• DONATIONS NOW OPEN! TGPF relies on donations to run. If you'd like to donate towards running costs you can find out more HERE
  • Fresh grass and lawn tips to avoid springtime deaths Click here for details

Please Talk Some Sense Into Me!

Status
Not open for further replies.
spock

spock

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Apr 10, 2017
Messages
191
Reaction score
169
Points
305
Location
uk south west
Before I found this forum I was looking around pet shops and breeders for my first guinea pigs. After being glued to the threads here for months I now have my two wonderful boys from a rescue centre.

My problem is that I popped into my local pet shop to get some hay after running low and saw two boars that I looked at before I got mine, they're still there! Not sure how old they are but they're not babies.
I can't stop thinking about them, they're in a class cage I'd say smaller than a 2x2 c&c and have been there at least three months it looks like one of them has a white iris, and the other is light brown but not Agouti so maybe less likely to find a home (my boys are brown and no one wanted them).

I know that if I buy them, the pet shop will just get more but I'm worried..... the pet shop also caters for reptile owners ......
Advice needed! :help:
 
I know how you feel. I haven't even collected mine yet but I'm feeling bad for the ones I'm not taking. There is a boar that no one seems to want and I would love to take him but as I'm getting 3 girls, it's just not possible. Doesn't stop me trying to work out ways round it!
 
Go back & tell them that, those pigs are not in the correct size cage, according to the RSPCA rules. Then go back in a weeks, if they are still in that small cage, straight away report them. Maybe take a photo so if they have been moved, you can show them. If you give them your name, & address they will let you know
what's happened. If not you won't know the outcome.
 
Judge how the shop owner is. You could offer advice, or offer to rehome them for free..
 
Worried that if I kick up a fuss that they'll just disappear! Don't even know if the owners work in the shop. Anyone keep two pairs of boars in adjacent cages? Other half won't be pleased but I don't want them ending up as snake food.
 
spock said:
Before I found this forum I was looking around pet shops and breeders for my first guinea pigs. After being glued to the threads here for months I now have my two wonderful boys from a rescue centre.

My problem is that I popped into my local pet shop to get some hay after running low and saw two boars that I looked at before I got mine, they're still there! Not sure how old they are but they're not babies.
I can't stop thinking about them, they're in a class cage I'd say smaller than a 2x2 c&c and have been there at least three months it looks like one of them has a white iris, and the other is light brown but not Agouti so maybe less likely to find a home (my boys are brown and no one wanted them).

I know that if I buy them, the pet shop will just get more but I'm worried..... the pet shop also caters for reptile owners ......
Advice needed! :help:
Click to expand...

The rule is that if you can walk away, then walk away; if you can't, then get them. It is not their fault that they have been either handed back to the shop or have been persistently overlooked and didn't sell as babies.

We recommend to look at rescues first - if that is a realistic option for you (it isn't available for everybody) - because
a) rescues simply cannot take in new piggies that are either neglected, dumped or unwanted if nobody adopts second-hand piggies and helps to make space for new arrivals to receive good care and the assurance of being rehomed only into s suitable, safe home, and
b) because by getting piggies from a pet shop or breeder you support the overproduction of piggies for sale that feed the growing flood of unwanted pets.

But if there is an obviously ill, pregnant or stuck in the shop piggy, we'll certainly not throw stones at you if you have the space and capacity for a second cage and a second pair of boars. Most of us have come up against falling for shop piggies at some point or other, so you are in good company with your dilemma!

Importance Of Quarantine
 
Just have to say I am totally projecting my fears! The shop owners may care deeply about their animals! But what happens to them if no one buys them? It gets less likely the longer they are there.
 
Thanks wiebke, am looking for wise words, I've only had the boys about a month and it seems madness to get another pair, especially from a shop and knowing they will probably be replaced.
I think its because I did look at them before I got mine, they aren't conventionally pretty and it looks like no one else wants them.
it could easily have been them sat on my lap eating spring greens.
I did walk away once but now I'm not sure I can.
 
The thing is you have to draw the line somewhere. A max no of piggies and a max no of cages. So you adopt this pair and next month you'll see a post on here from a rescue of more piggies being constantly overlooked. You can't save every pig and have to set your limits.

I have one hutch, max of 4 piggies. Any more than that and I know I would struggle with vets bills should more than one get ill at a time. I see it as limiting myself so that I can make sure my current pigs have the life they deserve. By taking on more I lessen the time I have available for each individual piggy
 
Yes I hear you lady Kelly! Thanks I need some sobering thoughts. Its only really these two though as they could have been mine months ago, I feel a connection with them that I don't feel when I see others.
I total agree about time and vet bills too. These boars will probably take a lot of time and patience as I don't expect they've been handled much and I don't really know what's going on with the eye of one of them.
 
I have been in this situation afew times so know how you feel. I'm a sucker for looking on gumtree! I see them on there for free and it breaks my heart because some idiot could pick them up and do god knows what to them. I started off with 2 males (one from pet shop that I felt sorry for and he was the last one left and the shop was closing down, and the second free ad on gumtree). I've had 3 free guinea pigs all together. Over 3 years I'm now up to 7 piggies at the min. They are in 3 different cages and it's quite alot of work cleaning out3 cages and obviously the cost is a lot more than when I started out with just 2, 3 years ago. But I love them and wouldn't change them for the world. I enjoy cleaning them out, I have the money to spend on them and it makes me happy seeing them happy. I don't get to spend as much one on one time with them as I used to with just my 2 but they all get floor time daily and all get to go on the garden daily when the weathers nice for them. I have a long haired female who gets groomed daily and are all health checked daily. But I know I am at my limit I have no where for another cage and can't fit anymore in the 3 cages that I have so I have litterally had to stop myself. I still look on there and see them and still really worry about them.

If you are in a position to take them on and can afford it then I would (knowing me) go for it. But there are other guinea pigs in need and with a sob story behind them and as the saying goes sadly we can't save them all :( x
 
I used to always max myself at 6, then 4, but now due to my work schedule, finances and living space I can only have 2. It sucks but I'd rather be able to give two pigs everything they need than more pigs a poorer quality of life.
 
Yes it's really hard but if you know you can't then, as hard as it is, you may have to try and put it out of your mind.

Unfortunately a lot of people keep getting piggies with good intentions and then suddenly can't cope or afford it and place them in a rescue. Only to do it all again and get more piggies when they see them in shops knowing they need a home.

I've recently had to walk away from 2 sows, it was horrible. Having said that, I said no more and now I'll be picking up a poorly male soon so... :))
 
I have been in a similar situation and it's very hard to walk away, I really feel for you.
I have 2 pairs of boars one pair in a C & C on the floor and one in a comercial cage above them. If you can afford the time and the money to take on the 2nd pair then go for it but 2 more than 2 takes up a lot more time than you may imagine. I have been amazed at how much longer cleaning out, nail clipping, grooming etc. takes. I am lucky time wise because I am retired and don't have much other than piggys in my life but I don't think I would cope well if I had a job and/or children.
 
Stayc1989 said:
I have been in this situation afew times so know how you feel. I'm a sucker for looking on gumtree! I see them on there for free and it breaks my heart because some idiot could pick them up and do god knows what to them. I started off with 2 males (one from pet shop that I felt sorry for and he was the last one left and the shop was closing down, and the second free ad on gumtree). I've had 3 free guinea pigs all together. Over 3 years I'm now up to 7 piggies at the min. They are in 3 different cages and it's quite alot of work cleaning out3 cages and obviously the cost is a lot more than when I started out with just 2, 3 years ago. But I love them and wouldn't change them for the world. I enjoy cleaning them out, I have the money to spend on them and it makes me happy seeing them happy. I don't get to spend as much one on one time with them as I used to with just my 2 but they all get floor time daily and all get to go on the garden daily when the weathers nice for them. I have a long haired female who gets groomed daily and are all health checked daily. But I know I am at my limit I have no where for another cage and can't fit anymore in the 3 cages that I have so I have litterally had to stop myself. I still look on there and see them and still really worry about them.

If you are in a position to take them on and can afford it then I would (knowing me) go for it. But there are other guinea pigs in need and with a sob story behind them and as the saying goes sadly we can't save them all :( x
Click to expand...
I hate the fact that gumtree has so many free piggies god knows what happens to them, if they charged £10 to £15 they wouldn't end up as snake food. All though it is against the law to feed live food, but there is always one.
 
spock said:
So will my other half!:yikes:
Click to expand...
Well if you do get them, second your out of there, report them to the RSPCA, they shouldn't be living in such a small cage. Also if there is anything wrong with that piggies eye, keep your receipts & they should pay the vet bills. Although they may want you to see there own vet.
Is the pet shop pets at home?
Thats it I refuse to encourage you any more.:drool:
 
Jaycey said:
I used to always max myself at 6, then 4, but now due to my work schedule, finances and living space I can only have 2. It sucks but I'd rather be able to give two pigs everything they need than more pigs a poorer quality of life.
Click to expand...
what did you do with the others Jaycey
 
Tiamolly123 said:
I hate the fact that gumtree has so many free piggies god knows what happens to them, if they charged £10 to £15 they wouldn't end up as snake food. All though it is against the law to feed live food, but there is always one.
Click to expand...

I know it makes me so upset and angry that they give them away for free, there's no need they should take them to a rescue to be sure they going to get a good home. When I see them I message them telling them to take them to a rescue or pets at home adoption centre because they can check out any new potential owners but most of the time they ignore me! The Ones I took from there, one of them was just straight up not bothered where the piggy went. The second said they'd tried a rescue but they apparently wanted a surrendering fee of £20 which the lady said she didn't have. And the third one, the situation just got really weird so I thought it was best of I take the piggy. X
 
Stayc1989 said:
I know it makes me so upset and angry that they give them away for free, there's no need they should take them to a rescue to be sure they going to get a good home. When I see them I message them telling them to take them to a rescue or pets at home adoption centre because they can check out any new potential owners but most of the time they ignore me! The Ones I took from there, one of them was just straight up not bothered where the piggy went. The second said they'd tried a rescue but they apparently wanted a surrendering fee of £20 which the lady said she didn't have. And the third one, the situation just got really weird so I thought it was best of I take the piggy. X
Click to expand...
I've never heard of a surrender fee.
 
I think I have heard of some rescues having a surrender fee/policy to prevent breeders from unloading their unwanted stock and control their rescue spaces a bit more.
 
Think carefully before doubling your numbers. I am going through a similar thing atm. Just upgraded the cage and now have plenty of space for two more sows.

BUT i am really enjoying the fact that Mistletoe and Jingle are really tidy and that their water bowl is always clean and that i only need to wash their fleeces once a week ... Two more would mean twice as much poo ... Also they may not get on.

Good luck with your decision.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top