Reputable breeders/rescues in or near Edinburgh?
- Thread starter Io341
- Start date
Rivervixen
Forum Donator 2025/26
I’m not sure about any rescues near you but please please don’t go to breeders. They don’t care about the animals health or welfare they just want your money. Piggies that come from breeders often come with a series of health problems as well - hope someone with some insight on rescues for you will be along soon
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
I’m sorry for your loss. Unfortunately Scotland is sparse on rescues. How far are you able to travel, as that’s what you’d have to do. Please, as above, don’t go to breeders. They’re not ‘reputable’. If all else fails (try before you decide) then you could consider getting one from a pet shop. However, that must be a last resort. Your remaining female’s needs are a priority but exhaust all other avenues (rescues) first. I hope you can find a solution soon.
Rescue Locator
Rescue Locator
We are willing to travel as far as we have to, but so far any rescue close enough doesn't have a young female, which is what we are looking for. Holly has always been the dominant pig so we really don't want to introduce boars or pigs older than her.
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
Why not boars? She may be dominant but there is a match out there for her. It’s about character compatibility rather than whether it’s a sow or boar. I wouldn’t discount it as you’re then narrowing your choices.
Oh ok- we weren't sure if gender was an issue so thanks.
I will! Thanks
Pound Shilling & Pig
Adult Guinea Pig
Guinea pigs in pet shops are bred by commercial breeders who are 100% in it for the money. if there are no rescue pigs available then I would say buying directly from a non commercial breeder is better than a pet shop as at least you can see how the piggies live and make a more informed decision, there are some who do it for a hobby not to make money.
You can go to pick up pets its covered Coronavirus (COVID-19): advice for people in England with animals
Buying or adopting a pet
In all tiers, you must follow social distancing rules when buying or adopting a pet.
You should not visit a breeder or rescue centre in person to view an animal in its home environment before buying or adopting it. In tier 4, this is not a reasonable excuse to leave your home.
In all tiers, you should ask for a virtual tour instead. Take extra care to make sure that the seller is legitimate by following government guidance on how to get pets responsibly
Breeders and rescue centres should make arrangements to deliver your pet to you when it is ready to be rehomed. Where this is not possible, and it is reasonably necessary for the pet’s welfare, you may collect the animal. You should collect your pet by appointment only.
In tiers 2 to 4, you must collect without entering the premises where this is a private dwelling.
Buying or adopting a pet
In all tiers, you must follow social distancing rules when buying or adopting a pet.
You should not visit a breeder or rescue centre in person to view an animal in its home environment before buying or adopting it. In tier 4, this is not a reasonable excuse to leave your home.
In all tiers, you should ask for a virtual tour instead. Take extra care to make sure that the seller is legitimate by following government guidance on how to get pets responsibly
Breeders and rescue centres should make arrangements to deliver your pet to you when it is ready to be rehomed. Where this is not possible, and it is reasonably necessary for the pet’s welfare, you may collect the animal. You should collect your pet by appointment only.
In tiers 2 to 4, you must collect without entering the premises where this is a private dwelling.
Hath
Teenage Guinea Pig
Check with the rescue as I know my local rspca actually drops animals to their homes (social distancing) if they're not allowed to travel to meet animals at the centre. Obviously, there are other rules and changes, but contacting the rescue directly is your best bet.
Also P&H has rehoming section for unwanted pets, these are often youngsters. However, when you're buying the chances of returning if they don't like each other isn't always there.
On breeders, neither (private or commercial) are better. Both have the same goal and won't show you the whole picture. There were cases when breeders took animals into private homes to "show where the animals came from", when in reality they were from horrific, nasty conditions.
Also P&H has rehoming section for unwanted pets, these are often youngsters. However, when you're buying the chances of returning if they don't like each other isn't always there.
On breeders, neither (private or commercial) are better. Both have the same goal and won't show you the whole picture. There were cases when breeders took animals into private homes to "show where the animals came from", when in reality they were from horrific, nasty conditions.
We could definitely check- pretty sure you can travel for animal welfare, would it be ok for a piggie to be travelling for 2 hours?
This would be fine.
Piggies on the whole are rather good travellers.
Bill & Ted
Forum Buddy
A neutered boar could make a lovely match for her and may be easier than you think x
A little update- we got a new sow today! Her name is Nova, and she's tiny! We introduced them for a few minutes and they both went to the hay bowl quite happily so it's looking like they'll be able to move in together in a few days. She doesn't seem very interested in her kale but I'm guessing she might not be keen in the first couple days?
Siikibam
Senior Guinea Pig
So glad you found a friend! But why can’t they move in together now rather than in a few days? If you’ve introduced them you can now separate. They need to live together. How old is your sow and how old is Nova?
If your sows have met on neutral territory and have accepted each other on this occasion then I would set up a neutral area, complete the bonding and when complete, transfer them together to a freshly cleaned out cage with all scent removed.
It’s a one time thing - if successful on introduction, then they live together from then on.
Plus Nova is too young to be by herself (she needs the guidance and companionship straight away), this is why you don’t quarantine babies under four months of age.
Do you have multiple hay areas in the cage?
another good idea is to scatter feed veg and pellets rather than using bowls
We can do that. Holly was fine sharing a single hay bowl with Amelia so I'm guessing she'll just need to adjust again, but yeah we'll give them separate hay areas.
Plus it is very important to do the initial bonding/meeting on totally neutral territory.
While they are bonding then is the time to fully clean the cage they will eventually live in together.
The best place to start its with our comprehensive bonding guide.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
While they are bonding then is the time to fully clean the cage they will eventually live in together.
The best place to start its with our comprehensive bonding guide.
Bonding and Interaction: Illustrated social behaviours and bonding dynamics
So we put them together in neutral territory again and it was going ok but Holly keeps shoving Nova out of both hides and will actively follow her and shove? They slept together briefly but now Holly rumble struts whenever Nova tries to get into a hide even if Holly then goes into another one. Is this normal dominance behaviour? Should we let it happen and put them in the cage together or should we keep them separate another night?
This sounds like normal dominance but you shouldn’t use hides in the neutral territory bonding pen, just a pile of hay. Putting hides in the bonding pen can cause problems.