Question for rescues

Alicia · Sep 24, 2011

Do most rescues have rules on what bedding can be used by someone looking to adopt a guinea-pig from them? At the moment I have 2 hutches attached together, and one of the hutches has vetbed in, and the other has woodshavings with lots of hay on top because I tried vetbed in both hutches and I found they needed changing every day, but if I use woodshavings as well it absorbs more.
I'm getting a new hutch next year, and I don't know if I'll be able to use my vetbed at all because it's all cut to the shape and size of my old hutches, and I'm hoping to get a much bigger hutch. I've heard of a few rescues not liking woodshavings, and I know lots of people don't like them, but do you think a rescue would not rehome to me because of bedding?

gogoguineas · Sep 24, 2011

i haven't personally heard this and i know a lot of rescues that do use shavings as from a cost point of view its cheaper to buy this in bulk. I personally would contact the rescues you are interested in rehoming from and get their point of view, contact a couple if you can, they may have reasons for not using it that you hadn't heard before.

Piggieslave · Sep 24, 2011

I know personally that tons of rescues use aspen or even pine as a bedding because it's way cheaper. I would think that you would be okay, just as long as you aren't using cedar.

x>>

Saysie · Sep 24, 2011

A rescue near me will not rehome to homes that use fleece

Suzygpr · Sep 24, 2011

I do not dictate to new owners what they should use - I use shavings, fleece, vet bed, newspaper and hay. It all depends on the need of the pig.

My firm conditions are an adequate sized cage that meets or exceeds the 4 ft x 2 ft required for a pair and that the pigs are housed indoors throughout the winter - the minimum to home from me is to house the hutch in an insulated shed with supplementary heating (heat pads or space heater).

Suzy x

Alicia · Sep 24, 2011

Thank you

Sorry I ask so many questions, but I've never rescued before and I want to make sure I've got everything right. I'm not sure what rescue I'm going to yet, I have emailed Bobtails about hutch sizes, but I might go to the rescue I got my rabbits from, because they have guinea-pigs but I don't know if they neuter any of the boars.

missy · Sep 24, 2011

Saysie said:
A rescue near me will not rehome to homes that use fleece

Wow I've never heard of that before. Do you know why they object?

Saysie · Sep 24, 2011

missy said:
Wow I've never heard of that before. Do you know why they object?

She claims that it stops their natural burrowing instincts, even though she saw mine happily nuzzling about in their hay and with a multitude of tunnels and toys to keep them occupied :{ also that it would be too hot for them in the summer. She told me I could not foster because of it 8... and that she would NEVER rehome to people who use fleece. I have since gone back to natural bedding (flax ) mainly because I find it easier, needless to say I wont be contacting her.
Gutted really because its the only rescue in my area and there is no one else that I could foster for near me

Abi_nurse · Sep 24, 2011

I agree with suzy. I dont think i have a problem with what bedding people use providing pigs have enough space.

x.

Piggieslave · Sep 25, 2011

Saysie said:
She claims that it stops their natural burrowing instincts, even though she saw mine happily nuzzling about in their hay and with a multitude of tunnels and toys to keep them occupied :{ also that it would be too hot for them in the summer. She told me I could not foster because of it 8... and that she would NEVER rehome to people who use fleece. I have since gone back to natural bedding (flax ) mainly because I find it easier, needless to say I wont be contacting her.
Gutted really because its the only rescue in my area and there is no one else that I could foster for near me

That's horrible! My piggies never burried into their aspen, and now that they have fleece they just love it, snuggling up! And doesn't she know that one of the major benefits of fleece is that it's cool in the summer and warm in the winter? :aLJFBQ00151070111C:

katiepops · Sep 25, 2011

Saysie said:
She claims that it stops their natural burrowing instincts, even though she saw mine happily nuzzling about in their hay and with a multitude of tunnels and toys to keep them occupied :{ also that it would be too hot for them in the summer. She told me I could not foster because of it 8... and that she would NEVER rehome to people who use fleece. I have since gone back to natural bedding (flax ) mainly because I find it easier, needless to say I wont be contacting her.
Gutted really because its the only rescue in my area and there is no one else that I could foster for near me

That's a shame. I think I know which rescue you are referring to and I have had the same conversation.
Anna at Wheek and Squeak may need a fosterer. She's in Bishops Waltham near Southampton so depending on where you are in Berkshire could be a little way. She certainly doesn't object to using fleece with big piles of hay as I've adopted 5 from her and that's what I do. I don't think she'd come across the use of fleece and cozies etc when I first met her (over a year ago) but she liked the look of them I showed her some cuddle cups I'd made.

Saysie · Sep 25, 2011

katiepops said:
That's a shame. I think I know which rescue you are referring to and I have had the same conversation.
Anna at Wheek and Squeak may need a fosterer. She's in Bishops Waltham near Southampton so depending on where you are in Berkshire could be a little way. She certainly doesn't object to using fleece with big piles of hay as I've adopted 5 from her and that's what I do. I don't think she'd come across the use of fleece and cozies etc when I first met her (over a year ago) but she liked the look of them I showed her some cuddle cups I'd made.

Thanks for that, I am going to the meet up on the 9th so will have a chat with her then. I remember from the other thread that you are also going too so I will see you there!

missy · Sep 25, 2011

Saysie said:
She claims that it stops their natural burrowing instincts, even though she saw mine happily nuzzling about in their hay and with a multitude of tunnels and toys to keep them occupied :{ also that it would be too hot for them in the summer. She told me I could not foster because of it 8... and that she would NEVER rehome to people who use fleece. I have since gone back to natural bedding (flax ) mainly because I find it easier, needless to say I wont be contacting her.
Gutted really because its the only rescue in my area and there is no one else that I could foster for near me

Now that you mention it, I have heard that theory before but I obviously just dismissed it and forgot all about it!

If they're so hung up on natural instincts being encouraged, does that mean that they only rehome different sex pairs/groups, to make sure that their natural instinct to reproduce isn't denied?!

It's such a shame that you weren't able to foster. I hope that you can help Wheak & Squeak instead x

Doeylicious · Sep 25, 2011

Alicia said:
Thank you Sorry I ask so many questions, but I've never rescued before and I want to make sure I've got everything right. I'm not sure what rescue I'm going to yet, I have emailed Bobtails about hutch sizes, but I might go to the rescue I got my rabbits from, because they have guinea-pigs but I don't know if they neuter any of the boars.

Bobtails won't rehome to you if you use shavings, they recommend newspaper and hay or shredded paper or similar.

You should try recycled egg box bedding, cheaper than shavings and much more absorbant and doesn't smell at all.

milhaven · Sep 25, 2011

I also agree with Suzy. Its not the bedding/ floor covering I would be most concerned about, more space and knowledge about the needs of the piggies. I use all kinds of bedding, depending on the piggy.