Final considerations before adopting piggies

**Rattie Mom** · #1 12-03-07, 09:19 pm

I've been reading lots of posts and considering everything, before making our final decision to adopt a couple of piggies. I do think we are just about ready, shy of buying everything we need and building a cage etc.

I've been checking into the local rescues in my general area and found a little girl that stole my heart with her sweet little face. From her bio, she was brought into the shelter pregnant and gave birth to 3 babies. She is actually not much more than a baby herself, and is quite small.

I inquired about her, and was told she is quite skittish, and her babies are too.

I'm thinking of adopting her and one of her little baby girls.

These would be our first two piggies. Would this be a good choice for us? Or would it be better for us to adopt a bonded older pair of girls?

I do not mind that we would need to work with our new girls to gain their trust. I'm just not sure what would be a better choice for us and our two new piggies.

Any thoughts or suggestions?

**piggly wiggly** · #2 12-03-07, 09:53 pm

I think that would be a good choice. It would be nice for her to stay with her daughter. If you are willing to spend the time with them to gain their trust, then I think it would work out just fine. It is nice when you get skittish pets, and then when you gain their trust, and they start to show their love, it is such a rewarding experience. Good Luck!

**clotho** · #3 12-04-07, 03:09 pm

If that girlie stole your heart, you should definitely get her!! I love the idea of you keeping her along with one of her baby girls. You are willing to work with her and her little one to help them be less skittish and have the love to give them. I'd say go for it!!!

**Biscuit** · #4 12-05-07, 10:18 am

My friendliest pig was completely skittish at the shelter. She was known as an "escape artist" as well. She's still an escape artist, but there is nothing shy about her. She hears me anywhere near the cage and starts climbing the side of it practically to see what I'm doing and to get attention.

Maybe it'll work out that way!

I also think getting her along with the baby girl is a good idea. They already know each other (obviously) and it seems like that would make the transition much easier.

**Rattie Mom** · #5 12-05-07, 03:02 pm

Thank you so much for the replies.

I just can't stop thinking about this young little momma. I have asked a few more questions, and hope to see a few pics of her little daughter as well, soon.

I have also gotten some great ideas for a cage, from many of your pics on this site. We'll be making the closed in version, as we do have a cat. She's fat and lazy, and our cage will be 3 ft off the ground. But we will still make sure it's closed in for safety.

I think my final decision is getting closer to being made....I'm pretty much on my way to piggie parenthood.

**socal805** · #6 12-05-07, 11:38 pm

I am so glad that you are thinking about adopting. Take the momma and her daughter! It would be wonderful to keep them together! Don't worry about her being skittish, although pigs are prey animals and tend to run and hide, with a little TLC your new pigs will start to look forward to seeing you and will like to be cuddled and held.
The other good thing about getting the momma with her daughter is that you don't have to go through quarantine or introductions. I would ask the shelter though if they seperated the mom from her baby boys and any other males. You just want to make sure you don't bring home a pregnant female!

**suzilovespiggie** · #7 12-06-07, 04:47 am

Go for it. Older piggies can be skittish also. If they have been abused or mishandled they too would need work on learning to trust. Keep us posted.
P.S. We love pictures! It is awesome you are adopting!

**suzilovespiggie** · #8 12-06-07, 04:47 am

Go for it. Older piggies can be skittish also. If they have been abused or mishandled they too would need work on learning to trust. Keep us posted.
P.S. We love pictures

Sorry, don't know why it posted twice

**Trace_n_Ripley** · #9 12-06-07, 09:30 pm

Definitely go for the mother and daughter. Trace is Ripley's mother and it has worked out great!

**Sugar** · #10 12-07-07, 11:27 pm

That sounds like a good idea, I would go for it. The mother and baby should be bonded anyway, so it would be the same as adopting an older bonded pair. It is also good to adopt one of her babies so she doesn't have to leave all her babies which would be hard on her. Good Luck with your new piggies, and well done for learning proper Guinea Pig care before you adopted one

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