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Lone guinea pig rescue

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Bejiabear

New Born Pup
Joined
Dec 5, 2018
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Location
Washington state, US
I work at a pet store and we often get surrendered small animals, recently we’ve gotten an influx of guinea pig surrenders almost too many for the store to hold with more calls every day I’m not sure as to why this is happening. But one arrived yesterday who was being kept in a very small bin and the owner said he is about 3 years old and has lived alone his whole life, I was thinking about buying a pen online and bringing him home for a higher for a possible higher quality of life, since he is older I wasn’t sure if I should continue to keep him alone or try to find him a companion. I know that keeping a line guinea pig can be dangerous but in this particular situation I didn’t know what to do. Also I wouldn’t be able to adopt another one from my store because most of them are younger and already have companions. I take home a lot of rescue hamsters and fish but this would be my first guinea pig so your advice is very much needed and appreciated!
 
I think I’d try and get him a friend. If you can find a rescue near you, they sometimes offer boar dating. That’s the best way for him to find a friend as he chooses them himself. Failing that, if you can find a lone piggy to match him with. The character matters more than the age. Good luck
 
How wonderful of you to give that poor piggy a good home at last. As others have said, boar dating is the best way to find him a friend and I hope it all works out well for you and your new little furbaby xx
 
Bejiabear said:
I work at a pet store and we often get surrendered small animals, recently we’ve gotten an influx of guinea pig surrenders almost too many for the store to hold with more calls every day I’m not sure as to why this is happening. But one arrived yesterday who was being kept in a very small bin and the owner said he is about 3 years old and has lived alone his whole life, I was thinking about buying a pen online and bringing him home for a higher for a possible higher quality of life, since he is older I wasn’t sure if I should continue to keep him alone or try to find him a companion. I know that keeping a line guinea pig can be dangerous but in this particular situation I didn’t know what to do. Also I wouldn’t be able to adopt another one from my store because most of them are younger and already have companions. I take home a lot of rescue hamsters and fish but this would be my first guinea pig so your advice is very much needed and appreciated!
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Hi and welcome

Your concerns honour you. While there are a few guinea pigs that cannot be bonded because they have lost the ability to identify themselves as a guinea pig, the majority actually is never too old for company. I know of one 6 year old single boy who finally found companionship and a loving home with another old boar via a rescue.

My 2 year old Dylan is another example; he is another single boar being kept in a tiny hamster cage and ending up with atrophied back muscles as a result. He now lives with a a very happy life with a baby companion (he had the choice between two that were born here during emergency holiday boarding a highly shop pregnant sow and her companion for a local lady) next to another pair of boars.

Age is less a concern with guinea pigs than character compatibility and mutual liking. Even next door company with interaction through the bars can do the trick for those piggies that have never had the benefit receiving the social guidance during their formative months and who are too aggressive/over the top as a result (usually because they are afraid and insecure). Sadly it is exactly this point - character compatibility where shops and breeders fall dreadfully short and why your shop is finding itself inundated with fallen-out boars once they hit the hormonal teenage months between 4-14 months and stop being cute babies. Too small cages usually don't help.

The key point is dating - letting your boy choose who he gets on with. If you can find a good piggy savvy rescue with manadatory quarantine/vet care that offers dating at the rescue under expert supervision, that would be best for somebody with no experience in bonding and behaviours. Otherwise trying him with a submissive single boy as they come back to the shop in would be the best way forward.

Here is the video from when dated my Dylan with two baby boys. I chose the one who gave him kisses and wanted to play with him and not the one who was trying to mount and dominate him from the word go (the other boy is now bonded with another bereaved adult boar via rescue dating, by the way).


Please take the time to read our new owners guide collection. You will find it very helpful with guides for settling in and understanding guinea pig behaviour.
It also contains a link to a list of recommended US and Canadian rescues, as I assume that you are from one of those countries with your use of 'pet store' instead of UK/Australian 'pet shop'.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

We would be grateful if you please added your country and state/province to your account details (via your username on the top bar), as that allows us to always tailor any advice to what is available and relevant for you straight away instead of having to keep our recommendations as general as possible to fit any members from all over the world.
 
Wiebke said:
Hi and welcome

Your concerns honour you. While there are a few guinea pigs that cannot be bonded because they have lost the ability to identify themselves as a guinea pig, the majority actually is never too old for company. I know of one 6 year old single boy who finally found companionship and a loving home with another old boar via a rescue.

My 2 year old Dylan is another example; he is another single boar being kept in a tiny hamster cage and ending up with atrophied back muscles as a result. He now lives with a a very happy life with a baby companion (he had the choice between two that were born here during emergency holiday boarding a highly shop pregnant sow and her companion for a local lady) next to another pair of boars.

Age is less a concern with guinea pigs than character compatibility and mutual liking. Even next door company with interaction through the bars can do the trick for those piggies that have never had the benefit receiving the social guidance during their formative months and who are too aggressive/over the top as a result (usually because they are afraid and insecure). Sadly it is exactly this point - character compatibility where shops and breeders fall dreadfully short and why your shop is finding itself inundated with fallen-out boars once they hit the hormonal teenage months between 4-14 months and stop being cute babies. Too small cages usually don't help.

The key point is dating - letting your boy choose who he gets on with. If you can find a good piggy savvy rescue with manadatory quarantine/vet care that offers dating at the rescue under expert supervision, that would be best for somebody with no experience in bonding and behaviours. Otherwise trying him with a submissive single boy as they come back to the shop in would be the best way forward.

Here is the video from when dated my Dylan with two baby boys. I chose the one who gave him kisses and wanted to play with him and not the one who was trying to mount and dominate him from the word go (the other boy is now bonded with another bereaved adult boar via rescue dating, by the way).


Please take the time to read our new owners guide collection. You will find it very helpful with guides for settling in and understanding guinea pig behaviour.
It also contains a link to a list of recommended US and Canadian rescues, as I assume that you are from one of those countries with your use of 'pet store' instead of UK/Australian 'pet shop'.
Getting Started - New Owners' Most Helpful Guides

We would be grateful if you please added your country and state/province to your account details (via your username on the top bar), as that allows us to always tailor any advice to what is available and relevant for you straight away instead of having to keep our recommendations as general as possible to fit any members from all over the world.
Click to expand...

Thank you so much this has been a very helpful and informative response! I will definitely be searching for a rescue near me that offers dating!
 
I just want to commend you for rescuing this boar. Thank you for giving him a second chance. :luv:
 
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