Rescuing?

[vics2004]

I would love to start being a place where abandoned guinea pigs can stay whilst looking for a prospect owner who will take good care of them in the future. Would do it now, however as me and my husband want a kid over the next year or so, we need a 3 bedroom place so one bedroom can be dedicated to the piggies.

If I do manage to do this, how many C&C cages would I need (as i would) do you think?

[daftscotslass]

With all due respect as your heart is obviously in the right place...

Do you have thousands of pounds to spend on vet bills for complicated medical conditions, housing and supplies?
Are you aware of the impact that the Animal Health Act will have on rescues in the UK when the bill is passed?
When will you say "no" to a surrender?
How will you assess potential owners as being suitable?
Will you do home checks?
Will you charge an adoption fee?

I think perhaps you should re-assess - if you are going to start a family soon, your priorities will change completely. Think about how you will cater for several pigs while pregnant or while caring for a young baby. Will you have time to do home checks? Perhaps try and volunteer for a local rescue and then you will see how hard it really is. Maybe you could foster guinea pigs for an established rescue instead?

[vics2004]

It was only an idea, and you have made me think it may not be too realistic, but in answer

Do you have thousands of pounds to spend on vet bills for complicated medical conditions, housing and supplies?-Only thinning, so had not worked out the facts and figures yet
Are you aware of the impact that the Animal Health Act will have on rescues in the UK when the bill is passed?-did not know there was one, thankyou for letting mr know
When will you say "no" to a surrender?-when there is absolutely no more space, like many others,
How will you assess potential owners as being suitable? -home visits, discussions, questionairres
Will you do home checks? yes
Will you charge an adoption fee? no, rely on donations

[Percy's Mom]

Originally Posted by vics2004

Will you charge an adoption fee? no, rely on donations

This is actually quite a bad idea. Relying on donations is going to bankrupt you. Requiring an adoption fee will not only help with buying supplies and paying vet fees, but is another deterent to people who want to buy food for their snakes. People can lie on a form and when you come to visit their home, but when you hit their wallet, they usually get very honest.

[J-jay]

i'm looking to adopt

[fourbwabbys]

I think your heart is definitely in the right place. Just my suggestions: I would wait until your kids grow up a little so you won't have so much on your hands. Also, make out a list of how much money you're willing to spend, how you will run the rescue, etc. But, you're definitely on the right track!

[VoodooJoint]

Originally Posted by J-jay

i'm looking to adopt

Yes J-jay, we know. You have posted that you want to adopt a GP on at least 3 different threads. Please do not post about wanting to adopt on random threads. This thread is about starting a rescue, not about particular GPs looking for a home.

[PiggieMom]

Perhaps you can contact a local shelter and work with them as foster home? Shelters are always looking for volunteers to help out.

[daftscotslass]

Would also like to correct my own typo... it's the Animal Welfare Bill, not Health. Silly me.

[muffin]

What do you mean daft? Do you think more animals will be dumped/removed when the bill comes into force?

[daftscotslass]

No, but rescues will be more tightly regulated than they are currently as up until now there has been a very fine line between the genuine rescues and hoarders claiming to be rescues.