Breeders cages AGAIN!

[cookie_gal]

Just looking at a mates website and she had breeder links and I was looking at some cages and was thoroughly upset by them, here's one example! guineapigbarns

looking throught the links many keep them outdoors, HELLOO!! its freezing out there people! At least put them in a shed/inactive garage if you are going to not bring them in!

Its so upsetting thinking of those poor freezing piggies outside whilst we're indoors tucking into delicious food and sitting by a toasty warm fire.

[smartorl]

I think the only ones that look comfortable are the fish! I was a rabbit breeder/exhibitor (turned rescuer) and saw horrendous housing at some of the top breeders barns. Rabbits stacked three high in small all wire cages with no gutters so all the feces and urine fell onto the lower layers of animals. One time I asked about the poor rabbits on the bottom, who were stained, cold, and miserable, and was told, it was ok "they were not show quality". Seeing the way most top exhibitors and highly acclaimed breeders housed and treated their animals opened my eyes to what I was really supporting and active in. I think it is all about education, I see alot of people who really, really, love their pets but don't know about proper care, they are just continuing the way that they think is right. I see it alot when we do home visits for dogs. Their house is spotless, their kids well educated, the small animals obviously well cared for and loved, but the housing is less than ideal. The animals do have a close bond with their owners and are well adjusted they just need more space or better accomodations. Many people welcome your input and it is like a light bulb clicks on in their heads, some will fight to the death that they are right. I feel that if one person takes the advice to heart, that is one more animal whose quality of life has improved, I have made a difference.

[Ly&Pigs]

Is this going to be another thread that will do nothing but turn into a war?

[cookie_gal]

Thats why I put it in the kitchen. Its important (i think) its discussed regularly to show newcomers. Its just something I came across and wanted to let off steam about. As other people do if they come across stuff!

[cookie_gal]

Exactly smartorl. Even if we help one person to change it helps. I think some of the problem is that people have no real clue, and its not intentional, these are the ones that can be turned round. I think breeders are a lost cause but newcomers to the piggy world can hopefully be caught in time.

When I went throught the links it was awful how some were. Okay, many were in a shed but the sizes!!! not to mention it is still too cold for them and all the other reasons they should be indoors. I'm not even going to start on the hamster cages! Mine LOVES loads of space.

[smartorl]

I honestly think alot of people would do better if they just had the correct knowledge. I have heard alot of the bad information out there as have most of us. I meet people all the time that really seem shocked to find out what guinea pigs (and other animals) really need. It is very prevalent with birds, people don't realize that caged birds need veggies and fruits not just seed to be healthy and happy. I think any opportunity to show what is not wrong but in most cases better for the animals is another opportunity to reach a person who just needs direction.

[Himino]

I feel the same way. I am in 4-H club, and my 4-H leader is a full on breeder. She has about 50-60 guinea pigs and rabbit in less than desirable conditions. The pigs are no longer outside because it is winter but they are kept in plastic bins!! I don't understand the need to have so many if you can't even house them properly! I hope to take some pictures and post them if I can. Her and her family are lovely people but I just don't understand some of her choices.

[smartorl]

Just to be very honest about breeders accomodations, it is about economy. One is that smaller row cages are cheaper and easier to construct and second due to the large number of animals required by most breeders for development of their lines (or so they think) housing more in a smaller space is desired and required. It is possible to breed only a litter a year and still be productive however, most people have no knowledge of genetics and willy nilly throw animals together hoping that in the vast numbers they produce, a few quality ones will just happen. The willy nilly's make up most of all breeders / exhibitors that you will encounter which is very sad for the animals and for the people left cleaning up their mistakes. I find that the breeders are a stubborn lot, where you may make a difference with private owners, breeders tend to get defensive and make excuses even though they will admit there is a problem. I can say that from experience because when I did exhibit and breed, I tried very hard to be responsible but realized that responsibility wasn't enough, the problem was much larger, there was no way to give one on one time to that many animals or to be sure that all were healthy at any given time, and although my cages were much larger than the average, they still were not large enough to be considered humane.

[Percy's Mom]

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

Is this going to be another thread that will do nothing but turn into a war?

More than likely. I really don't get the point of starting yet another thread like this. Is anything new or original going to be presented?

[cookie_gal]

Originally Posted by Himino

I feel the same way. I am in 4-H club, and my 4-H leader is a full on breeder. She has about 50-60 guinea pigs and rabbit in less than desirable conditions. The pigs are no longer outside because it is winter but they are kept in plastic bins!! I don't understand the need to have so many if you can't even house them properly! I hope to take some pictures and post them if I can. Her and her family are lovely people but I just don't understand some of her choices.

Thats awful, I hope you get some pictures taken. They must be swimming in urine as I bet they are not cleaned enough. It clearly is an economy thing sadly. Why have such large numbers? these breeders claim to love their animals but how can you show love to all 50/60 animals? To keep that many you would need a palace! Its a shame we can't come up with an ideal situation for the breeders thats economic and easy and most importantly suitable for the piggies. At least they would get some quality of life. I've seen c&c used by breeders but they just reduce the size and I don't think they find it so easy to clean from what one said.

TO MODS: As I said above, and also i don't know if it'll turn into a war, hopefully not but its a good idea to get newbies discussing this and seeing what it is like out there. Every little helps!