What would happen if we DIDN'T buy pets from pets at home and local pet shops?

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charliesmum said:
My next piggie would be a rescue or if I wanted a specific breed I would try to find a decent breeder...:)
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Why would you need a specific breed? You could give a perfectly good home to a rescue pig. You don't need a specific breed of pig. Or you could just be patient and wait until your specific breed comes up in rescue.
 
We've certainly had most breeds through the doors here I know Vikki has too - Rex, Sheltie, Peru, Abby, Texels - even an Alpaca here. Sadly these breeds that people want because of their lovely coats need a lot more care and people don't realise how much maintenance they need to keep looking like that.

Sophie
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I have had mostly smooth guineas here but I have Jasper and also Milo who are coronet from rescue and also Tika Netherland Dwarf who was in rescue. Dare I say they are all perfect as breeds.

I'd love a Silver Agouti but haven't come across one yet only Spencer who my cousin took in with hi 6 sisters, he now neutered and lives in a palace shed with them all! :))
 
When the time came for me to get my 2 guinea pigs - breed/colour didn't even come into it, I don't care what they are. I was the same with my cats too. It'll be the same when I eventually get some more piggies - colour/breed just don't matter. Obviously there are breeds that I think are extremely cute but I wouldn't deliberately go out of my way to get one of them.
 
daftscotslass said:
Why would you need a specific breed? You could give a perfectly good home to a rescue pig. You don't need a specific breed of pig. Or you could just be patient and wait until your specific breed comes up in rescue.
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Pardon? I don't actually want one, I was speaking generally, I have NO need for any specific breed, I have a mixed bag here as it is... I do take in rescues and would in the future, but I actually see no harm in going to a decent breeder for a selected breed.... I take it that this site is just for rescues then?/ I can see an argument against pet shops, but not a decent breeder who looks after and cares for their stock.... I don't breed either, did once, one litter, about 16 years ago and got so panicky that I never did again!
I love all guinea pigs, not bothered about colour, sex or breed:)
 
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charliesmum said:
Pardon? I don't actually want one, I was speaking generally, I have NO need for any specific breed, I have a mixed bag here as it is... I do take in rescues and would in the future, but I actually see no harm in going to a decent breeder for a selected breed.... I take it that this site is just for rescues then?/
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Yes, actually, this is a pro-rescue site. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18257 and absolutely not a place to be condoning breeders in any form.

Nobody needs a specific breed. It's pure selfishness and want on the part of the human, certainly not for the good of the animal. In fact to the detriment of the poor pig in rescue that goes without a home in turn making less space in rescue for another in need. Unfortunately in some cases people will take the matter into their own hands if rescues are full and find their own way of dispensing with an animal.
 
daftscotslass said:
Yes, actually, this is a pro-rescue site. http://www.theguineapigforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=18257 and absolutely not a place to be condoning breeders in any form.

Nobody needs a specific breed. It's pure selfishness and want on the part of the human, certainly not for the good of the animal. In fact to the detriment of the poor pig in rescue that goes without a home in turn making less space in rescue for another in need. Unfortunately in some cases people will take the matter into their own hands if rescues are full and find their own way of dispensing with an animal.
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But some people do want a type, that is human nature, and as long as they choose someone who looks after their stock properly, then that is better than a petshop, IMO. I don't, most of mine are crossbreeds, I also have texels, rex's and shelties, I also have had merino, peruvian and alpaca, all rescues btw;) I am not in the least bit selfish when it comes to piggies, I'll take anything! I have a hankering for a black American crested and a Dalmatian, but I am not going to go to a breeder for one though!
 
charliesmum said:
But some people do want a type, that is human nature, and as long as they choose someone who looks after their stock properly
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The term "stock" says it all, really. They're stock in a shop and stock from a breeder. It's a pity that the life of another living creature is so easy to purchase like it were a piece of furniture.
 
daftscotslass said:
The term "stock" says it all, really. They're stock in a shop and stock from a breeder. It's a pity that the life of another living creature is so easy to purchase like it were a piece of furniture.
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Well I dont breed my 'stock' its just a word I used.... Obviously my opinion is wrong...............oh well!:x
 
daftscotslass said:
The term "stock" says it all, really. They're stock in a shop and stock from a breeder. It's a pity that the life of another living creature is so easy to purchase like it were a piece of furniture.
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Good grief ...aren't their more important things to worry about than the word people use to refer to their cavies.
The reason that the word 'stock' is used is absolutely nothing to do with 'stock' in a shop or whether or not they are for sale. I actually think you know that perfectly well.
The word originates from the HISTORICAL use of the term 'Small Livestock' to describe Cavies, Rabbits, Poultry and anything else of that ilk. It just happens to be a word in the English Language !

Also, if someone wants a particular breed or type of animal isn't that their choice not yours.
 
Juniper said:
Good grief ...aren't their more important things to worry about than the word people use to refer to their cavies.
The reason that the word 'stock' is used is absolutely nothing to do with 'stock' in a shop or whether or not they are for sale. I actually think you know that perfectly well.
The word originates from the HISTORICAL use of the term 'Small Livestock' to describe Cavies, Rabbits, Poultry and anything else of that ilk. It just happens to be a word in the English Language !

Also, if someone wants a particular breed or type of animal isn't that their choice not yours.
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But we can do everything in our power to sway that choice, can we not? rolleyes
 
The term stock actually refers to the 'usefulness' of an animal rather than categorising them all as livestock. For instance horses, chickens and sheep are livestock because they are useful. Guinea pigs in all honesty aren't that useful in this country unless being bred from or being eaten in foreign climes. In other words livestock means for use or profit.
 
Someone emailed me earlier in the week to ask 'how much is X pig?' - having been on guinea pig rehome and seen one they liked. The email didn't say much else! Sent a long reply saying that we're a rescue, we don't 'sell' pigs, but appreciate donations, all rehoming subject to home-check etc.

Also with people wanting certain breeds etc. - I'm guilty of that as I just love my Prus but I take in all sorts of piggies and rehome all sorts of piggies, and mostly people aren't hung up on what breed - if they come to a rescue they're more interested in helping out a needy pig than looking for a certain breed or colour.

Sophie
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I have to say I don't like that word 'stock' to refer to guinea pigs - that just makes them sound like they're a number, not worth anything.

charliesmum said:
My next piggie would be a rescue or if I wanted a specific breed I would try to find a decent breeder...:)
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Charlie'smum - this is the quote that you originally came out with. You stated that you would in fact go to a breeder if you wanted a specific breed. Then you tried to backtrack on it - saying that you wouldn't do that. If you didn't mean the first statement - then why did you come out with it?!
 
Being one of the guilty many who has bought a piggie recently from a pet store (pets at home) ... I have to say, we all have to do as much as we can to publicise what is going on. As someone else said (can't remember who) I think there is alot of publicity about dogs and cats in rescue but next to nothing about small critters.

I for one am a convert to rescue. My dogs are rescues anyway and had I known about the existence of piggie rescues I would have approached a rescue instead of a pet store.

I feel guilty for having gone to a pet store, but nothing can be done about that now and I wouldn't change my Lenny (who came from the pet store) for the world.
 
Angeladeedah said:
I have to say I don't like that word 'stock' to refer to guinea pigs - that just makes them sound like they're a number, not worth anything.



Charlie'smum - this is the quote that you originally came out with. You stated that you would in fact go to a breeder if you wanted a specific breed. Then you tried to backtrack on it - saying that you wouldn't do that. If you didn't mean the first statement - then why did you come out with it?!
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I am not actually backtracking at all.... I said 'if' I wanted a specific breed, note the 'if', its hardly likely I would use one...! I am not bigging up breeders at all, but what I said is I think it would be better to use a decent breeder who cares for their 'animals', over a pet shop... I don't breed, did it once, some 15 years ago (and kept all the babies) , not again! And I have every intention to rescue my next piggie.... It was a generalisation that I am being slated for! Fwiw, I am pro rescue not anti! My babies aren't stock either, it was a word I came out with:)
 
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LennyPig said:
Being one of the guilty many who has bought a piggie recently from a pet store (pets at home) ... I have to say, we all have to do as much as we can to publicise what is going on. As someone else said (can't remember who) I think there is alot of publicity about dogs and cats in rescue but next to nothing about small critters.

I for one am a convert to rescue. My dogs are rescues anyway and had I known about the existence of piggie rescues I would have approached a rescue instead of a pet store.

I feel guilty for having gone to a pet store, but nothing can be done about that now and I wouldn't change my Lenny (who came from the pet store) for the world.
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I feel exactly the same - my 2 girls were from P@H. I did try the SSPCA when I was looking for guinea pigs but after several months, unfortunately my impatienceness won and I went to the pet shop. It wasn't until I came on here that I discovered just how many guinea pigs actually do end up in rescues and the background to what goes on in the supply to pet shops. All future guinea pigs will come from rescues. I no longer even buy my pet food etc from pet shops that have animals - I either buy from a local pet supply shop or online. It's a learning curve for many people.
 
thats right. it is. I don't tend to buy from big stores anyway as I prefer to support the local businesses where I can. It's not always possible though. :(|)
 
Well, just to inject a little note of humour into the thread... here's my experience.

I recently phoned the SPCA to find out if they anticipated getting any guinea pigs in in the next few months. The lady I spoke to asked me what breed I was looking for. My response (which is honest and heartfelt, and not me trying to be smart)... "Well, I don't know... the guinea pig type of breed, I suppose..."

I'm the same with any animal, most of which I've gotten from the SPCA. What breed of cat are you looking for? "The type with four legs, and I'd really prefer one with a tail, although I'll understand if you don't have one of those."

What breed of dog are you looking for? "Well, you know... a decent sized one... bigger than a cat?"

I've not been able to figure out the difference between the different breeds of guinea pigs anyway... I'm assuming it has something to do with the colouring and the length of fur? The only prerequisite I gave to the SPCA was that I'd really prefer a shorter haired breed, since I'm not confident with myself and scissors and guinea pig occupying the same space (I can't even clip my finger nails without zinging myself).

Anyway, hope my experiences gave at least some people a little laugh... smooth things over a bit. And when did you become the Moderator of Doom? I like that one... but who gets to be the Moderator of Light?
 
That did make me smile! And I hadn't noticed 'Moderator of Doom' either, very good!

Had some lovely people came to visit my pigs yesterday looking for a sow to match with their single sow whose partner had died. We sat and watched as I tried to find a sow that she liked - the first one was too nervous of her, the second one too aggressive with her, the third one - just right! This family picked a nice but plain sow over the 'prettier' one because their guinea preferred the plain one - I was so pleased. If they'd have gone to a pet shop and picked up a baby sow, there would be no guarantee that their sow (who was quite aggressive) would have accepted it.

Sophie
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Thing is I agree with you some of 'plainest' piggies we have had have been so loving and kind.... My Thandie is a Sheltie, she came in from a rescue, I got her with Barbie, a 'plain' self cream with lumps and bumps, whereas the pretty Thandie was then skittish and nervy, Barbie took things in her stride, she was 4.5years when I took her home and she was a free ranger who I adored, when she died it broke my heart...:(
 
This really bugs me I'm not against rescuing at all but i feel as though I'm rescuing a pet which i buy from a pet shop from being brought into a potential cruel home. Although it worries me when i think about my 3 month old piggy i found dead yesterday who was pet shop bought! but at the same time another 4 of my piggies were from the same breeder and 2 of them have gone on to breed and have 2 babies ... who touch wood are all fine
 
You think your rescuing it - and to that animal you are.......but by buying from a pet shop (even to save one) you are then funding main factory breeders. The pet shop owner won't see that you have 'saved' an animal, they will only see an empty cage. They will then phone up their supplier to have the cage re-filled with more. All they see is ££££ signs - not an animal.
 
Its also impossible to know the history genetically of any animal unless you started from scratch and knew the parentage. Something you won't know with rescue animals or petshop animals.

Inbred animals look fine on the outside sadly. :(
 
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