Animal Welfare: Mad,no furious !

[Poelitstudent]

I am so frustrated , I investigated a couple for 1 month they were my neighbors because they wanted to adopt two of my rescued guinea pigs. They built a cc cage in the right recommended size. They had everything set hay water, etc. I decided that they could adopt them but still I would go almost everyday after work to check on them. They were fine veggies and all the proper care. The problem is that currently I am moving to a new house, I need more space for the rescue and I found the perfect house with tons of space, well that is not the point. The point is that I have been busy setting everything up at the new house, moving my stuff and building new cages. The thing is that yesterday my fiance tells me
"you wont belive this, the neighbors have new guinea pigs". I ask him how many he said like five more, all in the same cage 2x4 . He told me if I wanted to see them I said no because I was so mad. My question is what can I do because they didnt sign a contract of anything so I dont know how to get the boys back. Another thing is that I took almost 3 days talking to them about how breeding is bad and the space etc. I dont want this to happen again so I am planning to write a contract so in the future I wont have this problem again. Anybody here knows how to do it or can tell me if it is even legal to make a contract for adoption. Thanks for your time. I have 3 girls that are soon going to be up for adoption and I need to be sure that I will do everything possible to ensure their future well being.

[Peggysu]

Definitely write a contract. I don't think you could get them back.

[Skeetersmom]

There is really nothing you can do now. Without any sort of contract, they are their guinea pigs and they can take care of them how they want to. You can mention that they need a bigger cage but can't really force it.

[Paula]

So you spent all this time "investigating" them and planning to check on them but have no way of making them return the pigs to you should they dishonor your wishes? Seems like a massive, and tremendously unfortunate, oversite.

You can ask for them to return the pigs, but really, would you?

No, you really have no recourse and there's nothing you can really do for these pigs except make suggestions to improve their living conditions, but perhaps you can learn from this experience and make some much needed improvement for any future pigs you have in this rescue.

[Poelitstudent]

First of all I am trying to do my best and yes we all make mistakes. In the beginning as I stated in my post. I didnt know if it was legal to make them write a contract I am not in the United States by the way. And actually I spent two months evaluating them and they have been my friends for a long time. People change as you may very well know. I am here trying with my own funds to help guinea pigs in a country that not even dogs or cats have a proper pound therefore I am learning on my own. I can very well accept that you give me advice but I dont know why you have to be so sarcastic about it. Before this starts a big argument I dont want any problems I just want you to see also my good intentions even when I make mistakes.

[Paula]

I never questioned your intentions. Even the best intentions, though, don't always lead to good outcomes.

Perhaps you should spend more time researching what you can and can't do in your rescue before adopting out any more pigs. It seems it would save you a lot of frustration in the long run and be much better for the animals in your care.

[Poelitstudent]

Thank you Paula I really value your advice. I am drafting the contract and also the information booklet. I have good news , my fiance spoke with my neighbors and they got mad about him telling them to make a new cage so they just told him to take the guinea pigs the adopted from us yay!So I have my two boys back. I am working really hard because there are tons of animals over here in need and I cant wait.

[Paula]

If only everything could be that easy, eh?

Is there anything you can do for the new guinea pigs they've acquired from elsewhere?

[Poelitstudent]

I am so happy but I was lucky never again I am going to oversee something like that. Good thing my boyfriend was able to annoy them enough and get them back There is nothing I can do for the other guys, they are going to breed!! and you know why? Because of the movie G-Force everybody want a guinea pig and the petstores have run out. My boyfriend tells me that judging by the size of their gps they are only 3 weeks of age. They are all together boys and girls no hay.

[wheekers01]

That is too bad!! At least you got your own pigs out! And you are moving and might get some great neighbors! I know this might not be possible and it is probably too late, but could you go over there and just keep telling them horror stories about breeding??

[Poelitstudent]

Believe me I am at work right now but as soon as I get home, they will have to hear me besides I am a writer so I wrote a lot of information on a letter that I believe will make them realize that what they are doing is stupid.

[wheekers01]

Great idea!! What they are doing is a terrible thing! Hopefully G-Force is a terrible movie and kids won't want them (unlikely) and it all just dies down!!

[akstrohm]

Be sure your letter is worded politely and directed toward risks of breeding and the problems with overpopulation. You don't want it to come across as a personal insult (even if you feel that way), because then they will never listen. I'm glad you got the pigs back.