Where would you buy your guinea pig from?

Status
Not open for further replies.
GeorgesHuman

GeorgesHuman

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Jan 29, 2011
Messages
499
Reaction score
93
Points
300
Location
Derbyshire
I currently have no room for any new piggies, but I got mine from a pet shop and from reading on here, pet shops or pet chainstores like Pets At Home are not a good place to get them from seeing as it's done for financial gain rather than a love for the animals. I feel terrible that my piggy and his parents may have had a bad life being imported and the probability that his mum and sisters will be pregnant all their piggie lives and not live a nice life. I now know that it's not a good idea to buy from retail, so what about breeders. How can you make sure that the breeder you find on the internet or in the newspaper does it because they love guineas, and make sure that their piggies have the wonderful life they're entitled to, and again not for financial gain?
 
The best place is rescues! My first piggy Bruno is from P@H and my second is from a breeder. If I got anymore I would def. rescue.
 
I think the best way to find a piggy which is loved and, although they may not have had a good life at the start are willing and ready and healthy to start a new life, is to go to a rescue.

Rescues really care about the guinea pigs in their care and want to find good homes for them, they ensure they're not pregnant and are in good health when they go to their new home. If you have a guinea pig already and want to find them a healthy friend then rescues are also good because some allow you to bring your guinea pig along so they can 'choose' their friend they like.

Are you thinking about getting another guinea pig?
 
Thanks for your replies...so quickly too :)

I worry that rescue pigs may be prone to illness and disease. Is this not always the case? There is a rescue near to me and i've had a nosy at their website and they have some dlightfully adorable piggiepooglies on there!
 
GeorgesHuman said:
Thanks for your replies...so quickly too :)

I worry that rescue pigs may be prone to illness and disease. Is this not always the case? There is a rescue near to me and i've had a nosy at their website and they have some dlightfully adorable piggiepooglies on there!
Click to expand...

No, not the case! :)
Not all the pigs have had bad starts to life, some had a home but now the owners don't have time, or money etc to look after them so they stay at the rescue until they find their new home. If anything, I'd probably say they're less likely to have health issues! And if they do have health issues you'll be made aware of them by the rescue, as they wont 'cover it up' which a breeder/PAH might do, as the guinea pig will just go back to rescue..
 
Aww thanks for your reply. I am thinking of setting up a piggie date for George so he can choose a new pal to play with and snuggle up to while i'm in work all day.
 
thats a good idea, if you take him to your local rescue he can choose his own friend :)

i think rescues are the best piggies, healthy and if there is a problem you will be made aware of and the rescue will always take the piggy back if you find in the future you cant cope.
 
Reputable guinea pig rescue all the way for me too! All of mine are!

Your piggies will be healthy, properly sexed, guaranteed not pregnant. Their characters are known and they usually have been carefully paired up at the rescue if they have come in single or in a big group. You have to pass a home check though, to make sure that you have the required setup and living conditions. After all, the last thing you want to do, is having a rescue piggy go into another bad place!

I have also found "piggy dating" at a rescue the best way to find a new friend for a bereaved piggy - it's the piggy who can make the choice itself who it clicks with. I have always ended up with a very loving relationship that way.
 
I agree! Rescues all the way, thats where i plan to go when i get a pair :)
As well as what everybody has mentioned they all get wormed and everything there before you get them :) so its cheaper!
 
If you go to a reputable rescue - there are some whose standards are higher than others - you will be assured that they are healthy as no good rescue would let an unhealthy pig go. All pigs should be in quarantine before being available for adoption so that any health issues can be dealt with and resolved. To find a good rescue go on recommendations through the forums.

I don't sell my guinea pigs - I rehome them, if a donation is forthcoming I am very grateful but my priority is to find the right home for the right pig. While they are in the rescue they are not stock they are my pets and are treated as such.

The pigs would be in a bonded pair, unlike petshops it's not a case of picking two out of a batch and expecting the pairing to work. Piggy dating is a massive part of my rescue and I spend a great deal of time and effort in finding the perfect partner for lonely piggies out there.

You will be shown pigs that suit your family's needs as not all piggies personalities suit all types of families.

They will not be preganant, they will be sexed correctly, they will be mite treated and health checked. On going care and maintenance advice will be available throughout your piggy ownership. Bathing and nail clipping, etc can be provided if you are unsure how to do it, with demonstrations given should you wish to learn how.

Should the family's circumstances change and the pigs have to be rehomed the rescue will welcome them (rather sadly) back, rather than see them go to someone they don't know.

All this is given as a matter of course - with no financial thought as donations are not mandatory. What petshop would do all this for the welfare of their animals rather than the welfare of their pocket?

Breeders may not be as bad as a petshop - though sadly many are, and the pigs that are available to buy from backyard breeders for the pet trade are the worst out there. The breeders who have high standards tend only to breed for their own needs and many will only sell to other breeders as they do not consider pet homes to be knowledgable enough.

Do rescue pigs only tend to be old? Not at all, in fact I have very few older (2+) pigs and about 40 that are under a year. Last year, from the 15 girls that were sadly pregnant when they arrived 46 babies were born so there are nearly always very young pigs available too. I currently have 3 girls on pregnancy watch so more are due next month.

I hope I have covered all your questions and that when the time comes for your next piggy that you will choose a rescue.

Most rescues would welcome a visit from prospective owners to check them out - I know I do as it shows true commitment to the welfare of their pets.

Suzy x

ETA - sorry it's such along post! I do feel rather passionate about my pigs.
 
Last edited:
have you looked at small paws website? she's based in stretford and she's full to bursting with piggies at the mo. The website hasn't been updated for a while but she has plenty of boars available for dating. Just to reassure you about any health concerns too, I rehomed two boars from small paws at the start of the year and when I took them to my vets for registering them she was VERY complimentary about the condition they were in and the care they had obviously received from the rescue.
 
Why do I need a breeder, when all the rescues are bursting with pigs and large waiting lists waiting to be saved but they can't be saved from the neglect as the rescues are full and everyone else is going to breeders and pet stores. I wouldn't mind so much if I didn't know rescues were bursting and it is quite likely that little pig that was bought will be replaced, the cycle will continue. Its not about saving one little pig its about seeing the bigger picture. The best way too help a piggy is too rescue so the rescues can continue the good work they do.

This is not aimed at anyone, I would just like people to think about there purchase. Many have bought from pet shops, some people do it because they can't resist that little face others because they don't know any better. Please don't anyone think I am saying they should feel quilty they shouldn't just think next time would you like to support someone that does it purely for the love of the animal or a multi-million pound company?

Ps, forgive my poor spelling and grammar on my mobile nightmare to spellcheck.
 
I got my first piggies from P@H. Never again. They were gorgeous, gorgeous boys but in two years they must have had almost every ailment known in Piggiedom ( fungal, mites, lip sores, bladder stones, bloat....). I know some of this is down to luck and I have to say it gave me brilliant experience having to deal with it all as a new piggie owner, but I certainly don't think buying them from a pet store guarantees good health and breeding. Far from it.

I'm hoping to get rescues next!

sarah
 
Rescue, rescue or a rescue if you have a choice it is the only choice you should make. I have had 4 rescue pigs and I have had far more problems with my pet shop pig than my rescues (I currently have a 6 week old rescue piggy on my shoulder as I write this) there are some amazing rescues out there who are very dedicated and devoted to their charges and will ensure that the piggy you take home is in the best of health. Also rescues are generally able to offer far better advice which is far more reliable on the care of your pigs. In addition you will always have help, support and advice on hand. In addition many piggies from rescues will have been handled from birth whereas pets shops won't have been so will much more timid.

Plus there is the added bonus of giving a piggy a new start in life. The other thing is with rescues is that many have started their lives in pet shops and end up unloved and unwanted. As quick as you buy your piggy another will replace it and it might be one of those that ends up in this situation and then ends up in rescue. There is also the lovely fact of instead of lining the pockets of some unscrupulous breeder who doesn't care less about the piggies you will instead be giving it to a rescue and the money is ploughed straight back into meeting the needs of the piggies and giving them the best possible care.

Plus a rescue will strive to ensure that you get the right piggy for you.
 
i have had five pigs the first was from a pet shop as he was a gift and the person did not realise, and all my others have been rescued, i would never go to a pet shop again.
 
Hi

I have 6 resces boys x) All my lovely boys came from this forum almost a year ago now. Ralphio and Oreo Sooty and Sweepy from Nutmeg Ben and Jeremey from Clairlove.

All boys were in champion health and had been really well looked after.

Would I rescue again? Dam right I would :):))
 
Rescue - my only pet shop guinea pigs (from pets at home) had ringworm. Both my pet shop chinchillas developed dental problems and my first degu was diabetic when I got her from a pet shop. I haven't bought a pet from a pet shop in many years now though.

I generally take on older rescues and sometimes those with chronic health problems that are difficult to rehome. I can't remember any of them coming with health problems except for those I knew about at the time. 5 out of 6 of my current animals are RSPCA and all in fine fettle, the other was rescued by the lady I got her from.
 
A good rescue would be the ideal place.

But if you can't find one, then an unwanted pig in the free ads, or from an unplanned litter, is good too.

Or if you can't find that, then a good breeder :) I personally think there needs to be good breeders, to take business away from pet shops and bad breeders. Unless of course there are loads of rescues and unwanted pets already (as I know there are in some places).

It's hard to find any pigs around here (south of Ireland) even from breeders or the free ads. Usually it's just a case of trying to find the best pet shop you can. There's one really good pet shop I know actually and I'd buy from there, or travel to a good breeder. :) (No piggy rescues around here either, but I was lucky enough to get my old pig Meeko from the ISPCA inspector near where I live.)
 
Hiya George's Human, I don't think I can add anything to what has already been said, but I am genuinely interested to know why you thought that rescues could be/do have issues. Some people don't get their guinea pigs from rescues because they don't know rescues exist, some know about rescues but still go to petshops/breeders/p@h adoptions, and others, maybe like yourself don't consider them because they think they may have problems. All the rescues on here agree that raising awareness of rescue guinea pigs is really important as there are so many looking for homes, so it would be helpful to know where your thoughts come from, to target potential new owners who may feel the same. Thanks very much. (I guess now you have been bombarded with rescue supporters, you will soon become as addicted as the rest of us) xx
 
Hi,

You should definately think about adopting. I am from Manchester also and I have just been in contact with Suzanne at small paws about adopting. She is called Logiebear on here, they are based in Stretford.

Hope you find a little friend for your piggy!
 
There a very few sanctuaries around, i.e. places that take on piggies ofr the rest of their lives, but most rescues take on piggies and rehome them once they are fit and relaxed enough to go to a new good home.

Most rescues have some permanent residents - often older piggies that have lost their companion or piggies in need of regular medical treatment or with permanent damage. Many rescues have a sponsor scheme where you can support one or two of those guinea pigs, so your help has a "face". I sponsor some piggies from rescues that are too far from to rehome from myself.
A sponsorship is also a good present for animal lover if you don't know what else to give!
 
I have bought from pet stores in the past and also from a breeder, sorry!:red But I now mostly rescue or take in unwanted/rehomes, that way I am giving that piggie a chance of a loving home and be happy! I know by rescuing these piggies I am not changing the world, but I am changing the life of that piggie.... When I see a nervous, unwanted piggie become a bolshy "look at me" piggie, I know I am doing the right thing.
Pet shops can be good, but 9 times out of 10 they are thinking profit margins and don't even ask if you are the right home, whereas most rescues do.
 
My first 2 piggies were unwanteds I took them in and from being a 'not to sure about' this person I became totally hooked on them. My next 2 were from a pet shop they were 2 beautiful pews (girls), they were brought when they were about 6mths old. Sherbet lived her life having suffered problems with her eyes- cataracts, glaucoma various infections and eye-pokes and also uvitis. I spent an absolute fortune on her but I would spend it all again if needed. When the first 2 died I replaced them with shop brought piggies. Very healthy girls apart from one eye infection and one UTI. When the pews passed away I went to the local garden centre and brought 2 babies of about 10 wks old. They are now just over a year old and neither has had a days illness. I can understand the arguement about taking on rescues and buying from petshops- just making a profit for the breeders but not every-one has a local rescue nearby or the means of getting to it if its some distance away. If and when any of the girls pass over then to fill the gap they leave I will have to buy from a petshop, I know most people will disaprove of this but it's the only option I have but I know that the piggie I get will have the best life I can give it.
 
This is a hard one for me!I have had experiences of all sorts.

People know that I have lots of piggy experience, so most of my piggies have come as "unwanted".

Rescue:
I have adopted 3 sows from a local general pet sanctuary. I did find that the particular rescue was a bit strange. They brought the piggies out to the reception, didn't invite us in...but there was no way that I could have left them there! Woody, Ebony and Ivory were not the healthiest of piggies, but i could not say whether their problems were due to genetics, or their poor start in life.
Wibble and Wobble also came from a piggy rescue in Norfolk. (A long drive to bring them home!) I was fully aware that they both had spinal problems when i adopted them, and they are both great boars who are nearly 5 years old.

Breeders:
I am in contact with 2 local breeders.
*Buddy (RIP) and Donnie (RIP) - I adopted them from the breeder due to Buddy producing BIG litters. Donnie was Buddys buddy!
* Marmite - Marmite is my newest piggy. Maybe a little selfishly I wanted a young piggy as I hadn't experienced a baby piggy for many years. The piggies are well handled, all look well, and the breeder asks for regular updates.

Pet Shops:
Unfortunately, I have not had any good eperiences with pets from pet shops. YES, I have had piggies from pet shops but all through the thought that they may not get the medical treatment they needed.

So...all in all. I would avoid pet shops. If you can find a good breeder, or recue then that where your find your piggy!
 
I had Sweep from a breeder who kept them in hutches outside and Sweep was living with his mom and about 6 or so other piggies. He was 10 weeks old when I had him so his mom and if there were any sisters were definately pregnant. I got him home to find he had mange so 3 vet trips and an anti inflammatory injection later he recovered. Fudge I went to see when he was a week old. The breeder kept the pigs in very clean conditions with no overcrowding. I went back to pick him up when he was 5 weeks old (earlier than I expected but the guy said Fudge was heavy enough). Dillon we had from a different breeder and he was living in a hutch with a rabbit. After they told us they had fed his possibly blind brother to the ferret there was no way we were leaving Dill behind. I then discovered rescues. All our girls are rescue pigs and apart from Daisy who I have my suspicions about whether she was really a rescue we have had no health issues. Daisy has an ongoing bacterial oral infection which we are hoping after a swab and change of treatment we may finally rid her of her fangs. I would have rescue pigs again but never an unknown breeder
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top