My rescue experience

[PiggieMamaKelly]

Since changing the cage seems to be not in the future for you, have you thought about adopting a single pig who could do quite well in a 2X3? Of course most pigs should be kept in pairs, but occasionally there are pigs who do not get along with others and can be adopted out to live alone. Since you are home all day you would be able to give this lone pig lots of human interaction. Perhaps you could ask your local rescues if there is a pig like this available?

[katiecavyNC]

PMKelly has a great idea. I know I have a boar (king george) that doesn't get along with my other two boars, and I have to keep him separate so it doesn't come to injury with them. cage size doesn't seem to matter - I had them in a 2x5 2 level cage and they still fought.

Maybe there is a single boar that needs a home that would do OK in the 2x3 with the 'kitchen'... Good luck to you - sounds like you have definately seen first hand the problems with petstore purchases and are ready to make a rescue work this time.

Rescue is possible, just may not be for the pigs you have in mind. To paraphrase your earlier post, 'a pig (in need) is a pig (in need) is a pig (in need)'

There are many avenues to getting a piggy who really needs a home.

[kayleemommy01]

Originally Posted by PiggieMamaKelly

Since changing the cage seems to be not in the future for you, have you thought about adopting a single pig who could do quite well in a 2X3? Of course most pigs should be kept in pairs, but occasionally there are pigs who do not get along with others and can be adopted out to live alone. Since you are home all day you would be able to give this lone pig lots of human interaction. Perhaps you could ask your local rescues if there is a pig like this available?

I have not checked in the last few days. I think we need to wait a few days at least before trying to get new pigs. That is definately a good idea. I am home all day and I do spend most of my time in the room that the cage is in. That is if I am not cleaning or cooking or taking care of my 7 month old.

[kayleemommy01]

OK I have a few questions. Since adopting from a guinea pig rescue (two pigs) is clearly not in my future. Where else could I go to adopt from? I mean I know about the animal shelters and craigslist but am weiry of them because of the care and health of the pigs. If I do find one or two that I can take from a shelter could I request that they see a vet before we take them, same with craigslist? There are a bunch of babies at a leesville, SC guinea pig rescue but I doubt they would let me have any because of my cage size. We could take them because we have family not to far from there. It wouldn't be much problem for us to go on a weekend and get them. My mom infact lives in Columbia, SC and my inlaws all live in Aiken, SC less than an hour from the rescue. I know I know rescues have rules but I have done too much begging and pleading and work and worry and crying to end up with nothing now.

[socal805]

If you get babies you will need to baby proof your cage. They can fit through the grids when they are really young.

I know I know rescues have rules but I have done too much begging and pleading and work and worry and crying to end up with nothing now.

You keep going back to the idea of getting your pigs from a rescue even though you were turned down once, at this point with the rescues you need to meet the adoption requirements or get the pigs from somewhere else. Simple really, this is about whats best for the pigs, not how much work you have gone through. We all go through work taking care of our animals and it's worth every ounce of it!
You can get the guinea pigs from your local shelter or Craigslist and take them to a vet yourself. The shelters cannot do this for you....and I doubt you will find anyone on craigslist willing to do this although you might. There are NO guarantees at all when you get a new pet, even from a rescue. Even if you get an animal that has been vet checked health problems can arise quickly and you need to be prepared for this.
I really do question your motives and reasons for wanting a guinea pig in the first place, with a young child around you may not end up having the time or energy to care for these pigs that you think you do. I'm not trying to be mean or rude but if you are THIS stressed out now what are you going to do when you have the pigs and they need things on top of all of the other things going on in your life??
Also about the 7 month old......I really hope that you will child proof your cage because eventually that 7 month old will be a toddler who is trying to reach in and grab the pigs.

[kayleemommy01]

Originally Posted by socal805

If you get babies you will need to baby proof your cage. They can fit through the grids when they are really young.
You keep going back to the idea of getting your pigs from a rescue even though you were turned down once, at this point with the rescues you need to meet the adoption requirements or get the pigs from somewhere else. Simple really, this is about whats best for the pigs, not how much work you have gone through. We all go through work taking care of our animals and it's worth every ounce of it!
You can get the guinea pigs from your local shelter or Craigslist and take them to a vet yourself. The shelters cannot do this for you....and I doubt you will find anyone on craigslist willing to do this although you might. There are NO guarantees at all when you get a new pet, even from a rescue. Even if you get an animal that has been vet checked health problems can arise quickly and you need to be prepared for this.
I really do question your motives and reasons for wanting a guinea pig in the first place, with a young child around you may not end up having the time or energy to care for these pigs that you think you do. I'm not trying to be mean or rude but if you are THIS stressed out now what are you going to do when you have the pigs and they need things on top of all of the other things going on in your life??
Also about the 7 month old......I really hope that you will child proof your cage because eventually that 7 month old will be a toddler who is trying to reach in and grab the pigs.

Yes the cage is in a secure area. My baby doesn't come in this room nor will he until he is alot older. The cage is closed with two access areas but they too can be closed with binder clips. As for my other children they don't come in this room much either unless myself or my husband is in here. Our computer is in here and that is off limits to them. They are 4 and almost 6. My oldest is in kindergarten now so she isn't even home during the day anymore. Here is a picture of the cage. Things that were in the room were moved to take a clear picture of the cage. My husband plans to do some remodeling of the top grids to make more access points before we get anymore pigs. When we had the pigs from the petstore I vaccumed out the cage 2X a day.

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...1/100_1453.jpg

[PixieMel]

The comment "a pig is a pig is a pig" just bothers me for reasons that have been posted earlier in this thread. I just wanted my frustration to be known as well. People need to be aware of how horrible pet shops are. Petsmart being one of the worst.

[tpals]

From the picture it looks like floor space isn't the reason you can't expand. If it's because of the box under the cage, why not use coroplast and cut for a larger base? Then you would have plenty of room for a pair of pigs.

[Bear Bear]

I know I know rescues have rules but I have done too much begging and pleading and work and worry and crying to end up with nothing now.

I also question this statement. It really sounds as if you have more interest in what YOU want rather than what is BEST for the piggies. I don't understand why you are willing to compromise the health and safety of your future guinea pigs just for the immediate, novel satisfaction of impulse ownership. You say have you done your research, yet you are still wanting to house 2 pigs in a 2x3? If it is completely and utterly impossible to expand to a 2x4 (though I can't see why), I would hope you take the suggestion of the other members and adopt a loner piggie. It is VERY irresponsible to adopt two with the intention to house them in a cage that you know does not meet the minimum requirements.

Rescues have rules for a reason. This forum is here for a reason. It is to provide owners with valuable information on PROPER CARE of guinea pigs and support adoption. The shelter has denied you for a reason...a good reason. It is NOT because you are a bad person or they think you are incapable of caring for those piggies. They want to be sure, without a doubt, that their pigs will be taken care of properly with all the necessary essentials: food, water, unlimited hay, ENVIRONMENT, etc.. (By the way, the bigger the cage, the less it will smell, the less often you will have to clean it. Trust me.)

I will admit that this thread upsets me. A good number of knowledgable people on this forum have offered their suggestions to fix your problem, yet there is still a passive resistance on your part. You sound very persistent in getting a pig, even though you might not have the proper means to care for it. I don't mean to be nosey or rude, but may I ask WHY he absolutely will not let you expand with the grids you already have? Did you explain to him WHY it is necessary to add those 14 inches? If you had to beg and cry to your husband about getting piggies, even after explaining their requirements and the reasons why, perhaps you should not get them at all.

My husband wasn't too keen on the idea of getting some piggies, but after I did, he was 1000% supportive and understanding as to why they needed to move out of that stupid pet sore cage and into a spacious 3x5 (I only have 2 piggies at the moment). I did not need his approval. I made the decision on my own knowing that I could not keep them in that tiny prison. It was downright cruel to begin with. I made the mistake of buying my piggies from a petstore, but I didn't know any better. You, however, do.

It sort of sounds to me that you are hoping for reassurance or support for your impulse buying/adoption here. Sad to say, very few (if any at all), will support your decison to either buy from a petsore or house 2 pigs in a 2x3...regardless of YOUR situation. Please keep in mind the situation and NEEDS of the PIGS you are about to take in.

We are not here to upset you or tell you you are undeserving. On the contrary, everyone here only wants the very best for you and your piggies. My advice to you would be to make the appropriate adjustments to the cage BEFORE you get your pigs. You may have to wait, but it far better to do so than selfishly try to do what we are all against.

If you need help with ANYTHING, please ask. I will be more than happy to help you think of a way to make space in your home...or perhaps convince your husband, or anything else you want to know or need help with. But...PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE think about all that is said here. If I sound mean, please don't take it in the wrong way. I only care about the welfare of your future piggies. Your first experience with piggies was a negative one, let us help you find a better one.

[My apologies for the lengthy post. I felt I needed to add my 27 cents.]

Edit: I submitted this after the picture was posted. I now see why your husband is unwilling to redo it. It is a very beautiful cage, however. The post above had a very good suggestion on using coroplast. You could always make a new base and reuse the stand by cutting it to fit the top floor,using it as the base for the kitchen(so it will not entirely go to waste).

[Jennicat]

I would have to agree, you already have the cubes, and you appear to have the space on the other side of the cage, why not just get a piece of coroplast and expand it?

[kayleemommy01]

I yet again have sent another email to my husband explaining why rescued piggies are the best way to go. I told him that they are held for atleast 21 days, vet checked and treated for whatever is wrong with them. Most are also treated for mites anyway. And that females that could be pregnant are held for an even longer time to make sure no babies come, usually about 70 days I think. I also said they are usually a bonded pair. So I am trying.

[socal805]

I would have to agree, you already have the cubes, and you appear to have the space on the other side of the cage, why not just get a piece of coroplast and expand it?

I agree as well....and as far as my hubby goes when he first saw what I wanted to build he thought I was nuts, now I am going to build bigger and have re-arranged the entire family room for it and he just shrugs and says "whatever you want". I don't "ask" I just say this is what we need to do and it gets done.

[Ly&Pigs]

I wanted to stay something about the baby proofing. I think you have the wrong idea kaylee, we aren't talking about baby proofing the cage against human babies/toddlers/young children but baby proofing it if you were to adopt very young pigs that could get through the grids. Young pups and young pigs can squeeze through the grid holes. Some grid brands have larger holes than others, but no matter the brand, you want to put extra coroplast farther up the sides (like 10") or even use cardboard so the young pups cannot get out of the cage or cannot get stuck in the grid holes.

[Calliso]

Originally Posted by socal805

I agree as well....and as far as my hubby goes when he first saw what I wanted to build he thought I was nuts, now I am going to build bigger and have re-arranged the entire family room for it and he just shrugs and says "whatever you want". I don't "ask" I just say this is what we need to do and it gets done.

My husband was a bit hesitant about the size of cage I wanted at first as well. However now he thinks our 2x5 cage is too small for our two piggies and we plan to make a 3x7 this weekend! Then put the 2x5 with the 2x2 upper level on top of the 3x7 so we will have a 3 lvl mansion for our piggies! My how things changed! My hubby is great!

Anyway Kaylee it would be soo worth the little bit of extra work needed. Your will be able to adopt some pigs, they will be happier. Also a bigger cage doesn;t get dirty as quick. And it wonlt take that much more fleece to cover especialy since I think you said you bought a lot of it right? Also if it is possible for you to redo the changes by yourself offer that possiblity up to your husband. But if you can;t do it or he keeps refusing to do it himself then I agree with some of the others here that maybe you should forgo getting piggies for now. Or I like what one suggested and see if you can;t find a loner piggie that doesn;t get along with other piggies to adopt.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Most animal shelters will give you a free vet check up with adoption.