Going To A Cavy Show

[CavySpirit]

jrg, you are just not understanding what we are saying. You are not getting it. Let me be perfectly clear with you.

You are NOT GOING TO SEE breeders mistreating their animals. Let's just get that out of the way right now. If you do, I'd be surprised. A little 4H show that isn't charging admission is usually just a bunch of excited kids with their parents in tow. You are not going to a full-blown show. In fact, I don't think sanctioned ACBA shows allow you to not charge admission. Little local 4H shows might have an ACBA judge involved, but my guess is, that's about it.

And yeah, I hate to say it, but if you can't take 'stranger's words' on mistreatment of animals, then either you've got a long life of misery ahead or some pretty thick rose-colored glasses to get you through.

And if you think you are going to share your 'good, fun' experience and tell us how great the show was, let me be the first meanie to tell you that's not going to happen.

I've got hundreds of emails and posts from lots of kids and uneducated adults who think breeding and showing is the greatest thing since sliced bread and I am every expletive-deleted nasty thing in the book.

Go the show. Be happy. We still love you, but our position on shows and breeding remains regardless.

[fashion victim]

I was just thinking that if there isn't a demand for show, where people boycott shows regardless of entrance fee and just NOT attend then maybe it would help in the end towards there not being animal showing. It would also help greatly if people do not participate in the showing by submitting animals.

[this_lil_piggy]

this_lil_piggy, I agree with the spirit of your post. Unfortunately, jackrussellgirl posting right behind you kind of blew all your good intentions away. So, the responses are not quite so irrational, harsh and out of proportion.

I understand That is all I wanted. An opportunity for an explanation before the whole post turned into a shouting name calling match, simply because of where it was posted and the mention of shows. I didn't know the intentions of JRG, and wasn't comfortable with assuming. I wanted her to be given the benefit of the doubt and the opportunity to explain her position, before everyone got so bent out of shape over it.

JRG, I guess if you feel the need to go and try to see, that is your decision to make. Personally, I wouldn't go for those reasons. I have never been to a show before, but I can comfortably assume that just like pet stores, you aren't going to see the full ugly of them in plain view. There is no way they could convince people to show, or to buy their "product" (the guinea pig stock they don't need or want) if they allowed them to see the cruelty they impose on their animals. That is just simply common sense.

The only way I could take myself into one of those enviroments, is to take on an activist role. To try and reach/educate unsuspecting show goers before the breeders get the opportunity to give them bad information, pull them in to their cicle of lies, and sell to them from their stock.
I don't need to see first hand proof, anymore than I do for a pet store. Since joining this website and reading the accounts, seeing the pictures and videos of pet mills and pet store back rooms, I have not walked into a Petco store for anything other than an activist means. If I can convince just one person standing in front of those aquariums to consider adoption it makes me feel good. I can't convince everyone that buying a pet store animal is the wrong thing to do, but most people don't mind hearing about how they can make a larger habitat for MUCH less money than Petco is about to take from them for a tiny cage. And most don't mind hearing that the expensive balls, hidey houses, and water drops are not necessary either. If I can convince one person to build a larger cage, and educate them on feeding hay and veggies, then it also makes me feel good.

If you must attend this show, I encourage you to do it for different reasons. Rather than hoping to see something, plan on using it as a means to help a cause. Print off some pages from GPC and take them with you. Strike up conversations and hand them to people. Make people aware of adoption, large affordable habitats, and proper care. If nothing else, print business cards with this websites address on them and hand them out.

[fourbwabbys]

I went to a 4-H show a few years ago to see what it was all about. It just reinforced what I read later on here. They had the pigs in barely 2 sq feet cages in the 85 degree weather. The little 10 year olds were selling the pigs that "didnt fit in the program" for 5 bucks. They had a "piggy race" which was a wooden race track with a carrot on the end. There were about 30 little kids around it screaming at the pigs to run. The poor pigs were terrified. I told the director and she just laughed and said they were having fun. I find it completley sickening that little 10 year old kids are breeding guinea pigs. Especially in an area that has hundreds of homeless pigs. It's horrible

[avcavies]

Originally Posted by this_lil_piggy

I refuse to shop or give a dime to Petco, but I do still like to drop in there from time to time to see what the conditions are, and strike up conversations with people in the small animal section so that hopefully they walk out with better knowledge than they came in with or are given by the employees

When I adopted my pigs, I went to the pet store across the street from the shelter to buy my pigloos (it's the only place I can find them, sorry) and there was a lady in the checkout line in front of my that was BUYING their first PIG and a HAMSTER cage!! I was so mad! I told her that, first of all she was BUYING a pig instead of adopting right across the street, second of all she was buying ONE pig, and third of all it was a HAMSTER CAGE, and these are all BAD! She still didn't get it and said, "so it's ok to put two pigs together?" I then gave her the URL for this site and I really hope she uses it!

[jump it]

I went to the Sussex County Horseshow last summer and while walking around I discovered that there was a whole section of guinea pigs. I walked in and I looked around and it was horrible! It was 80 degree weather and they were all laying down [content or uncomfortable, I dont know] And they were in cages smaller than pet store cages. I turned the corner and saw a guinea pig with a rabbit in the cage!! I couldn't believe my eyes! And then there was a smaller section where there were 2 petstore cages with 2 pigs in each! A teenager picked up one of the guinea pigs and she dropped it!! I had to immediately walk away or I would cry...

[Solebomber]

Originally Posted by CavySpirit

You are not going to a full-blown show. In fact, I don't think sanctioned ACBA shows allow you to not charge admission. Little local 4H shows might have an ACBA judge involved, but my guess is, that's about it.

Odds are that it is a ACBA Sanctioned show and There is no admission charged at ACBA/ARBA shows nor has there been in the last 24 years that I am aware of. The general public is welcome to attend at no cost as its to these clubs advantage not to charge admission for the previously stated reasons such as impulse purchases by the general public.
Most Fair shows here in Michigan are Sanctioned by their respective national clubs. There are some 4H only shows that are not sanctioned and are limited to 4h only and are not generally advertised as open to the public although I haven't ever seen one that was actually closed to the public.
I know this from my own personal experience.

[CavySpirit]

I can't find my source at the moment on the admissions fees. I'll keep looking.

[kavykrazy]

Originally Posted by daftscotslass

to keep them "in coat" whilst having their hair uncomfortably and tightly wrapped.

If the wrappers are too tight a pig will chew off his wrappers, thereby ending his show career. I know people who don't show who wrap their pigs (but I guess that would be a separate debate).

I have been to many ARBA/ACBA shows and 4-H ones and have never been charged admission. I have never been to a convention so maybe they do at those big shows.

As for pictures and videos, unless I know for sure it wasn't edited to reflect what the photographer wants you to see, I don't always trust them. Remember the Rodney King one....I saw the entire video before it was edited to only show Mr. King beaten up. What they cut out was the beginning, which showed Mr. King beating on the four police officers.

[Storm]

Well I think it's good that you want to see anything before you make judgment. I don't know anything about cavy shows so I can't tell you what it will be like but I would also like to go to one before I say I'm against it.

[DaisyGP]

Originally Posted by nonamian_girl

I don't know why you would want to put yourself through having to see that. Yes there is the curiosity, but it's just so heartbreaking that people can be so heartless.

A couple weeks ago I was flipping through the channels and I somehow found a cat show on. Naturally I was curious too so I watched it for a while--it was just atrocious! These people literally have to WRESTLE their cats into these teeny tiny little cages. The poor cats are so spooked and they just sit there scared out of their wits or growling, while the proud owner goes "My Tina just LOVES being shown." And somehow they actually believe that too! Many of the judges get repeatedly bitten because these poor cats are just miserable. In a way, I'm glad I saw what you guys are always talking about...but I don't think I'd EVER want to see that in person.

the cat show I went to was the exact opposite of this.

[CavySpirit]

As for pictures and videos, unless I know for sure it wasn't edited to reflect what the photographer wants you to see, I don't always trust them. Remember the Rodney King one....I saw the entire video before it was edited to only show Mr. King beaten up. What they cut out was the beginning, which showed Mr. King beating on the four police officers.

I'm not sure what your point is about photos in this thread or what comment or photo you are referring to?

[DaisyGP]

Originally Posted by avcavies

When I adopted my pigs, I went to the pet store across the street from the shelter to buy my pigloos (it's the only place I can find them, sorry) and there was a lady in the checkout line in front of my that was BUYING their first PIG and a HAMSTER cage!! I was so mad! I told her that, first of all she was BUYING a pig instead of adopting right across the street, second of all she was buying ONE pig, and third of all it was a HAMSTER CAGE, and these are all BAD! She still didn't get it and said, "so it's ok to put two pigs together?" I then gave her the URL for this site and I really hope she uses it!

Instead of buying commercial "pigloos" from a pet store you could always go to target, Kmart, or one of those store and get a small Rubbermaid bin. Turn in upside down, cut a hole in it for the pigs to get in and out, and sand down the rough edges. Works just as good. I bet it costs less also. You could also get a shoe box and cut holes in that for them to get in and out.

[jabberwock]

Originally Posted by Storm

Well I think it's good that you want to see anything before you make judgment. I don't know anything about cavy shows so I can't tell you what it will be like but I would also like to go to one before I say I'm against it.

Question: what do the following things have in common?

a) electrocution of someone's genitals

b) sales reps dressing up as nurses to hand out free samples of formula in hospitals in developing countries

c) Child sex trafficking

d) Female genital mutilation

Answer:
I haven't actually seen any of them but I disapprove of them and I am involved in campaigns against them.

It isn't necessary to personally experience every part of life that is cruel, unjust or just plain nasty. What is needed is to develop the critical skills that allow you to evaluate different people's points of view and form your own conclusion. The people on here who are anti-showing are people whose knowledge and advice about guinea pigs I respect so their views carry a lot of weight with me (I knew absolutely nothing about showing until I joined the forum). I don't need to visit a show to justify my decision - indeed if I were to visit a show I would expect all the pigs there to look well cared for as I imagine that appearance is what they're judged on.

I agree with this_lil_piggy - the only reason to go to a show is to be an activist and hand out proper information. Just like the only reason to go to McDonalds is to stand outside and hand out leaflets exposing the truth about their "food". (see M c S P O T L I G H T)

[jackrussellgirl]

Originally Posted by CavySpirit

jrg, you are just not understanding what we are saying. You are not getting it. Let me be perfectly clear with you.

You are NOT GOING TO SEE breeders mistreating their animals. Let's just get that out of the way right now. If you do, I'd be surprised. A little 4H show that isn't charging admission is usually just a bunch of excited kids with their parents in tow. You are not going to a full-blown show. In fact, I don't think sanctioned ACBA shows allow you to not charge admission. Little local 4H shows might have an ACBA judge involved, but my guess is, that's about it.

And yeah, I hate to say it, but if you can't take 'stranger's words' on mistreatment of animals, then either you've got a long life of misery ahead or some pretty thick rose-colored glasses to get you through.

And if you think you are going to share your 'good, fun' experience and tell us how great the show was, let me be the first meanie to tell you that's not going to happen.

I've got hundreds of emails and posts from lots of kids and uneducated adults who think breeding and showing is the greatest thing since sliced bread and I am every expletive-deleted nasty thing in the book.

Go the show. Be happy. We still love you, but our position on shows and breeding remains regardless.

What am I not understanding? I'm not trying to be rude I'm serious. There is obviously some major communication issues that need to be addressed.

I also want to ask why I'm being criticized for going to a show and fourbwabbys is not?

I'd also like to know if anyone would still like me to share my experience (hopefully including pictures) or would most of you just like me to shut up?