I am getting a piggy from Pet Smart

[chisky]

I am so mad at the Critter Corral. I sent in an application over a month ago to get a pig and was approved. The problem was that I go to church on Sunday morning and wasn't able to meet with anyone that day.

I was e-mailing one of the volunteers who lived closer to me, and she had a really cute pig. I wanted him, but I asked questions first about bringing a male home. She still wanted me to go on Sunday morning, so I told her I couldn't and that I would check out some shelters that were closer to me and open when I could get to them. I was planning on going to get one in Northbrook but found out that he had already found a home.

I called a couple others closer by and found out they only would adopt out pairs and I don't want two I only have room for one more. So I called the volunteer and asked if I came on Sunday if I could get the pig, but she said it was back at the critter corral. She also told me they decided to decline me.

I heard about the Pignic today and went. If they had told me about it and that I could adopt a pig there, it would have been perfect. My husband was feeling well and he came with me. It is a beautiful day here in Chicago and the Pignic was in the Forest Preserves. We brought some food and had a nice little lunch and when we got to the Forest Preserve I found out they had brought pigs for people to adopt.

Bill and I picked one out, a nice male. I told the girl I would like him, but when the volunteer that I had e-mailed came over she told me I was too needy. She said I shouldn't be insulted. What, I go to church? I asked about how boars react when they are introduced? I built a cage large enough and able to be seperated if necessary, and I'm too needy.

Well, I will just go buy a pig. Petsmart asked me if I knew how to take care of Piggy Pooh when I bought him. They asked if I had a cage and new what to feed them. They gave me instructions on care and I have gone back there to buy toys and food for him. I came here and learned about Kleenmama's hay and bought it. I haven't hounded Petsmart with questions or anything like that.

Critter Corral lost a chance to find a loving home for one of their pigs, but I don't need their rumblestrutting either.

[Percy's Mom]

I'm sorry for your experience with Critter Corral, but have you read anything on this forum at all? You DO realize that by buying that pig from PetStupid, you're going to be feeding the pockets of breeders and pet mills who keep their animals in horrible conditions, back breed their sows, and rarely take them to vets when there are problems? Heck, why bother getting them medical care! If a sow dies, surely one of her daughters won't mind being shoved into a tiny breeding box cage and forced to breed until she gets sick and dies.

Good job on your decision.

And yes, this is going STRAIGHT to the Kitchen.

[MetallichicA]

I'm very confused. Why did they decline your application?

And just because one place turned you down, you're going to feed the breeders?

This is really shocking and sad to me

[mini'smama]

I, too, am sorry that things did not work out for you with Critter Corral. However, I am even more sorry that you chose to get a pig at a pet store, instead of looking for another shelter or rescue to get one from.

[Susan9608]

Well, I will just go buy a pig. Petsmart asked me if I knew how to take care of Piggy Pooh when I bought him. They asked if I had a cage and new what to feed them. They gave me instructions on care and I have gone back there to buy toys and food for him. I came here and learned about Kleenmama's hay and bought it. I haven't hounded Petsmart with questions or anything like that.

Boy you're sure showing that animal shelter and putting them in their place.

Geez, you have problems with one rescue and you're already turning to a pet store? Have you learned *nothing* from this forum? Do you have to have a guinea pig so badly that you can't possibly wait to get things straightened out with Critter Corral? The person who told you that you were too needy was a volunteer, right? You should go back to them and ask to speak to someone who works there; you should insist on speaking to the administrator and ask for an explanation.

If you find that too distasteful, why not wait and check out your newspaper, greensheet, Craigslist, Petfinder, with different vets in your area, here on Cavy Cages, on Guinea Lynx, ANYWHERE but a pet store and/or breeder? Are you so impatient to have a guinea pig that the suffering of them doesn't matter? Or are you too lazy to put the effort in?

Your story doesn't make a whole lot of sense, and it sure doesn't portray you in a very good light. What did you expect would happen when you posted on this forum that you're giving up and buying a pig at a pet store? Surely you didn't expect a lot of understanding and empathy?

I really expect better of one of our forum members.

[PiggieMamaKelly]

I'm very confused. Why did they decline your application?

I'm confused too. The story you tell doesn't make you sound bad enough that they would all of the sudden decline you. Are you leaving anything out of this story? It just doesn't make sense.

[Ly&Pigs]

The person who told you that you were too needy was a volunteer, right? You should go back to them and ask to speak to someone who works there; you should insist on speaking to the administrator and ask for an explanation.

Exactly. Find out why you were told this. Get ahold of the person that actually runs the critter corral and ask why you were declined after you had been approved.

[JennG]

I'm in the middle of IL and I've had several emails with Rose and Dianna (who is closer to me). They both seem very nice and helpful. I've emailed Rose a few times on different piggies that she has and she's always responded promptly. I really hope you take a more mature stance and contact Rose to find out more details on why the volunteer denied you even though you were approved in the first place. Maybe the two of you clashed with your personalities (which happens) and you need to take it up with Rose.

As far as buying from a petstore, you've been on here long enough to know what this forum stands for and advices VERY strongly not to put a poor sow at death's door anymore than she already is with people who aren't as educated as we've become because of CavyCages.

DON'T DO IT!! Take a stand some other way but don't go down the wrong road. Patience. There is a piggie out there that's waiting for you.

[janetangel]

I, too, am sorry that things did not work out for you with Critter Corral. However, I am even more sorry that you chose to get a pig at a pet store, instead of looking for another shelter or rescue to get one from.

You took my thoughts right out of my head before I even thought them. After reading this thread, this is exactly what my thoughts were and I agree with you 1000%.
Along with the others wondering the same thing. Why give up on the other shelters, because one place showed you rejection? If they all show you rejection than look at what behavior you are displaying to them. If it is just that one girl who ruined it for you, why give up?

[chisky]

That is the point. I went to another Shelter, and they would only give me two pigs. I can't take two pigs that would be irresponsible of me.

It doesn't make sense. I don't know what the problem was except I have to consider it personal. Rose, I don't even know how to get in touch with Rose. When I wrote to Rose, she passed me on to this other person.

I should have looked for her at the Pignic but I didn't think it would be appropriate to do so at that time. My husband who had helped me pick out the pig was so angry at the woman who refused me.

I've sheltered many dogs over the years.

Rose ok'd my application. I could have gone right out that Sunday and gotten a piggy. I would have told her that I was ready for another pig. I wouldn't have been lying then, but I've learned a lot since then and I wasn't really ready for a pig then.

Now that I am I get insulted from a volunteer.

That is no way to treat people. Maybe I will try another shelter. It's almost as far from me as Steger but I probably can get there. But my husband says don't bother, he will get me one from where I got Piggy Pooh. My son says he will get me one from Pet Smart as a gift and so did my daughter.

I just laughed and said, I don't want that many.

But you praise shelters for saving pigs, but whoever this woman was that talked to me may know how to take care of pigs, but she lacks people skills. The Critter Corral lost the contribution to them I was going to make at the Pignic. I will give my money to equally worthy shelters that treat me with respect.

I'd rather give my contribution to Cavy Spirit who is so far from me the idea of getting a pig from her shelter isn't even worth dreaming of, than give it to the Corral.

It doesn't make sense. Sheesh!!!!!!!!

[JennG]

No it doesn't and that's why you should email Rose and tell her exactly what happened. If you don't get a response, then I'd take it personally but you at least should try.

There are other places to search for a piggie instead of the petstore: www.gpan.net, on craiglist and petfinder as well as your local paper. You could also let your vet know that you're looking in case someone is wanting to rehome their piggie. There are other places but it takes some effort on your part (not saying that you're not making an effort).

[MetallichicA]

I'd rather give my contribution to Cavy Spirit who is so far from me the idea of getting a pig from her shelter isn't even worth dreaming of, than give it to the Corral.

This is what I don't understand. You're effectively saying, by stating that you're going to buy from a pet store, that you're going against everything Cavy Spirit stands for.

Please, PLEASE look elsewhere than a store.

[janetangel]

I know your family shares your pain and frustration and want you to be happy. I would let them know how much better it is to rescue and have them help you find a piggie needing a home.
My boys have only been in one petshop that sells dogs in our local mall and has never questioned why we adopt ours from shelters. When we decided to adopt piggies and I found out by researching there is as much problem with them and breeding like cats and dogs, I made sure I got mine from a shelter. My boys wanted to know why we did not get them from a pet store, so I expleained why. They were adament about adopting from the shelter and willing to wait from that point on. I had a heck of a time finding ones for adoption near by. My posts on this site show that. I was planning to go to another city two hours away from me to adopt, until another member of this site found out there were some in our local shelter. I adopted two and she adopted the last one there at the time and a rabbit. This shelter does not even advertise they take in piggies and rabbits so I had no idea. Now I am glad I found out and whenever I am ready to adopt anything again I will check their first.
Please do not give up on finding a piggie to rescue. You have not found the right one for your home yet, that is why you were blocked. Try again, the right one is there for you and it may even be from the Critter Coral or somewhere else. That one voluteer should not ruin all your efforts. She has her own bucket of problems. Like Jenn said make the effort to find a person you can deal with there and go to the top if you have to. It is worth it and it shows your children not to give up when someone steps on your toes.

[chisky]

No I am not going against what Cavy Spirit is for. I believe in that, but if I can't get one from a shelter then I have no choice but a store or a breeder.

[poeticrat]

I think your guinea pig is a male right? If your willing to consider it, there is a listing for a guinea pig on craigslist, but I think its for a female. You could always use the money you were going to donate to pay for a neuter since usually the ones on craiglist are free or very cheap. I am sorry your experience with the Corral was so negative, but please look for other alternatives before going to Petsmart. Here's the url for the one on craigslist if your interested, plus keep checking there's always new listings on craigslist popping up.
http://chicago.craigslist.org/pet/167911275.html

[Susan9608]

I believe in that, but if I can't get one from a shelter then I have no choice but a store or a breeder.

So untrue. You check with your vet; you can check your newspaper; you can check Craigslist; you can check PetFinder; you can check here, and GuineaLynx and the Pigloo. And if you still can't find one, then you can WAIT until one becomes available, rather than having to have one *now* and going off to a pet store.

[poeticrat]

Also try hoobly.com, I don't think anyone's mentioned them. Theres a free male listed on hoobly.com if your willing to drive a few hours:
http://www.hoobly.com/0/0/263257.html
And this one, a male abby, the ad states they may be willing to meet:
http://www.hoobly.com/0/0/266473.html

[enchantingcavy]

Why the hurry?

Maybe if you wait a couple of weeks the rescues closest toyou might get a male piggy in that's suitable for you. If you could get them to hold onto your name and details they'll probably ring you as soon as a rescue piggy is in need of adoption that would suit you best?. If in a couple of weeks no piggies are avail for adoption maybe then consider other option??? Just a thought.

Jess

[JennG]

No I am not going against what Cavy Spirit is for. I believe in that, but if I can't get one from a shelter then I have no choice but a store or a breeder.

These two sentences contradict themselves. Cavy Spirit is for rescuing piggies from people who buy their piggies from byb/petstores and then discard them like they were just a piece of furniture.

What I'm hearing is that you want one so bad that you'll go against what this forum and most of the members stand for and take the easy way out. There are piggies in need out there and I know that Chicago is a great big dumping ground. I really don't think you've exhausted all your options. I hope you take all of our advice seriously and reconsider.

[CavySpirit]

But you praise shelters for saving pigs, but whoever this woman was that talked to me may know how to take care of pigs, but she lacks people skills.

You know what? You need to get over it. We are all human. We are all VOLUNTEERS. We have our good days and our bad days. I can absolutely guarantee you that I've pissed off way more people than that volunteer. And honestly, the ones who are so easily offended and so quick to give up are usually the ones quick to surrender and rationalize the hell out of it when life's circumstances change.

Again, we are VOLUNTEERS. We do our best. We have to make judgements. Regardless of your personal experience, Rose as well as that volunteer SAVE and HELP guinea pigs. Do we lose a few potentially good adopters due to lack of follow-through or being busy or occasionally misjudging? Absolutely. But, the net positive is extremely significant.