Where to adopt Guinea Pigs in North Derbyshire/south of Sheffield

Helen82

Helen82

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Hello - I'm still a wannabe guinea pig owner so I think this is the best area to place this post in. My C and C cage parts should be arriving today so there will be hours of construction and swearing ahead of me no doubt!

I visited my local RSPCA branch a couple of weeks ago to see what the procedure was and they had a number of sows who had been with them nearly a year, so I was hoping to adopt from them. However, fortunately for the guinea pigs (but unfortunately for me!) they seem to have had a rush on and all the sows have been adopted in the time I've been waiting for the cage to arrive. They have a number of boars (and one particularly lovely looking chap; must stop looking at the website) but they aren't neutered. I realise and am fully prepared to pay for vet treatment etc when the need arises, but I was hoping not to start my guinea pig custodianship with surgery. Based on what the lady I spoke to was saying (which ran contrary to a lot of what I have read on here, but I didn't really feel in a position to correct her) I doubt they would let me adopt two boars. And to be honest I was hoping to adopt either three sows or one neutered boar and two sows.

What I'm trying to ask in a long winded way is if anybody can recommend any other rescues in the North Derbyshire area or the south side of Sheffield? My nearest recommended rescue is Cavy Corner in Doncaster (as BARC doesn't seem to be rescuing guinea pigs anymore?), but though I drive it's a bit of a way from me and I'm uneasy about the thought of doing motorway driving with newly adopted guinea pigs... I was hoping to minimise any travelling times, stress etc for them (and for me!)

Other than the RSPCA, there are the Support Adoption for Pets sections in Pets at Home, but I'm not sure what I think about them... I have four near me (Chesterfield, Clay Cross, Dronfield and Norton) but realistically I know they are just clearing 'old stock' (horrid term). But then those guinea pigs still need homes too...

Anyway, if anybody has any thoughts or recommendations that would be helpful.
 
I can’t help with that sorry, but I am curious as to why they won’t adopt out two boars. Reading between the lines of your post, was it because they don’t think two boars can get on?
 
@Piggies&buns I don't want to possibly misquote what the lady said to me but yes it was along those lines. I have read contrary on here of course, but as I've never owned a guinea pig myself before I didn't really want to start hauling her up on certain points. *Edited post to say I don't know that they wouldn't let two boars go out together, it just didn't seem likely to me from my visit.*
 
Perhaps they know something about the boars in their care and their lack of desire to get on with other boars...
I have two boars myself.
 
Hiya Helen - as a forum , we can only recommend the rescues on our rescue locator . It is possible to keep 2 boars together if they are compatible - and an approved rescue will be able to support you in getting a compatible pair .

I recommend you contact Cavy Corner - Sue ( Sue is the person that runs Cavy Corner) may be able to give you some advice about transport .
 
I also recommend Cavy Corner, my two boars were there when I had to rehome them because I was moving, and they were definitely rehomed together. No reputable rescue will split a pair of boars that are well bonded. Plus Sue, who runs Cavy Corner, is lovely (I can say that, right?).
 
Welcome to the forum - nice to have another local member (I'm South Sheffield!)

What Veggies Galore said about Cavy Corner!

Was the RSPCA you mention, the Chesterfield Branch? I only ask as I've had piggies from there previously and was going to mention them as somewhere to look. They like to do a home check but if you can take the piggies accomodation down to the centre, then thats also acceptable. I realise that might be difficult with a C&C cage.
 
Thanks @Veggies Galore @Lorcan - I will probably contact Cavy Corner anyway, just to see if I'm in their catchment area so to speak for home check etc. Perhaps I'm overthinking things - just feeling a bit uneasy about the thought of driving down the M18 and M1 with some anxious guinea pigs on board! Yes @Piggy Slave it was the Chesterfield branch - they'd had five sows in for nearly a year but they've all been adopted in the last week or so; I will keep checking with them though.
 
No harm in overthinking things @Helen82 - shows your doing your research and not just buying on a whim :)
 
If it helps any, I took my two boars on a train from Heywards Heath to London, and then the Underground, and then London to Wigan. Piggies are more resilient than we realise.
 
One member on here (Manchester based) adopted from a recommended rescue in Devon. Her piggies travelled happily by car. The Piggy Bank recently coordinated a rescue of piggies from the North East who have been moved all over the country by car. Piggies can cope with journeys as long as they get regular stops and a chance to eat and rest. And a reputable rescue will consider homes further afield if it’s the right home. Cavy Corner is fabulous. I’d recommend them for sure.
 
hi @Helen82 ,i realise you are looking north,but Nevilles nest rescue in leiceter have some female piggies,and this is an approved rescue,the lady who runs it is very knowledgable.also you can adopt from there as do no need to be local.if you neede transport to transfere piggies to derbyshire i would be able to assist ,as i travel to hull at least once a month.just a thought,they also neuter all there boars before rehoming as standard.but they do bond to neutered males together,or have a neutered boar and sow combination.
 
Helen82 said:
Thanks @Veggies Galore @Lorcan - I will probably contact Cavy Corner anyway, just to see if I'm in their catchment area so to speak for home check etc. Perhaps I'm overthinking things - just feeling a bit uneasy about the thought of driving down the M18 and M1 with some anxious guinea pigs on board! Yes @Piggy Slave it was the Chesterfield branch - they'd had five sows in for nearly a year but they've all been adopted in the last week or so; I will keep checking with them though.
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Hi and welcome

I can also recommend Cavy Corner in Doncaster most warmly; you will be in the best and kindest hands there.
I usually go by train and attend one or two of their events each years , so I know the rescue and Sue well, and have done so for a number of years.
Recommended Guinea Pig Rescues

Alternatively, I can recommend Neville's Nest just outside Leicester. They are a new rescue, but they run to a good standard by an experienced rescue fosterer and to my knowledge they also have piggies in.

Don't worry about transporting piggies. I have come home on the train more than once with a piggy picked up in Doncaster or Sheffield! Not to mention piggy runs from Keighley in West Yorkshire, North and even South Wales...
Freshly rescued piggies from a large hoarding/uncontrolled breeding situation are routinely transported across the country to prevent a single rescue from being overwhelmed. Piggies travel surprisingly well.
Travelling with guinea pigs
 
Welcome to the forum. I'm having a similar experience, but I want to foster. I live in Buxton area and every rescue we have contacted have said either they don't use fosterers or I'm not in their catchment area. Hope your more successful soon!
 
Thanks @Lorcan @VickiA - it's probably me who would be more anxious about the journey than the guinea pigs then! If someone can manage to get them from Devon to Manchester than I'm sure I can cope!

@eileen Thank you for your offer of assistance - I will bear it in mind. And thinking about yours and @Wiebke 's recommendation of Neville's Nest - I had thought Doncaster was nearer but Leicester's probably not that much further... Hmm - food for thought!

@Dizzired Hello and thank you! Good luck to you also!
 
Piggy Slave said:
No harm in overthinking things @Helen82 - shows your doing your research and not just buying on a whim :)
Click to expand...

I do wonder about myself sometimes though... One concern I had was the hay as I do react to grass pollen, so I've been sat with a bucket of hay next to me in my lounge for the last few weeks, just to make sure it wouldn't have any adverse effect...!! Thankfully I seem to have passed the hay test, so I feel confident enough to proceed!
 
Helen82 said:
I do wonder about myself sometimes though... One concern I had was the hay as I do react to grass pollen, so I've been sat with a bucket of hay next to me in my lounge for the last few weeks, just to make sure it wouldn't have any adverse effect...! Thankfully I seem to have passed the hay test, so I feel confident enough to proceed!
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I also react badly to grass pollen but generally the hay doesn't bother me. Although i do buy the dust extracted stuff which probably helps.

Also, I am the forum member who brought piggies from Devon to Manchester. The piggies were fine as we had a nice large carrier lined with puppy pads, newspaper and plenty of hay. The journey took over 4 hours so we made a couple of stops and offered cucumber and lettuce as they contain lots of water. You can buy pet carriers that have hooks for seat belts so that you can secure them safely in your car.

Good luck with finding some lovely piggies.
 
Wherever you get your pigs from, it sounds like they're going to a five-star home. :) Best of luck in your search!
 
YvonneBlue said:
Also, I am the forum member who brought piggies from Devon to Manchester. The piggies were fine as we had a nice large carrier lined with puppy pads, newspaper and plenty of hay. The journey took over 4 hours so we made a couple of stops and offered cucumber and lettuce as they contain lots of water. You can buy pet carriers that have hooks for seat belts so that you can secure them safely in your car.
QUOTE]

Thanks for the tips!
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Helen82 said:
Hello - I'm still a wannabe guinea pig owner so I think this is the best area to place this post in. My C and C cage parts should be arriving today so there will be hours of construction and swearing ahead of me no doubt!

I visited my local RSPCA branch a couple of weeks ago to see what the procedure was and they had a number of sows who had been with them nearly a year, so I was hoping to adopt from them. However, fortunately for the guinea pigs (but unfortunately for me!) they seem to have had a rush on and all the sows have been adopted in the time I've been waiting for the cage to arrive. They have a number of boars (and one particularly lovely looking chap; must stop looking at the website) but they aren't neutered. I realise and am fully prepared to pay for vet treatment etc when the need arises, but I was hoping not to start my guinea pig custodianship with surgery. Based on what the lady I spoke to was saying (which ran contrary to a lot of what I have read on here, but I didn't really feel in a position to correct her) I doubt they would let me adopt two boars. And to be honest I was hoping to adopt either three sows or one neutered boar and two sows.

What I'm trying to ask in a long winded way is if anybody can recommend any other rescues in the North Derbyshire area or the south side of Sheffield? My nearest recommended rescue is Cavy Corner in Doncaster (as BARC doesn't seem to be rescuing guinea pigs anymore?), but though I drive it's a bit of a way from me and I'm uneasy about the thought of doing motorway driving with newly adopted guinea pigs... I was hoping to minimise any travelling times, stress etc for them (and for me!)

Other than the RSPCA, there are the Support Adoption for Pets sections in Pets at Home, but I'm not sure what I think about them... I have four near me (Chesterfield, Clay Cross, Dronfield and Norton) but realistically I know they are just clearing 'old stock' (horrid term). But then those guinea pigs still need homes too...

Anyway, if anybody has any thoughts or recommendations that would be helpful.
Click to expand...
Cavy corner are amazing and the piggies won’t mind the drive at all, as long as they have food to chew on! They are quite full at the minute, so adopting from there would help them out greatly, and Sue is always happy to help with any future problems
 
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