About to get a Guinea Pig from my friend and have some questions

[redhead123]

My friend's guinea pig had two babies yesterday. I'm going to get one of the babies. I've had a hamster before, but never a Guinea Pig, I've wanted one, but up until now, my parents have not let me get one. So I have some questions.
1. I've seen how Guinea Pigs are social animals. I'm only going to be getting one pig from her. Do I need to get another one from PetSmart, or will just one be fine?
2. My friend told me this type of cage is good: a large Guinea Pig cage, with a plastic base, with plenty of bedding, and wires on the side that you see in many cages.

[Haley0489]

You should never buy a guinea pig from Petsmart, or any type of pet store. They're mistreated and usually sick. Please consider adopting from a shelter instead And yes, two is better than one.

http://www.guineapigcages.com/index.htm <- If you have a look around there, these are the BEST cages you can get for your guinea pig.

[ArtisticRainey]

Please don't buy while shelter pigs die.

If you give the guys here your location I'm sure someone will be able to locate you a nearby shelter or rescue. Do get a same-sex or neutered companion for the pig if you get it. Also, make sure you don't take her into your care until after 3 weeks when the babette will the weaned. Make sure your friend sexes the pigs around 2 weeks to make sure of their genders so you know which sex pig to adopt as a companion.

[redhead123]

I live East of Sacramento, California. The only shelter I know of around is here is a dog and cat one inside of PetSmart.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Is your friend a breeder?

Pet store cages are too small and expensive. You should get a C&C cage as pictured on this site.

[ArtisticRainey]

Try out petfinder and see if there are any cavies near you for adoption: Petfinder.com: Adopt a pet and help an animal shelter rescue a puppy or kitten. I tried to do a search but it needs your zip code.

And there's a list of California rescues on this page: Guinea Lynx :: US Rescue Organizations

I hope you find a pig.

[Ziggy&Herald]

Looking on Petfinder, there are rescues around your area of Sacramento. Some of the ones I found were about an hours drive, but many humane societies and animal controls also have pigs in that area. Good Luck

[Ly&Pigs]

You said your friends pig had 2 pups. If your friend is not a breeder and both pups are the same sex then why not get them both instead of getting one and trying to find another place to get another one.

If your friend is a breeder then my advice would be to get none from her and find a shelter/rescue and adopt a pair of pigs.

[redhead123]

She is not a breeder, but the other pup is a girl, and the one I'm getting is a boy.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Did she end up with a pregnant sow by accident?

[redhead123]

Yes, she did. I jsut sent her an email, and I'm waiting for the reply on where she got the sow from.

[AneesasMuse]

ArtisticRainey beat me to it, but when I went to petfinder and put in a Sac zip, I came up with a few pigs needing homes.

Good Luck!!