We're becoming a sanctuary...

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MarthaAndMaud

MarthaAndMaud

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Hi,

As most of you know I run a guinea pig rescue centre and a recently developed hedgehog rescue centre.

Well both rescues are currently bursting at the seams and don't appear to be slowing down by any means. I have therefore taken the decision to turn the gp rescue side into a sanctuary and continue at full strength with the hedgehog rescue. The decision to concentrate more on the hedgehogs comes simply down to the fact that this is where I am needed most. Every day I have vets, dog wardens, park keeps etc calling me for help and advice on hedgehogs and that doesn't include help needed by the general public.

I'm not 'blowing my own trumpet' by any means, only justifying my decision to you all to stop re-homing the gps. I have a full time job, a moderator job plus a general rescue and re-homing site of my own, 2 children and a partner, 30 something guinea pigs ( not including those being fostered) 36 hedgehogs and yup you've guessed it, absolutely no time to myself. If I don't slow down I will burn out.

I certianly need to 're-charge' my batteries before spring time as i'm expecting to be syringe feeding quite a few hoglets every few hours for a few months. I therefore feel unable to devote my time to gp homechecks and cleaning out 25 gp hutches every few days.

Therefore, after Christmas the babies currently being born by the six pregnant sows, together with those already available for re-homing, will be re-homed as normal to new families. The others here with me will stay permanently in a luxury gp playground as I am going to convert the shed all open plan.

I will no longer be taking in any gps that are unwanted pets, for re-homing. I will only continue to take in those that are ill or injured and need long term treatment or specialist care as I do receive calls from vets and centre such as PACT.

Any gps I take in the future will become part of my rescues living in a sanctuary where I will give them the love and care they deserve without the stress of re-homing.

Thanks for listening.

Claire
xx
 
Just wanted to say a great big thank you. I think that what you've done so far has been amazing and certainly above and beyond. You certainly shouldn't doubt what you are doing. I am so grateful to have had the chance to meet you and to be able to re-home 3 of your beauties. I wish you every success with your future sanctuary and hhs as well. All those piggies that you've saved and given a future to has been amazing and no-one can do anything but to thank you for your outstanding service to the piggy world - take care and thank you again. :)
 
Claire, I think you are amazing! Thanks for sharing with us. Hope on the animal side of things it is a quiet Christmas but I think that is wishful thinking! Good luck with everything! x
 
Claire, you do a fantastic job and I just dont know how you find the time!
Wishing you every success with your hedgie rescue x
 
Good luck. Have learned a lot from your posts about hedgehogs and now keep my eyes peeled for any hedgies at this time of year. It's nice to know if I ever come across one in need I can PM you. You are knowledgeable and devoted so well done! xoxo
 
I completely understand about not having enough time. I study, work and care for my animals, and feel like I am pushed for time. I don't even have as many as you! Good luck with continuing the hedgehog rescue :)
 
Claire, you do wonderful work with both the piggies and hoggies, and I don't think you need to feel that you must justify your decision to anyone. It's amazed me for some time just how much you do, and it's not surprising that you need to change direction a little. You are to be congratulated on everything you've done for piggies up till now, and it's not like you will without piggies in the future, just you'll be doing things differently with/for them. And as for the hoggies, there aren't nearly enough people doing rescue work for hedgehogs, so I bless you on their behalf for being a hoggie angel.
 
Thanks for the post claire,as the others have said,you deserve countless medals for the work you've done. I don't blame you and sticking to a sancturary for piggies and a rescue for hedgehogs. this is where you need to be, there aren't many people in the world concentrating on them, and i think you're amazing for everything that you do. you need some time to rest,eat and sleep! i struggle with a full time job, a fiance and five piggies from time to time, so i have often wondered how you coped. i think you're an absolute angel, a living saint :)p:)p:)p:rose:rose:rose
 
Little Brambles wishes you well.

The hardest part both emotionally and in terms of time can be the rehoming so without that to worry about you should be able to recharge your batteries a little.

I fully understand your reasoning, there are days here when being a sanctuary also seems very appealing. All the best x
 
MarthaAndMaud said:
Hi,

As most of you know I run a guinea pig rescue centre and a recently developed hedgehog rescue centre.

Well both rescues are currently bursting at the seams and don't appear to be slowing down by any means. I have therefore taken the decision to turn the gp rescue side into a sanctuary and continue at full strength with the hedgehog rescue. The decision to concentrate more on the hedgehogs comes simply down to the fact that this is where I am needed most. Every day I have vets, dog wardens, park keeps etc calling me for help and advice on hedgehogs and that doesn't include help needed by the general public.

I'm not 'blowing my own trumpet' by any means, only justifying my decision to you all to stop re-homing the gps. I have a full time job, a moderator job plus a general rescue and re-homing site of my own, 2 children and a partner, 30 something guinea pigs ( not including those being fostered) 36 hedgehogs and yup you've guessed it, absolutely no time to myself. If I don't slow down I will burn out.

I certianly need to 're-charge' my batteries before spring time as i'm expecting to be syringe feeding quite a few hoglets every few hours for a few months. I therefore feel unable to devote my time to gp homechecks and cleaning out 25 gp hutches every few days.

Therefore, after Christmas the babies currently being born by the six pregnant sows, together with those already available for re-homing, will be re-homed as normal to new families. The others here with me will stay permanently in a luxury gp playground as I am going to convert the shed all open plan.

I will no longer be taking in any gps that are unwanted pets, for re-homing. I will only continue to take in those that are ill or injured and need long term treatment or specialist care as I do receive calls from vets and centre such as PACT.

Any gps I take in the future will become part of my rescues living in a sanctuary where I will give them the love and care they deserve without the stress of re-homing.

Thanks for listening.

Claire
xx
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Claire....I more than most can understand your decision as I have been in your position before. These days now I am looking after poorly ones or ones that need long term care I am a lot happier as I feel I am helping where its really needed, instead of spending just about every minute of every day frustrated with the next idiot that calls and never getting time to myself. I was so glad I made the decision to shut the rescue and concentrate on the poorly ones and I am sure you will be too. You can offer them a fantastic life and the hedgehog side of things really needs you now too. You know I am here when you need me and I will help in any way I can. I am not sure if Jay would like me fostering hedgies (he doesnt like the smell :))) instead of piggies so we will have to try and think of some other way to help instead :(|)
I am sure you are making the decision which is right for you, give me a shout if you need me ;)
 
claire what you are doing is amazing and i can fully understand where you are coming from!
You have helped many piggys already and many little hedgies by the sounds of things.
I had to stop fostering puppies and kittens to take on my gp rescue for the same reason that the pigs needed me more so i know that you must feel some anxiety over it.ultimately you must also look after yourself because without claire what would the hedgies and guineas do at all?
 
It takes a wise person to be able to admit when enough is enough, no matter how much they want to carry on helping. To have done what you have done - running the rescue, and also admitting that you can no longer continue it - is a true acheivement.

Every little helps, no matter how many pigs or how long you help for. A rescue who can only take in one pig at a time is so much better, more helpful, and more honourable, than just sitting back and letting others do the work; likewise a rescue who can only run for a few weeks is honourable. Every little bit, and every single pig you helped, is an honourable thing to have done. So even though you are having to give up the piggies rescue side of things, you already have done more than so many people will ever be able to do. Thank you for doing so much for piggies.
 
CCC4 said:
It takes a wise person to be able to admit when enough is enough, no matter how much they want to carry on helping. To have done what you have done - running the rescue, and also admitting that you can no longer continue it - is a true acheivement.

Every little helps, no matter how many pigs or how long you help for. A rescue who can only take in one pig at a time is so much better, more helpful, and more honourable, than just sitting back and letting others do the work; likewise a rescue who can only run for a few weeks is honourable. Every little bit, and every single pig you helped, is an honourable thing to have done. So even though you are having to give up the piggies rescue side of things, you already have done more than so many people will ever be able to do. Thank you for doing so much for piggies.
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i totally agree with ccc4,you've helped in such a big way,don't ever feel that you haven't done enough as you've done more than most have in a lifetime.

give those lovely hedgehogs a kiss from me, but mind your eyes! i dont want to be responsible for a poke in it! xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
 
You do a fantastic job Claire and I think it is commendable the help/rescue that you provide to hedgehogs - there aren't many places available to help them as much as there is for guinea pigs. By the sound of things you are definitely making the right decision - after all, if you burn out then you are no good to your family or the hedgehogs/guinea pigs and most of all, yourself. You have to do what you think is right for you! Personally, I don't know where you find the energy for everything that you do - I think it is just brilliant. Keep up the good work, you are an amazing person!
 
Claire, I fully understand your reasons for not taking on rehoming of guinea pigs. I admire you for still taking in sick piggies to nurse back to health before rehoming.
You should feel proud of yourself for realising that you can't do everything for everyone, but I hope that you will still be around on the forum as you are my friend.

As you know I am a lover of hedgehogs also. I feed them every evening and I had many a "lovers embrace" of hedgehogs on my lawn throughout the years. Hence, young hedgies still around now even in the frost.

I have just bought a hedgehog house which I will be putting dry leaves and hay into and putting it under the evergreen trees in the hope to provide shelter for some hedgies.

Keep on doing what you are doing, Claire. As I have said before .. you are a star! A very kind person! :)
 
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