Im going to get a guinea pig soon.

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by juniormylove

I getting a pet store guinea pig isn't going to kill you. I love my MEIJER guinea pigs just as much as I would love an adopted one. Don't tell me it's rediculous, because that's just rude.

You are treading on thin ice. I recommend you read the rules of this site, the Principles and Philosophies forum, Policies and Guidelines as well as the stickies in all of the forums, especially in the Kitchen. This is a RESCUE oriented site. We do not EVER accept that buying animals from pet stores is acceptable. Of course you will love them as much but it supports a blood industry of suffering.

EDIT - Well Junior, you managed to infract your way into being caged. Any further posts you make will need to be moderator approved.

Here are a few threads to educate yourself with
Petstore Threads
Petstore Missexing with birth complications
Petstore Missexing
Pregnant Petstore GP
Petstore Abuse Case
Petstore hands out bad advice and dead GP in petstore tank
My piggy passed away last night. She was only 3 months old
Sick Petstore GP dies
Petstore bought GP has running lice and dies suddenly
Female housed with male in petstore is pregnant
Pregnant Petstore GP
Misexed Petstore GPs
Second Petstore GP dies
Misexed and pregnant Petstore GP
Surprise Babies from Petstore GPs
GPs in and from Petstores Pictures
Petland GP pregnant. Owner may dump babies back at petstore
Just Purchased Guinea Pig had Babies
3 Month Old Satin Pig Pregnant by Inbreeding
Pet Shop Owner Charged With Torturing Animals
Petstore Bought GP Sick and Dying - Sold with Rabbit to live with as well
Petstore GP gives birth to 3 Dead and Deformed Pups
Petstore sells mixed-sex pair. Mother gives Birth and Dies one Week Later
Petsmart
Sick Petsmart GP
Petsmart hamsters killing each other on video
Petsmart GP has URI
Petsmart GP is Mite Infested
Petsmart GP delivers 3 babies and dies
2 Petsmart bought GPs die during their first day home.
Sick GP from Petsmart
Breeders noticing that new Petsmart (Pets at Home) opening near them means more animals needing rehoming
Petsmart choosing to kill sick animals instead of getting them vet treatment
Petco
Petco guinea pig dead of serious infection
Petco GP sold with URI dies
Petco bought pigs keep dying
Petco lied about GPs being spayed/neutered. Female GP dies of unknown cause 3 months after purchase
Petco pig sold sick. Taken back to store for treatment
Petco will do anything to make a sale
Petco Missexing
Sick Petco Pig and Rats
Petco Bought GP delivers dead babies. Sow dies 2 days later
Inside Petco

[wickedrodent]

I do find it very great that you are coming here for advice before getting your new guinea pigs. That is probably the biggest step you can do. However, you really really need to talk to your parents about the responsibility before you try and adopt. You will need to have your parents 100% support. Guinea pigs are not an inexpensive or easy starter pet.

As a minor you are going to have to rely on your parents for the financial part of the animal. If you get an allowance, that will help. Still, it will not be enough to buy everything they will need. If your parents are not willing to buy the proper cage materials, food, bedding, and pay for vet bills (which may be very expensive).. Please do not get a guinea pig. Waiting a few years (until you have a job of your own) may seem like a lot now, but it will be worth it (for you an the guinea pigs) in the end.

Start up costs:
-1 pack of grids ($15)
-1 sheet of coroplast (approx. $25)
-Oxbow food, hay, and the shipping (around $50)
-Water Bottles ($15)
-Food Dishes ($5)
-Hay rack/litterbox/toys ($20+)
-Towels ($10)
-Fleece ($10)
-Carefresh ($20)
-Veggies ($10+)
-Scale ($20)
-Nail Clippers ($10)
-Guinea pig adoption fee (approx. $50 for two [depending on the rescue])

Weekly expenses:
-Veggies ($10)

Every two (or so) months:
-Pellets (approx. $25+)

Every 6 months (or so) months:
-Hay (approx. $25+)

Should always have on hand:
-Vet Fund ($200+++)

That is a total of $460 worth of start up costs at the very least.

+ At least $10+ every week.

+ Another $25+ every two months.

+Another $25+ every six months.

That is the very least. Remember, guinea pigs can become ill very suddenly and need immediate vet attention out of the blue on the same day. You could be looking at $1000+ just for tests.

It may seem like I am being very blunt and discouraging, but you need to know the facts. Make absolutely sure your parents are ready for a financial responsibility this big. Also, make sure you are willing to spend your weekends cleaning cages, as well as the daily duties. Pets are nothing to take on lightly. The care guinea pigs require almost relates to the care of a young child. You may think you are ready, but in reality, there is a LOT more you can learn.

[Britbert]

Cowgirl411, I think it's great that you have come to this site and are willing to take onboard all the advice and info it has to offer! Its also so good you've managed to go out and find a guinea pig in a rescue, I really hope you do decide to adopt her as I'm sure she'd love a proper new home.

It would always be best to get a pair of guinea pigs ,I'm sure you know they are sociable animals, so maybe you could look out for a female friend for the rescue piggy. Even if for now you can't find her a suitable companion I think it's much better to adopt one homeless piggy from a rescue than buy two from a petstore, don't you? Perhaps you could be put on a waiting list for when another female comes in to the rescue. Do you know much about her eg her age,colour? I'd love to know!

I don't think anyone has meant to hurt your feelings, we all just want you and your new guinea pigs to be as happy and healthy as possible!

Do you have your cage sorted yet? a c and c cage would be ideal.

Also, perhaps before you go ahead and adopt your piggy have a chat with your dad and make sure he understands how important it will be if your new guinea pig gets ill to take her to the vet quickly. I'm sure after your bird was shown to have a broken wing your dad felt a little guilty about his reluctance to go to the vet. Also maybe you could just explain to him or write a little list of the day to day costs involved in keeping a couple of guinea pigs eg;-

fresh vegetables and fruit daily,
a constant supply of hay,
guinea pig pellets,
bedding (you could always use fleece as a cheaper alternative)

Please don't feel disheartened, you can ask any questions along the way, goodluck! x

[cowgirl411]

Oh! I did not mean for this to happen! This is all my fault!! Im sorry everybody!

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by cowgirl411

Oh! I did not mean for this to happen! This is all my fault!! Im sorry everybody!

What's your fault? That Junior is having a temper tantrum and won't follow the rules of the site? That is not your fault. You cannot control how others act. Junior did this all on his own.

[Sammy and Peanut]

Originally Posted by juniormylove

Yeah I figured that one out. I'm going back to Pet Talk.

If they give people a choice, then why isn't there a place for pro-slaughter and/or meat eaters to talk?

Uhm..yes they do. Did you read the posts about being rediculous, rude, and ignorant? No one's a snob..hah thats hilarious.

I'm not coming back on here. No one I know has had a good experience on this forum, and I can see why.

Have fun hating pet stores! :]

First of all, I thought you were leaving several posts ago? PRO-SLAUGHTER? There is no such thing. You cannot slaughter an animal in any way that it would not be cruel. No one has a good experience on this forum, huh? Some of these people have been members since this forum started! You are trying to tell us that you support petstores in a forum that is against them again, and that is wrong. Go ahead, leave! See if I care!

[Sammy and Peanut]

Originally Posted by juniormylove

what? that adopting isn't the only way to get a pig? I'm sorry, but it's true. Hate me if you want.

Rude? I'd call rude bashing me because I didn't follow YOUR 'rules' on adopting and never going to a petstore.

This is why I was warned against joining this. Maybe it's time to find a more open-minded forum.

I never said that adopting was the only way to get a guinea pig. But, it is the best way to get a guinea pig. If you purchase one from a store, you are supporting that store and encouraging them to get more! For every pig someone buys, another 2 is replaced with it! They are not my rules, they are the forum rules. Maybe you haven't read them yet. Who warned you? Whoever did that probably doesn't know what they are talking about! And to let you know, most of the well known, popular forums with many members, just like this one, don't support breeding or petstores.

[Sammy and Peanut]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_RIP

Alright, alright everyone, lets just stop arguing. Lets just enjoy ourselves on this wonderful site, and learn about guinea pigs. I know that's why I'm here, I don't want to see people arguing, since this site is truly meant to be enjoyed.

Very true.

[Susan9608]

Once again, I must remind everyone that if are under 18 or a minor, you are not to post your age or anything that would indicate your age on the forum.

This is an absolute, iron clad rule.

If you see people who have referred to their age, who are under 18, instead of replying with, "Oh, since you're a minor," please report the post to a moderator.

We have to edit out the ages and age indicators in all those posts for YOUR protection.

Internet predators CAN and DO look for minors all over the internet, including such friendly places as guinea pig forums. Please help us protect you by making the most basic effort to protect yourself.

I feel like I keep saying this over and over and over again, and I'm getting really, really frustrated. This rule is posted in multiple places all over the forum. If you've read through the rules - and since so many of you are quoting them and referring to them in this thread, I'm forced to believe that you have read them - then you should *know* you're not supposed to reference your age if you're under 18.

So just STOP doing it already. I'm not going to be nice about it anymore if I have to keep editing posts after I've posted reminder after reminder after reminder.

[auburnmare5]

Originally Posted by cowgirl411

Oh! I did not mean for this to happen! This is all my fault!! Im sorry everybody!

Please cowgirl- It is not your fault at all! Do not tell yourself that is your fault. As Voodoo said, it is not your fault that juniormylove is having a tantrum. It is not your fault that junior got cavy caged. You asked a simple question and people answered. Then somehow, it changed. But please, don't blame yourself!

[auburnmare5]

Originally Posted by Sammy and Peanut

First of all, I thought you were leaving several posts ago? PRO-SLAUGHTER? There is no such thing. You cannot slaughter an animal in any way that it would not be cruel. No one has a good experience on this forum, huh? Some of these people have been members since this forum started! You are trying to tell us that you support petstores in a forum that is against them again, and that is wrong. Go ahead, leave! See if I care!

Sammy- I agree, I thought she was leaving several posts ago? You are correct, there is no way of KILLING an animal that is nice. I can tell junior one thing, I have yet to meet someone who I think is a snob. There may be people everywhere that you don't agree with, or have different opinions about, but no one on here is forcing you to stay! So go if you want, Good Bye! As Sammy said, SEE IF I CARE! The maain reason poeple come on this site is to learn about guinea pigs and educate others!

[PiggieLuffer]

I-love-nev pretty much covered it but I urge you not to buy those guinea pig starter kits. They have Nutriphase food inside and I read somewhere on the forum that it wasn't good for the piggies. The cage in the starter kit is about equal to 1x2 grids! I know because I used to use one. More than half of us make that little mistake. Please don't waste your money when you can get the materials for a C&C cage and SAVE MONEY. =)

[cowgirl411]

Well the guinea pig I wanted to adopt was adopted by somebody else...........looks like I have to wait a little longer..........