Need to vent

*Gemma*

*Gemma*

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Oct 15, 2017
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Location
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I decided to join some guinea pig Facebook groups, I thought it would be pictures, funny stories, advice etc.
However, there are a few that have just made me so sad.
One piggy all on its own just because. It’s fine because it walks around with my dog. I can’t get another pig because I’m getting a dog. NOT GOOD ENOUGH.
One picture of the smallest cage I’ve ever seen.
It’s just so sad.
Do you try and educate? I don’t even know.
 
I get you and feel sad when I see neglected pigs on preloved etc or surrendered at rescue. I've been thinking of writing to P@H about the inadequate cages they sell, maybe we should start a petition. They could also do way more to educate potential owners, eg free guidebook, hands on session where you learn about piggy diet, health, claws, cleaning out etc. But I bet they would never want to do anything that could put off potential 'customer'.
 
I gave up facebook years ago, far to many sad stories and people who don't want to know. My skins not thick enough to try to educate, I tried to have ago a few times and just ended up realising I don't like people very much. I stick to this forum now where everyone is kind and helpful and ready to listen to different ideas.
 
miowmix said:
I get you and feel sad when I see neglected pigs on preloved etc or surrendered at rescue. I've been thinking of writing to P@H about the inadequate cages they sell, maybe we should start a petition. They could also do way more to educate potential owners, eg free guidebook, hands on session where you learn about piggy diet, health, claws, cleaning out etc. But I bet they would never want to do anything that could put off potential 'customer'.
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The cages that are ‘guinea pig cages’ would be laughable if it wasn’t so sad. I am completely with you. I wish theses pet shops would do more to educate and ensure the welfare of the pets they are selling.
 
piggieminder said:
I gave up facebook years ago, far to many sad stories and people who don't want to know. My skins not thick enough to try to educate, I tried to have ago a few times and just ended up realising I don't like people very much. I stick to this forum now where everyone is kind and helpful and ready to listen to different ideas.
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I can see why, I just was not expecting it. The fact they KNEW the piggy should have a friend. It was, ‘I was going to get another one but I’m getting a dog instead’ that was a struggle to keep cool.
 
I feel exactly the same. I don’t do Facebook for that reason, people are vacuous and don’t want advice. Now piggies are being sold on eBay, like worthless second hand toys. It just makes me so sad. Pet shops are no better and will let people buy the smallest cage in the shop instead of telling prospective owners they need two piggies, larger cage, then there’s all the mix-sexing and poorly piggies being sold, the list goes on and on. Gumtree is even worse, what is wrong with people, have they no shame x
 
Bill & Ted said:
I feel exactly the same. I don’t do Facebook for that reason, people are vacuous and don’t want advice. Now piggies are being sold on eBay, like worthless second hand toys. It just makes me so sad. Pet shops are no better and will let people buy the smallest cage in the shop instead of telling prospective owners they need two piggies, larger cage, then there’s all the mix-sexing and poorly piggies being sold, the list goes on and on. Gumtree is even worse, what is wrong with people, have they no shame x
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I had no idea it was like that, lesson learned. Poor piggies. All deserve so much more, they don’t ask for much in their little lives :soz:
 
I'm an admin on the largest one and it does wear you down, but it's also really nice seeing people improve their piggies care standards as well, once they realise they've been lied to or given terrible advice previously. There are many, many groups I don't bother with though because their advice is just awful.
There's even a couple where people seem to purposefully video themselves annoying their pigs to get a reaction -_-
I pretty much always try to educate, the luxury of it being online is you can step back, take a deep breath and type a nice, polite response.
 
Eriathwen said:
I'm an admin on the largest one and it does wear you down, but it's also really nice seeing people improve their piggies care standards as well, once they realise they've been lied to or given terrible advice previously. There are many, many groups I don't bother with though because their advice is just awful.
There's even a couple where people seem to purposefully video themselves annoying their pigs to get a reaction -_-
I pretty much always try to educate, the luxury of it being online is you can step back, take a deep breath and type a nice, polite response.
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Which one buddy?
 
I'm part of that group and it is a lovely friendly group.
I have been in some which are awful and everything just turns into an argument. I had to leave one as I was targeted for having my guinea pigs in a shed and then shot down when I tried to defend someone else.
I usually do try to educate people as sometimes they just dont know or have been given bad advice in the past. They won't learn if someone doesn't tell them.
 
It isn’t the mistakes that people make cause everyone makes mistakes, it’s the understanding what they are doing wrong but not wanting to change it :mal:
 
Don’t get me started on fb groups. I’m on one and it sometimes frustrates me so much! People clearly have poorly piggies yet other people offer the most ridiculous and quite frankly dangerous home treatment advise! There was a thread today where someone was worried about her outdoor guinea pigs and was asking if they should bring them in. Most people was replying that they will be fine outdoors as ‘they’re hardy little things’ 😡 I advised her to bring them in for the winter if she was able to pointing out heat pads and covers etc if she wasn’t able too. I was also shot down the other week by breeders for advising someone that her 8 week old piggies could be pregnant after spending the first eight weeks of their lives with a baby boar as obviously guinea pigs can’t get pregnant at that age :(
 
I really don’t do social media for all the reasons already given.
This is my one exception (apart from a work related group).
Here is helpful and friendly advice, it’s non judgmental, there are stories, soap operas, and pictures. There’s always support and understanding
Why go anywhere else?
 
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