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The Guinea Pig Ranch?

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ceretrea

ceretrea

Junior Guinea Pig
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I contacted this rescue who is based in Bournemouth after falling in love with a piggy on their website. She is willing to reserve three girlies for me until I sort out accomodation for them.

But, I wanted to check their reputation as I haven't used them before. I have been stung by rescue before many years ago and always like to check. I usually find that the good ones are well known on forums like this..and so are the bad ones :)

Anyways, let me know what you think.

http://www.theguineapigranch.co.uk/
 
cavylover said:
Ive run a guinea sanctuary and a rescue in Southampton in total for over 11 years and Ive never come across them before
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Hi, Bishops Waltham isn't that far from me actually...although everywhere's far when you don't drive :)
 
I have never heard them being mentioned on here before.

This website to which we are linked with lists most of the reputable rescues:
http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp/centres.asp

Having had a bad experience with a not specialised rescue myself once, I can fully understand your wariness and think that it is a good idea to enquire here!
 
I've had a good read through the whole website and spoken thoroughly to the owner. I have a gut feeling that something isn't right and a few things on the website didn't sit right with me so I will look elsewhere.
 
I am sorry, but if things do not feel right, it is better to be careful than sorry. There are quite a few good rescues in your neck of the wood.

You can always post in our "rescue - wanted" section as well and rescue people active on the forum can contact you and help you. Some do rehome a bit further afield or can recommend rescues in/near Southampton they are working together with.
 
Wiebke said:
I am sorry, but if things do not feel right, it is better to be careful than sorry. There are quite a few good rescues in your neck of the wood.

You can always post in our "rescue - wanted" section as well and rescue people active on the forum can contact you and help you. Some do rehome a bit further afield or can recommend rescues in/near Southampton they are working together with.
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Thanks for the tip, I'll post there.
 
ceretrea said:
I've had a good read through the whole website and spoken thoroughly to the owner. I have a gut feeling that something isn't right and a few things on the website didn't sit right with me so I will look elsewhere.
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I had a quick look yesterday when you originally posted and noticed some spelling errors etc on the site. I know I'm probably being nit-picky and a the end of the day it's about rehoming the animals and not and English test, but in my opinion if you want to be taken seriously in any type of business, you can at least run it through a spell checker. I feel it gives a professional feel from the get-go.
 
KimberleysWheekers said:
I had a quick look yesterday when you originally posted and noticed some spelling errors etc on the site. I know I'm probably being nit-picky and a the end of the day it's about rehoming the animals and not and English test, but in my opinion if you want to be taken seriously in any type of business, you can at least run it through a spell checker. I feel it gives a professional feel from the get-go.
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Actually, I noticed that too. But it was a friend of mine who trawled through the blog and picked up the rehoming to live with bunnies. I noticed from chats with her that she rehomes for childrens pets and her recommended indoor cage size for three sows was 38" by 20"

I didn't write that before because, being new here, I didn't want to be seen to be negative about a rescue :red. But perhaps its good that people know.
 
KimberleysWheekers said:
I had a quick look yesterday when you originally posted and noticed some spelling errors etc on the site. I know I'm probably being nit-picky and a the end of the day it's about rehoming the animals and not and English test, but in my opinion if you want to be taken seriously in any type of business, you can at least run it through a spell checker. I feel it gives a professional feel from the get-go.
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not at all, i always think the same thing, about most things actually, OH thinks i'm too much of a nit-picker about spelling lol :)
It definitely looks more professional if the spelling is correct.
 
ceretrea said:
Actually, I noticed that too. But it was a friend of mine who trawled through the blog and picked up the rehoming to live with bunnies. I noticed from chats with her that she rehomes for childrens pets and her recommended indoor cage size for three sows was 38" by 20"

I didn't write that before because, being new here, I didn't want to be seen to be negative about a rescue :red. But perhaps its good that people know.
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Thanks - it IS good to know!
 
The Guinea pig Ranch.

If only the lady gave everyone all the facts of the case others could make their own oppinons without giving defamation agaist something they no nothing about.
Yes it is not a spelling test, and yes they have all been corrected now.The lady in question said she was "getting a Trixie 150 with cubes for the Guineas, as well as a run for the garden". She wanted the indoor cage as a sleeping pen only. For which the 38" by 20" would have been suitable.
I don't have a reputation on this forum as the rescue has only been running for 6 months. Look at my guest book many happy people over the last 6 months. I have never said, and have neaver recomended people buying for their children.!Most of my rescues come from the adults having to care for them after the children have given up. I would never put an animal back in that situation. However, just because there are children in the home, it does not mean that they are unsuitable for rehoming a piggy.
 
This is a situation which comes up time and time again.

People chat about a website not realising that the website owner will no doubt track the source of traffic and find the forum and thread.

The remarks made in this thread about your rescue were not intended to offend you, but they do reflect the impression that people are getting from your website. Perhaps you need to reword some of the entries on your blog so that people have a better sense of what your rehoming policies are?
 
Hi Sarah,

Sorry this has upset you. As threelittlepigs has said it's the nature of public forums for people to chat and say what's on their minds. I can, however, imagine that it's difficult reading for you and I hope it doesn't put you off the forum. It's a strong community and there will be a lot of support for you and your rescue as you get to know us.

Sharon. :)
 
I am sorry if we offended you unintentionally, but I for once have learned to be cautious after a bad experience. (The spelling was not a major point with me.)

Why don't you make a thread about introducing your rescue and its aims, so we get to know a bit more abut you and your background?
 
Bunny said:
If only the lady gave everyone all the facts of the case others could make their own oppinons without giving defamation agaist something they no nothing about.
Yes it is not a spelling test, and yes they have all been corrected now.The lady in question said she was "getting a Trixie 150 with cubes for the Guineas, as well as a run for the garden". She wanted the indoor cage as a sleeping pen only. For which the 38" by 20" would have been suitable.
I don't have a reputation on this forum as the rescue has only been running for 6 months. Look at my guest book many happy people over the last 6 months. I have never said, and have neaver recomended people buying for their children.!Most of my rescues come from the adults having to care for them after the children have given up. I would never put an animal back in that situation. However, just because there are children in the home, it does not mean that they are unsuitable for rehoming a piggy.
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it's nice to see both sides of the story and I think it is hard sometimes when things people say are maybe misenterpreted. Just had a look on the website and I think it looks rather good :red so I guess the spelling is all fixed now :) now. it sounds like you know your piggies really well. I think piggies are suitable for children as long as the parents take responsibility and teach the children how to look after them properly as with any animal. A lot of people on here have children and have piggies. The biggest problem we see is parents that don't accept the fact that children may get bored and the piggie still needs to be looked after and just give them up. Can't see a mention of rehoming piggies with bunnies so not sure where that was heard :x but it isn't a good idea obviously and I'm sure the rescue knows that if not they do now and I am sure they will take it on board. -c
 
Bunny said:
If only the lady gave everyone all the facts of the case others could make their own oppinons without giving defamation agaist something they no nothing about.
Yes it is not a spelling test, and yes they have all been corrected now.The lady in question said she was "getting a Trixie 150 with cubes for the Guineas, as well as a run for the garden". She wanted the indoor cage as a sleeping pen only. For which the 38" by 20" would have been suitable.
I don't have a reputation on this forum as the rescue has only been running for 6 months. Look at my guest book many happy people over the last 6 months. I have never said, and have neaver recomended people buying for their children.!Most of my rescues come from the adults having to care for them after the children have given up. I would never put an animal back in that situation. However, just because there are children in the home, it does not mean that they are unsuitable for rehoming a piggy.
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Excuse me dear. I did not tell you the Trixie 150 was for outside or for a sleeping pen. It is an indoor cage not a hutch, I clearly stated that these would be indoor pets who would have a run in the garden. Cubes are for indoors not outdoors and in your blog you say you have rehomed animals as childrens pets.

As for the comment "Well this happens when comments get back to the website owner" Good. I wasn't happy about taking animals from there and I came here for advice. I followed that advice and I have not stated anything on here that has been untrue.

So where is the defamation on my part? I stated a series of things directly from your website and your emails to me. Not my personal opinion, stuff directly from said sources. Then I stated I was not happy to use you because of those FACTS. Please don't throw mud in my face for asking about your reputation and if you don't like people thinking that you aren't reputable then I suggest you take those things off your site and don't suggest such things in your emails.
 
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Wiebke said:
I am sorry if we offended you unintentionally, but I for once have learned to be cautious after a bad experience. (The spelling was not a major point with me.)

Why don't you make a thread about introducing your rescue and its aims, so we get to know a bit more abut you and your background?
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That was the point of my original post and I am confused as to why they did not reply initially.

I did not set out to defame anyone and I am cross at the replies on here saying "ahh well, the OP misinterpreted". No, I can only go by what I am told from the rescue.
 
p.s I think I've found the bunny bit in the blog. I guess Duracell was actually a bunny? The name would make sense ?/
 
Bunny said:
If only the lady gave everyone all the facts of the case others could make their own oppinons without giving defamation agaist something they no nothing about.
Yes it is not a spelling test, and yes they have all been corrected now.The lady in question said she was "getting a Trixie 150 with cubes for the Guineas, as well as a run for the garden". She wanted the indoor cage as a sleeping pen only. For which the 38" by 20" would have been suitable.
I don't have a reputation on this forum as the rescue has only been running for 6 months. Look at my guest book many happy people over the last 6 months. I have never said, and have neaver recomended people buying for their children.!Most of my rescues come from the adults having to care for them after the children have given up. I would never put an animal back in that situation. However, just because there are children in the home, it does not mean that they are unsuitable for rehoming a piggy.
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To be honest I don't think that would be big enough for 2 piggies let alone 3, on days when it was raining or the piggies couldn't be left outside in the run that would be too small. Also piggies can be in there hutch 12-14 hours out of a day, probably longer in winter.

As a resuce you should stink to the minimum requirements 5ft x 2ft for 3 piggies, regardless of how long the potential adopter says they will be in the run.
 
Seems I cannot edit my post so I'll add here:

At no point in time, having reread all the emails, did I tell you that the Trixie would be a sleeping pen. I made it clear the setup I would have indoors, with 'the cubes being attached on as a seperate (free access) exercise space'.

You run your rescue howver you like, but don't come on here telling me I have said things I have not.

Anyone on here who has read my cage threads will know that having the cage as a sleeping pen is not what I have been planning anyway.

I'm going to leave this topic with this:- I am entitled to my opinion, which I have based on the facts presented to me, not rumour or conjecture. Others may wish to use you, thats fine, I will go elsewhere. I get cross when I am attacked for stating the obvious and then told I am telling fibs. As a parent I am well aware of what your blog said and if thats what you advertise to people then its up to you.
 
ceretrea said:
That was the point of my original post and I am confused as to why they did not reply initially.

I did not set out to defame anyone and I am cross at the replies on here saying "ahh well, the OP misinterpreted". No, I can only go by what I am told from the rescue.
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I wasn't assuming you misinterpreted I just meant it can happen. we obviously have 2 people with different opinions and you both want to have your say but I was just speculating what could have caused the difference in opinion I don't know. Obviously the rescue are going to be offended just as anyone would when something they work hard for is being commented on negatively. And you are upset because you are made to feel that you are causing problems or whatever which you said you didn't want to do. The posts on here aren't meant to take sides just help and advise which is why you posted but they have a right to have their say too. Anyone reading the posts can only go by what people say and respond accordingly. My post was trying to be diplomatic and light not taking sides!
 
I am not questionning either party nor taking sides in any way, but would like to encourage people to use the forum positively. There is now an opportunity for a member with a relatively new rescue to become part of the forum community and get lots of advice and feedback in the process.
 
Cgilchrist said:
I wasn't assuming you misinterpreted I just meant it can happen. we obviously have 2 people with different opinions and you both want to have your say but I was just speculating what could have caused the difference in opinion I don't know. Obviously the rescue are going to be offended just as anyone would when something they work hard for is being commented on negatively. And you are upset because you are made to feel that you are causing problems or whatever which you said you didn't want to do. The posts on here aren't meant to take sides just help and advise which is why you posted but they have a right to have their say too. Anyone reading the posts can only go by what people say and respond accordingly. My post was trying to be diplomatic and light not taking sides!
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Of course you have a right to comment. And so do they. I would hope they continue to post on here rather than keep emailing me as it would help make things clearer to everyone.

Thank you for saying that you mean't both of us as I did read it that you meant me...perhaps I am being oversensitive as I am upset by the rescue suggesting I have lied in some way.

I hope I haven't offended you, I did post on here for opinions and I rather hoped I wasn't going to be attacked. Which you Cgilchrist obviously have not done, so I apologise for jumping the gun.
 
flips said:
I am not questionning either party nor taking sides in any way, but would like to encourage people to use the forum positively. There is now an opportunity for a member with a relatively new rescue to become part of the forum community and get lots of advice and feedback in the process.
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Absolutely! And well put. If a new rescue is starting out and wanting to become part of the forum, we're all here to help each other.

Sophie
x
 
sophiew said:
Absolutely! And well put. If a new rescue is starting out and wanting to become part of the forum, we're all here to help each other.

Sophie
x
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And since she has been a member since January I am surprised she did not comment earlier.
 
ceretrea said:
Of course you have a right to comment. And so do they. I would hope they continue to post on here rather than keep emailing me as it would help make things clearer to everyone.

Thank you for saying that you mean't both of us as I did read it that you meant me...perhaps I am being oversensitive as I am upset by the rescue suggesting I have lied in some way.

I hope I haven't offended you, I did post on here for opinions and I rather hoped I wasn't going to be attacked. Which you Cgilchrist obviously have not done, so I apologise for jumping the gun.
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I do also think that you have read my post the wrong way. The point is that Guinea Pig Ranch have read some things in this thread that must be very difficult for them to hear. The point I made was that this IS the impression that they are giving potential adopters and the comments that you made in this thread are surely the thoughts that many potential adopters are having when they read the website. If, for some reason, they are having difficulty expressing exactly what their rehoming policies are then they must correct their website so that people know exactly how they work.

You have given your opinions on the rescue in good faith based on the information you were given by them and I, like other posters, am keen to understand if their is a misunderstanding and if so, how it came about and how it can be resolved.
 
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