MY adoption story begins.

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jeannam2008

Hello, my name is Jeanna and I'm brand new to the forum :)
A little over 2 years ago my first guinea pig passes away, and lately I've been thinking about adopting another one.

I'm 19 and unfortunately still live at home with my parents, so it's been difficult getting an okay from them =/.
I made up a list of reason why I should be allowed to own another guinea pig and I would like to share it with everyone.

Reason's I should be allowed to have another guinea pig:

1.) I'm an adult, I'm 19 and old enough to make my own decisions.

2.) I'm responsible. I take care of my chihuahua and I've been responsible enough to care for dogs, cats, and other animals at work. Also I was responsible enough to take in my brothers guinea pig when he became irresponsible.

3.) I have a job, and I can pay for everything, I also will get discounts on food and bedding from work.

4.) When I go away on vacation I will have my guinea pig boarded at work, and take care of the cost.

5.) I have not had any problems with my blood disorder for over 3 years, and I haven't gotten sick, plus I work around all types of animals, diseases, and feces at work and have yet to get sick.

6.) I've always kept my guinea pig cages clean, I cleaned them 2 times a week and my room never did stink, b/c even now I keep my room very clean.

7.) By having a guinea pig it's not killing or hurting anyone because it would always be kept in my room, and no one goes in my room except me.


There's really no reason why I can't have one, so if you think I should add something else please reply.
I'll keep updates on this thread of my adoption process, so keep your fingers crossed :)
 
Hello and welcome to the forum :)

I would say first that guinea pigs should be kept in pairs as they are social animals so you should maybe think about that? it is quite unfair to have one unless a rescue has a boar who will not bond with another pig. If you are out at work etc, the pig will be alone. Just something to think about.

You need to think about suitable housing for the guinea/s and which room they will be kept in etc..

If you have a checklist with all the information and chat to your parents about it, they may see your point of view. Do some research on rescues near you as well.

Good luck in your quest!
 
Welcome to the forum.

I guess you need to add additional / unexpected expenses to the list e.g if your guinea pig needs to see a vet - this can be costly.

Also even though the pig will be living in your room, the other people in your house need to be ok with it being there... otherwise it will just cause tension!

Do you know why your parents are against you having pigs?

Sophie
x
 
I work in an animal hospital. So if I can get it through with my parents I will fill out papers so my guinea pig will get her daily check ups where I work.

I actually had a custom made cage for my last guinea pig made out of storage racks or cubes. I used cable ties to hold the sides of the cubes together and coroplast as the bottom and sides of the cages for more support.
I still have everything so I will be rebuilding the cage.

I also have considered adopting more than one, there is a local small animal rescue where I live called Small Angels rescue, I would never buy a guinea pig from a pet store, I've always adopted no matter what. I adopted my chihuahua from a rescue in Martinsburg WV.

I have carefresh bedding to use, and once I get an okay from my parents I'll be going out to buy fresh veggies and oranges, along with hay.

And I don't know why my parents are against Guinea pigs, their just very head strong, they've always told me I have to wait till I get out on my own to get anymore pets, but that won't be for another 2 years or less b/c of college. Guinea pigs are small animals and don't make a mess around the house like dogs or cats. Their low maintenance and only need their cages cleaned twice a week, and an occasional bath if they stink. They have no reason, and I have plenty of prof to back up any of their reasons.
 
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I wouldn't say low maintence :)). After the daily removal of wee's & majority of poo's cleaning & out their sleeping area everyday, then getting them out for their daily exercise, assembling play pen, cleaning out playpen & of course at least 2 / 3 cuddle sessions!

All well worth it & wouldn't go back but definately not low maintenance! :)
 
I think a cat is more low maintenance than guineas! They are quite complex creatures, their diet is quite scientific if one follows calcium:phosperous ratios etc :{ They hide illnesses really well too, but as you work in an animal hospital, you should be well covered there.

I guess you just need to work on your parents and remember that guineas can live as long as 7-9 years!
 
So I'm just ecstatic! I got an okay from both my parents so now begins the search for a guinea pig to give a forever home.
My boyfriend is taking me to Frederick tomorrow to the local shelter where I found some adoptable guinea pigs, but I'm going to take my time searching until I find the right one for me :)
 
aww,congrats jeanna! my parents were the same, unfortunately i had to wait ten years, and a move out of home, before i got any. now i have five and i agree, deffo not low maintenance, but worth every bead of sweat/penny/etc. they're such lovable animals!! even my parents have fallen for them. my dads a right softy for animals,but my mum hates them normally, but she's so in love with my sonny and maggie-may (the cheekiest ones!) best of luck! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
I've adopted a sweet little baby girl :)
I went to a rescue yesterday and it's official.
I will be picking her up tomorrow, last night I got her cage set up and food and went out and bought some toys and hay :)
I'm so excited to bring her home, I'll take tons of picture to show you all.

Also I've decided to name her willow.
 
It's really very nice of you to think rescue but please consider the needs of the guinea pig too - ie she needs company, it's not very fair to keep her as a lone pig.

Sadly, us humans just aren't a good enough substitute :(
 
She sounds lovely - but I agree, they need company of their own kind. No matter how much time you spend with them, the majority of their day will be spent alone, so it's important to have a pair rather than a single one. We rehome ours in pairs unless the new owners already have a lone piggy that needs a friend. I wouldn't home a lone pig to someone who just wanted one for that reason.

If she's the only piggy available at the moment at the rescue, please consider getting her a friend - if you let them know you'd like a pair, they'll probably let you know when a litte girl comes in.

Sophie
x
 
Bring home baby.
Today I finally brought Willow home, I have just 2 pictures of her for now, but there will be plenty more x)

Willowfeb209.jpg


Willowfeb20902.jpg
 
Awwh shes lloovely ^) Are you going to get a friend for her in the near future ?
 
you're being childish and selfish if you intend to keep an individual pig. they are herd creatures and will suffer if they are kept alone. As you have chosen a female you should have no problems bonding her with either a neutered male or another sow. Plus she is very unlikely to eat orange. there is an excellent list of suitable foods for guinea pigs on this forum.
 
Just for the record, so everyone gets off my case. {:|
I will eventually be adopting another female, but Willow was the only female at the rescue at the time, and that's the only place close to home that has adoptable guinea pigs besides pet stores, which that is a last resort.

I'm not a rookie to caring for guinea pigs I know what's best for them. I know that they are very social creatures and need to be housed in pairs, but as of right now it's kinda of difficult to adopt another guinea pig. I'm not just going to adopt the first one I see, I'm going to adopt the one I feel best suits me and Willow and her personality...
 
Congrats and i am sure you will be a great piggy mum. Just to let you know we often organise piggy trains on here so if you were not able to get Willow a friend at your local rescue we as a group may be able to help.

We dont mean to nag but to inform and help.
 
jeannam2008 said:
Just for the record, so everyone gets off my case. {:|
I will eventually be adopting another female, but Willow was the only female at the rescue at the time, and that's the only place close to home that has adoptable guinea pigs besides pet stores, which that is a last resort.

I'm not a rookie to caring for guinea pigs I know what's best for them. I know that they are very social creatures and need to be housed in pairs, but as of right now it's kinda of difficult to adopt another guinea pig. I'm not just going to adopt the first one I see, I'm going to adopt the one I feel best suits me and Willow and her personality...
Click to expand...

Aww she is lovely! such cute eyes. i agree about waiting for a piggie with a suitable personality, my tallulah at the moment is going through her 'selfish' stage. and wont let anyone come near me! but i love her demandingness really.

i hope she settles in well and i bet your going to spoil her rotten ;)
 
She is beautiful. I was also in same boat when I bought George. I wanted to get him a friend but knew he wasn't ready for one. I felt I had to let him settle & get used to his surrounds & me first as he was very shy. He now has a friend but as yet they have not met face to face as he is recovering mites & may be contagious. They do seem to get along though & talk nicely to each other from their cages.

Good luck with finding her a friend, one as beautiful as her could be difficult to find though :)) She is a real sweetie!
 
Thanks so much :)
She will be very spoiled. I just gave her a huge leaf of lettuce and she devoured it in seconds. I'm trying to get her used to getting fresh veggies, b/c where I adopted her from I don't know if she did get any all that was in the hutch was pellet food and hay.

With my past guinea pig; Cinnamon, when she'd hear the ruffling of any bag she'd go nuts with her wheeking :), so I'm trying to get Willow used to associating the sound of a bag with fresh goodies :)
 
I just took another picture of Willow, she's laying here in my lap all snuggled up.

Willowfeb20903.jpg


I found this awesome site for editing pictures, as you see I just did to hers.
www.picnik.com
Everyone should definitely try it out :)
 
Another beautiful piccy wish I could take a good one of my new adoptee tiger but he is black & just comes out as a blob! flash or no flash!
 
Quick question.

Willow is only about 3 months old, is it okay to be feeding her Alfalfa hay.
I read on Guineapiglynx that Alfalfa is fed to young pups, sick, or pregnant pigs.
I just wanted to clear up some confusion and make sure it's okay to be feeding her, or if I should switch over to Timothy hay
 
So I've had Willow for a week now, and I'm really leaning towards re-naming her b/c Willow just doesn't stick, and honestly since she's warmed up to me and I can finally see what her personality is like the name Willow just doesn't fit her.

She is very lively and energetic, she runs in circles around her cage and popcorns a lot. When I have her laying in my lap she will not sit still, she wants to explore and be nosey. She's very sweet and when she is in her lazy moments she snuggles up under my neck. She's a sweet girl.

So I was hoping you all could help me out, and suggest some names for me. I've google searched guinea pig names, but I'm having a hard time finding one.

Edited: I'm leaning towards the name Lucy, I've done a lot of searching and so far that's the only name that sticks :) What do you all think?
 
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i think lucy works! or maybe patty or tessa? but willow is such a pretty name for a pretty girl
 
Today Lucy got her very first bath, since she's pretty much white all over her body she get's pretty dirty on her belly. She didn't enjoy it too much but I rewarded her afterwards with a napkin full of lettuce and carrots, so I think she forgives me :)

Lucyfeb150902.jpg

LucyFeb1509.jpg
 
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