Just My Opinion

[Goldie]

Hi. I have been a member of this forum for one month now. I have enjoyed reading the postings, receiving advice, giving advice and joining in the banter. I have owned guinea pigs for 17 years, so I feel that I know quite abit about them.

Back in 1991 I bought, what I was assured were, two boars from my local petshop for my two daughters. Had a lovely new hutch ready and we were all very excited about welcoming them into our family home. I wasn't allowed any animal like this when I was a child. I had tortoises, goldfish, budgies and ultimately a dog, but never allowed anything small and furry!
I bought lots of books and read up prior to getting the piggies and we, as a family, were really excited. My husband made the hutch, bless him!

Anyway from that day in 1991 when I bought my two little baby boars home, I fell in love with guinea pigs and it has been a passion ever since for me and my family.
My two new baby boars were great ... but guess what? You guessed it, I didn't have two boars, I had a boar and a sow! :o I couldn't understand why they were behaving the way they were, I was unable to sex them myself and it was only by tracking down a local guinea pig club who had shows in my area, was I able to take them to a club member to ask her advice. Don't forget, we didn't have internet or forums in those days. Well anyway, this kind and informative lady, told me the news that I had a boar and sow. And yes again, you guessed it, the sow was pregnant.

I just wish I could have logged onto a forum and asked advice as to why one of my piggies was growling at the other, strutting around and wiggling his bum. I thought it was aggression and I was keen not to have the other one hurt. I also wished that I could have logged onto a forum when the babies were due to ask advice. This was not an intentional pregnancy, just me as a mum buying two piggies for her daughters so that they could learn to care for, respect and love animals.

But I have to say tonight that I feel very saddened by a thread that I have read recently, posted on and have just re-read which has now been locked.

It was the thread by Kerrispiggies entitled "Pregnancy help please asap". A recent new member, Kerripiggies did not say whether or not it was an intentional pregnancy. I responded to that thread with my advice for the welfare of the pregnant sow and the sow's well-being. I have just read the responses and I have to say I am shocked.
When I joined this forum I personally had no idea that it was just a pro-rescue forum. I thought it was a forum to discuss piggies, ask advice and offer advice. Obviously we all love our piggies, or we would not take the time to sit and post on here.

As I have said above, I have had baby piggies and also I have taken my piggies to pet shows. My daughters loved it. I am not ashamed of that fact. We were proud that our piggies won so many awards in the pet section for their health, happiness and how well we obviously cared for them. We have Crufts, so why not piggy shows? If you have a rescued piggy that was on the brink of death with skin problems and under-fed, why not when you have nursed it back to health can you not take it to a show and say "hey, look at this beauty?" and be proud of what you have achieved for the happiness of this animal. I know that there are people that breed piggies for money, but that is the same in any animal community. But it is the caring of animals that brings this forum and others like it together. I think we just need to educate people that join this forum, not slat them as some members are just youngsters. Just educate them!

Sorry but this is just my opinion. I am not an aggressive person, but just an animal lover and I think anyone who truly loves animals and cares for them, is a good person.
If this thread gets slatted or locked, then so be it. I have not intended to upset any members as that it is not me. But I just think perhaps this forum should be entitled "guinea-rescue forum" because when new members ask advice, I am sure they do not mean to offend any member. Perhaps the forum name doesn't portray the purpose of this forum. Sorry xx :'(

 

[MemberX]

Hiya,

It was intentional as she said it had been 70 odd days since been putting with a boar. The forum can't have one rule for one person and another for another even if help is needed. If you are asking questions once you have purposely put your sow and boar together then you shouldn't be breeding full stop.

Show pigs have standards to follow, my opinion is that it is cruel but thats not for here as we can't discuss it.

As you say this forum is rescue friendly and to me that means helping animals in rescues not adding to the population that already is over run. There are plenty of forums for breeding and showing. I feel if this forum allowed that sort of chat then it would take away from the rescue side of things and the morals of the forum would go out the window.

I'm not an aggressive person either but as I was one of the people who responded to the original thread I felt I had to make my opinions clear.

Louise

 

[daftscotslass]

This forum is sister site to www.guineapigrehome.org.uk.

People are told when registering to familiarise themselves with the rules and if they don't like it then they obviously aren't obliged to continue the process. The rules on breeding and showing are clearly there for all to see so there should be no surprises when a thread is closed when someone comes along looking for breeding how-to advice (and yes I would consider it an intentional pregnancy when someone says "78 days since first put with boar"). Pregnant rescue pigs, accidental litters, fair enough but the stance here is generally that there are so many homeless cavies out there, why go making more just for the sake of it? Naturally when I go to enforce the rules of the site it makes me look like the big old meanie. There was nothing shocking or "blunt" about the responses - they are there for all to read. To the point, yes, why pan out the response when it states clearly in the rules what the stance on such posts is.

This issue has been thrashed out time and time again and I don't see this thread going anywhere (but will leave it open as long as it doesn't descend into petty insults). Ellie owns the site and it was her choice to make it a rescue-orientated forum. As Louise states, there are plenty other sites where that can be discussed openly.

 

[Gaile]

I do agree with Goldie.
Its a shame that we cannot be proud to show our Guineas in Pet shows.Yes we have Crufs and big animal shows but these animals also have their 'Rescues'.I think that all people who have any pet need to be educated in their choosen pet!
I do get sadden about anyone who breeds just because the babies are cute,the owner wants the pet to have one litter or they can get 'lots of money'.But some people just don't care! It's a never ending battle/story!!

 

[daftscotslass]

I do agree with Goldie.
Its a shame that we cannot be proud to show our Guineas in Pet shows.Yes we have Crufs and big animal shows but these animals also have their 'Rescues'.I think that all people who have any pet need to be educated in their choosen pet!
I do get sadden about anyone who breeds just because the babies are cute,the owner wants the pet to have one litter or they can get 'lots of money'.But some people just don't care! It's a never ending battle/story!!

The reason why discussion on showing is not allowed is because it goes hand-in-hand with breeding. Now, of course, not every breeder on the planet will discard the unshowables but this does happen a LOT. I once had a beautiful agouti piggy - he had been discarded because he had circles of colour round his eyes. Many breeders will wrap the hair of their long-haired guinea pigs and keep them alone in tiny cages to keep them "in coat". THAT is the reason this site doesn't condone breeding.

While it's great you want to be proud of your pets - why do you have to take them to a noisy, scary, bright show for them to get a ribbon? Is it for their good? No, it's for the owners. I know my guinea pigs are gorgeous and I don't need a ribbon to tell me that.

 

[boureki]

The reason why discussion on showing is not allowed is because it goes hand-in-hand with breeding. Now, of course, not every breeder on the planet will discard the unshowables but this does happen a LOT. I once had a beautiful agouti piggy - he had been discarded because he had circles of colour round his eyes. Many breeders will wrap the hair of their long-haired guinea pigs and keep them alone in tiny cages to keep them "in coat". THAT is the reason this site doesn't condone breeding.

While it's great you want to be proud of your pets - why do you have to take them to a noisy, scary, bright show for them to get a ribbon? Is it for their good? No, it's for the owners. I know my guinea pigs are gorgeous and I don't need a ribbon to tell me that.

I am in complete agreement with this, and at the risk of repeating Lorna's previous posts above - I joined this forum because it was actively pro-rescue. The rules are clearly marked up with a request for new members to read them before they register. Most other forums freely discuss breeding and showing subjects, which is why this forum is different.

On a personal note and trying very hard not to break the rules myself, whilst addressing a point the original poster made - dog are outgoing, boisterous and gregarious animals and clearly enjoy the experience of a show much of the time - piggies are tiny, timid prey animals designed by the Gods to be a food source so they're instinct is to hide and be afraid of anyone and everything. As the post above states, it's my feeling that showing cavies is something for humans, not pigs.

 

[starla]

Since joining this forum I have learnt so much, before I was anti breeding, but now am extremely anti breeding as I don't feel there are enough homes for all these guineas.

I do think a lot of breeders just 'get rid' of excess stock, although of course some are responsible and keep all unwanted pigs

I don't agree with showing either as like Boureki said I don't know how much the guineas enjoy it :-\ not a lot I'd guess

 

[MintyAndGarry (TEAS)]

The only 'showing' I would ever do of my piggies is by posting photos of them on a forum such as this one - therefore causing them no stress (other than the occasional flash going off...) - people can still appreciate them, without me feeling the need to remove them from their own homes and stressing them out...

 

[cuddles]

hi everyone.this is a good topic! I rescue guineas in nz and have taken on a fair few pregnants.I also take my guineas to shows to educate the public on the rescue program for guineas and how they are more than just cute things and to think before purchase.I dont breed my own though.The only babies i have are from rescued pregnant sows

 

[choloe]

i am not going to get into these discussions, but remember one girl joining asking for help as she had lost one piggy with a bad pregnancy and the sister piggy was going the same way, cause she bred her piggies no help was given, i know she should have taken her piggy to the vet but she was only 13 years old. i use to breed, i NEVER went to shows but i can understand the thinking that goes on this forum against breeding and showing and that is fine with me. :smitten: :smitten: :smitten:

 

[Piggeroo]

I certainly agree - if you don't know what your doing then don't breed!
The amount of guinea's in need of a home is just shocking - and to bring more iinto the world is very careless.

I don't judge people and I think everyone here are very lovely and friendly, but just think of the poor little piggies :'(

 

[devonguineas]

I joined here just a few weeks ago - and guess what? My first posting was asking for advice about breeding. Yes, of course I saw the bit about please read - but sorry, I didn't! I should have done - but assumed that it was just about decorum etc as is usual with forums.

I felt that the way people welcomed me and explained their position was perfectly valid and in order. I was not made to feel "wrong" for having had the idea of breeding baby piggies for my daughter, but a couple of weeks later I am 500 times more knowledgeable than I was before and that is thanks to the advice and comments people have taken their time to write to me. I am very grateful.

I would suggest that it could perhaps be made more explicit whilst you are joining the forum that it is pro-rescue and certain discussion is not allowed. Perhaps even include a couple of sentences about why? I genuinely had NO IDEA that there were so many unwanted piggies - and have been shocked to discover the problem. Because it would never occur to me to buy an animal without making a long term commitment of care - I guess I was naive enough to think others wouldn't either! Perhaps just a sentence or two within the joining page might be a good plan? Rather than having to click through to a link. You know how sites always say "check this box to say you have read and understood our terms and conditions?" I bet no-one ever does! I certainly managed to completely miss the fact when I joined.

But i am so very grateful that i did. I was quickly, but gently and fairly put straight and educated about this issue - and am now hoping to be able to get a piggie from a local resuce once the babies are born to an (accidentally) pregnant sow.

So yes, tolerance and respect - but of both the forum rules and remit as well of people's opinions.

Am my thanks again to the people who run this site and who are a mound of information and have done loads indirectly to improve the quality of lives of my piggies!

 

[boureki]

I joined here just a few weeks ago - and guess what? My first posting was asking for advice about breeding. Yes, of course I saw the bit about please read - but sorry, I didn't! I should have done - but assumed that it was just about decorum etc as is usual with forums.

I would suggest that it could perhaps be made more explicit whilst you are joining the forum that it is pro-rescue and certain discussion is not allowed. Perhaps even include a couple of sentences about why? I genuinely had NO IDEA that there were so many unwanted piggies - and have been shocked to discover the problem.... Perhaps just a sentence or two within the joining page might be a good plan? Rather than having to click through to a link. You know how sites always say "check this box to say you have read and understood our terms and conditions?" I bet no-one ever does! I certainly managed to completely miss the fact when I joined.

That's a good point... perhaps it can be more obvious so people definately do actually read it?

 

[Tedsmama]

Hey all,

well I just got done reading all the comments and I personally had no idea this was a pro-rescue forum either and had no idead there were so many unwanted piggies. Wouldn't it be great if we could take them all in? :smitten: Anyway, I also ahd no idea there were guinea pigs shows, I have always known there were dog shows. I never even really liked dog shows though, I think it's unfair to the animal to make it perform just for the owner's pleasure. I can't believe people would actually consider puttign a poor little guinea pig on a show and scare it half to death. Anyway, just my thoughts.............

 

[Goldie]

Perhaps just a sentence or two within the joining page might be a good plan? Rather than having to click through to a link. You know how sites always say "check this box to say you have read and understood our terms and conditions?" I bet no-one ever does! I certainly managed to completely miss the fact when I joined.

Thanks to everyone for their comments ... I agree with devonguineas above, I think that would be a great idea!

 

[JESSLOU]

i have friends that show there piggies and rabbits and and whist it isnt for me i dont disagree with it, the shows that i have seen are well organised and have pepole going round ensuring there is hay water food ect , also if there are any signs of poorly or stressed piggies then they arent allowed to be in the show .

i have personaly ybred and shown dogs and gave up due to the legths people would go to including chalking dogs to make them look whiter ect

i personally feel that as a surragate mummy to 8 rescued piggies that i would love the chance to show my piggies pictures of how they cam to me with their lice , under nourishment , fight wounds over grown teeth and nails scabs ect and let people see how they are now in the picture of superb heath a

i feel that the only way is to educate people that there are too many piggies that need rehoming and that rescues ect should be first point to look even if for advice and info

i also feel it needs to be pointed out that whist there are some bad breeders there are alos some damn good ones and i have to say that due to these good ones that i have larnt a great deal