My rescue experience

[kayleemommy01]

Ok so I have posted here about getting some pigs from a rescue. ORIGINALLY we had talked with some breeders about getting some babies or older pigs they no longer wanted. I had seen these two texel pigs on petfinder for some time now. So the other day I asked my husband now that we have moved if I could ask if they were still available. I did find out they were still available. This past we weekend we went out and got the needed materials to make our cage. We built a 2X3 cage with a 1X2 kitchen on top. This is the MINIMUM requirement posted by this site for 2 pigs. It DOES NOT specify that the bottom needs to be a certain size. We do not have room for a one story 4X2 so we did what we have room for. Last night we sent pics of the cage to the rescue. We were told that it is small and needs to be a 2X4. This is what I don't understand: There is the same amount of room as they would have in a 2X4 for sleeping and playing. The pigs do not run while they eat. So we are not getting the pigs I worked and essentially begged for. We will be going to petsmart today after my husband gets home from work to get our pigs. I called and they have only females there. and they have 2 girls plus another one that is free up for adoption. I tried my best to get those pigs because I after reading on here about breeders and petstores wanted to do something GOOD. Reguardless of where my pigs come from I will love them and take care of them. A pig is a pig is a pig. This site has been very helpful though. I think I know enough now to be ok. You have to give me credit for doing research first and not just going out and buying like some people. I am very upset about not getting those pigs... My husband is very upset also. He calls you people guinea pig nazis now. Everyone have a nice day.

[VoodooJoint]

How exactly am I supposed to take this post? Am I supposed to feel sorry for you or think you were foolish for going through all that work without talking with the rescue about what THEY would require? Am I supposed to be happy you did your research or upset because you are now planning on going out and buying because things got bumpy (nice that you did your research but did you actually learn anything)? Am I supposed to be pleased that you think we are nice or offended because your husband is childishly calling names?

Stop with the passive aggressive. The cage pages explains clearly why the loft does not count as part of the cage space. It also explains that boars need more space then females.

The rescue is being responsible in making certain that you have the correct set-up and are responsible before placing any animals with you. They want to insure that their animals go to great homes that will last forever and not get returned because they start fighting when they feel crowded in a cage that is too small or for other reasons.

[daftscotslass]

Originally Posted by kayleemommy01

My husband is very upset also. He calls you people guinea pig nazis now. Everyone have a nice day.

In addition to doing some more research on guinea pigs I recommend you google "Godwin's Law". You don't have an argument in the first place and resort to such analogies in your first post. Says a lot, really.

Go to Petsmart. Don't come crying to us when your animals are ill. Don't tell us they're rescued when you'll doom another 5 guinea pigs in the process.

[kayleemommy01]

I should have added that I am home all day I don't work I am stay at home mom. I go out maybe two times a month. It is not like I wouldn't take them out during the day. They would have had plenty of space. I have learned here about guinea pig care. We are good people and tried to do right. We do not have room to expand outwards. Sorry. I am getting my pigs because I am responsible enough to care for them. At least they will not be in a pet store size cage. We will find a vet and take them in the next couple of days. Even after all my reading I thought our cage would be fine for the pigs. It would be the same amount of room if we had a one level for their sleep and play area. I would have to separate the eating area some how because I am using fleece. You cannot use carefresh type bedding with long haired pigs, it will get tangled in their fur. We cannot afford buy all that bedding and their food and supplies and support ourselves.

[Jennicat]

It seems like if you were truly as knowledgeable and caring as you seem to think, then you would realize that the rescue has reasons for wanting those particular pigs in a larger cage, probably because they will squabble in a 2x3.

Looking at the pigs which I believe you were interested in, they are both male. I've never personally owned or seen a pair of males that would get along in a 2x3. That is common knowledge. It's posted all over the forum that males generally need more than a 2x3. It's posted all over the forum that ramp space actually takes away from the bottom measurements of your cage.

You're behaving like a child.

[socal805]

I do not doubt that you were trying to do the right thing, if you really wanted to rescue those pigs then you would find a way to make the cage to right size. There's always room, move a table over a little, adjust the furniture around. I made it work.
You say that you would have them out during the day, do you have the space to make a nice play pen/floor time area in one of your rooms? If so then why can't you find room to make the cage one grid bigger? If you read over the information on cage sizes theen why didn't you see this? Upper levels should not be counted in providing the minimum square footage. In fact, ramps used to provide access to the upper deck usually take away from downstairs exercise space and count against square footage.
Why argue about it? You got the minimun size wrong, you should have done more detailed reading. Even if you get your pigs from the petstore they still need at least a 2x4 cage. If you really are good people trying to do something good stop name calling and move some furniture around to build a cage that is only one grid bigger!

[aloren]

Originally Posted by kayleemommy01

We cannot afford buy all that bedding and their food and supplies and support ourselves.

If you cannot afford to support yourselves plus care for your pigs properly, do not take them on. It's that simple.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Did you fill out an adoption application? Did the rescue tell you that the adoption was approved or did they just say they were still available?

You assumed the pigs were already yours just because you asked about them. That's mostly your problem.

There are likely guinea pigs at your local animal shelters and people rehoming theirs. There are other routes aside from the pet store. Flouncing off doesn't do anyone any good and only makes you look bad/

[kayleemommy01]

Originally Posted by Jennicat

It seems like if you were truly as knowledgeable and caring as you seem to think, then you would realize that the rescue has reasons for wanting those particular pigs in a larger cage, probably because they will squabble in a 2x3.

Looking at the pigs which I believe you were interested in, they are both male. I've never personally owned or seen a pair of males that would get along in a 2x3. That is common knowledge. It's posted all over the forum that males generally need more than a 2x3. It's posted all over the forum that ramp space actually takes away from the bottom measurements of your cage.

You're behaving like a child.

no they are infact female. Mommy and 2 1/2 month old baby girl. It is the same amount of room. I am not mad a you people particularly I am just mad in general.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Being mad and running off to a pet store is no way of dealing with things. You can still rescue a pair from elsewhere. You aren't going to get any sympathy from here for that.

It says on the main page 2 by 4 is recommended and preferred for a pair.

[kayleemommy01]

Originally Posted by aloren

If you cannot afford to support yourselves plus care for your pigs properly, do not take them on. It's that simple.

I said I am using fleece and if fact we bought a a bunch of it. Six yards.... I said we cannot afford the carefresh. Only the top will be carefresh which we already buy for our hamster.

[kayleemommy01]

Originally Posted by rabbitsncavyluv

Did you fill out an adoption application? Did the rescue tell you that the adoption was approved or did they just say they were still available?

You assumed the pigs were already yours just because you asked about them. That's mostly your problem.

There are likely guinea pigs at your local animal shelters and people rehoming theirs. There are other routes aside from the pet store. Flouncing off doesn't do anyone any good and only makes you look bad/

Yes I talked with the rescue they said they we still available. All that was needed was a picture of the cage. Then we could come see them and if we liked them take them home.

[Jennicat]

You keep saying "It is the same amount of room". That doesn't matter. Same amount of room != same amount of usable room. You have to use your common sense and read what experienced owners are telling you. You are too busy being angry and indignant that someone could dare turn you down to realize that they have their reasons too.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

If it's the same rescue I think you're talking about, it does say "A 2 by 4 panel cage is our minimum size for two guinea pigs" on their website. Hence they require a 2 by 4. Lofts doesn't count since they are not part of the flat space.

Instead of complaining here, you could be looking at your local shelters or rehoming ads to rescue a pair.

[kayleemommy01]

The rescue is Kimmie's guinea pig rescue in ATL. petfinder it and you will see a lot of texels 5 I think. I was interested in the mommy terri and baby megan.