I need help finding another piggy. Also are petstore piggies really all that bad? - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Shawnee** · #1 12-22-08, 08:13 pm

I need help finding a place in my area with a piggy to adopt. I have done research at petfinder.com and the closest to me is almost a four hour drive. My family isn't wanting to go far at all, 15-20 minutes tops. But I really need to get my guinea pig a cage mate. Which brings me to my next question. Is buying a guinea pig at PetCo really all that bad? If that ends up being my last result, would it be better NOT to get another piggy? My piggy is a 3 year old neutered male, his cage mate passed away roughly a month ago. If it is better to get a piggy from PetCo than not at all, what should I look for in the piggy that is bad signs or signs of illnesses? Also what is a 3 week quarantine?
Please help by posting any information or help you have, I'm pretty desperate, I know that Snowball (my piggy) is lonely.

**AnimalHouse36** · #2 12-22-08, 08:50 pm

What aut craigslist or your local classafields? They often have "Free to Good Homes" in them. You might have to be patient but I'm sure a pig will come along. You might have to ask arund and put in some elbow grease but it's the better option.

I would rather have a lonely pig then a petstore pig.

When you buy from a petstore you let one in a shelter die, and a poor sow to be bred in horrible conditions by horrible people. I'm sure you know about puppy mills, if not google them. Well it's the same way with guinea pigs. Rainbow Exotics I beleive are there suppliers.

They had undercover PETA people go. THey nuetered rabbits without any anisthestia, so he was wide awake, and then cleaned him up with clorrox wipes. A hamster escaped from being suffocted only to be repeatly stomped on and kicked. I don't know if they had any guinea pigs in the vifeo, I only read a journal on it I didn't have the guts to watch it, but I do know they had rabbits forcefully bred, and they probably have guinea pigs have back to back pregnancies.

If that just makes you want to go out and get one, think again. When you buy one, you open up more space for another pig to be bred, and you give the store money to buy another shipment, and you send a guinea pig on death row into the gas chamber.

I don't mean to sound rude but thats the cold hard truth. I see your a newbie so you might not be accustomed to our ways. We might come off rude but only mean the best.

Three week quarentine is where your new guinea pig is put in a seperate room for three weeks to look for signs of illness.
Guinea Pigs Social Life
*scroll down*
Also read introductions since it can be a bit tricky.

Hope I could help.

**Shawnee** · #3 12-22-08, 09:07 pm

No that doesn't sound rude but if that's what happens to piggy's that is so AWFUL. I want to cry just thinking about it. Thank you for your post. I never even thought of craigslist. I am still not knowledged on piggy illnesses or signs of them.

**Shawnee** · #4 12-22-08, 09:52 pm

Thanks again for the craiglist idea, I found 4 piggies in need of a home there. But now comes the factor of which to choose for my 3 year old neutered male. One: Female (has been a mother). Two: a one and a half month old, sex undetermined. Three: a male, age undetermined. or Four: a five month old who I think is male? How do i choose the healthiest and best for my Snowball.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #5 12-22-08, 09:53 pm

Yes, it is bad.

There is info on quarantine and illnesses here Guinea Lynx :: Quarantine

Petco pigs are from pet mills. They are often sick with URI and mites.

Have you tried your local animal shelters and asked at vet offices? Sometimes they know of people rehoming.

**Shawnee** · #6 12-22-08, 09:57 pm

No I have not tried either of those things, I only learned that Snowball needed a Cage mate this weekend, unfortunately we have had the worst snowstorm I've seen in my life (we only ever get one inch ever other year, some places have four feet now) so I have been snowed in, plus most places are closed. So I'm sticking to internet research for now, although I think I found some on craiglist. I will check with local vets as soon as i can leave. Thank you for the post!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

**Shawnee** · #7 12-22-08, 10:11 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee

One: Female (has been a mother). Two: a one and a half month old, sex undetermined. Three: a male, age undetermined. or Four: a five month old who I think is male? How do i choose the healthiest and best for my Snowball.

Unfortunately number Three has been sold. So he is no longer an option.

**Deenanicole08** · #8 12-22-08, 10:35 pm

Try emailing all the ads and find out if they're still available first. If they are ask them questions like have they ever been to the vet? Will anything be included with the pig (so you know what they have been using for it, like an excersise wheel or ball or leash which are all bad, or a grid wire flooring) ask if you can see pictures. Ask if you can set up a day (when the roads are ok again I live in Michigan, I know about snow

) to see the pig.

When you see the pig check all the basics-eyes, ears, feet, nose, teeth (if you can get the pig to let you look) skin and hair, etc.. Here's a link to read and learn.

Guinea Lynx :: Medical Reference
If you look on the left side of the page, it has different topics to choose from.

**Shawnee** · #9 12-22-08, 10:47 pm

Thanks for the ideas, I have already emailed them all, I am seriously considering number one and two, they are mother and son though not bonded. I will probably end up visiting those two first. Here is the link to the pictures, Free Guinea pig, what do you think about them? I read over that link and learned what was normal for piggies... at this point assuming both are healthy and in good conditions, would it be better for my Snowball to get a younger male or an older female?

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #10 12-22-08, 11:47 pm

It sounds like it may be a breeder and the sow may be pregnant?

If it is, skip them. Find a legit rehoming ad.

There are more links here Guinea Lynx :: Rescue Organizations

**Shawnee** · #11 12-22-08, 11:52 pm

If I go to visit them how can I tell if the sow is pregnant?

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #12 12-23-08, 12:07 am

You can't, unless she is very far along. If she is housed with the son, and he is over 3 weeks, then she likely is.

But getting pigs from breeders can be as bad as getting them from pet stores.

**Shawnee** · #13 12-23-08, 12:10 am

So that is something I need to ask about, How they are housed. I am not under the impression that this is a breeder but I'm a beginner I could be completely wrong. I mean having one litter (is that right for piggy's?) doesn't classify you as a breeder does it?

**AnimalHouse36** · #14 12-23-08, 06:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee

So that is something I need to ask about, How they are housed. I am not under the impression that this is a breeder but I'm a beginner I could be completely wrong. I mean having one litter (is that right for piggy's?) doesn't classify you as a breeder does it?

It depends if she purposly put a boy in there. Or if she purposly left the son in there. But remember, you can't house two boys with one female.

**babytulip07** · #15 12-23-08, 09:58 am

I notice in your profile it says you only have a pet store sized cage. You will need to find a way to upgrade your cage before you can even think about putting another guinea pig in there.

**breezy2** · #16 12-23-08, 11:19 am

I just went through the search for a guinea pig. I found many guinea pigs that were potentially pregnant, so I skipped them. I bought my first guinea pig from a pet store and she was pregnant. I did not want to make the same mistake twice, both buying and having a pregnant sow.

If you see an ad that has both male and female babies older than 3 weeks, be SURE to ask if they were separated at 3 weeks of age, or even one with male babies and a mother. Many people do not realize just how quickly they can and will reproduce.

2 males will especially need lots of room to bond well. They like their privacy and their space. But any guinea pig needs more space than most pet store cages provide. You would be amazed to see the difference in their personalities when they are in a bigger cage.

Look around and be patient. It may take awhile but adopting really is worth while.

**Shawnee** · #17 12-23-08, 12:56 pm

Thank you all for your post. This is under cages, but would a 1X3 or a 2X2 with a second level be big enough for two males or even a male and a female? So on the breeder side it all depends on the intent if they were purposefully left in there it classifies them as breeders. Right now i just got an email from the 5 month olds mommy and he has been sold. The only ones left on craiglist are the mother and son. Although a lady on here might be selling hers, so i think she is probably a more reliable and trustworthy person.

**breezy2** · #18 12-23-08, 01:08 pm

I am not a pro at the cage sizes, but I think the minimum for 2 is 7.5 square feet as per the homepage on here. You don't by any chance have a closet in your room, you don't use? My daughter had a long 2 1/2 foot X 7 foot closet, which we took the doors off of and converted it into our boars cage. It worked quite well and it doesn't take up any extra space in her room. Or is there any other room in the house that can fit a bigger cage. It is especially important for them to have room when their is more than one, because they will have a lot more dominance issues in a tiny pen.

**AnimalHouse36** · #19 12-23-08, 02:29 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shawnee

Thank you all for your post. This is under cages, but would a 1X3 or a 2X2 with a second level be big enough for two males or even a male and a female? .

Second levels actually take away from squar footage. Guinea pigs would rather have floor space out, then up. They like to run and popcorn and ramps and such actually limit that. Males will need more room to stop fighting.

I woudln't get another piggie while you ahve yours in a petstore cage. I would wait until you're able to get a C&C.

Also, I would try to get a young male for your boy if you decide on a boar. Older ones do best with younger ones (3 weeks to 1 1/2 yrs is my guess.). Also, most males get along with females much easier.

Quote:

So on the breeder side it all depends on the intent if they were purposefully left in there it classifies them as breeders.

In my opinion thats a real breeder. But they come in all shapes and sizes. I would consider someone who just didn't no more like an irrespoinsible pet owner/unknowing pet owner.

Quote:

The only ones left on craiglist are the mother and son. Although a lady on here might be selling hers, so i think she is probably a more reliable and trustworthy person

Glad to hear. We have alot of trust wrothy people and that lady sounds a bit shady.

Also, check out: Guinea Pig Home Listings - Main Index
You can probably post a wanted ad there. But even there, there are bound to be some breeders so always be on the lookout.

**auburnmare5** · #20 12-23-08, 06:26 pm

It isn't that the animals themelves are bad, but it is a matter of a business that many members of this site don't want to support.

All guinea pigs are guinea pigs. They come from different backgrounds,etc...

By "buying" a pig (and actually any animal for that matter) from a petstore or breeder, you (meaning anyone who buys), is saying "I am going to support your business and your unethical ways, and buy an animal from you. I think what you are doing is fine with me and I am showing that by buying from you instead of finding an animal elsewhere."

The less people buy, the more trouble the breeders/petstores will be in, and they will eventually have to close their doors. By buying, you put food on the sellers' tables, etc... You keep their business going, and alive. Which is what a good amount of people on this site don't want happening.

Hope this helps you out a bit.