We have room for a piggy...

weaseldropping · #1 08-18-05, 11:50 am

Very sad news. Our disabled blind bunny had to be put to sleep yesterday morning - the eye infection had become a brain infection. Couldn't post yesterday. Too upset.

We are not going to replace her with another rabbit - for lots of reasons - and we know that anothe piggy would be a better addition to our herd. We have the room and the money for vets bills, so we want to give a piggy a chance.

Unfortunately, the local RSPCA only has pregnant sows, and will have to wait till they have given birth and weaned the babies before they can be rehomed. None of the other local rescues have any guinea pigs, except one which will only rehouse a pig with the rabbit it came in with... We are having a home visit to assess our suitability this week, but we were thinking that maybe a neutered boar would fit in better with our three girls.

Does anyone have any suggestions about whether we would be better with another girly, or a boy with no bits? Also does anyone have any info on an unwanted piggy in Yorkshire, UK?

(My son would quite like a long-haired pig, and the grooming will not be a problem - had to do the rabbit daily anyway!)

**stitsy&codyPig** · #2 08-18-05, 12:52 pm

I am sorry about your bunny. But I'm happy you are going to give a piggy a second chance.

weaseldropping · #3 08-18-05, 12:53 pm

Thanks for that.

It was very hard to type the post - it makes it seem more real that we have lost her.

**RyanR** · #4 08-18-05, 01:00 pm

I'm sorry about your bunny. My friend lost his bunny over a year ago and then lost his most recent one back in June. My best advice it to go with a boy. Most likely an Abby or american satin if you can. They have such soft fur.

**Johanna** · #5 08-18-05, 01:18 pm

http://www.guineapigrehome.org.uk/gp....asp#Yorkshire
This website might help you.

weaseldropping · #6 08-18-05, 01:59 pm

Thanks - I will ring round tomorrow.

**VoodooJoint** · #7 08-18-05, 02:47 pm

I'm so sorry about your rabbit. Luckily she had someone who cared for her dispite her diabilities. I'm sure she left this world feeling loved.

weaseldropping · #8 08-18-05, 02:56 pm

Thanks, Voodoo.

Our vet was almost in tears as well, she had been through so much as well, trying to keep the Sootster going. She told us that if we went for two-hourly syringe feeding round the clock, with massive intravenous antibiotics, there might be a chance, but it would only be until the next infection took hold. She had been getting infections every two weeks or so, and she just seemed to have had enough. Her little head was down.

The worst bit was that the cat was at the vet's as well, having his boosters, and he saw the whole thing. It never occurred to me to move his cat box into another room. He has been desperate - sitting on the grave and wailing and howling, clinging to me like a leech, not eating properly. He spends all his spare time lying on the lid of the run - just like he's guarding the pigs. He slept with our son last night, which he never usually does. Does anyone know anything special to help a grieving cat? He is getting multiple hugs, and I have tried to explain to him....

weaseldropping · #9 08-27-05, 04:30 pm

I have had a home visit from the local RSPCA which has worried me a lot. The lady who came was supposed to be assessing if I was suitable to adopt a pig from them, but she really didn't know much about pigs at all - admited she mainly dealt with cats and dogs. She asked about feeding, but when I gave a detailed explanation of what they eat, how it changes with the seasons and where they are living, she seemed rather bemused. I explained that we were looking for a neutered boar, and she questioned the use of the word "boar" and asked if that operation could be done! She asked about what ages I was interested in, and I said the personality was probably more important, and a submissive pig would fit in best with Mrs Bossy-Pants Offie. She didn't seem to think that pigs had personalities.

I explained that we had quarantine facilities depending on how recently the neuter had taken place, and said that I was not prepared to take any chances with my virginal Offie getting pregnant at nearly 3 - she was surprised that it might be considered dangerous. It will be at least a week before we hear if we are suitable, but it seems like their piggies really need rescuing!

I am really dubious about the whole business now, especially as we are giving them a second chance. Our last (vaccinated) cat came from them and was put to sleep a little while later after becoming ill with feline leukemia, which he had contracted before we adopted him. We were unlucky, true, but a bill of £800 was unwelcome, especially when the animal was supposedly healthy.

There are no other local rescues with piggies - several have shut recently. The further-off ones are not interested as they insist on a home visit, and they say it isn't worth their while.

Any suggestions?

piggiepigs · #10 08-27-05, 04:45 pm

Its a shame you are so far away. Sprowston guinea pig rescue in norwich are very good. The girl there doesnt aways have time for a home visit, but she does ask LOTS of questions! You need to know your stuff before she will let them go. I think its one hell of a drive from norfolk though!

Ive recently adopted from the rspca, I think I knew more than the lady who bought her over but she was very nice and very caring. Her thing had been cats and shes now decided to help piggies to. I suppose sometimes they also have to learn. My new piggie is the daughter of one of the guinea pigs rescued from that dreadfull house in cromer where there was over 300 mistreated animals!

**daftscotslass** · #11 08-28-05, 02:28 am

I'm so sorry about your rabbit. It is SO hard to lose a friend after being through so much together.

Regarding rescues - Squeaky Pigs rescue was in West Yorkshire but it has now closed. I'm not sure if she still has any pigs or knows of any in your area needing homes. The site has closed but there are contact details on: http://www.diddly-di.fsnet.co.uk/Links-Rescues.htm

Here are some more rescues I found throughout Yorkshire:

http://www.dearnecavyrescue.co.uk/

http://www.thornberry-animal-sanctua....php?cat=Other

http://www.gprescue.mcmail.com/ (links don't seem to work but there is an email address)

http://www.rspca.org.uk/servlet/Sate...=1000367117818# lists branches of the RSPCA in your area... you might have some luck there

Hope that helps you on your way.

**CavyKind** · #12 08-28-05, 04:48 am

Hi,
Just to say how sory I was to hear about your rabbit, it's always so hard when we lose our little pals.

I'm in the North East of England, but too far to rehome to you.
Please don't be hard on rescues that won't rehome out of the area, I won't unless of course it is to people I know. It's not that we don't appreciate the offer of a great home, but travel is time consuming and can be expensive when we fund ourselves.
There is also the issue that if the home doesn't work out, the guinea will have to be collected and if that should be at short notice, it might be a problem. Also if homes are in the locality, we can pop out to check everything is okay or if a minor problem arises.

I have in the past rehomed out of my immediate area, to people as I said, I know, or that friends recommend...without problem. So yes it can work, but it's usually better for everyone concerned, not least the guinea pig, if we place them closer to home.

It might be worth trying Bunny Burrows, they are situated in Richmond, North Yorkshire, if that's antwhere near you? They also, or used to, take in guinea pigs. Here is their link. Bunny Burrows

I haven't spoken to Gwen, the lady who runs the rescue for some time, but they do a lot of good work and are worth contacting if close enough to you.

Take care,
Barbara

weaseldropping · #13 08-28-05, 05:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggiepigs

Its a shame you are so far away. Sprowston guinea pig rescue in norwich are very good.

Thanks - we have relatives in Norwich who we visit regularly, and I emailed Sprowston last week - not yet heard back, though.

piggiepigs · #14 08-28-05, 05:42 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by weaseldropping

Thanks - we have relatives in Norwich who we visit regularly, and I emailed Sprowston last week - not yet heard back, though.

Cheryl doesnt often go onto the internet as she is so busy. What about giving her a call? x

weaseldropping · #15 08-28-05, 06:03 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by piggiepigs

Cheryl doesnt often go onto the internet as she is so busy. What about giving her a call? x

I will! Thanks for the info.

piggiepigs · #16 08-28-05, 06:12 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by weaseldropping

I will! Thanks for the info.

Your welcome. Good luck!!!! I know what its like to wait. I had to wait ages for a rescue piggie as I didnt have a car at the time and the local ones didnt have any piggies. Then we got a car and trundeled of to norfolk to pick them up. It was a 2 hour drive but worth it! x

weaseldropping · #17 09-02-05, 08:07 am

Brilliant News!!!!!

We got a call last night that two neutered boars were available at the local RSPCA, and would we like them. They were abandoned at 8 weeks old, and have been living at the shelter for 11 months. They had had ringworm, but had the all clear from the vet yesterday. Well, we really only wanted one, but we have plenty of room, and it seemed unneccessarily cruel to split them.....
So, they are out in the back garden in a run next to the girls, with their feet on grass for the first time ever - they haven't realised yet they can actually eat it!
The RSPCA was doing it's best, but their run was damp concrete and they had (excellent quality) pellets and hay, but just the odd bit of carrot or cabbage. Both are pretty fat!

How could we possibly leave them there!

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