Adopt vs. Buy want to get a guinea pig from the pet store. - Guinea Pig Cages, Care, Store, Photos of Guinea Pigs and More Forum!

**g-pig-sweetness** · #1 06-02-09, 06:50 pm

I want to get a guinea pig from the pet store because there is absulutly no adoptables near me. I did consider taking in someone's guinea pig that they don't want off kijiji but i am looking for a cetain guinea pig. I did go into a petsmart to look [ i know it was bad but i didn't buy ANYTHING.] and got attached to one particular pig. it was the smallest in the cage[ there was 3] and she had wierd markings like a dalmation guinea pig mixed with a brown and black guinea pig. what should i do??

**Paula** · #2 06-02-09, 09:00 pm

Quote:

I want to get a guinea pig from the pet store because there is absulutly no adoptables near me.

Good grief. This argument has been made so many times on this forum it's almost laughable when the a new member joins and attempts to make the same case.

Quote:

but i am looking for a cetain guinea pig

If this is actually true, then I find it very strange that you were able to find "that" guinea pig out of the three available on your very "first" trip to the pet store.

Quote:

what should i do??

Be patient. There ARE guinea pigs in your area if you're willing to take the time to look and wait for an animal in need. Running off to a pet store to buy your pet will probably get you a sick pig, and it will definitely support breeding mills - something not worth doing for any reason.

**rabbitsncavyluv** · #3 06-02-09, 09:42 pm

If you post your location, we could probably help you find a pair of needy guinea pigs near you. People always claim there are no adoptables near them but 99% of the time they are not looking hard enough or in the right place.

Why would you want to support a pet store that sells animals and the breeding mill from which they purchase? You will end up with a sick, pregnant pig to boot most likely too and heartache. And deny a needy pig a home so he or she will not be euthanized.

**theresaj** · #4 06-02-09, 09:42 pm

You should be able to open your heart to any guinea pig in need of a forever home. ^_^ Breed and coloration really is the least of importance.

**lissie** · #5 06-02-09, 10:46 pm

You said you found a guinea pig on kijiji. That means there's adoptable in your area.

**MamaCass** · #6 06-03-09, 12:02 am

I just posted a long reply and it somehow got deleted. I adopted a male gp and wanted another immendiately. For 3 wks I checked within a 2 hr radius to see if I could find him a friend. I finally posted that I was looking for a gp, and I quickly got 2 responses and adopted my beautiful baby a couple days ago. I suggest you try craigslist, and if you don't see one listed, post a thread saying you are looking for one. It is easy to get sucked in by a cute GP face in a pet store, but you are not going to find anyone here telling you to go ahead and get him. I looked for a couple months before i found our first guy, and it took a couple more weeks to find him a friend. Good luck.

**blackarrow** · #7 06-03-09, 06:34 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

I find it very strange that you were able to find "that" guinea pig out of the three available on your very "first" trip to the pet store.

I'm guessing she's looking for a particular pig because she went into the pet store looking at pigs, saw a cute one, and now thinks it's destiny.

**blessedbeingmom** · #8 06-03-09, 07:12 am

PLEASE watch this video and do NOT buy from a petstore.... Please!

Petsmart's Dirty Little Secret

Edited to add that we did buy 2 pigs from a petstore. We hadn't found this site and never knew there were pigs at rescues or shelters. One of our pigs died of an upper respiratory infection after less than 2 weeks. He appeared to be in extremely good health with no symptoms whatsoever, until just before he died on a Sunday evening.

We were already attached and were devastated by our loss, and vowed never to buy a pet from a pet store again. We are adopting 2 spayed females at the end of this week, to give our boar some companionship.

**crissy** · #9 06-03-09, 07:56 am

o my goodnes i watched the video and that is disgusting clorox wipes to clean the inscision and rats everywhere, do not buy from a pet store

**charliecharlie** · #10 06-03-09, 10:03 am

OMG!! How can we stop this?!?! I am sick to my stomach after watching that.

**Paula** · #11 06-03-09, 10:11 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by charliecharlie

OMG!! How can we stop this?!?! I am sick to my stomach after watching that.

First order of business would be NOT buying the pet store pets. After that, doing as little business with these establishments as possible is a great next step. Tell your friends and family and everyone you know how bad these stores are and what they're doing.

PetSmart Cruelty

**charliecharlie** · #12 06-03-09, 10:45 am

I don't understand why anyone in some sort of power isn't doing anything about this. That video...and many others...show blatant animal cruelty. How in the world can these people NOT be held responsible for what they're doing to little lives.

I, too, am guilty of getting my small critters from a pet store, not knowing they were also adopted out. I am sickened that I had any part to do with this mass production of animals. Truly sickened. I apologize for my part--my two piggers--my step-kids mice and hamsters from years ago...I apologize from the bottom of my heart--my God, I am so sickened by that video.

I simply do not understand. I feel sad and disgust and anger...and for crying out loud, I'm at work crying at my computer--that video just ripped me up.

**Piggly is I** · #13 06-03-09, 11:09 am

you should be open to all breeds, when i bought my three girls i only wanted two abbysinnians, but ended up taking home the teddy as well. It's all based on personality and if you and the pig mesh together. so keep looking, try petfinder.com , they list adoptions in your area.

**IluvePiggies** · #14 06-03-09, 11:13 am

That's so true, Pig is I. I made the mistake and got my two pigs from a pet store but agreed never to buy again and if I did, I'd never own Guinea Pigs ever again.

**Paula** · #15 06-03-09, 11:19 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by Piggly is I

you should be open to all breeds ...

There's really not anything wrong with the OP wanting a specific type or color of guinea pig, if that truly is the case. It just means s/he might have to wait a little longer to find *that* pig for adoption or in a rescue. Which will make the wait that much more worth it when s/he finally finds the pig s/he's been searching for.

**Piggly is I** · #16 06-03-09, 11:22 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by paula.m.moore

There's really not anything wrong with the OP wanting a specific type or color of guinea pig, if that truly is the case. It just means s/he might have to wait a little longer to find *that* pig for adoption or in a rescue. Which will make the wait that much more worth it when s/he finally finds the pig s/he's been searching for.

Yeah, I guess that works too, i didnt think of it like that. i was thinking if you find a nice pig but its not the breed you want you shouldnt take it off your list because of that.

**Paula** · #17 06-03-09, 11:27 am

Of course. And it's entirely possible too that what you think you want might change when a great pig becomes available through rescue. But if you're stuck on one color, breed, etc., it's fine as long as you are willing to WAIT for that animal to become available instead of resorting to shopping at a pet store and supporting a breeding mill.

**g-pig-sweetness** · #18 06-03-09, 01:39 pm

I live just outside of Lloydminster and often travel to edmonton to see cozins. I might reconsider getting the one from the pet shop and considering rehoming a guinea pig off kijiji. But I have till friday to make arrangements! I have everthing he/ she will need till we go home but what if my guinea pig and he/ she don't get along??? so many questions! too little time!

**Paula** · #19 06-03-09, 01:49 pm

Why do you only have until Friday?

**IluvePiggies** · #20 06-03-09, 02:17 pm

I am guessing that she only has till Friday to get the pig before the owners decide to not make the arrangments.

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