Warning, Please Read

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Tiamolly123

Tiamolly123

Senior Guinea Pig
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Yesterday I had 5 guinea pigs rehomed, I don't mind telling everyone that I was an idiot, to have increased my herd to 10. It wasn't until the vet bills came in for Molly, who we lost through cancer. I had to make the decision to downsize to 4. The heartbreaking decision on who would stay & who would go. So soon after Mollys death but it would have emotional anyway. I've got one of my sows who came from another cage causing problems she won't let the other get to the food, or the hides.
At the moment I don't want my piggies or hamsters. I'm trying to get past that, time will heal I suppose.

The warning is don't build your herd if you can't afford the vet bills. Please don't go through what I'm going through & don't do it to your piggies, I bonded with all mine. Now I just wonder where they are & are they OK. Don't be a fool like I was, THINK.
 
I wont judge, its all too easy to take in extra animals, when they look all cute at you. I could afford more, but I wont get any. I've decided not to take any more once my five have gone. It's always heart breaking when we lose one, we get too attached. :(
 
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Whilst it's so sad you've gone through the financial and emotional turmoil of all this, you're right in that it's a very hard lesson in trying not to let the heart rule the head. Easier said than done, especially (for me) when you hear of poorly or neglected piggies needing homes.

I hope things start getting better for you now you've made the hard but ultimately brave and sensible move to downsize :hug:
 
That must have been so hard to write - I do really feel for you - my piggies were as high as 7 and then Bumble had loads go wrong with him which bust through his insurance limit and took a toll on my finances (single parent )and gave me so many sleepless nights,not just with his health, but with how I was going to afford to put petrol in the car - so as my herd has reduced in size because my piggies have passed away, I have told myself I can have no more than I can afford to insure - so my upper limit is 4 - I am sure your piggies will be fine and loved wherever they are - big hugs to you xx
 
Wise words. It is all too easy to be tempted by guinea pig cuteness.

I had to have pets rehomed in the past and was VERY glad to be able to return them to reputable rescues who gave me updates. Good luck with your current four. Pics of them would be lovely when you time/inclination.
 
*huge hugs* I know what you are going through, I went through it 18 months ago and rehomed all 16 of my piggies for various reasons. No one has a right to judge you, circumstances change and you did what you though was best.
 
You recognised you couldn't cope and you done the right thing by the Guinea pigs- that is what being a responsible pet owner is all about: putting them first.

I had my 3 sows together, Crunchie and fudge where rehomed to me from 2 different homes and Mallow was a rescue. I was happy with my trio. Mallow then started bullying fudge when she went into heart failure; a normal response to pick on the weak link. I seperated her Then rescued poppet from a hoarding situation- I felt like I didn't want another Guinea pig, but I done it for mallow. Not long after, she passed away, and Crunchie wouldn't let Poppet join her and fudge.. So there I was again, I rescued Rowan to live with Poppet.

I was up to 4 pigs again, which I felt was too much. With fudges care, and 2 extremely terrified babies on my hands, I felt like I didn't have enough time to help them be less frightened.

Because of this, it took much longer for them to become used to handling- which I do regret but we have got there in the end.

But I know 100000% I COULD NOT cope with anymore than 4, and i don't let my heart rule my head for a second.

I lost my little dog not long before I got mallow, I rescued her at 13.5 years old. Her insurance paid out £7000 in the 18 months she lived with me and I paid a good chunk in excess. Because I ended up with 4 pigs- I can't afford to rehome another dog.

It breaks your heart to turn them away but we have to be realistic with what we can manage.

Hope you feel better about it all soon x
 
Hugs to you, such a difficult decision to make but you did the right thing. I made the decision to rehome my animals a few years ago for different reasons to yours bt incredibly upsetting. It was the best thing I could do for them at the time. Hope you feel better soon, no one here is going to judge you harshly you obviously love your animals very much.
 
Massive hugs! :hug: i admire you so much for making the decision to rehome. You have done what you thought is best and you have made the right choice. We're always here for you if you need to talk about anything x
 
Respect for recognising the circumstances and for sharing your story. No one has the right to judge... you've taken care of their needs at the end of the day.. and by rehoming them you know they are goig to be ok. Hope things improve for you.. I feel your pain with the bonding and also the vet bills - both my previous piggies developed long term illnesses, so I've now taken the plunge to insure my 2 new youngststers.. it's an extra cost per month, but the big unknowns of delicate pig health doesn't feel as scary now... :/
 
Tia I have huge respect for you because there are a lot of people that have been in similar situations I'm sure who have kept your pics without thinking about their needs or your pics needs and the pics of ended up being seriously neglected as a result you have been such a brave person because he actually admitted that you can afford to get all your pics the tension and the finances to be able to have a massive heard
I take my Indian headscarf off to you
Huge hugs x
 
Have they gone to a rescue to be rehomed? Hopefully they will be able to let you know how they are getting on.

I have a pony from the Mare & Foal Sanctuary, and I am in touch with his previous carer so he gets to hear all about what Yoshi has been up to :)

I think you have been very brave, and honest, and I hope you will have some trouble free time with the pigs still with you.
 
Thank you so much for sharing your story and for being brave enough to do so. I really feel for you.
I have set my limit at 4 piggies in 2 pairs. I have been very tempted at times to increase, but 2016 has been a hugely expensive year in terms of vets bills and the loss of 2 of my piggies has also hit me very hard. I know that I cannot cope emotionally or financially with more than 4.
I do a bit of short term fostering for a rescue, which gives me the excitement of new and different piggies, but without the long term commitment or responsibility for their vets bills.
 
Tia please do not be hard on yourself. Every action you have taken has been with the pigs best interests at heart which shows what a loving person you are.

It is far too easy to take on more pigs, especially when we see so many needing good homes. To make your decision, and to be open about it is very brave.

Sending you love and strength
 
Thank you all for not judging me. I think what pushed me to write that, is there have been a 1 or 2 newbies that have joined with a couple of piggies, then are saying they want more. I just think can they afford them if not don't do it. I may ring up & see if my piggies have been homed.
They went to a reputable rescue, so know worries there.
There is a terrible guilt that I did this, 2 of these piggies had been with me for over a year, I'm worrying, will these piggies adjust?
 
Very sensible and honest post! Its easy to get carried away.. I'm sure we've all had the 'one more wont take up any more space, money, time or food' thoughts. But when one turns into another, then another.. it adds up!
I used to have 16 and I know I absolutely wouldnt be able to care for that number at this point in time. I especially couldnt do it with 2 with long term illnesses, I'm already feeling guilty about the lack of time spent with Leonard and Shelly compared to the other girls, which is prompting the search for a friend for Shelly so shes not on her own so much. This friend will be the 5th and final addition to our household for now. I am so grateful I kept myself in check in the early days when I first bought Blackberry and Bramble. I missed my herd so much and wanted to jump in with both feet with another herd. An entire group of unhealthy guineas from the same place might just of finished me off!

Well done for putting your piggies needs first and sharing your experience so hopefully others can do the same :)
 
Thank you for all your comments. To be honest I had forgotten about this thread I started. I think with Molly the rehoming of some of my piggies, & a hamster dying I just shut off for a while.
My piggy have gone to a rescue so that's a weight off my mind
 
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