Piggy Dilemma....

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So a couple of weeks ago, my aunt contacted me out of the blue to say that they had two guinea pigs that she needed help with as they needed their nails trimming and she couldn't do it. I of course offered to help. I had helped her more than 12 months ago, so I was shocked that she was asking for trimming now. I know the pigs don't have a nice time at their house: people always coming and going, a small cage and when I last visited the dog was constantly barking at the cage and chasing them.

Before I knew it her husband had brought them to my door in a carrier, said they would collect them again later and disappeared.

What I found horrified me. The longer haired boar was so terribly matted, I don't know how he was walking. All of the hair on his back, behind and under his belly was severely matted in huge clumps, that were clearly pulling on his skin and must have added a kilo to his weight! The piggies also smelled awful, so not sure what bedding they were kept on, or how clean the bedding was? All I know is they keep them in a small cage :( and they don't have a lot of time to care for them.

Both piggies had overgrown nails that had not been attended to until the last time they asked me to help (over a year ago).

The water bottle that they sent with them, was pure dark green with algae, and even the water was green! So I got them new water bottles.

I said that I would keep the piggies over night as I needed to bath and trim the longer haired one. Both piggies had a clean up and spend the night at my house in a nice clean guinea pig run. As the carrier they brought them in had no hay or bedding at all, so they ended up urine soaked from sitting on the plastic during the journey to my house.

Then, due to my aunt being busy, they stayed at my house for longer. Both were very timid and shy. But now they are absolutely loving life. They then moved in next to two of my boars in a super large cage (as these are also a boar pair), with clean bath mat bedding, fleece and unlimited quality hay. I've kept on top of the longer hair. Both piggies are getting super confident now. They know the routine and me (food lady) and I even watched them popcorning around on my piggy cam. They get on really well with my boys (the neighbours) and all are settled in their own spaces. They are now joining the others, approaching me whenever I enter the room, and getting more confident in their new, quieter surroundings.

So my dilemma is, I don't want them to go back. I know I am busy and probably shouldn't take on more pigs, but the thought of them going back to those conditions is killing me. I've tried saying I'll keep them, and I've sent them pictures of how much the pigs are enjoying life at my house, but they want them back. I really can't stand the thought of letting them go back. They want to collect them on Friday :(

What a dilemma............ I really want them to have a nicer life with my boys. How on earth am I to sleep at night knowing they have gone back there?

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Bradshaw Piggies said:
So a couple of weeks ago, my aunt contacted me out of the blue to say that they had two guinea pigs that she needed help with as they needed their nails trimming and she couldn't do it. I of course offered to help. I had helped her more than 12 months ago, so I was shocked that she was asking for trimming now. I know the pigs don't have a nice time at their house: people always coming and going, a small cage and when I last visited the dog was constantly barking at the cage and chasing them.

Before I knew it her husband had brought them to my door in a carrier, said they would collect them again later and disappeared.

What I found horrified me. The longer haired boar was so terribly matted, I don't know how he was walking. All of the hair on his back, behind and under his belly was severely matted in huge clumps, that were clearly pulling on his skin and must have added a kilo to his weight! The piggies also smelled awful, so not sure what bedding they were kept on, or how clean the bedding was? All I know is they keep them in a small cage :( and they don't have a lot of time to care for them.

Both piggies had overgrown nails that had not been attended to until the last time they asked me to help (over a year ago).

The water bottle that they sent with them, was pure dark green with algae, and even the water was green! So I got them new water bottles.

I said that I would keep the piggies over night as I needed to bath and trim the longer haired one. Both piggies had a clean up and spend the night at my house in a nice clean guinea pig run. As the carrier they brought them in had no hay or bedding at all, so they ended up urine soaked from sitting on the plastic during the journey to my house.

Then, due to my aunt being busy, they stayed at my house for longer. Both were very timid and shy. But now they are absolutely loving life. They then moved in next to two of my boars in a super large cage (as these are also a boar pair), with clean bath mat bedding, fleece and unlimited quality hay. I've kept on top of the longer hair. Both piggies are getting super confident now. They know the routine and me (food lady) and I even watched them popcorning around on my piggy cam. They get on really well with my boys (the neighbours) and all are settled in their own spaces. They are now joining the others, approaching me whenever I enter the room, and getting more confident in their new, quieter surroundings.

So my dilemma is, I don't want them to go back. I know I am busy and probably shouldn't take on more pigs, but the thought of them going back to those conditions is killing me. I've tried saying I'll keep them, and I've sent them pictures of how much the pigs are enjoying life at my house, but they want them back. I really can't stand the thought of letting them go back. They want to collect them on Friday :(

What a dilemma............ I really want them to have a nicer life with my boys. How on earth am I to sleep at night knowing they have gone back there?

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I think you need to have a frank discussion with them. Why aren’t they wanting to give them the best possible life? I am quite surprised they want them back as they seem to have been quite neglected, I should point that out and perhaps you could show them how to look after them better and what they need to provide. Such a shame for the piggies and you too, it would break my heart, poor you :hug: to be in this situation, maybe you can persuade them they are much happier with you 🤞
 
That’s such a difficult situation, it’s very odd they want them back given they have neglected them so badly, I agree with Bill and Ted a frank discussion about the situation needs to be had as it’s clear they cannot look after them 😔
 
Thank you all. I can only try. Will do my very best to have the conversation.

I really appreciate everyone’s support and advice. Thank you all so much

They are so happy here 😔
 
I absolutely feel your pain - it is 100% clear they would be a lot better off with you.
How you handle it I think will depend on how likely you think they are to listen.
If they are not interested in improving the conditions that the boys live in then I think I would start by being a bit 'awkward'.
If they plan to come on Friday maybe call on Thursday and say that doesn't work for you - last minute work emergency or some such.
Maybe if they had more of a break from the piggies they will realise actually they don't miss them that much and give in.
 
Swissgreys said:
I absolutely feel your pain - it is 100% clear they would be a lot better off with you.
How you handle it I think will depend on how likely you think they are to listen.
If they are not interested in improving the conditions that the boys live in then I think I would start by being a bit 'awkward'.
If they plan to come on Friday maybe call on Thursday and say that doesn't work for you - last minute work emergency or some such.
Maybe if they had more of a break from the piggies they will realise actually they don't miss them that much and give in.
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That is also a good plan. Thank you!

They didn’t even contact me over the last week to see how they were doing 😔 but now they want them back!

I really hope they will give in. Maybe if they see just how much they are thriving here, that could help? I have sent them pics of them in their huge new space and next to their new friends
 
Betsy said:
Those boys are clearly much happier living with you. It's sad how some people treat their piggies. Sometimes they don't realise how to look after them properly and just think that they are fine. Are the piggies feet OK?
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I know 😔 I need to come up with a plan.

Feet look good (luckily)! I thought the long haired boar had slightly swollen pads when he first arrived, but they are not now. Both have healthy little feeties now.
 
Maybe if they insist on taking them back you could make yourself a bit of a nuisance by always popping round to see the piggies and saying how much you love and miss them and offering to show them how to cut their nails and trim their hair and how to wash their bottles, etc, so they can see the amount of care they need and perhaps if they can't step up to the job they will give them back to you.
 
I'm an awful person, I would have apologised and said they had sadly passed away/escaped while out in the garden or something and kept them.
Unfortunately something like that means they may just go out and buy more without ever knowing any better though.
So not really a win for piggies in general.

I hope they see sense and let those handsome little men stay with you, they're clearly far better off not going back to them!
 
You’re a very good person in a very difficult situation, I really feel for you.

What’s your relationship like with them? Can you add in something about how you understand they’re really busy people and you’re genuinely worried for them that by not being able to give the pigs the time and space they need, there are likely to be health issues which could be really time consuming, and very expensive and unnecessarily stressful for them as owners?

Or make a plea that your pigs will be really unhappy if they lose their new friends?

If it’s about them saving face, can you make it about how much of a favour they’d be doing you somehow to let you keep them, at least for another couple of months?

I realise as I’m trying this that you’re dealing with people who don’t seem able to think logically about this or understand what’s really needed, so maybe this won’t make a difference.

So hard. I hope you can persuade them in some way.

It is positive you’ve been able to sort out the pigs immediate needs at least, they look in good condition right now and that’s thanks to you.

Keep us posted and best of luck 🤞
 
Thank you all. I’m going to try make it clear how much it would benefit them to stay here and how much I would love to have them; in a final attempt to convince them to let them stay. I don’t want to cause any family problems, we are not that close but still don’t want to rock the boat too much!

Will let you all know how I get on 🤞🏻

Thank you all again for the support and advice! 💕
 
I tried my absolute hardest to persuade them, but they are having none of it. She said her son misses them too much (her son is 24 years old, and is supposed to look after them - but they came to me in that state).

I feel like I've exhausted all options. Not sure how I'm going to sleep at night knowing they are back in that environment 😥
 
Bradshaw Piggies said:
I tried my absolute hardest to persuade them, but they are having none of it. She said her son misses them too much (her son is 24 years old, and is supposed to look after them - but they came to me in that state).

I feel like I've exhausted all options. Not sure how I'm going to sleep at night knowing they are back in that environment 😥
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All you can do is try, which is exactly what you have already done.

It's a fine line between offering advice/support, and being too pushy and annoying them so they never ask for your help again.
Would it be possible for the son to see them in their current set up?
Maybe he just doesn't realise the level of care that they actually need?

I am so sorry you have to go through this - I can't imagine how hard it will be for you to give them back. :hug:
 
Oh Bradshaw piggies you are in a very difficult position. I suspect if you kept them they would go out and buy more. Could you have a sensible chat with the son ….if he’s missing them…..he might not be and might not want them back.
Or if he is you can show him how to care for them . Good luck
 
Swissgreys said:
All you can do is try, which is exactly what you have already done.

It's a fine line between offering advice/support, and being too pushy and annoying them so they never ask for your help again.
Would it be possible for the son to see them in their current set up?
Maybe he just doesn't realise the level of care that they actually need?

I am so sorry you have to go through this - I can't imagine how hard it will be for you to give them back. :hug:
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Thank you :hug:

Rather than me driving them home tomorrow, I've requested her and her son come to collect them. That way they can see them in the setup and how happy they are. If that doesn't change their minds, I feel there is nothing more I can do.
 
Roselina said:
Oh Bradshaw piggies you are in a very difficult position. I suspect if you kept them they would go out and buy more. Could you have a sensible chat with the son ….if he’s missing them…..he might not be and might not want them back.
Or if he is you can show him how to care for them . Good luck
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I will try my very best to talk to him. I wont give up hope, but I think I do need to prepare myself for them leaving tomorrow 😥
 
Hopefully the state of the piggies is down to ignorance of their needs and you showing them how they should be kept will improve matters. Better still make them realise they can't give them the time they need and let you keep them. Those piggies are certainly better off with you.
 
I feel your pain. We recently visited my OH's adult niece (and her husband and children) and saw that they were keeping a single rabbit in a tiny hutch in the garden with no run. I wanted to say something to them but my OH told me i shouldn't as it would cause trouble. It is more annoying as they have huge garden so there is plenty of room to give this poor rabbit a proper space to live in. Every time i think about that poor rabbit, it makes me very sad.

I hope that maybe your family will see sense eventually and let you take the piggies. Maybe if you get to have them again you could say that you have found they have ringworm (make sure that they know it highly infectious and that they could catch it) and that you are willing to take them to the vet (which is very expensive) and care for them until they are well. This could of course take months and hopefully by then they will have forgotten about them.
 
Bill & Ted said:
So sorry for you, perhaps you can offer to have them for nail chips and holidays, that way you can at least monitor them :hug:
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Thank you :hug:

She has agreed to me having them for any holidays. Which is a good start.

They have had a taste of a lovely life with us, and I hate to think how they are going to feel going back there... 😥
 
They may not change their mind this time, but maybe next time your relative may change their minds about giving them to you. Also, I have a feeling they will be wondering why the piggies "smell good" and not "terrible" like they normally do at their house.

Be strong and kind to yourself, you have done your best for the two boys. I know they really enjoyed themselves at your house.
 
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