Single boar for adoption - what to do?

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devonbelle

devonbelle

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I popped into P@H today to pick up some dog food and something made me have a look in the Adoption section. There, all alone, in a glass box, was a lone boar called Roger (now thats a name to make you all go 'awwww')! He is 14 weeks old and is there because he was the 'leftover' pig.
Now, I'm not looking to increase my numbers but Roger looked SOOOOO sad. So I asked what happens with adoptions and the guy said that you fill in the forms, make a donation then take them home.
I asked if I could bring mine in to see how they get on and was told that this wasn't possible.
He then asked if he could give me some advice and went on to say that you shouldn't inroduce new pigs when you have more than one as they are territorial and will fight. Thats why Roger is on his own. I asked if I could give him some advice and suggested he acquaint himself with this website!
He said that I can have Roger but if they don't get on I can bring him back (as if I would ever be able to do that!) but I couldn't have my donation back!

So, what to do now? Some of you might recall that my 2 have had their squabbles, have fallen out and then moved themselves back in together. I have to confess that Roger has been playing on my mind since I saw him. I guess if I take him and they don't get on I could always ask on here for a single boar to partner him up with?
I don't know so would appreciate all and any comments.

Thanks.
 
Such a hard decision to make.

I hate that they put 'must live alone' on all the boars in the adoption centres (well, all the ones I have seen) just because they lack any knowledge about piggies :(

If I were you and I had the space I'd probably get him. I'm a bit soft :)) Not sure I would try him with your other 2 just yet though.

Do what is right for you/your situation.
 
Why not have a rescue pig instead as a friend for your guinea pig, from a rescue that will let you see how they get on? x
 
I already have two, Bill and Ben, and really wasn't looking to add to our family. But something drew me to look at the adoption section, something I never normally do, and I'm a great believer in fate.
I would always go for rescue pigs where I can but now I've seen Roger, I'm not sure I can leave him there!
 
There's an old saying my nana used to say to me about my pets hehe, if you can walk away, walk ...if you cant follow your heart.

I'm a great believer in fate too, now i know how awful PAH is but i was very much drawn to thimble, my hamster, i dont know why because i was wanting a black female dwarfl hamster...and thimble well i dont know I had to have him (he was a white syrian hamster with a red and black eye). I walked away as i knew not to go for pet store animals, but sobbed my heart out for two days i was just really attached to him oddly. I went back after two days but realised hed already been sold...a week later i recieved my birthday gift....and you guessed it...Thimble! My OH bought him for me.

Now thats not the end of the story, as three days later he fitted in his cage and it turns out he has a herditory disorder which means he needs sugar daily for the rest of his life and needs to be monitered too for any changes. So i believe that he was meant for me (corny i know!) as i know i can look after him, and take him to the vets if needs be.

Anywhoos i think you should sleep on the idea, discuss it and think about it. You could get him, and adopt a baby boar/older boar to go with him....hmm tough decision!

Good luck, keep us updated :) x
 
It is so difficult to walk away from piggies (or any other animal) in that sort of situation. I used to work in a pet shop, and I have to say it was one of the most depressing times of my life. It emptied my bank, and filled my home.

Now, I still work with animals but none that I can take home!

Fortunately, I now see that I can not save them all, as much as I would like to
 
I was in this exact situation!
I have 2 boars which I got from P@H and I love! I went in to buy sawdust and after an hour, walked away with a 2 story cage, and 2 other boys haha - I just couldn't not have them as they were also the last ones!

I know how you feel, but I'd say sleep on the idea and if you're still wanting him, go and get him! As long as you have the space, and time, I can't see why not.
I have 4 boars and they all get on well (bar the recent fight that happened this week) and they were introduced months after each other, 2 and then 2.

If it makes you happy, then do it :) life's to short! x
 
There are real mixed opinions on here regarding P@H adoptions. I would say follow your heart. Sometimes a particular pig that really affects you like Audioheart said with her hamster. We have a few P@H adoptions, and they are the ones we could just not leave behind.
 
helen105281 said:
There are real mixed opinions on here regarding P@H adoptions. I would say follow your heart. Sometimes a particular pig that really affects you like Audioheart said with her hamster. We have a few P@H adoptions, and they are the ones we could just not leave behind.
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I agree with Helen. I am often in there, see the pigs, go aww and can walk away.

It's when I go home and I just can't get one out of my head that I know that pig has made a mark, like Dodge did.

Having said this, you may be in for a rocky road with introductions etc. with another pig, you already know from your boys boys can fall out, so it's whether you want to go down that path...very very difficult! I cheated, I got Dodge neutered instead!
 
It is so difficult when an animal 'gets to you' but if you read the 'Rescue/Rehoming' section on this forum, there are so many, really needy pigs out there that desperately, urgently need a place of safety, let alone a new home. Most P@H animals are in warm, safe environments. Roger may be lonely but he's being well looked after. There are over 100 guinea pigs needing rescue places on this forum at the moment. Sorry to sound a bit heartless for Roger but P@H animals are taking up places that could go to rescue animals.
 
RabbitFan said:
It is so difficult when an animal 'gets to you' but if you read the 'Rescue/Rehoming' section on this forum, there are so many, really needy pigs out there that desperately, urgently need a place of safety, let alone a new home. Most P@H animals are in warm, safe environments. Roger may be lonely but he's being well looked after. There are over 100 guinea pigs needing rescue places on this forum at the moment. Sorry to sound a bit heartless for Roger but P@H animals are taking up places that could go to rescue animals.
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But is that the animals fault? Being brutally honest, if I don't get Roger, I will stick with the 2 piggies I have. I am certainly not out there looking for more animals. Besides which, there are no rescues near me.
I will either stick with the 2, OR get Roger.
 
You will know more than anyone what is right for YOU. You know if you have the space and the means, etc.
As you say, Roger will not take the space of a recue pig, Roger will take Roger's space...
 
I had the same problem. I went in to P@H last night to get Victor more toys and spotted 2 boars up for adoption. They were adorable. I was so tempted to get them but i dont think Victor would be too happy. I'm looking for a friend for Victor but i dont think 2 boars would be ideal. One of them was looking at me as if to say 'Take me home' oh my heart melted! x
 
I really don't want this to sound arguementative, but I think I would disagree with RabbitFan.

The animals already in rescues are getting the best care possible, any medical attention they need, the correct food, lots of love etc. I have no idea what happens to the P@H animals when the store closes. Just left alone in the dark I imagine.

I would always encourage someone to use a rescue rather than a petshop/breeder but if you have already seen an animal in not ideal conditions I wouldn't feel it was wrong for a person to 'rescue' that animal.

Every animal deserves a good home.
 
I have a mixture of P@h adoption piggies and rescue boys. I would say that if he really has got to you then you should go get him, this happened to me on 2 occasions and but i went back 3 days later one piggie was still there so i got him and the other pair had been rehomed so i was happy for them. I think you will find it very difficult to get a boar trio to work, specially as you said your boys have only just got back together so i think if you get him it should be with the intention of getting him a rescue boar friend and you will have 2 pairs. I hope this helps. I myself have 17 boars some pairs some singles living side by side. I have 2 pairs, they fell out then i tried to bond all 4 with each other to try another 2 pairs and ended up getting them all baby friends! and then some more etc! But there is a chance that if your pair fall out one would bond with Roger but if they don't he will be lonely. And your could end up with 3 lonely boys.
 
I think this is just turning into another pet shop v rescue discussion, which has been covered so many times. I imagine the OP knows there is mixed views, but as this is a rescue friendly, not pet shop friendly forum it was inevitable that her post would cause this discussion yet again. It can hardly come as a surprise to anyone. I really don't know why people keep starting the 'I couldn't resist' threads as they always end up following the same route to nowhere. So very disheartening. xx
 
I agree with Nutmeg on the way these threads always go, yet they are always posted...at the end of the day I do think if a pig has grabbed your heart that much, you shouldn't need to ask anyone else if they think you should have him or her. The only person I ask is my mother as I'm still living at home and she would like some of her garden pig free if possible!
 
Cgilchrist said:
I have a mixture of P@h adoption piggies and rescue boys. I would say that if he really has got to you then you should go get him, this happened to me on 2 occasions and but i went back 3 days later one piggie was still there so i got him and the other pair had been rehomed so i was happy for them. I think you will find it very difficult to get a boar trio to work, specially as you said your boys have only just got back together so i think if you get him it should be with the intention of getting him a rescue boar friend and you will have 2 pairs. I hope this helps. I myself have 17 boars some pairs some singles living side by side. I have 2 pairs, they fell out then i tried to bond all 4 with each other to try another 2 pairs and ended up getting them all baby friends! and then some more etc! But there is a chance that if your pair fall out one would bond with Roger but if they don't he will be lonely. And your could end up with 3 lonely boys.
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And this was sitting on the fence post, from me as always rolleyes but i can see everyone's point xx
 
nutmeg said:
I think this is just turning into another pet shop v rescue discussion, which has been covered so many times. I imagine the OP knows there is mixed views, but as this is a rescue friendly, not pet shop friendly forum it was inevitable that her post would cause this discussion yet again. It can hardly come as a surprise to anyone. I really don't know why people keep starting the 'I couldn't resist' threads as they always end up following the same route to nowhere. So very disheartening. xx
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I'm sorry if you feel I shouldn't have posted this thread. It was in no way meant to cause a pet shop v rescue forum because I fully support rescues. In fact, I rescue animals and birds of all types regularly (have found myself with all sorts over the years!). And it wasn't a 'I couldn't resist' thread either. Yes I feel very sorry for Roger. No, it isn't pet shop v rescue because, as I've said, I'm not actively looking to increase numbers. If I were, I would always use a rescue.
The reason I started this thread, rather than to provoke an arguement, was to ask for views about having 3 or more piggies together, and to show the ignorance of the P@H guy.

Thank you to those of you who have posted, having understood why I started the thread. I will let you know what I decide to do.
 
Good luck i am sure you will make the right decision.
 
Do you have a spare cage or CC grids? Could you set him up a little cage or enclosure right next to the other 2 boars and see what happens? If they seem inquizative let them meet and see how it go's.......If this starts the other 2 off again, as said as it seems try bonding Roger with one of them possibly.....I'm not sure, you know what is best.

This may be a rescue friendly forum rather than a pet shop forum, however as someone has said rescue piggies are well cared for otherwise there wouldnt be such a place as GP rescues, and Rescue centres usually do home inspections so we all feel comfortable that all rescue GP go to a good home,
P@H dont do home inspections, there is nothing stopping an irresponsible teenager or adult even from walking into P@H telling staff they have a massive cage for him, then talking him and feeding him as snake food or keeping him as a pet in a tiny cage with no toys or company.

Like others have said, if you have the space follow your heart and go and get him. xx
 
Toffeewoffee said:
Do you have a spare cage or CC grids? Could you set him up a little cage or enclosure right next to the other 2 boars and see what happens? If they seem inquizative let them meet and see how it go's.......If this starts the other 2 off again, as said as it seems try bonding Roger with one of them possibly.....I'm not sure, you know what is best.

This may be a rescue friendly forum rather than a pet shop forum, however as someone has said rescue piggies are well cared for otherwise there wouldnt be such a place as GP rescues, and Rescue centres usually do home inspections so we all feel comfortable that all rescue GP go to a good home,
P@H dont do home inspections, there is nothing stopping an irresponsible teenager or adult even from walking into P@H telling staff they have a massive cage for him, then talking him and feeding him as snake food or keeping him as a pet in a tiny cage with no toys or company.

Like others have said, if you have the space follow your heart and go and get him. xx
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It is just as easy to follow your heart to a rescue!

I have actually had it with this forum, the double standards are just too much.
 
nutmeg said:
It is just as easy to follow your heart to a rescue!

I have actually had it with this forum, the double standards are just too much.
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I didn't say it wasnt as easy to follow your heart to a rescue, the fact is, she wasn't intending on adding numbers so wouldnt be going to a rescue anyway, but she has seen Roger in P@H on his own.......

I'm not siding with pet shop over rescue, because it would be rescue all the way for me. I'm not wanting to cause any disruptions or cinflicts here.
 
Nutmeg, please don't feel like that. If I was ever going to get another pet I would be straight to a rescue. The OP isn't in the position that she WANTS another pet just that this particular pet has tugged on her heart strings.

I have every respect for those who can stick to their principles of not buying from pet shops but I'm not going to berate someone for getting attached to a shop pig either.
 
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