Want to Adopt: Two young females needed in Houston

[bpatters]

We want to adopt two young short-haired females, and live in Houston. We're keeping up with the rescues/shelters, but no joy so far. If anyone knows of two available piggies, I'd like to correspond with you.

Thanks.

[vicky2]

Houston, TX: Adoptable Pets: Petfinder
There you go.

[bpatters]

Thanks, but I do know how to use Google, and I do know about Petfinder. I didn't want to name any names before, but one of those listed on Petfinder has no guinea pigs in spite of their ad, and another is the place that hasn't replied to me in spite of two phone calls and two emails. The rest are hundreds of miles away.

I do appreciate the help, though. I should have said that I've tried every Google combination of guinea, pig, pigs, cavy, rescue, shelter, and adoption, and have looked at all the websites and/or called all the numbers I've found. Maybe those two that are in Houston will either get in some GPs, or start communicating with people who contact them.

[vicky2]

How far are you willing to drive?

[Wodentoad]

Maybe you should open your options a bit, there could be one in a larger area, or nearby city. Also, there may be guineas OTHER than the American short hairs. Local animal shelters that usually take in dogs and cats may not advertise but might have exotics like guineas.

Good luck.

[akstrohm]

Is there a reason you need young shorthair females? Older guinea pigs are often a lot friendlier than babies, and guinea pigs have a long life span (up to 10 years). Males can be kept together successfully. They require a bit of cleaning, but there are few issues with odor, and many people find them friendlier than females. Aside from Peruvians and Silkies, many other types of pigs don't require any additional hair care.

Also many rescues will help with transportation, and they may have foster homes in your area. Try contacting other rescues in the state (even if they're far away) and see if they know of something in your area or can provide transportation.

Keep trying the rescues and shelters. Many are run by volunteers who are quite busy and may take a little while to get back to you. Ask shelters that don't have pigs to contact you when they get them in. Keep trying Craigslist. Just be patient, and you'll find what you're looking for.

[bpatters]

Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm willing to drive 75 miles or so, and have been looking outside the immediate Houston area.

That's a good point about the shelter volunteers possibly not answering promptly -- I hadn't thought about that.

I haven't tried the dog and cat shelters, but will do so today or tomorrow.

We want females because two of the people in the house are extremely sensitive to unpleasant smells, and I'm afraid they can't tolerate the boar scent. I thought it would be harder on the kids if we took males and then had to return them to the shelter than if we just waited on females in the first place.

As for the short hair -- we have a longish-haired dog. I'm the only one who'll do anything with the hair, and I'm not signing up to brush another four-legged critter. Brushing the two two-legged ones is bad enough! We'd consider something with medium-length hair that's easy to groom, but that's about it.

We'd take young adults. The kids want babies, of course, but they'd be just as happy with some that were a year or so old. I should have been more careful when I specified young -- I'd prefer something under 18-24 months so they'll (hopefully) have a longer life span.

[vicky2]

I know of two rescues about 4 hours away from Houston. I bet they'd be willing to meet you halfway though.

[bpatters]

Where are they, and how old are the GPs? Two hours is probably doable, depending on when they could do it.

[akstrohm]

Breeds like abyssinians are common and require no special care. When you're asking for pigs, specify that you don't want long-haired breeds. When you say "shorthair" it makes it sound like you only want American Shorthairs.

Also keep in mind that some rescues will not adopt out babies to families with children.

[bpatters]

Ok, thanks! Silly me, I thought "short hair" just meant "short hair," I didn't realize it was a specific breed of GP!

I've been careful to tell everyone that I've talked to about the possibility of adoption that we've got a 6 (almost 7) year old, so I hope they'll let me know up front if they've got objections. She's very good with small critters, or I wouldn't even be considering adopting any.

[azalea]

There is a small animal rescue in Spring that only handles small and or exotics (but no snakes)...I don't recall how many pigs are up for adoption right now. Precious Critters Pet Rescue- email preciouscritters@my-petz.com or phone 281-413-2103 but they do post on petfinders

There is always the Houston SPCA, they had that big haul of pets just last week.

[JD In Van]

Originally Posted by bpatters

I've been careful to tell everyone that I've talked to about the possibility of adoption that we've got a 6 (almost 7) year old, so I hope they'll let me know up front if they've got objections. She's very good with small critters, or I wouldn't even be considering adopting any.

You may want to look on their sites and also let them know of your child's experience with animals and temperment. I know the rescue I fostered and adopted from typically doesn't allow homes with children but they're most careful about families with really small children (grabby toddlers especially) or ones who have never handled small pets before. I did have to introduce her to them and they did want to see how she interacted with the animals but after they realized that she's a calm considerate child they were alright with us taking animals.

[uglypiggy]

I have a abysinnian who keeps beating up on my other piggie. Currently they are seperated but doesn't look like thing will work out. I'll keep you updated on their status if interested.

I live in houston.

[vicky2]

This is a growing rescue that does not take in pigs yet but why not know about them?
South Texas Guinea Pig Rescue
In Cypress, TX, pretty close but not many pig/s up for adoption:
Noahs Ark Animal Sanctuary
That's the only two I remember. There was two others that I was thinking of but forgot their names. I'll let you know when I find the link to their pages.

[bpatters]

Thanks, I've emailed them both. And hadn't heard of them before. Neither one is too far from me.