Looking for Quality Breeders in Florida

[CarlysDad]

I'm an experienced cavy owner who is looking for a quality pet for my daughter's 12th birthday (and admit I'm looking forward to having pigs in the house again - it's been a while!)

I'm having all kinds of trouble finding quality breeders in Florida, not that they don't exist surely, just having a tough time finding the right people.

Teddie Satins are our first choice and Texels as a very close second ... can anyone out there point me in the right direction? Will be happy to drive the State to find the right friend(s) for my daughter.

Many thanks in advance!

[BabyGrl]

If you are looking for breeders be warned this is not the place to be. Try www.petfinder.com and please consider adopting instead of buying.

[my2humandads]

Do not go to a breeder. What part of florida are you in?

[CarlysDad]

Thanks for the quick replies ... and I do understand the concerns regarding breeders ... if this is the wrong place to be, then my apologies, I'm new to this site.

We are in Fort Myers.

[Katie]

If you understand the concerns, then you would be fine with going to a rescue or shelter?

Petfinder pet list

[WEAVER]

Carly'sdad--I do not know if you understand what everyone is talking to you about
You are on a anti-breeding forum. Everyone on here is really pro-adoption because the guinea pig population is so out of control.
We would all be happy to help you locate a piggy or two in your area if you are interested in adopting and not "buying"

[CarlysDad]

Apologies to all and I understand ... I'm new and did not understand this is an anti-breeders forum.

(I'm not exactly sure what should have tipped me off?) Anyway, I respect your views. Thank you.

[Percy's Mom]

If you read through a few posts, especially in the Kitchen section, it becomes clear very quickly. The moderators also usually point new members to the following thread:
http://cavycages.com/forum/announcem...nouncementid=7
It pretty much explains everything.

[Katie]

My last adoption experience was not good. The bottom line is that I would like as much confidence as I can have that the animal(s) we choose for Carly will be healthy and loved from an early age.

Again, I respect your view, however, I will chase the hope that there is a breeder out there that meets my specifications. If not, adoption is always an option.

I don't understand. How was your last adoption not good? Where did you adopt from?

There are plenty of healthy, well cared for, and young guinea pigs in shelters and rescues.

I have a rescue of my own. I currently have 10 guinea pigs in my care. Their ages range from 6 months- 3 years. They are all in perfect health and have nothing wrong with them at all. They are treated and fed better then the humans in our home.

[salana]

Quality breeders? I'm not sure there are such things in the US.

You have no assurance when buying from a breeder that the pig is/will remain healthy. Some breeders feel no compunction to prevent often-fatal 99.9%-preventable birth defects in their animals.

Many rescues have baby guinea pigs born at the shelter/rescue, because people dump pregnant pigs all the time. Why not adopt a mom and daughter pair?

Incidentally, are you aware that Teddies and Texels are prone to flaky skin, and Satins can suffer from severe bone problems?

(I have moved this thread to the Kitchen forum, where discussions of breeders and breeding belong.)

[nonamian_girl]

If you are concerned about health, then you should REALLY stay away from breeders. That's where the most neglected animals come from, and you really don't know what you're getting. The only thing breeders are concerned with is how the animal looks, whereas rescues have already taken care of their health, and can tell you more about the animals' personality, background, etc.

I'm having all kinds of trouble finding quality breeders in Florida, not that they don't exist surely

Perhaps they do exist, but you might as well be looking for a needle in a haystack.

Also, if you're looking for a pet for your daughter, why not ask her what she wants and let her decide? I'm sure you could go to a shelter together and pick out a nice oinker or two.

Also, I know you said you're an experienced owner, but you might want to look around this website more (or have your daughter look around) and see if you can learn anything new. I myself have had guinea pigs for over a decade, but I've only learned how to PROPERLY take care of them within the last year, after finding this website.

http://guinealynx.com/pamphlet.html Check out this link and read the pamphlets, they are VERY informative!

[my2humandads]

If you don't mind a bit of a drive call 954-524-4302 they have over 36 guinea pigs that are well taken care of and the adopters are rigorously screened before adoption is approved. This place is in FT Lauderdale. This is the closest and best place for you to adopt. They have a vet on the premises which will check the piggie out before it is released to its new home. (mind you they are all medically sound animals) some older some younger.

[selfcollectionx]

I just adopted a guinea pig yesterday and I was always concerned about ending up with one who wasn't friendly, healthy, etc. You just have to be REALLY picky and you can end up with a wonderful pig!

Our Darla is the sweetest little piggy. Not only has she already had an exam by the shelter vet, BUT they give away vouchers so that we can take her to another vet within two weeks to have another check up. That's two free vet visits!

You just need to ask a lot of questions and spend some time with the guinea pig before you bring him/her home.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

I doubt you will find many 'quality' breeders. Please read http://www.cavyspirit.com/breeding.htm and http://www.cavyspirit.com/responsiblebreeder.htm

Then look over www.petfinder.com, www.cavyrescue.com and http://www.guinealynx.info/rescues.html

Also, look over the care info on guinealynx.info and on the main page here.

Majority of breeders have lower standards of care as described here and on GL. Their cages do not meet the requirements here, they are rarely fed veggies or hay, just pellets and Vit C to their water.

They cull, or sell their excess stock to snake owners and/or pet stores. Many just kill them inhumanely.

As stated above, teddies and Satins can be special needs and not healthy. Teddies have skin problems and Satins can develop bone problems.

[Access]

Like they say there is no such thing as a 'quality' breeder... the numbers of pigs required to get proper 'breed features' make such a thing impossible.

Some rescues have websites with pictures and histories of each animal, just find a good one in your area and adopt. Especially so soon after Christmass there are lots of pigs out there in need of a home, you should be able to find one you want within a few hours drive if that.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Yes, the X-Mas Petco and Petsmart pigs are starting to give birth about now. You can get babies from rescues and shelters or people rehoming. Look in the classifieds.

[zambonigirl]

Originally Posted by CarlysDad

(I'm not exactly sure what should have tipped me off?)

This is posted at the top of the forum that you posted to:

This forum is run by a guinea pig rescue and is a rescue-friendly board.

Intentional breeding and/or showing "how-to" discussions are not welcome in this forum.
For more information on breeding, see Cavy Spirit's Breeding page.
What does it mean to be a so-called responsible breeder? Read this page to find out.
For accidental pregnancy information, see this GuineaLynx page.

The discussions in this forum sometimes get heated; passions tend to run high.
Please try to be respectful. What some people consider lively debate, you may consider rude.
If your sensibilities are easily offended, you may want to avoid this forum.

"If you can't stand the heat, stay out of the Kitchen!"

I urge you to adopt rather than buy from a breeder. There are more than enough pigs out there who need help and a good home, and who would love to give you and your child affection for many, many years.