up to him coming home. Pickle had been living on her own for quite a while before we got Ed and they took to each other instantly and I can totally see why Walsall prefer to rehome a neutered male to live with a group of females. Bonding males is very hit or miss and I wouldn't like to get a guinea pig neutered myself so it was the perfect option. Pickle and Ed are absolutely smitten though. I think we calculated we are approx Ed's 5th home, I'm really glad he's settled here for the past few months, has a wonderful companion and seems happy and chirpy now. His coat has come on so much and my Mum says he just looks glossy. To me that's far more rewarding than popping off to P@H to get the first moving thing I see. I wish more people could see that by rehoming an unwanted animal you're giving it the chance to live out the rest of its life somewhere that is finally considered secure and comfortable.

I think that is very important, also you are allowing another piggy the chance of a kind, caring forever home too. Rescues can't keep taking piggies in, people also have to think of the ones we turn away as we have no space for them. I dread to think what happens to those ones.

 

[Poppy'sMum]

I am an animal loving, caring, attentive piggie mum....
My house is clean and tidy
I have the funds to provide suitable housing, food and vet care
I am relatively experienced
My piggies would have at least 5 hours a day of floor time inside
I have a whole lot of love to give to piggies

BUT

I have no grass in my garden...So if I wanted to home from a rescue would this be picked up on a home check? I bet it would, even though I went out a few days a week to pick grass for Rodney, I reckon I would be denied just because I dont have grass.

Or not?

If you are a rescue please let me know, would this one point go against me if I wanted to home a resuce pair?

I know that in a month or so it wont be an issue because I'm moving to a house with a grassy garden, but I do wonder if I was to apply now would I have a problem

Just don't apply to Wood Green Animal Shelter

 

[lolseh]

My pig are housed outside, always have been.

In winter the hutches get extra huts, foil insulation is placed around the outside and covers are put over, but only when the weather is bad.
They also get warm bran mash.

Pigs can cope with the cold very well... better in fact, than they cope with the heat. I worry more about my animals in summer than i do in winter.

With himis then if you want them to keep their points they need to be kept somewhere cold. So I wonder if they can cope with the cold better than other pigs.. Never thought of that before!

I have an alpaca that has never had a hair cut but he is too spoilt and would go nuts if I put him outside. I know alot of people who keep their pigs in sheds and it works for them and I am thinking of doing it next year when I expend the amount of pigs I have but I do like walking into my bedroom and 16 pairs of eyes look at me. Then there is the 2 in the living room and 4 in mum's room... I'll stop counting there

 

[ghostbusterbunny]

When it comes to looking at outdoor winter homes, it’s a hard one, and I’ll try to explain my point of view. My foster piggies are indoors during the night and in the winter so I wouldn’t rehome one of mine in December to live in an unheated hutch – it would be a big shock to his system.
So here goes -
As a rescue we see some very sorry sights and hear so many sad stories at winter time with Guinea Pigs freezing to death in a cold hutch. Not everyone, I’m afraid are as conscientious as you, or indeed other very dedicated owners when it comes to going to check on the piggies in hail sleet or snow. In fact you and some other forum members that are so obviously slave to your piggies are in a minority.
So from a Rescue point of view we have to look at what best for the welfare of the animal - Bearing in mind that piggies don’t make a winter coat like rabbits can. And then there is thinking about exercise for the pigs that live in a hutch over the winter, to bringing them into the house for exercise then to take them back out again into the cold is very bad for piggies to adapt to and can often cause respiratory infections – with these things in mind the ‘blanket’ policy of indoor winter or heated shed etc. is implemented. This said I would like to think that I could look at individual homes like yours Laura, and see that your piggies have exercise in a shed, in a stimulating environment with plenty of snuggle cosies, hay etc. etc. And of course you have built up relationships with members of the forum and rescues – and I have no doubt that any piggy would be in a 5* home with you!
So winter housing can be a difficult one for rescues who are wanting to ensure the welfare needs are being met in the winter as well.

I definitely agree with what you're saying! I just think that some rescues could be more open to rehoming to outdoor homes. I'd agree to more questions, more inspection as to what it is that I do and I'm sure that others wanting to rehome who were outdoor owners would be exactly the same! Obviously rehoming in winter to an outdoor home is a no no, that's totally understandable! I got my first pair from Milhaven in April and had the weather deteriorated again the piggies would have been moved straight back to the garage to prevent a shock to their system.

I think that there could be more openness to rehoming to an outdoor home depending on the circumstances - time of year, what would happen if the weather turned nasty, can they be moved somewhere warmer or sheltered if necessary - rather than a flat refusal without looking at the circumstances which happens more often than not.

 

[Sodapops]

It's not that I don't want to rescue, I do, except :

1) We live too far away to get to a reputable one, there are too many calling themselves "Rescues" when they clearly aren't, the only ones we would trust are the ones on here
2) We really don't want an elderly piggy for selfish reasons, we have just lost one aged 7, & don't want to be digging another hole in the garden just yet
3) We are kind of slightly wary of any health issues with piggies that we know nothing about their medical history (if they were rescued as adults)
4) We have a huge soft spot for Rex piggies because we have had 2 in the past & these rarely come into rescues (well females anyway)
5) Would like to meet any prospective piggies to see if we like them & them like us that rules out piggy trains really as supposing they didn't like us etc when we got them?
6 ) Would be quite happy to make donations & have home checks done

1) Distance - i can relate to that and 100% agree with you

2) Wexford was 10wks old when he came in to Vicky's care - his adoption pack put's him at 18wks old when we bought him home - not ready for the scrap heap just yet At the time we picked Wexford up one of Vicky's other residents had recently just given birth to two females (one of which i know was rehomed by a member of this forum)

3) Wexford had a vet checkup when he arrived at the rescue and was assessed before/after he had his neutering op. I know it's slightly more difficult to know the full medical history of say a 2yr old who's been simply handed in - but i always assumed all rescue pigs were fully vet checked several times before going off to their new homes - one of the other reasons why i thought the adoption process was slightly longer - so any health issues could be found out and dealt with/managed and the new owner would be made fully aware of this.

4) Again i 100% agree - it's difficult when you have a great love for a particular breed/type and if these rarely come in to rescue i can see why other options would be looked upon - my local pet shop only ever has crested/smooth coats in for sale - ive only ever seen a bunch of peruvians once!

5) I always thought people thought the same as me when it came to their pigs - that their home is the best My pigs in particular don't like/dislike anyone - they know my partner as the 'grass-man' and will wheek as loud as they can if he goes near the patio doors. Both me and my daughter are known as the yum-yums people and they will scream at us everytime we come from out the kitchen. I bet a few pieces of pepper would help form a strong 'bond'. From a 'you not liking them' point of view - maybe you just haven't seen a picture of the perfect pig for you yet! I think you'll know when you see him/her as there will not be any doubt in your mind that you'll love them and they'll love you

I have no grass in my garden...So if I wanted to home from a rescue would this be picked up on a home check? I bet it would, even though I went out a few days a week to pick grass for Rodney, I reckon I would be denied just because I dont have grass.

Although pigs LOVE grass i didn't think it was an integral part of their daily diet - so couldn't see why that would fail you (if it did it would be a pretty silly reason) - When i adopted Wexford he had never eaten grass - so as far as i know (with Walsall RSPCA) having a grassed area is not a requirement (well it wasn't when i adopted from them)

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

I think that is very important, also you are allowing another piggy the chance of a kind, caring forever home too. Rescues can't keep taking piggies in, people also have to think of the ones we turn away as we have no space for them. I dread to think what happens to those ones.

That was my opening post - if piggies dont get rehomed and are left months and months in rescue then there isnt any room to take in more homeless piggies that need our help.

This thread has been very interesting for me - I hope you all dont think I am 'stuck up' for wanting the best home I can get for the foster piggies in my care - I'm just an ordinary person, I left my job to dedicate all my time to the animals (and my family, mustnt forget them ) We dont get any money from the goverment it all comes from people donating not only money but their own time, love and favours.

Yes I'm very passionate about all animals, but Guinea pigs are very close to my heart as I had them as a child, and they are also sadly a disposable pet and do get a raw deal when it comes to finding a good forever home.
So I'm fighting my corner for them

 

[Poppy'sMum]

Thanks Sodapops I don't feel such an oddbod now lol

As for grass, our second pair rarely went on the grass as I kind of got a bit paranoid after we lost the first pair that it could have been down to our grass, we live next to farmland & we were really worried that they died because the farmer may have been spraying his crops when we were out at work, either when they were in their hutch or they ate the grass & it was contaminated. Probably neither happened, we were just unlucky they died within a couple of weeks of each other.

Some rescues/animal shelters insist their piggies must have access to a run on the grass.

We can't help loving Rexes they have such a lovely nature (they are well known for being laid back) & their chubby faces And yes I think that you know when you find that "special" piggy

 

[Lizzie]

For those of you who run rescues...do you not think you're promoting a 'throw away society' by taking in unwanted animals? ie. parents buy kid a rabbit, kid gets bored of rabbit...but it's ok, because after they've left it in the garden for 6 months unloved and unwanted they can always take it to a rescue who will find it a new home.
In a round-about way you're also promoting pet shops selling animals - as they know any they sell will always have a home...and also breeders.

I have seen several times, not just on this forum, where someone has been contacted by a breeder who is over-run with animals...they take some away, but 6 months down the road the breeder has the same problem...and at that point the person goes 'no, you have to deal with your own mess now' because they know that if they 'help' them again then they'll just be stuck in the same position another 6 months down the line.

Surely information is better than providing these people with an outlet for unwanted, unloved animals!?

 

[pollekeskisses]

For those of you who run rescues...do you not think you're promoting a 'throw away society' by taking in unwanted animals? ie. parents buy kid a rabbit, kid gets bored of rabbit...but it's ok, because after they've left it in the garden for 6 months unloved and unwanted they can always take it to a rescue who will find it a new home.
In a round-about way you're also promoting pet shops selling animals - as they know any they sell will always have a home...and also breeders.

I have seen several times, not just on this forum, where someone has been contacted by a breeder who is over-run with animals...they take some away, but 6 months down the road the breeder has the same problem...and at that point the person goes 'no, you have to deal with your own mess now' because they know that if they 'help' them again then they'll just be stuck in the same position another 6 months down the line.

Surely information is better than providing these people with an outlet for unwanted, unloved animals!?

I couldn't agree more. Unfortunatly I know of cases where overrun breeders have litterly 'got rid of stock', and claimed when asked they died of natural causes.

It overal just saddens me how we deal with animals. I'm trying to educate my neighbours children on bunny care. I tried it the kind way, the hard way (RSPCA visit and all) and now I'm doing it the sneaky way. If I have something left over, a bag of hay or whatever I give it to them, and they give it to the bunny. Later they say "thank you, he was so happy with it" and I explain he needs it daily etc. It's a long road to go, but slowly I'm making progress.


Also, I know that most people aren't willing to wait that long for a shelter pet let along a breeder pet. But I think that's also because many people will break policies at same point, and say breed that shelter pet when they weren't allowed to. Yup it happens more often then we think. So what's easier? Go to the petstore, get an little ill, weak thing, and hope it lives longer then 2 years without too much expenses.

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

For those of you who run rescues...do you not think you're promoting a 'throw away society' by taking in unwanted animals? ie. parents buy kid a rabbit, kid gets bored of rabbit...but it's ok, because after they've left it in the garden for 6 months unloved and unwanted they can always take it to a rescue who will find it a new home.
In a round-about way you're also promoting pet shops selling animals - as they know any they sell will always have a home...and also breeders.

I have seen several times, not just on this forum, where someone has been contacted by a breeder who is over-run with animals...they take some away, but 6 months down the road the breeder has the same problem...and at that point the person goes 'no, you have to deal with your own mess now' because they know that if they 'help' them again then they'll just be stuck in the same position another 6 months down the line.

Surely information is better than providing these people with an outlet for unwanted, unloved animals!?

What !


Your post doesn’t give any logic?
So, let me get this right, are you saying rescues are promoting a throw away society and therefore if rescues didnt take animals in then the owners would have nowhere to take their animals once they’ve had enough of them?

Most of my foster piggies have been picked up roaming the street, in fact 99% have been dumped or cruelty cases, my latest Tyko piggy wrapped in cling film and stuffed in a cereal box.
The family didnt care if Tyko died or Kevin and Perry or Minty and Pepe they were left to die, they didnt knock on the door of the rescue.

If you are saying educate families before they ‘dispose’ of them – then yes…. That is the whole point of a good rescue, to educate and promote good animal ownership. I have printed up my own info leaflets as well as Laura's leaflets from the 'Guinea Pig helpline' we want to educate everyone but sadly some people are not so kind to animals.
Should we not have child foster carers then because that encourages families not look after their children properly?

 

[Lizzie]

Child Services do work with parents to teach them how to care for their child properly...so...

My post does have logic to it...some resucers...not you specifically...refuse to help certain types of people as they see it as 'you've made your bed now lie in it', if you keep taking the animals away from them, they're just going to be replaced - which doesn't really help the issue...surely in those circumstances it is better to TEACH the person the correct care required for the animals, rather than to just keep taking them away and then getting annoyed with said person when you go back again x months later.

Rather than standing there with arms wide open saying 'it's fine, I'll take your animals' - why not say 'well, why do you want to rehome the animals? and maybe if we work together, you can keep them and they'll have a better life'....obviously I'm not saying that dumped animals can really be offered this opportunity, as it's a bit late by that point.

But by teaching the general populace how to treat their animals correctly will lead to less animals in rescues, less animals who need to be rehomed, and then you won't have as much of a problem rehoming the ones you have. There are always going to be idiots who don't care, so not much you can do about those

I suppose in a roundabout way, I'm saying...maybe you should close your doors to those who hand over willingly, but offer advice, and only take in those who are dumped or very seriously, life-threateningly abused.

 

[youthnovels]

Child Services do work with parents to teach them how to care for their child properly...so...

My post does have logic to it...some resucers...not you specifically...refuse to help certain types of people as they see it as 'you've made your bed now lie in it', if you keep taking the animals away from them, they're just going to be replaced - which doesn't really help the issue...surely in those circumstances it is better to TEACH the person the correct care required for the animals, rather than to just keep taking them away and then getting annoyed with said person when you go back again x months later.

Rather than standing there with arms wide open saying 'it's fine, I'll take your animals' - why not say 'well, why do you want to rehome the animals? and maybe if we work together, you can keep them and they'll have a better life'....obviously I'm not saying that dumped animals can really be offered this opportunity, as it's a bit late by that point.

But by teaching the general populace how to treat their animals correctly will lead to less animals in rescues, less animals who need to be rehomed, and then you won't have as much of a problem rehoming the ones you have. There are always going to be idiots who don't care, so not much you can do about those

I see your point but it is flawed in the sense that if someone wants to get rid of an animal, they obviously don't care for it. Now I'm not making a sweeping statement that everyone who wants to rehome an animal doesn't care if any harm comes to it or not, but some people won't care. If a rescue won't take it off them, they may just let it run off into the wild or stop feeding it etc etc.

Surely that would do more harm than good, at least in rescue we know the animals are hopefully being cared for properly.

 

[Lizzie]

I see your point but it is flawed in the sense that if someone wants to get rid of an animal, they obviously don't care for it. Now I'm not making a sweeping statement that everyone who wants to rehome an animal doesn't care if any harm comes to it or not, but some people won't care. If a rescue won't take it off them, they may just let it run off into the wild or stop feeding it etc etc.

Surely that would do more harm than good, at least in rescue we know the animals are hopefully being cared for properly.

true, if they are determined to get rid of the animal then they will, and no amount of cajoling or information is going to help that...

 

[Bailey]

If you read this story http://www.thisisgrimsby.co.uk/Cat-hater-killed-pair-kittens/story-13304126-detail/story.html
I think it shows why it is important for rescues to take in animals where they can - I know this was under different circumstances but look at the "punishment" he got for killing these poor kittens.
If rescues can't help, then people may look to "dispose" of their pets in other ways.

 

[Lizzie]

but that story has nothing to do with rescues...it's just a story about a total idiot who thought it was funny to do something so disgusting...and like I said earlier, you will always have people like that around.

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

I suppose in a roundabout way, I'm saying...maybe you should close your doors to those who hand over willingly, but offer advice, and only take in those who are dumped or very seriously, life-threateningly abused.

In the last year Lizzie, I havnt taken in one piggy from anyone that has knocked on my door handing it over. Every single piggy that we have rescued (and rabbits) have been neglected, left in a hutch when owners have moved house, dumped or found abused.

Going back my favourite word from my posts yesterday EDUCATION
Education is paramount - Education and help from rescues, Education and help from breedrer, education and help from petshops and Education and help from animal welfare organisations.
That is the only thing that is going to make people understand and be aware.

That is what this is all about, and what this forum is all about.

We all need to sing from the same hymn sheet and promote good care of animals, then thankfully the animals who have no voice but ours might have better life.

 

[Lizzie]

Going back my favourite word from my posts yesterday EDUCATION
Education is paramount - Education and help from rescues, Education and help from breedrer, education and help from petshops and Education and help from animal welfare organisations.
That is the only thing that is going to make people understand and be aware.

That is what this is all about, and what this forum is all about.

We all need to sing from the same hymn sheet and promote good care of animals, then thankfully the animals who have no voice but ours might have better life.

Don't get me wrong, the amount of work rescues and rescuers put in is amazing, and you do deserve a good pat on the back for all the good you do. So I'm not rescue-bashing or anything.

But it's true...education is the whole point...unfortunately as we are all too aware petshops do not give out the correct level of information...there's a thread in your pregnancy & labour section at the moment about a female pig who the shop owner said couldn't get pregnant at 4 months old. I don't think anyone should breed unless they've done an appropriate amount of research and are only looking to better the breed, as it were, rather than breeding to sell - which is total pointless.

The level of ignorance when it comes to guinea pigs is just phenomenal. :{

 

[Heidi]

Its a sad fact as we all know, the problem with people getting bored of their animals, lies in the fact that pet shops are not informing people properly. You can walk into a pet shop say you want a guinea pig and you will be told you need a hutch, food, bedding etc...and that will be £x thank you very much. Then off you go, they never tell you want needs to be done long term, they just set you up. People assume that the hutch they brought with the animal at the pet shop is an acceptable size, it wouldnt even cross most peoples minds that its too small. Pet shops also sell baby animals which of course are more desirable because of the cuteness factor! they forget that their new baby pet will be fully grown in such a short time, making the new hutch seem a lot smaller. I think people get rid of the animal because they dont want the expense of having to buy a much bigger hutch for a pet that the child that has already lost interest. Its a much simpler option to just get rid of the problem. Like Salt n Peppers mum says its a case of education in the first instance, if you can educate people before they get a pet of what they are signing up for the knock on effect would hopefully see less animals in need of rescue. In theory anyway.....

 

[scpiggy]

I've had some very lovely pets from rescues as I was growing up and my first piggy was bought from a breeder. But after we adopted my dog from a rescue 9 years ago my family became more aware that rescues did exist and while I wouldnt change the pets I bought from a pet shop for anything I would never go back to buying them from pet shops. Luckily all my pigs I've rescued since have had good backgrounds. Pumpkin and Munchkin were bought in after their owner died. Sookie was a bought as a friend for another female who turned out not to be a female and was given up when her owner didnt have the space or knowledge for a pregnant pig. Sherbert is Sookie's baby from that pregnancy. The girl I've just adopted, Rio, came from a home where the owner mis-sexed and got too over-run but she was in a good condition.
But coming on here I see so many rescues coming in that have been in terrible conditions and would not have survived if it wasn't for the rescues. I have so much respect for people that run the rescues and help foster as I dont think I could put up with the heartbreak of seeing so many neglected guineas and then having to part with them when they go off to their forever home. And the annoyance of having people turn down beautiful piggies because they;re not "pretty" enough. I'm always trying to think of ways to expand my cage so I can rescue more and would never even consider buying from a pet shop again. When I go into pet shops to buy my girls food I always feel sorry for the little guys in there but buying them would just make way for more breeding and more piggies in rescues not finding a loving home when they deserve it.

 

[scpiggy]

I suppose in a roundabout way, I'm saying...maybe you should close your doors to those who hand over willingly, but offer advice, and only take in those who are dumped or very seriously, life-threateningly abused.

My sister used to volunteer at the RSPCA who have this policy. She'd see rabbits and guinea pigs being bought in who were suffering but because the owners were handing them over they wouldnt be taken in. One time my sister had to turn down a rabbit who was going to be fed to her bfs snake if the rescue didn't take it. This system is more promoting animal cruelty it as people are more likely to dump, abuse or dispose of pets as they wont be taken by a rescue.

 

[Bailey]

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