Want to Adopt Can find older piggy - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**GizzyandMe** · #1 10-23-09, 08:07 am

I just found out there are 2 piggy's available for adoption in Johannesburg (18hour car ride from me).

The thing is the one is 1 years old the other is 2 years old. Both are Female. My Gizzy is a female and still a baby at 4.5 months.

I do not want Gizzy to be dominated so to speak but I guess even a younger one would be dominate??

Which would be best? 1 year? or 2 year?

**JD In Van** · #2 10-23-09, 08:20 am

On being dominated. It's goiing to happen if it's going to happen. It's not something that makes them unhappy. Some pigs are dominant, some are not. I wouldn't worry about that part to so much.

Dominated or not she'll be happier with a friend.

**GizzyandMe** · #3 10-23-09, 08:26 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by JD In Van

Dominated or not she'll be happier with a friend.

That is why I am considering getting her one of these little friends. Just have to see where I am going to get the time for the drive up there! 18 Hours one way is quite long but worth it if the piggies are healthy. Going to see if I can not get them to take the girls to a Vet and have the Vet contact mine about them.

**blackarrow** · #4 10-23-09, 08:37 am

I agree with JD that you can't influence which cavy will ultimately be the dominant one. Dominance gets a bit of a bad rap, probably because people tend to think of it as bullying - if you think of it more as guidance or establishing order, that may help you understand and accept it if your younger cavy ends up being the submissive one (which is likely in the beginning anyhow).

Between a 1 YO and a 2 YO sow, I would strongly suspect their personalities are going to make more difference than their age difference as to how harmonious the transition will be. Perhaps the rescue/shelter they're in will have observed them long enough to be able to guide you there.

**GizzyandMe** · #5 10-23-09, 08:44 am

I really like this idea "think of it more as guidance or establishing order"

As for the personality thing, Gizzy is not very local (unless I am slow) but she tends to be very busy during the day. So would she like someone like her or an opposite? Maybe a slower but more vocal friend??

**JD In Van** · #6 10-23-09, 08:51 am

You probably won't know until you get her a friend how she'll react to them. They're all very differant.

Have you considered getting both of the other girls?

**blackarrow** · #7 10-23-09, 08:53 am

I'm glad, thank you for saying so.

As to what pigs are apt to get along best, I'm sorry but I have no idea, as I got my boars as a bonded pair, and I am not sure how the rescue determined that they would be good with each other. (One came in along with a brother who turned out to be the only companion who an older boar already at the rescue would happily accept, and I not sure if the boar I took fought regularly with his brother or not.)

**akstrohm** · #8 10-23-09, 09:02 am

I would get both if possible. You don't want to split up a pair and leave another pig lonely. Like others have said, Gizzy will still be much happier with a friend or two whether she is the dominant one or not.

And good for you for putting in so much time and energy into getting her a friend!

**Tessa Bea** · #9 10-23-09, 12:48 pm

It's great that you're putting so much thought and effort into this decision. Age, I've found, isn't so much of a factor as personality is. I have a 4 or 5 year old, a 3 year old, and a 1 year old and they all get along fine. However, my male did NOT get along with any other males, ever, which is why the rescue had him neutered and grouped him with a pair of females. They get along splendidly, and I'm glad my husband and I opened our hearts to a trio instead of just a duo, as we were originally considering.

If the pigs in question are already paired, I would consider adopting them both. It really sucks to break up a good bond. If not, then I would play it by ear and choose once you get a chance to meet both of them. It's really hard to say which Gizzy would like better! Good luck!

**Ly&Pigs** · #10 10-23-09, 02:26 pm

Quote:

Originally Posted by akstrohm

I would get both if possible. You don't want to split up a pair and leave another pig lonely. Like others have said, Gizzy will still be much happier with a friend or two whether she is the dominant one or not.

I was thinking the same. Why not get her two friends if you are going to make that long of a drive. Sows, in general, will get along pretty well. There is the rare case of some sows not getting along but I've done many sow intro's and never had any that didn't get along. Taking care of 3 isn't much more of a cost difference than 2.

**GizzyandMe** · #11 10-25-09, 02:51 am

O I would love to take both however that is not an option available to me. I have first choice but I am not the only one on the waiting list. That is why I would like as much info as possible on how to decide. Thank u all for your input! It is really appreciated!

**YayPiggies** · #12 10-25-09, 07:37 am

Well it depends, the 1 year old may be busy like Gizzy and you might think- They're a perfect pair', but Gizzy might be annoyed by having a shadow or vice versa. The other pig could be mellow and a relaxing influence for Gizzy, but he might be sad because he doesn't want to play with him.

Just a thought, you could fly to that place and it'd be a whole lot shorter!!! My family works for the airlines so we fly anywhere, even within walking distance.... Joking!

**GizzyandMe** · #13 10-25-09, 11:44 am

Sorry but there is no way I can afford a flight there! I have decided to wait for photos and then see. Maybe take the one most opposite in color to Gizzy!

**GizzyandMe** · #14 10-27-09, 12:46 am

Morning. So I just received the photos of Jasmine and Fiona the two pigs available for adoption. Fiona is 1 Year old and Jasmine is 2 Years old. I found out today that they where both used for breeding.

Above is Fiona

Above is Jasmine

**lissie** · #15 10-27-09, 02:44 am

They are both adorable. What do you mean they were used for breeding? Are you getting them from a breeder or from a shelter?

**GizzyandMe** · #16 10-27-09, 03:43 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by lissie

They are both adorable. What do you mean they were used for breeding? Are you getting them from a breeder or from a shelter?

They are at a shelter in JHB, I am unsure of how or why they came to be at the Shelter, they emailed me those photos today stating that they are Mother and Daughter and that they are both Peruvians and that they where used for Breeding. I asked how many times they where breed (my vet told me to find out) but have not gotten an answer yet.

I have to say now that I have seen the photos it is even harder for me to decide between the two and I asked again if I can take both so hopefully I can!!

**lissie** · #17 10-27-09, 03:47 am

I guess they were dump because they're too old to breed now. It's so sad that breeders used them and then later dump them at the shelter. I hope you'll be able to get both of them. They'll be so lucky to have you.

**distancel** · #18 10-27-09, 07:57 am

Gosh they both look gorgeous. Yes it is very sad how breeders can just use them like that. I hope you are able to adopt them.

**GizzyandMe** · #19 10-29-09, 04:34 am

Guess what....I am getting BOTH!

I have no idea how I am going to last a whole month waiting for them but I will just have too. I printed their pictures and will be putting them up for Gizzy so can see them too and tonight I will tell her all about them!

Fiona will be renamed to Fizty and Jasmine to Jazzy.

O dear a very very long month in deed.....

**lissie** · #20 10-29-09, 04:44 am

Congrats! I'm really happy for you.

"Thank you, Tessa Bea, for this useful post," says:
blackarrow (10-23-09)