Advice: Adopt from rescue or private?

[Herdbound]

I submitted an online application at a rescue and so far everything is approved. I liked 2 of them and can't wait to adopt. My question is; Should I adopt them knowing whether or not I get them myself they will find a good home, while alot of the "oops babies" I've seen out there may end up at a kill shelter due to over crowding and I can give them a rescue approved home. Or should I just take the rescues so that there is a chance that the "oops babies" may end up at the rescue? What do you think?

Rescues- 2 females, one is an abyssinian satin spayed and the other an american 9 months

[Herdbound]

Oh forgot to mention these oops babys are for rehoming adoption!

[Clarion]

After looking at craigs list and one unsucessful attempt to adopt a guinea pig via an ad posted there, I applied to a rescue and was accepted. I was wairy of getting a pig from craig's list or through a private party even before it fell through because at the time, I didn't have the money (or time) to devote to multiple vet visits. My thinking was that the poor piggies on craigs list were probably not well care for in many cases and were therefore more likely to be sick/pregnant/missexed. In the future, I would be more open to the idea if I felt I had the resources to devote to a potentially sick piggy.
Either way, your taking a guinea pig that previously did not have a "forever" home and that's what matters.

[Peggysu]

If we had a guinea pig rescue near me I would adopt from a rescue becuase I know that the money would go to a good cause and I'd be opening space for another unwanted pet. Adopting from a reputable rescue also ensures that they hopefully were taken care of and treated for possible mites and lice etc. There are oopsies on criagslist all the time here. Some are breeders and you have to watch out for those. If I was you I would adopt from the rescue.

[Herdbound]

Thanks.

You know I never thought of it that way, but it makes since. I guess I will go with the rescue then. But there is one there that seems reputable so I will keep my options open.

Clarion- Was it metropolitan guinea pig rescue? I was going to see if I was eligable to adopt one of the males.

[Adorable]

I’ve gotten 3 pigs from a rescue and one from craigslist. I had very good luck with the CL pig but wouldn’t recommend it if you don’t know what to look for or aren’t willing to incur vet expenses right away.

If you are in NC, I doubt MGPR would adopt to you but it’s worth a shot. They have so many pigs right now that need a home.

[blackarrow]

I'm too new at guinea pigs to comment on them specifically, but I have been the intake coordinator at a dog rescue for many years and have fielded this one before. Sure, animals in rescue aren't going to be killed, but they still don't have a home, and thus they are still in need. It's bad enough that many people don't want a rescued animal, thinking they don't want someone else's "castoff," but it's even worse if you add that they can be caught in the situation where they weren't bad enough off for people to take them from the rescue!

Taking any animal who needs a new home and giving it a loving one is what's the important thing. Good luck.

[akstrohm]

I agree with everything said here and just want to add that if these are your first pigs it is especially important to make sure that they are healthy and not pregnant when you get them since that will make things more complicated. So I also vote for a rescue. Also if you end up getting the satin, make sure you're aware of the potential health problems associated with them. Good luck!

[Herdbound]

Thank you I appreciate all your comments. This is not my first guinea pig though they will be the first in about ten years! I am aware that satins are prone to bone loss and such but she has had x-rays done and they came back healthy.

I personally have no problems with rescue as that is where I have gotten my 2 dogs from, I would have gotten my horses from there as well if I was more experienced. I plan to have 17.5 sq ft 42" x 56" and eventually I would like to fostor!

If I suspect they came from a breeder or if they show signs of illness I wont buy them but they will be going to the vet as soon as I get them especially if male even if only to get them neutered!

[Clarion]

My girls didn't come from Metropolitan but from Small Angels rescue based in Fredrick, Maryland. They rescue all kinds of rodents. But unfortunatly, I can't give you any advice on Metropolitan. If you have experience with guinea pigs, I can't imagine they would turn you down. Good luck and keep us updated!

[fieryone]

I see pros to both CL and a rescue. Either way you are giving a homeless animal a home. On one hand, getting a pig from a rescue more or less ensures that you will get a healthy, non-pregnant animal. You don't have that guarantee with a CL piggie or maybe even a shelter that specializes more in cats and dogs like a humane society, etc. With the CL piggies you are saving them from going to another potential owner who will cast them off or not give them a life that they deserve, but you can't guarantee that they're not ill, etc. You can get a sense about people though through their emails and going to look at the animal listed on CL. But either way the piggies and you win by giving them a good, loving home. I don't think you can go wrong either way

[Adorable]

Originally Posted by Clarion

If you have experience with guinea pigs, I can't imagine they would turn you down.

I said that because they don’t typically adopt outside of the DC area, but I hope they’ll make the occasional exception.

Originally Posted by fieryone

With the CL piggies you are saving them from going to another potential owner who will cast them off or not give them a life that they deserve,

Also, if you are taking on financial responsibility for a pig that is not yet been dumped back into the system, you are actually easing the burden for rescues. Add to that, any babies that may result from ignorance or miss sexing. Adoption fees don’t even begin to cover the vet bills or supplies rescues put into each pig so it’s really a loss for each new one they get.


I lucked out with the female I got on CL because she had been housed alone with a caring family, but I just quit worrying that she might have been pregnant somehow. On the other hand, my rescue pigs had no issues and I've got life long support for ALL my pigs.

[LadyMorrgian]

I personally have never bought any of my pets, with the exception of a hamster when I was like 6 and my hermit crabs which I adopt when I can, when ever I can (they are not accepted in shelters ect). I have always been "lucky" enough to see thew cat/dog on the side of the road or have my desired pet fall into my lap.

I got all 6 of my pigs off CL, it all started when I was doing my daily check for Hermit Crabs and saw the listing for a trio that was going to be put down if they were not adopted. One boar and two females (housed separately) Before I knew it I had put a call in and agreed to take them in.

After research I found that my lone little guy needed friends, so back to Cl I went and after a while and pair went up that was again abused and needed help.

I received a random call asking if I would take in a friend of friends ect pig, he no longer had time for her.

Now I have 6.

The only shelter that I know of around here that accepts pets charge you to surrender if you are the owner. Also they have been known to "abort" a full term pregnancy (due to give birth in a matter of days) in order to spay the mother cat. Then when the owner (not a breeder acidental pregnacy but the owner was willing to keep all kittens and spay/nuter the whole lot, close friend of mine) finally was able to locate her cat was told that she had to not only pay for the abortion and spay but the housing cost and she also could only pick up her cat at PetSmart the next day (the day after her spay) where she was being sent for her "adoption" chance.

I personally do not support Lolly Pop Farm, I refuse to adopt one of there "approved surrenders"

[Herdbound]

Adorable, Fieryone; I totally agree with you!

You all have pointed out good things so with taking everything into consideration that has been said; I think I will do both! I will adopt my first two or 3 and probably CL others(cage will be a 2 level seperated)! It's a shame that people don't reasearch before buying an animal!


Lady morrgian that's awful what happened to your friend. I understand the motives of ly pop farm (over-population is a major issue!), but to abort pregnancies! babies usually have an easier time of being adopted.

I think there is always a risk with dog or cats that if the animal goes missing and the owners are looking for them someone will find and adopt it. It's always in the back of my mind whenever I go to a shelter!

[Adorable]

I was actually going to suggest you do both, but deleted that paragraph yesterday, thinking I was rambling.

My first pigs were a bonded M/F pair from a rescue almost 2 years ago. I'd always planned to add a third but never got around to it. When the male died in December, fate brought me to a CL female just a couple miles from my house and then I got another neutered male from the same rescue a couple weeks later.

At this point, I feel comfortable taking on whatever pigs will work for my situation but it's mostly because of the support I've gotten through the rescue. I encourage you to establish a relationship with one, and not be shy about asking stupid questions.

[fieryone]

I say just keep an open mind. If the perfect pig for you isn't available at a rescue, then try craigslist or a shelter or humane society. Or vice versa. No matter what you do, it's not a wrong choice. You are giving a homeless animal a home with someone who has done their research on how to properly care for them.