Meet Rupert!

[BarneyandLeo]

I certainly wouldn’t have gotten a new piggy so quickly after Leo’s passing, but in this case I absolutely had to. 2 weeks ago I went to visit some family members. When I arrived I didn’t even realise they had a guinea pig until entering their garage and seeing his cage pretty much buried under building supplies and old furniture. He was all by himself in there and the cage clearly hadn’t been cleaned in a while. I asked when they got him and tried to suggest if I could come up and maybe build him a bigger cage somewhere else in the house. They had gotten him not too long ago, but didn’t realise how noisy and messy he was, so they were planning to release him into the wild! I offered to take him instead, and have since bonded him with Barney. He’s safe here and is enjoying fleece bedding and lots of hay and veggies, but he is extremely skittish. I’m not trying to pet him or pick him up at all, but if anyone has any advice on how to make him feel a little more comfortable around me it would be great. Poor little guy has had such a rough start.

He’s super shy so haven’t been able to get a picture of him on his own, but there he is with my other piggy (he’s the black one). Thank god for little Barney, he’s helped him feel a little more comfortable since he first arrived.

 

[Betsy]

What a cute little piggy and lovely and fluffy. How could anyone leave him forgotten about in a garage? Well done in rescuing him.
The piggy whispering techniques are good - just make sure there's nobody around when you try some of them! The one I found most helpful was to talk as you approach as a predator is silent.

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

I'm sure with the help and guidance of Barney he will settle in quickly.

 

[Bill & Ted]

Aw, well done for rescuing him, what a shame someone could even think of letting him go into the wild! He is a lucky boy now he’s found you and Barney.
He will settle and grow more confident, then start offering him food by hand, he will learn from Barney x

 

[Jesse's pigs]

He certainly is a handsome piggy and they make a beautiful pair! Very lucky you managed to help him before he was released- even the thought of that doesn't bare thinking about. When he does get comfortable he is gonna be one hell of a piggy

 

[artcasper]

I am so pleased you have given him a good home..... The thought of him being released into the wild
So glad he has bonded with Barney .. Love your hay cube btw!

 

[BarneyandLeo]

What a cute little piggy and lovely and fluffy. How could anyone leave him forgotten about in a garage? Well done in rescuing him.
The piggy whispering techniques are good - just make sure there's nobody around when you try some of them! The one I found most helpful was to talk as you approach as a predator is silent.

Understanding Prey Animal Instincts, Guinea Pig Whispering And Cuddling Tips

I'm sure with the help and guidance of Barney he will settle in quickly.

Thank you that’s such a good idea!

 

[VickiA]

It sounds like a fabulous result all round.

 

[squeaksandcarrots]

Well done for rescuing him He's gorgeous

 

[Abirose]

It is wonderful he has got a lovely new home with you and Barney, they look so cute together .

 

[munchmonster]

He is a handsome piggy! and so lucky you were there at the right time How could anyone think of kicking a piggy out into the wide world to try to fend for himself?
I'm speechless. Me and my piggies wish him a long and happy life in his forever home

 

[Seven7]

What a lucky piggy to have found a perfect home with a loving friend and a slave.

 

[sport_billy]

So pleased he has found a wonderful home with you

 

[BarneyandLeo]

Thank you everyone for the lovely messages and advice Rupert seems to be feeling more and more at home everyday. I’m just shocked at the complete lack of research before buying him. These family members are quite distant and we don’t talk to them very often, but I just have no idea why they didn’t look into the needs of guinea pigs before buying little Rupert. They mentioned he was just an impulse purchase like he was nothing and I’m just shocked that they thought this was ok. I’m not even sure of where they bought him, but I’m disgusted they allowed him to bought on his own. I’m praying nothing like this ever happens again, if he had been released he would have been dead in hours and the thought of leaving any pet in the wild is beyond me, especially a little baby like Rupert. I’m so thankful I got to him in time. Once again thank you all

 

[Merab]

Congratulations on your new addition.
He’s one very lucky boy to have been rescued by you.
He is so gorgeous

 

[Flutterby]

Gorgeous!

 

[rhymer]

Well done on rescuing little Rupert.
I really don't understand why people think it's fine to just abandon animals, it makes me very sad and angry .
Thankfully Rupert will now have a fantastic and happy life with you.xx