Want to Adopt Acquaintance looking for Skinny Pig - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**Tessa Bea** · #1 10-23-09, 12:20 pm

I have an acquaintance who is looking to adopt a hairless ("skinny") guinea pig, within an hour drive of Olympia WA. What is the likelihood that she would be able to find one to adopt, rather than supporting the breeding industry? I've given her a reference to my favorite rescue, but last time I checked they only had furry pigs. I've never seen a hairless put up for adoption anywhere near by, only hairless rats. How often, if ever, has anyone seen skinny pigs put up for adoption- anywhere? Is this going to be an impossible task?

**JD In Van** · #2 10-23-09, 12:32 pm

Why does she want a skinny pig? Have you explained to her that this is the product of over breeding to purposefully introduce a weakness into the species?

**Tessa Bea** · #3 10-23-09, 12:57 pm

I figured that was why they're so hard to find- all of my research has shown that they are intentionally bred. She likes the way that they look, just like how some people prefer long haired or teddies, I suppose. She seems pretty set on it- I'm just trying to help her find one to adopt. I REALLY do not want her to buy from a breeder, I pointed her to my favorite rescue in hopes that even if she can't find a skinny, she'll open her heart to a homeless pig. I found her ad on Craigslist, I don't know her really at all (hence the 'acquaintance', and not 'friend') and can't do a thorough psychoanalysis beyond what I've said.

**Paula** · #4 10-23-09, 09:53 pm

I'm just south of Portland and in all the time I've spent working with pigs/rescues/shelters/etc, the only skinny pig I've ever seen or known of in a shelter or rescue anywhere near this area was in southern California and I believe he had so many specific medical needs that he was a sanctuary pig and they weren't actively looking to adopt him out.

I believe if your friend is patient and persistent enough, she might be able to find a skinny pig in a rescue somewhere nearby, but it's likely to take years if it happens at all, and if a skinny ever were in a rescue there would likely be so much interest that s/he would be adopted right away.

**Froggirl009** · #5 10-23-09, 11:01 pm

Sadly, There are often skinny pigs in the rescues here because there are breeders (at least 2 that I know of) that breed skinny pigs. People get them because they look like "little hippos" (thats what my brother, who loves skinny pigs, says) Then people take them home and relise that they are even harder to take care of than regular guinea pigs.

"Thank you, JD In Van, for this useful post," says:
Seonta (10-23-09)

"Thank you, Paula, for this useful post," says:
Tessa Bea (10-24-09)