Advice: Thinking about rehoming

[jordan]

I trust this site more than any other when looking for advice on my guinea pigs. Lately, my life has gotten a lot more hectic.. we are in the process of trying to find a new place, money is getting even tighter, and I am trying to barely make it through college. I have four guinea pigs: two girls and two boys.

My whole family constantly tells me that I need to find new homes for them, that I don't have time for them, etc. It breaks my heart every time I even think about finding them new homes but I'm starting to wonder if my family is right. The girls have their own 2x5 and the boys are split in 2x5 (because of fighting).. they get hay all day long, pellets once a day, and veggies twice a day. I am providing 'adequate' care to them, but I also worry I don't have enough time to give them attention. I feel like they are starting to become more and more neglected.

I want to do this right if I do. Maybe even downsizing my herd would help. I am just worried because I don't want them to go to a home where they will be stuck in tiny cages and treated like crap. Does anyone have an advice? I would really appreciate it.

[vicky2]

That's a toughy. If you can give them floor time and proper vet care along with the other things you mentioned you would be o.k., not great. If you live with your family and they interact with them, I think you should keep them. As long as someone is stimulating them and giving them attention, they're happy.
If your going to feel guilty, I would say rehome. It's ultimately your decision though.
Good Luck!

[jordan]

The problem is that I am the only one that even likes them. My brother and his roommate hate my guinea pigs and my boyfriend has just become indifferent. I have to nag him to even help me clean up after them or take care of them. I just want people to know that I am not taking this decision lightly and that I have been questioning this for the last 4-6 weeks. I just wish I could've found this site and done research before getting them because I understand so much more about their needs and how much of a commitment they are.

[xoLauraox09]

If you are rehoming them make sure they go to a good home but I'd say you would make sure of that!
Good luck making your decision!

[Ly&Pigs]

If the decision comes where you feel you have to re-home part or all of your herd, then it's up to you to make sure they end up in homes where they will have a proper sized cage, proper diet, proper pellets, etc. Even as a private owner, you can make your own adoption contract up and have the adopter sign it.

It's always hard when your family doesn't support you on things. It will be a tough decision but honestly, only you can make it.

Most pigs don't care about lap time, that's for us humans. If you can provide floor time for an hour a day, provide a good diet and give them love (even if it's petting them in the cage 2-3 times a day for a couple of minutes), that won't make you inadequate as a piggy parent.

[Heady]

I had a chinchilla that I loved dearly. But I couldn't afford to get him a friend and for 2 years I debated on whether or not to rehome him. I spoke with someone on craigslist about getting one of hers for him, but she wanted around $100 (as most on cl do). I gave him the essentials and I always tried to give him the best of everything, but I just didn't feel like that was enough. I thought I did enough research before I got him, but the experience is much different.

I posted him on craigslist (didn't mention a rehoming fee) and every email that only asked what the rehoming fee was, I didn't answer. I got an email from a guy that wanted to give him to his nephews as a present, and I said absolutely not. In my ad I said that I want him to go to someone with experience and perhaps someone that already has one. One of the last emails I got was from a girl and it wasn't until the 7th or 8th email that she asked how much money she needed to bring. I told her she didn't need to bring any, that everything that is his will go to her for free.

She and I talked some more after that, and she came the next day to pick him up. She was raised around them and she had two males already, plus two sugar gliders. I could tell by talking to her before hand and meeting her that she was a good person. That was several months ago, and she still sends me emails and pictures. She said that he got along with the others and one of the others is his best friend. They take dust baths together and everything.

For me, that was the best decision I've ever made. I felt like I couldn't give him what I wanted him to have, so I found someone that could. I do miss him, but I know he's happy and very well cared for.

If you do decide to downsize or rehome them all, just be very picky about who they go to. Ask a TON of questions, voice all of your concerns and really listen to how these people talk to you and talk about why they want to adopt. It's okay to have high standards, because if you don't then you really don't know what might happen. I found that getting to know her as a person and a caregiver really set my mind at ease.

I wish you a lot of luck with this! It's such a hard decision to make and I don't envy your situation. If you do decide, just try to find someone that feels like you do about them.

[jordan]

Thank you very much. My biggest worry is that they will go to a home where they are treated poorly, ignored, or hurt. I couldn't forgive myself if that happened.

I will be extremely picky, I just hope there are people in my area that know how to properly care for guinea pigs. I don't think I want to rehome all of my guinea pigs, but I might try to find better homes for my separated boys.

[Heady]

Originally Posted by jordan

I will be extremely picky, I just hope there are people in my area that know how to properly care for guinea pigs.

Hey, I know that there is an adoption thing on this site...maybe you could find another member here that's close to you, if you decide to rehome? That would help since most here know how to properly take care of piggies

[jordan]

That would be the perfect situation. If not, I will be drilling people with questions haha. I am not going to give them to just anyone. Here is a sample ad:
We are looking to find new homes for our two boys. They are better separated because of their differing personalities. I want them to go to a loving home preferably with older children (if any) where they can get plenty of love and attention. I also want to make sure they go to a home with a C&C cage and with proper diets. I am willing to travel if that is what it takes to find them permanent and loving homes.

Bruce is estimated to be a little over a year old. He is short-haired, grey, and a sweetheart.

Chevy is coming up on seven months. He has a much more dominant personality. He is the black and brown abysinnian in the pictures.

I am asking a small adoption fee of $25 per pig because I want to make sure that people are not looking for snake food. I am willing to give you their hideys, water bottles, and any other supplies you need that I can possibly give you. Please expect a few questions because it is very important to me that they go to the best homes possible.

[Heady]

I think that's a good start! Maybe you could put that you want them to go to an experienced home?

I like that you also said you'll be asking questions so hopefully people will know that you will be very particular.

I even think Ly had a very good idea with writing up an adoption contract!

It would be ideal if you could go to their homes before adopting to make sure it's a good environment, but I know that a lot of us can't do that.

Remember to look out for breeders too!

[foggycreekcavy]

It's important to realize, though, that even though you screen potential adopters and have a contract, you still have no control over what happens to your pigs once they leave your care.

Even with an application, a contract, education, and email support, I've still had pigs that I've adopted out end up in bad situations.

On the other hand, I've adopted out pigs to the best homes ever (a few are even members here).