My Parents Won't Let Me Rescue Two Piggies!?

rodentroad · Jan 22, 2017

Hi I'm new here! I have wanted guinea pigs for around 9years now and eventually my parents reluctantly said I could have two 4 years ago. We never got round to getting them and since then the answer has been no once again. I have done all my guinea pig research and have been proving my responsibility by caring for other peoples while they've been on holiday, yet I still haven't been allowed them. I'm quite experienced with rodents owning gerbils and a hamster as pets, so it's relatively reasonable that thy didn't say yno s during this specific period of time. I did stop asking for a while and tryng to prove myself as it seemed pointless after their constant answers of no, but near to where I live there is a small rescue and they have over 200 guinea pigs for rehoming needing homes fast, as there are still more to be rescued yet. I have asked my parents and they said no, and it seems unreasonable as I have the money to supply the cage etc for them, and there I also plenty of space in our house. I also have the time and knowledge so it's not like I can't be trusted. They give me reasons for saying no but I always have a solution and they will come up with another. At the moment they have run out of reasons. My parents are animal lovers, my dad not so keen on rodents, but still.
I hope you can help, and understand that I am not wanting piggies for the sake of it, but instead to help out a rescue and give two or three pigs a safe and happy home. I have thoroughly researched their needs, but I just need a way that I can get through to my parents. Thank you! :luv:

Guinea Slave · Jan 22, 2017

Argh I think most of us have been through this at some point in our lives! It is the great thing about becoming an adult!

Could you volunteer at the rescue, help them clean out etc, it would demonstrate to your parents exactly how committed you are and how much you care. You could then invite them along to see the rescue piggies you work with... choose the cutest ones of course, you never know you may just win them over and help the rescue at the same time!

rodentroad · Jan 22, 2017

Guinea Slave said:
Argh I think most of us have been through this at some point in our lives! It is the great thing about becoming an adult!

Could you volunteer at the rescue, help them clean out etc, it would demonstrate to your parents exactly how committed you are and how much you care. You could then invite them along to see the rescue piggies you work with... choose the cutest ones of course, you never know you may just win them over and help the rescue at the same time!

Thank you - this is a really good idea! I do volunteer at veterinary centre already, however it's rare to see rodents there, so I may take you on board and look ask around for any voluntary work! The cute ones should help - my mum in particular does get broody easily so you never know! Thanks for your help!

Guinea Slave · Jan 22, 2017

Good luck! Let us know how you get on

Tiamolly123 · Jan 22, 2017

I agree ask your parents just to look at the rescue, so they know of the problem. Also get a job helping at the rescue your talking about. Then maybe get a member of staff to say how committed you, are your such a help etc etc. They need to be indoors so they are nice & warm. Also you are talking about cages which are far to small. So you want mattress protector £10, a C&C cage which probably will set your back around £70 to £80. Also nuggets meadow hay, Timothy hay & vegetables. What about vet bills. I'm not trying to put you off just to make you aware. Maybe you could work at the rescue & then a day working for money.

Tigermoth · Jan 22, 2017

At the risk of being a lone voice... Your parents have the right to say no. End of. I say no to all sorts of things because I just don't want to. When it comes to pigs, they are a tie, you can't go away without arranging care for them, there is a financial commitment, a time commitment, a space commitment etc and whilst I have made that choice for myself I wouldn't want to be nagged and backed into a corner about it by someone else. Even if the person nagging me is really responsible and would do a great job...

Mother Hubbard · Jan 22, 2017

You're right Tigermoth. Guinea pigs are a big commitment, they aren't like a hamster, they require more room, care, finance and live a lot longer. Nothing against hamsters, I used to have many unto the age of 23...heck that was a long time ago! Anyway, my point is until you own them you don't realise how much time and effort is needed. Storage alone of their First Aid box, dry food boxes (yes plural), hay storage, bedding, fleeces, water bottles, heat pads, cool pads, no matter the weather or holidays or emergencies all provisioned for. I don't want to put anyone off either, it's only because I've reshuffled my storage back indoors which took over both a whole utility room and summer house - thankfully all sorted now and tided, but boy that was exhausting.

Anyway, work hard, show your long term commitment and continue to save and keep a separate pot of money just for fur-balls.

rodentroad · Jan 22, 2017

Thank you all! We have horses so I do think that could contribute to time in their reasons for saying no, but i have spoken to them both again today and told them my plans etc for volunteering, and they are happy for me to prove to them

Thank you so much for all your help!

Lady Kelly · Jan 22, 2017

I understand you have saved for a cage etc but have you considered how you would manage health problems. Piggies are prone to health problems, I have been lucky in that only one of mine ever had just two vet trips in her 5 and a half years. However, I have had a couple where the vets bills mounted very quickly. With Buddy he developed a deep seated abscess. I went through one vet at less than £100 but then got referred to a specialist and to put it very bluntly I went and collected a body and had to pay over £200 for the operation etc. Bumble is another one where there were several issues all at once and getting to the bottom of it cost around £300-400. Savvy vets are few and far between and prices can vary widely

rodentroad · Jan 22, 2017

Tiamolly123 said:
I agree ask your parents just to look at the rescue, so they know of the problem. Also get a job helping at the rescue your talking about. Then maybe get a member of staff to say how committed you, are your such a help etc etc. They need to be indoors so they are nice & warm. Also you are talking about cages which are far to small. So you want mattress protector £10, a C&C cage which probably will set your back around £70 to £80. Also nuggets meadow hay, Timothy hay & vegetables. What about vet bills. I'm not trying to put you off just to make you aware. Maybe you could work at the rescue & then a day working for money.

We do already have C&C grids which go over the recommended size as well so it is one less cost I suppose

I also have a Vet Bill pot all ready, which I have been preparing all throughout the years, though my parents don't mind helping me out if needed :luv:

Thank you for your help!

flowerfairy · Jan 22, 2017

At least you should be ok for hay as you already have horses in the family.

rodentroad · Jan 22, 2017

Lady Kelly said:
I understand you have saved for a cage etc but have you considered how you would manage health problems. Piggies are prone to health problems, I have been lucky in that only one of mine ever had just two vet trips in her 5 and a half years. However, I have had a couple where the vets bills mounted very quickly. With Buddy he developed a deep seated abscess. I went through one vet at less than £100 but then got referred to a specialist and to put it very bluntly I went and collected a body and had to pay over £200 for the operation etc. Bumble is another one where there were several issues all at once and getting to the bottom of it cost around £300-400. Savvy vets are few and far between and prices can vary widely

If I get guinea pigs, i would be responsible for their care, but luckily my family do like to contribute as well, so even though i have a vet bill pot, they would still be happy to pay for any over-expensive vet bills. Also my uncle is a vet so we do only have to pay for the drugs used rather than that and the procedure! I suppose I'm lucky that they are so contributive and love animals as much as me - even if it does takes a while to fall for them!

rodentroad · Jan 22, 2017

flowerfairy said:
At least you should be ok for hay as you already have horses in the family.

Yes its definitley a plus side!

Lady Kelly · Jan 22, 2017

rodentroad said:
If I get guinea pigs, i would be responsible for their care, but luckily my family do like to contribute as well, so even though i have a vet bill pot, they would still be happy to pay for any over-expensive vet bills. Also my uncle is a vet so we do only have to pay for the drugs used rather than that and the procedure! I suppose I'm lucky that they are so contributive and love animals as much as me - even if it does takes a while to fall for them!

That is really good then but do you know what your uncle's knowledge of guinea pigs is like. There is such a wide variation in skills and just because he is a vet doesn't mean that he is capable of identifying the right problem early enough and prescribing the right treatment. Might be worth checking with him what his knowledge is like and what sort of problems he has treated in guinea pigs previously

rodentroad · Jan 22, 2017

Lady Kelly said:
That is really good then but do you know what your uncle's knowledge of guinea pigs is like. There is such a wide variation in skills and just because he is a vet doesn't mean that he is capable of identifying the right problem early enough and prescribing the right treatment. Might be worth checking with him what his knowledge is like and what sort of problems he has treated in guinea pigs previously

I will double check, but believe he works with small animals and rodents, but definitely will check before making any assumptions! Thank you

Pawz · Jan 22, 2017

Tigermoth said:
At the risk of being a lone voice... Your parents have the right to say no. End of. I say no to all sorts of things because I just don't want to. When it comes to pigs, they are a tie, you can't go away without arranging care for them, there is a financial commitment, a time commitment, a space commitment etc and whilst I have made that choice for myself I wouldn't want to be nagged and backed into a corner about it by someone else. Even if the person nagging me is really responsible and would do a great job...

I know where you are coming from on that one Tiger. Arranging pet sitting in order to go on vacation can be a real pain! It is hard enough finding reliable people to piggy sit, the rats are another story.....so many are scared of them!

@rodentroad Good luck on your attempts to show your parents you are serious about this. But if they say "no" again for the reasons Tiger stated then you may just have to wait until you are a little older. Even if it turns out that you do not get your own piggies please consider to remain volunteering at the rescue as I am certain they appreciate any help they have.