We are really keen to welcome some piggies into our home but we haven't had any response from the nearest rehoming service after trying to get in touch several times. I rang our local Pets At Home and they are expecting a few pairs of rescue piggies in the next week or so. 4-month old boars. We have been planning for girls as we'll have a 2x4 C&C cage and I thought boys might need a slightly bigger space. We really want to go the rescue route. Would this be a good option? Or better to keep waiting and just keep trying with the rehoming service? I know they are usually small operations, but most are more than an hour and a half away from us, which is also a factor.
No response from rehoming service, should we go with Pets At Home rescue piggies?
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You need to do what you are comfortable with. We are pro rescue forum so we will encourage you to go down that route but know that it isnt always possible.
You are right, a 2x4 will not be big enough for teen boars - they need a 2x5. They really do benefit from that extra space and at four months old, they are right at the start of their teens. I have a boar pair myself and lots of space really is important but I absolutely love having boars!
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
You are right, a 2x4 will not be big enough for teen boars - they need a 2x5. They really do benefit from that extra space and at four months old, they are right at the start of their teens. I have a boar pair myself and lots of space really is important but I absolutely love having boars!
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
Claire W
Forum Donator 2024/25
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I know how frustrating it is. I was on the waiting list at my local rescue for over a year (not helped by Covid). In the end, I rehomed a pair of piggies from a forum member to join my existing two
It really is your decision on whether you hang on or rehome from the rehoming section from pets at home. But if you do have a pair of boars, they will need a bigger space than a 2x4. A 2x5 for a boar pair is recommended
It really is your decision on whether you hang on or rehome from the rehoming section from pets at home. But if you do have a pair of boars, they will need a bigger space than a 2x4. A 2x5 for a boar pair is recommended
Hi!
Not all places are fully up and running again; or have adoptable piggies ready at all times because of all the pandemic disruptions. Or they are up their ears with dealing with an emergency situation and lots of piggies in a bad state. Most rescues (including the RSPCA) are completely volunteer run in their free time on top of a day job.
4 months boys are boars that have just hit the teenage months. It is rather likely that had their first few run ins and are dumped back at the shop for that reason. I would personally not bank on a functional pair bond and would decidely have a plan B (cage divider) at the ready if I got a pair on spec.
You also have to brace for the fact that they may not be in the best of shape as there will be no quarantine or major vet care at the shop for their returnees; that will fall fully onto you. Pet shops never ask any questions into the conditions/care they will be kept in when they sell their babies.
I am NOT saying that you shouldn't go down that route after not being successful with trying to access a rescue but I would definitely recommend do so with your eyes open and to plan ahead for foreseeable problems so you are better poised to deal with them and work past them.
The reason why we are pushing good standard rescues so much is not just because of the welfare factor and because supporting them is so important but because they do a lot of work behind the scenes to ensure that any piggies up for adoption won't come with problems attached. When you rehome on your own, you will have to deal with these issues yourself as and if they come up; at the very worst, they can be a rather steep and expensive learning curve. You want to be braced for the possibility of that. it is great that you still want to stick to second-hand piggies.
The guide links below will help you go into this more prepared; please take the time to read them. Everything can be dealt with if you are willing but it can be extremely challenging for those that walk into it blindly.
Teenage boars and boars generally:
Boars: Teenage, Bullying, Fighting, Fall-outs And What Next?
A Comprehensive Guide to Guinea Pig Boars
The most common problems that can come with rehoming from places without a mandatory quarantine/vet care:
New Guinea Pig Problems: Sexing & Pregnancy; URI, Ringworm & Parasites; Vet Checks & Customer Rights
Rescues (Adoption and Dating), Shops, Breeders or Online? - What to consider when getting guinea pigs
Black piggies
Forum Donator 2023/24
Where you say you're in London, my nearest rescue Hazelcroft St Albans has piggies on their website for rehoming. Just off the M25, so maybe accessible to you? They're recommended on the forum and a great rescue. I've adopted 3 from there.
Thanks everyone. I think it would be best to wait and try to get through to the rescue place again, or try the one @Black piggies mentioned. Somehow missed that one in my research! My children think I'm spending far too much time on research and planning, but I do want it to go right.
AidaB
Forum Donator 2024/25
We adopted our Guinea pigs from Hazelcroft, would recommend them.
Rescuing is definitely the safest way to ensure you get a well bonded and healthy pair.
Good luck on your search - keep us posted!
Good luck on your search - keep us posted!
If you can get to St Albans and are approved (the rescue has normally a smaller rehoming area), Hazelcroft GPR have a the piggies from a large rescue intake of boars and a number of pregnant sows coming up for adoption as mothers and the ensuing babies will be looking for homes in the coming weeks.