Some people are so...

[SheriMartini]

(I hope this is in the right spot! I could only quickly skim the prefixes! My hair is in a towel and I need to be leaving my apartment here in like ten minutes, but I just had to get this written!)

One of my good friends, who I have known for well over 10 years, treats her pigs horribly. If there is something you can do wrong, she'll do it! Not on purpose, but just because she is unwilling to do anything extra. She has four pigs total, a male and female TOGETHER, a female and a male separate, all in store bought cages. She does not give them unlimited amounts of hay, she gives them yogurt drops, they sporadically get lettuce and carrots, but only if she wants them to be quiet. Salt licks, no toys, no nail clipping... Like I said, if she can do anything wrong, it's being done!

She just had her first child a little over a month ago, and has been quite stressed out and suffering from postpartum depression. She has basically lost the little interest she had in her animals.

I've tried everything to get her to research gps more; I've told her the proper way to do things. She just doesn't seem to want to change her ways! I've shown her my c&c, and the only improvement that was done for their cages, was they added fleece. However, if you never CLEAN the cage, it defeats the purpose. The poor piggies are living in filth!!!

So, now I'm at my wits end. She just posted on facebook that the pig she's had the longest isn't eating and doesn't look good. She actually said that by guinea pig standards, that he is old... He is only TWO years old!!! I told her that if she can get any Critical Care it may save the pigs life, and I asked what other symptoms he is having. Thus far she hasn't wrote me back... I feel so bad for the pigs and the conditions that they live in. If I thought I had enough room or money for all of them, I'd see if she'd be willing to surrender. Sadly, I don't have the room for that many c&c cages.

Any other suggestions anyone has about how to get the proper ways to take care of a gp through her head?? I don't know what else to do? I can tell her the proper ways till I'm blue in the face, but she just doesn't seem to get it! I feel guilty enough just knowing what conditions those pigs live in.

[4piggers]

ask her if you can take them in, since she is overwhelmed with the new baby.

[SheriMartini]

I would, but I don't have the room for them... and if I DID take them in, they would still be in the store bought cages. But at least I would know that they would get a proper diet and have a clean home. I just feel so guilty knowing this is going on and not being able to do anything.

[Ly&Pigs]

Is there a rescue that could be notified about them and their living conditions? Perhaps then the rescue could seize them for neglect? Or the ASPCA or Animal Control?

[SheriMartini]

Thanks Ly, I'm not sure. I'll have to look into it when I get home.

[Froggirl009]

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

Is there a rescue that could be notified about them and their living conditions? Perhaps then the rescue could seize them for neglect? Or the ASPCA or Animal Control?

But wouldn't your friend be mad at you if you reported her to the animal control? I'm sure she is in enough stress already. Maybe You could make a 2 level c&c cage for them and ask her if you could take them in. If that doesn't work out then you could try to find a good home for them.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

She already said she didn't have room or money.

They may be better off at the shelter where they could find a better home.

[sealion]

I would personally take them in, because if one day you decide to take them in, you might have 8 more guinea pigs !(because of the male being with the female)
It would also be better for them (even in the small cage) because you know the proper care. You can become their foster home ? You would take care of them, but also try to find a home for them. I understand if you can't take them in, because I couldn't either, even though I'd love to, but saddly I'm not 18 and still live with my parents which aren't animal people...

[trump_cinnamon]

I would see if you could take them in first, and just add an upper level to a c&c cage that you already have, or at least just take them in so you can give them proper food, and separate the girls from the boys. Since you don't have enough room, you could give them to a shelter after you get them from her, that way she wouldn't feel like she was getting in trouble. (since she obviously is under a lot of stress right now)

[sophistacavy]

Originally Posted by SheriMartini

(I hope this is in the right spot! I could only quickly skim the prefixes! My hair is in a towel and I need to be leaving my apartment here in like ten minutes, but I just had to get this written!)

One of my good friends, who I have known for well over 10 years, treats her pigs horribly. If there is something you can do wrong, she'll do it! Not on purpose, but just because she is unwilling to do anything extra. She has four pigs total, a male and female TOGETHER, a female and a male separate, all in store bought cages. She does not give them unlimited amounts of hay, she gives them yogurt drops, they sporadically get lettuce and carrots, but only if she wants them to be quiet. Salt licks, no toys, no nail clipping... Like I said, if she can do anything wrong, it's being done!

She just had her first child a little over a month ago, and has been quite stressed out and suffering from postpartum depression. She has basically lost the little interest she had in her animals.

I've tried everything to get her to research gps more; I've told her the proper way to do things. She just doesn't seem to want to change her ways! I've shown her my c&c, and the only improvement that was done for their cages, was they added fleece. However, if you never CLEAN the cage, it defeats the purpose. The poor piggies are living in filth!!!

So, now I'm at my wits end. She just posted on facebook that the pig she's had the longest isn't eating and doesn't look good. She actually said that by guinea pig standards, that he is old... He is only TWO years old!!! I told her that if she can get any Critical Care it may save the pigs life, and I asked what other symptoms he is having. Thus far she hasn't wrote me back... I feel so bad for the pigs and the conditions that they live in. If I thought I had enough room or money for all of them, I'd see if she'd be willing to surrender. Sadly, I don't have the room for that many c&c cages.

Any other suggestions anyone has about how to get the proper ways to take care of a gp through her head?? I don't know what else to do? I can tell her the proper ways till I'm blue in the face, but she just doesn't seem to get it! I feel guilty enough just knowing what conditions those pigs live in.

I'm not condoning what she is doing to those poor guinea pigs, but you cannot blame someone for having postpartum depression. That is a serious mental illness that is potentially dangerous, and no wonder she "won't listen" to you at all now. You could even be stressing her out more by continually getting on her about the guinea pigs. You DO have the right idea, but you also don't have any idea what it is like to have post-partum depression, or probably depression of any kind for that matter.

You should offer to take them off of her hands, and then maybe you can get them transferred to a rescue where they might be able to get rid of those store bought cages and not have to live in them anymore. I would do that. Now, if she doesn't seem to want to give up the guinea pigs, I would then try calling your local humane society or your nearest guinea pig friendly rescue. But explain to them that she suffers from post-partum depression, and for the moment, is not intentionally neglecting the piggies. She might have been before, but now she is coping with a serious mental illness, and she is not in a mentally stable state of mind. This in no way excuses her actions, all it does is determine that she is not doing it on purpose at this current time, because of her illness. That way, when/if they come to seize the animals, they can and will be extra-nice to her and understanding, and not get mad or upset at her, which will only dig her into a deeper hole.

Honestly, if she has post partum depression, the last thing she needs is extra work, like pets, and especially if the animals aren't being taken care of. Now, I of course do not know the severity of her post partum depression, but as long as she has it, it always has the potential to get worse and to get dangerous. I don't mean to scare you, I'm just encouraging you to call the animal authorities like Ly said, but to tell them she has post partum depression.
I also suggest that you offer to take them first, and then get them in a rescue or shelter. This way you would be helping your friend's life to be less stressful, sooner. If she doesn't want you to take them, then get the authorities involved, but please inform them she is sick.

Also, I'm no expert in post partum depression, and have no experience with it, but I do have experience with regular depression, as well as the other temporary kind called seasonal affective disorder. That is not to say that I necessarily have either one or both of those, I simply have lots of experience with them. I wouldn't share that kind of personal information about myself online publicly, I would only do that through a private message.

Good luck!

[Ilovemypiggies1]

Since you do not have room or money i think the best thing to do for those precious piggies is to convince your friend that if she cannot provide proper care for them, it would be best to send them to a rescue/shelter that will provide great care for them until they get adopted to a home that has enough time, money, space and can provide proper care for them.

[Amsley246]

If you can't take them in, I think it's just best she find new homes for them. It's not fair to them at all that they have to live like that. Especially when they totally relay on her for care. Poor little things. If she doesn't agree with lettign them go, I'd tell her that if she doesn't do anything, then you will call the proper authorities to take them away because of neglect. I too suffered from post partum depression when I had my son and never let my animal live like that, it's clear she cannot handle both so she should do what's right for them.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by Froggirl009

But wouldn't your friend be mad at you if you reported her to the animal control? I'm sure she is in enough stress already. Maybe You could make a 2 level c&c cage for them and ask her if you could take them in. If that doesn't work out then you could try to find a good home for them.

I'm sorry, but who cares if she's "mad" about being reported? There are little animals being mistreated or neglected in her care - why in the world does it matter if it offends her to be reported? SheriMartini already said she can't take them in and that this person has refused to give them up - I don't see what continuing to attempt to persuade her to do so is going to accomplish.

It sounds to me like the situation was bad before this mental health issue arose, and now it's gotten a great deal worse. The best way to help the animals, as I see it at this point, is for someone to step in and remove them from her care. If that hurts her feelings, way it goes.

[PiggieMommy]

I'm sorry but friend or not, there are four living creatures being neglected that don't deserve that. Since you can't take them in the best thing would be to get them to a shelter/rescue where they would at least receive adequate care.

[Froggirl009]

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

I'm sorry, but who cares if she's "mad" about being reported? There are little animals being mistreated or neglected in her care - why in the world does it matter if it offends her to be reported? SheriMartini already said she can't take them in and that this person has refused to give them up - I don't see what continuing to attempt to persuade her to do so is going to accomplish.

I know, I was just saying that their are other things she could do and to do that if nothing else works.

[SheriMartini]

Thank you everyone for all of your help, I really do appreciate it!

Sadly, the mistreatment happened long, long before the baby and the postpartum depression. It has just been intensified as she has been busy with the baby. When I asked her if the sick male had shown any other symptoms this is what she said:

"not that I am aware of, but I don't have much time to watch the guinea pig since Tabitha never sleeps anymore and I only get to type with one hand while holding her on the couch"

/face palm

I am going to discuss all of the options that have been suggested by everyone with my fiance (we are engaged now!!! ). He is also good friends with my friend's boyfriend, so perhaps we could discuss this with him. Something needs to be done, as it is not fair that these poor innocent creatures live like this.

[Amsley246]

Congrats on that! I'm still waiting for my boyfriend to ask me ! I hope all works out and the piggies find a good home or she starts to treat them better. Those are actual lives she's toying with.

[BabyBellie]

Coming from someone who has had clinical depression for many years, and feels that it's something you can't fix over night in any way shape or form, I would definately talk to her first. However, instead of focusing on the fact that she's not doing a good enough job, I would focus on the fact that it's just too much work for her and you think she'd be happier without the added stress of the pigs. Telling her she's not doing a good enough job will most likely make her want to shut down. It won't get you anywhere. If talking to her doesn't work though, I would definately tell her you feel like you have no choice but to call the proper authorities immediately, and follow through with it. It sounds like you don't want to wreck the friendship so I wouldn't go behind her back about it, but those pigs need to be removed from the situation as soon as possible. It sounds like a sad situation all around, and that it needs to be dealt with immediately.

[pigsmakemesmile]

Your obviously very concerned about her pigs. If it was bad before her depression developed, it'll only get worse and the pigs will be the ones to suffer because of it. I suggest you either offer to take them off her hands and bring them to a shelter or rescue or if she refuses, call the animal authorities and report it and have them seize the animals. It may be harsh but your advocating for the pigs. I'm going thru something similar with my husbands neice who got a pig. She asked if it's normal to pee blood. Of course I told her it's an emergency and needs to go to the vet. She's arguing with me it's really not her pig, and she can't afford a vet bill. Ugh...I even offered to pay just to help the pig...she still hasn't taken it. I just want to ring her neck.

[4piggers]

Originally Posted by Ly&Pigs

Is there a rescue that could be notified about them and their living conditions? Perhaps then the rescue could seize them for neglect? Or the ASPCA or Animal Control?

Neglect? For having a store bought cage? Feeding them yogurt drops? No FRESH food? The ASPCA will do nothing above and beyond this either...

A store bought cage is only considered neglect on this board...the law (at least here) only requires like a 10 inch by 10 inch cage.

Diet? As long as they are being fed...they arent going to measure what the calcium levels in the food are.

Shelter wont supply toys either...or hold them more then she is. Or at all for that matter.

They will, however, cut the nails and clean a cage.

On that note...since Im within an hour of you...if you need my help taking them in, I can and will do that. Even if this means you take them, and I pick the up from you...or get her my information, and have her contact me...however you want or can work it. Just know Im here to help.