should I let him adopt a guinea pig???

[Guinea_Gal]

Hi everyone.

I need your opinion! I just recieved a call from a very nice man looking to adopt a guinea pig. The only problem is that he works at a school and wants to adopt one as a classroom pet. I am against that, as I am sure most of you are as well, because it is very unlikely that being in such a stressful environment is good for a guinea pig. Also, I do not think that the piggy will recieve the care that he/she deserves.

This man seems very kind and I would feel just awful telling him no, and then he would most likely find another place to get a guinea pig (Ie: Petstore, breeder, etc.)

I am at a loss, as I have never had anyone inquire about adopting for this reason. What to do?

Thanks,
Grace
Furry Friends Guinea Pig Rescue

[lissa_b]

First of all, all new guinea pig owerns all have one thing in common and that is unknown information about guinea pigs. I see a guinea pig as a person would see their cats or dogs. Most people see guinea pigs as mice or hamsters. They assume it can be happy in a small confined cage with its normal store bought food and water. before I found this site, I went by what the people at the pet store said. Now I know better.

My advice to you, is that although you may not want to sell your guinea to this man call him back and inform him on the information he needs to be able to make a guinea pig happy. Refer to the guinea as a dog or a cat. Would the cat be happy in a class room cage? Would the dog be happy being transeferred back and forth, with loud people and being handled by people who dont know how to treat a dog? That way he can relate it to something he is more famliar with. I know you dont want to lecture this man, but someone needs to tell him the accurate information about guinea pigs, dont let it be the petstore.

A suggestion would meet with him, let him see the guinea pig and talk to him face to face of all the concerns you have (even him going out and finding another if he doesnt get yours for a 'classroom pet') that way you know hes absorbing the info rather than ignoring it on the phone.

people are selfish, stubborn and ignorant when it comes to them wanting an animal for THEIR needs.

[VoodooJoint]

My answer would be no. I would never allow one of my rescues to end up in a classroom. I have taken in and rehomed too many classroom pets in horrible conditions to ever even consider it.

If you can't talk him out of the idea of a classroom pet then steer him towards the SPCA or Humane Society or a private rehomer instead.

[aqh88]

I think under just the right circumstances guinea pigs can be kept quite happily as classroom pets but most teachers and schools do not give them the proper care and it can be very difficult even when they are willing to do so.
First off all guinea pigs like company. I don't believe there are any exceptions. There are a few guinea pigs that can't get along with others but they still want to see and interact with other guinea pigs. Most people looking for classroom pets want only one and some schools won't allow more than 1. Guinea pigs should always be kept in at least a pair.
Another main problem is cage size. Most classrooms are too small to accomodate a proper sized cage. They should be able to fit at least a 2x3 before even considering it.
Guinea pigs also need daily care. They will need veggies daily, their water checked, and their hay and pellets refilled. Some teachers leave them at the school with noone to check on them all weekend and over vacations. Preferably they should have a 2nd cage at the teacher's house where they can be taken to during weekends and vacations and most definitely not sent home with various students during that time. Otherwise they should be checked on at least once daily over the weekend.
The last problem concerning care is that lots of people are allergic to hay or bedding and having to keep such things in the classroom can cause allergy and asthma problems for some kids. That in itself often makes it a bad idea to keep guinea pigs in a classroom. Chances are there will be at least a few school years where the pigs will not be able to stay in the classroom due to at least one student being allergic to their hay.
Finally even if all the care works out you need to find very laid back guinea pigs that are used to kids and don't mind having lots of commotion going on. Some will go into flat out panic and smash into the sides of their cage in such a situation. Others quite enjoy watching everything that goes on. It can be hard to tell how they will react.

Mischief was happy as a 2nd grade classroom pet. He loved the kids and playing with them. However he should have gotten a bigger cage and a friend. He seemed to miss going to school but he was also happy when he retired to live with my pigs in a large 2x4, 2x3 L cage.

I would treat them pretty much like any adopter. Inform the person wanting to adopt of all the care that guinea pigs require and the reasons they do not usually make good classroom pets. Also have them check out guinealynx and this site. If they actually care about the animals at all then they should realize on their own that guinea pigs will probably not work for their classroom. If they are willing to do what's necessary for their care and are certain they can be treated right then provided the guinea pigs don't mind the classroom setting I don't see a problem with it. Generally though there are too many restrictions for it to work out and you do have to watch the guinea pigs personality closely to make sure they don't find it too stressful.

[jdomans]

Don't forget the temperature over the weekend in the school. Is there air or heat? I don't think so. Even overnight. what does the school do? Most of them are on timers so the system shuts down and comes back on at certain times. that is too unstable for any animal.

[nonamian_girl]

I would say okay if he took the guinea pig home every day as well. But informing him about everything a guinea pig needs before he gets one would be a really good idea. You never know, maybe he could still provide all the necessities in a classroom setting and be able to care for the pig at home as well.

[Texas Rustlers]

I would say absolutely no - sometimes it tough but you have to explain to people the best you can the reasons for not adopting out to classrooms. One of the most convincing reasons that I tell prospective classroom adopters is that piggies need hay, and they need to eat it all day to maintain healthy guts and teeth.

It would be unlikely that within a classroom of 20-30 kids that you would not find at least one that was allergic to grass / hay, so then what would he chose to do? Compromise the health of the piggy or the health of the child?

Some people are going to get a piggy whatever you say and if they ignore good advice then they are not as great a person as they might at first appear - at least the piggy that potentially gets mishandled, neglected or worse still, will not be one that you are personally attached to.

[bunnyluv17]

I think there may be a middle ground in this situation. The first thing would be to educate him thoroughly on guinea pig care and the amount of work that they require, and how it is not a good idea to keep a guinea pig as a classroom pet. Then, if he is still interested in getting guinea pigs and would treat them like his own pets and is willing to provide proper housing, diet, exercise, vet care, etc... you may be able to compromise with him. I think an occasional visit to the classroom (such as once or twice a month) would not stress a pair of mellow guinea pigs out too much. It could be a fun and interesting way for the kids to learn about responsilbe pet care.

Just a thought...

[aqh88]

Don't forget the temperature over the weekend in the school. Is there air or heat? I don't think so. Even overnight. what does the school do? Most of them are on timers so the system shuts down and comes back on at certain times. that is too unstable for any animal.

Schools here are kept above at least 60F 24/7 all winter. Partially to avoid the temp anywhere from dropping low enough to freeze the pipes and because it takes a good half a day to a full day to warm the school back up to an acceptable temp for people. We don't have air conditioning in most schools because by the time it's hot school is done. The hottest it gets is 80F and they usually have an early out around that temp to avoid having classes during the afternoon. So temperature is not a concern everywhere but it is a good point for places where it gets really hot or cold and the schools are actually cheap enough to turn the heat or a/c off during the weekend. Usually I would only see it as a problem during vacations instead of just weekends and the pigs should be taken home during that time anyway.

[fourbwabbys]

I would explain to him first why you're not adopting out to him. Maybe he just wasn't informed. If he can show you the upmost care for the pig, then I would let him adopt. Things such as a C&C cage, proper food and bedding, not allowing the kids to handle him without proper supervision, and bringing him home at night. Two of the babies Spaz had when we bought her pregnant are now in a classroom. I have seen pictures and talked to the adopter and she treats them as well as her own kids. They get bi-yearly check ups at the vet, go home at night, etc. When it's done correctly, I don't see it as bad. It's just the ignorant people that make it bad.

[Guinea_Gal]

Thanks for the imput guys. If anyone else has an opinion, PLEASE share it! I need to call this man within the next day or two and after reading all of the responses, I think they are all valid points, but are all contradicting to each other.

My problem would be that if I informed that man of all the standards I require in order for him to adopt (all of those that fourbwabbys mentioned) and he agreed to follow them, I am not sure if I would ever be eble to find out if he actually kept his word.

Just thought of a great idea (although it has a few glitches). It would be great if I could visit their classroom with a piggy or two ever couple of weeks. Thatway the kids could interact with guinea pigs and hold them without me having to worry about the piggy being okay. It would also be great community service. The only problem would be finding a way to get there during school hours, as I am in school myself and my parents are working.

[fourbwabbys]

You can also put in the contract that you can check up on them every few months.

[attackofthebear]

I think you should tell him the care a guinea pig needs first. Then if he is still up to it explain what situations that voodoojoint has seen in classrooms and just to make sure that the pig is ok,make an agreement to check up on it as you please. He won't have enough warning time to change a cage. That will show him that you dont just dump a pig off and you'll be able to know if he is taking care of it like he said he would. The pig would also be glad to see you. Tell him to get a C&C cage. If you know where to find the supplies to make the cage, tell him and recommend him to the site.
If he is still interested I would proceed in letting him adopt after he went and got all the required supplies.


If you want you could let him pick the pig he wants and tell him you can bring it to him on a day, at a time thats good for the both of you at the school. That way you could see the cage and everything he has for the pig.
Honestly, I don't think I would let him adopt a guinea pig if I were the one he was talking to. But my second grade teacher had a bunny named Thumper and I enjoyed having the bunny in the classroom. I remember the only reason my family got into guinea pigs is because my brother brought one home from a classroom and we fell in love with it. We watched it over the weekend.

Its really up to you. If you think he is qualified to take care of a guinea pig and give it what it needs to be happy and healthy then by all means go for it. Follow your gut feeling but with precaution. Good luck.

[Dawn & Chris]

I just wanted to throw in my 2 cents. I am personally very anti pets in the classroom for a very personal reason. As a child, my 4th grade class chose to adopt a pair (don't even get me started) of bunnies. This was despite my explaning to the teacher that I am severely allergic to them. There was no permission obtained from parents before this was done. I became ill and ended up in the emergency room more than once with asthma before they finally moved the bunnies out of the room. Please ask any teacher who intends to place any permanent or even occasional pet in the classroom to check with all the childrens' parents/guardians regarding any potential health issues. Not only was I very ill, but when all the other kids were told they were loosing the bunnies because of me, it did not make for a happy childhood memory. Children can be extremely cruel...

[Guinea_Gal]

Thank you for everyone's great imput. I am not going to let this man, although he seems very nice and well-intentioned, adopt a guinea pig from me. I just do not feel comfortable. There are too many things that could happen the the poor piggy, that I couldn't live with myself if I let him adopt.

I am really nervous about calling this man tommorrow though. If i had his email, I would much rather email him, but I just have his phone # so I just have to call him. What if he hangs up on me before I am done talking to him?

Does anyone have any idea as to how I should prepare the converstaion? I want to share with him all of the info that proves that guineas are not good classroom pets and hopefully, after hearing what I have to say, he will agree with me. I don't want to make him angry and have him just hurry off to a petstore to buy one.

[nonamian_girl]

Is there a way you could make him come see you so you could explain it to him in person? That might soften the blows, especially if you go through with that offer to bring some pigs to the classroom for some education.

[attackofthebear]

Explain to him the reasons for not adopting. Dont attack him because then he will put up his guard and storm off. If you make it seem like you are worried that the pigs will get hurt or be unhealthy in a classroom environment, maybe he would agree and thats when you could suggest a pet nobody can be allergic to. I think fish.
Fish would be an ok pet. Most people aren't going to have asthma attacks or an allergic reaction to a fish. Suggest an aquarium. I think the kids would like to watch a group of colorful fish swim around. Fish that can live in a ten gallon aren't that hard to take care of either. Or he could get a fighting fish, males must live separately but females can be put together, which would be put, depending on how many they got, in a decent sized tank. Not a goldfish bowl.
I also would agree on a notice sent out to parents for them to sign and return before the animal came into the classroom.

[SandyF]

Kids are walking biohazards. If for no other reason (and there are lots of other valid reasons already mentioned), I would cite the increased possibility of the guinea pig(s) contracting something bacterial in nature from the students.