Hello From Pennsylvania Newbie

[PIGGYMAMMA495]

Hi Everyone! I am new to the group. I am so thankful that this site was created because it has saved ALOT of mistakes. I am near Johnstown and Pittsburgh PA. I was given a petstore piggy from my boyfriend as a gift and I just adore him. But I know the importance of adopting instead of buying them. But I can't yell at him for doing something so sweet for me. I am having a heck of a time finding a rescue that has adoptables. I emailed a few from PA and NO ONE has got back to me. I know GP's are herd animals and need cagemates. So I'd love to have some cage buddies for Cookie, and also Id love to get some females to have seperately. I have a MONSTER C&C set up for cookie, and then a seperate C&C for when I get some females. Im just really at a loss here. Any help is apperciated. I am willing to drive wherever, I just want to do the right thing and adopt or at least foster. I give cookie hours of floor time daily, and he is sooooooo spoiled it is unreal. I have only the best produce and best of everything for my little Cookster. I am willing to provide updates to the people I adopt from and pictures. I have great refrences, but Im really banging my head against the wall here. I have no cats or dogs or anything. Always wanted a pig since I was a kid. I know petstore pigs need homes, but I know there is a rescue somewhere that will apperciate a stay at home mom who is dedicated to her kids and guinea pigs? Does anyone get what I'm sayin? I'd love to get a Peruvian, or a Teddy. But All G.P's are adoreable. I'm sure any Piggy that needs love and a forever home will be happy here. If anyone knows of any places I can try to email or call, please email me privately. I thank you all for your time to read and reply. Have a Happy 4th of July. And remember No Loud Fireworks or you'll scare the poopers out of your piggers
Have a great day everyone
JoELLEN~

[PixieStix]

Welcome. Cookie sounds like a spoiled and lucky piggy. I know you've looked for rescues in your area (sorry, don't know of any off hand near you), but have you tried craigslist classifieds: jobs, housing, personals, for sale, services, community, events, forums or Petfinder.com: Adopt a pet and help an animal shelter rescue a puppy or kitten.? With Craigslist the thing you'd want to watch out for is that the person 'rehoming' the piggy isn't a breeder in disguise.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Have you checked your local animal shelters?

[camende]

Piggiemamma...I believe there is a rescue in Latroba, Pa. I think its between Pittsburgh and Johnston.

If you google Guinea Pig Rescue Latrobe, Pa it shows up on the 1st page..I think it's about the 4th one down.

[Wheek Weak]

Hi Joellen...Welcome! It sounds like you're ready to be a hopeless cavy slave like the rest of us!

Originally Posted by PIGGYMAMMA495

Have a Happy 4th of July. And remember No Loud Fireworks or you'll scare the poopers out of your piggers

My husband set off some firecrackers last night (far enough away to not scare the babies). Well, the babies didn't mind a bit, but it woke up the poor robins that were sleeping in the trees and they started sqwaking like crazy. He felt so bad!

So don't forget our little friends that live outside when setting off fireworks. We didn't even think about it until we scared the little critters half to death!

[PIGGYMAMMA495]

Thank-you everyone for your great replies. I did indeed find a rescue in Latrobe PA which is literally 25 minutes from my home. I filled out the adoption questioneere(spelled wrong sorry) form and I can't wait for someone to call or email me. We do have a local SPCA place, but I have called numerous times just "checking in" to see if any piggies came through, then finally the lady who is in charge said that very rarely do small and furry animals like guinea pigs come through the building and check in weekly to see but basically I am wasting my time. Kind of bummed me out, but I am certian that there is alot of wonderful piggies that need love and attention and hours of floor and play time that I can adopt/foster. I spoke with a woman from a add on a free List who said that she has several breeds that she just can not take care of any more. But The warning that someone posted about a breeder in disguise popped in my head. So I asked her, " How many piggies do you have right now?" And she said, She has OVER 300 "Breeders". I never thought someone could say what happened next out of her mouth, She said that she can teach me things that everyone says you should not do, but you can to save money. And she started by saying that they can be kept outside becuase she has sheds and barns full and something called FEMA trailer. And they dont need cages, just go get storeage tubs from the Dollar Store.Oh Girls I started to cry. I listened to a few more details which I know are big no no's like, instead of vetting them sprinkle some kind of vegtable pesticide on them for mites,and go to a store and dig through the dumpster for day old produce that has only a few bad spots on it and cut them out and give it to the piggies for saving money and a whole bunch of stuff that I Would Never Ever Dream Of Doing, because I would never risk loosing my piggie because I was to cheap to take it to the Vet for a checkup or wouldnt buy it the best of everything. However I did tell her that because it is such a far drive for me that it will take me a while to be able to come if I can get some help lining up some homes for rescue becuase I know that if I went there and seen piggies in plastic tubs from the dollar strore as she said that I would take them ALL. But I cant house 300+ piggies alone. Ladies It tore me apart. To call about giving a pig a home and then to hear all of that. She then said that she needs to make her money back so she wants at least $10 a piece for them so she doesnt go under.I told her I have her name and address but I know that guinea pigs are indoor animals and are not to be bred unless there is some type of integrity of the breed that needs to be saved. And told her that there is thousands of piggies that are neglected in the U.S. everyday and if she needed any help finding good homes to let me know but I am confused as to why the add said Free Piggy to good home and then she wants money and says all that other stuff. She was an older woman, but even I know that those pigs are not getting the proper treatment. It just seems no matter what I do there is always going to be those kinds of people who just do it for money and never give these great animals a chance to get into their hearts, and get out of their wallets. I apperciate any ideas, tips or stories that may help me along the way. I am so thankful to the creator of this becuase everyone that I speak with has forgotten about Guinea Pigs. I know people think I'm a little goofy when they ask me who's in the little blanket cozie. But once they hear about how great of a pet theese little buggers are, I do not get looked at the same way. I know of at least 6 of my close friends and family that would love to give a forever home to a piggy. And I hope they find one soon, because I'm tired of having a house full of people taking my play time from me and my cooksters. I guess I am being a little selfish. I do believe I will be the next cavy slave to the extreme. Have A Great Day Everyone! Sorry that the post is so long but I did have quite a few people to respond to. I hope I do not get in trouble for it being so long.

[Ziggy&Herald]

WOW, that woman sounds horrible. I don't even think I could have been as nice about it as you were. I wouldn't dream of getting even one from her because that just opens up a space for some other poor pig. maybe you could call the ASPCA and tell them of the deplorable conditions. Maybe they could do something about it.

I do hope the rescue contacts you soon and you can get a wonderful healthy piggy friend for your Cookie. Oh, and welcome to GPC!