Please help the Guinea Pigs at Jimmy's Farm, UK

KazzysCavies · #1 09-08-07, 08:42 am

Moderation Team, if this is not a permitted posting, my apologies, and please delete.

I am sorry that my very first post should be on such a sad subject, but so important is this, I am posting for your support.

Please sign the undermentioned petition that I am championing, the details of which are self explanatory.

I have been involved with this farm from last year, when I was invited along with a friend and colleague involved in Guinea Pig Rescue (sadly she has now closed) to visit the farm, and offer advice, after we raised initial concerns from publicity we received. A year on and things have got progressively worse and this has to be stopped.

http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/hel...at-jimmys-farm

Please post the link on any other forums or messageboards you may frequent, ask friends, family etc to support it, these guinea pigs need help, they have no voice, we have to be their voice, and get them either out of there or the proper care they deserve.

Thank you so much.

Karen

**FoolOnTheHill** · #2 09-08-07, 09:29 am

I saw the program when they opened the 'Guinea Pig Village' and was very worried as they seemed to live in a very large grass field with only some wooden houses for shelter

From reading your explanation it sounds even worse! I liked that program but I'm horrified that they cannot provide basic care for the poor piggies which were simply a money making scheme!! On the bit I saw there was a lot of people all handling the pigs so I expect the pigs were very scared. What do they do in the winter, as on that episode there was also scenes shot in very cold weather with frost, those pigs must have been freezing in their little huts

As if it's not bad enough anyway, with the high numbers of customers there, who knows what ideas they'll get about cavy care! I sincerely hope the BBC and whoever's in charge of the pigs takes note of the petition, and surely the RSPCA should be doing something as well.

Thank you for pointing this out, I was shocked when I saw it too.

**thalestral** · #3 09-08-07, 10:15 am

"In an episode from the series aired on Sunday, 2 September 2007, a guinea pig was killed in front of the visiting public by a dog that had got into the enclosure. The episode also showed staff (including the proprietor) trying to capture the terrified guinea pigs with fishing nets, and one of member of staff dragged a guinea pig out of its house by its back legs."

Oh my, I haven't watched the program since the very first one was shown years ago but I'm absolutely sickened. I shall be e-mailing the BBC and the The Essex Pig Company this evening. Absolutely disgusting :/

**daftscotslass** · #4 09-08-07, 01:36 pm

Hi Karen, long time no speak. I wasn't particularly impressed with the stories I've heard of the pigs there so shall sign the petition.

**JarBax** · #5 09-08-07, 02:03 pm

Thanks for highlighting this - I haven't seen the programme, but have been told about it (folk seem to think because I like guinea pigs, I will be thrilled to hear about them appearing on the telly). Have signed the petition.

KazzysCavies · #6 09-08-07, 03:06 pm

Hi Lorna

Many thanks for signing the petition, hope all is well with you. Thanks to everyone else who has signed in support, most grateful, and hopefully even more grateful will be the piggies if they are removed, or better conditions enforced, with someone in charge of them who knows what they are doing, and actually gives a damn, rather than liking the sound of his own voice and playing up to the TV cameras!!!!

Karen

chickenman · #7 09-18-07, 07:08 am

please check FOR YOURSELF that the guinea-pigs at this farm are suffering as stated. This was filmed over a year ago and the rspca, a vet and an animal behavioural specialist were all satisfied with the management and welfare of the gps after a few changes were made.Things have changed at the guinea-pig village, unfortunately a member of the public who was ignored ( correct advice but only a member of the public to the farm, who then called in the vet and behavioural specialist) has taken it upon themselves to start this petition AFTER most ( not all agreed) of the requested improvements had been made without going back to check.
[SIZE=-2](Reply to this)[/SIZE]

**thalestral** · #8 09-18-07, 07:56 am

So the guinea pigs are no longer outside then? They are no longer there purely for entertainment?

Because if not, I think you'll find many people will continue to sign the petition. The farm also now has a ferret world and a rabbit world for entertainment. Wonderful :/

**VoodooJoint** · #9 09-18-07, 08:26 am

ChickenMan - Strange that Jimmy's Farm says nothing about improved conditions. All their website says is this

[FONT=Arial]Our Guinea Pigs are well looked after![/FONT]
Following their moment of fame on the BBC programme, 'Crisis On Jimmy's Farm', we have noted that a few of you were kindly concerned for our little furry friends. This drama in the guinea pig village was filmed a year ago and the guinea pig died because a member of the public's dog was not on a lead. There are clear signs in the nature trail that all dogs must be on leads. We are now delighted to say that there have not been any fatalities since this sad incident and we now employ a wonderful full time small mammals expert. The rabbits and guinea pigs each have their own enclosure now, and the guinea pigs are looked after brilliantly by our expert.

Our animals are always the priority on the farm and will continue to be so.
Essex Pig Company - Jimmy's farm and home of the Essex Pig

Someone, I assume ChickenMan, has been posting on LJ and many other forums about this being an old story. However we have not gotten any confirmation of actual improved conditions for the animals. Until solid, credible change for the better is made the campaign to stop the abuse and neglect will continue.

KazzysCavies · #10 09-18-07, 09:51 am

I cannot say too much in detail at this juncture, save to say these premises have been revisited this last week and the situation remains the same, despite protests to the contrary by some, in fact health concerns for the pigs are also now in question. The small animal expert is in fact a breeder who supplies them with quality breeding boars and sows, that fact I have in writing by this establishment.

As soon as I am in a position to update further I will do so. The facts and findings as stated in the original petition stand.

KazzysCavies.

**daftscotslass** · #11 09-18-07, 10:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenman

please check FOR YOURSELF that the guinea-pigs at this farm are suffering as stated. This was filmed over a year ago and the rspca, a vet and an animal behavioural specialist were all satisfied with the management and welfare of the gps after a few changes were made.Things have changed at the guinea-pig village, unfortunately a member of the public who was ignored ( correct advice but only a member of the public to the farm, who then called in the vet and behavioural specialist) has taken it upon themselves to start this petition AFTER most ( not all agreed) of the requested improvements had been made without going back to check.
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And you are?

KazzysCavies · #12 09-18-07, 11:18 am

Addendum to my post above.

Correct fact, I am the person who commissioned this petition, and fact, I was INVITED to this establishment by the proprietor, along with a fellow guinea pig colleague/experienced guinea pig rescue. Not a mere member of public/bystander, and certainly not responsible for calling in RSPCA/Animal Behaviourist period.

Facts please regards myself, not suppositions to suit your counter-arguments.

Kazzys-Cavies.

chickenman · #13 09-19-07, 02:33 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by thalestral

So the guinea pigs are no longer outside then? They are no longer there purely for entertainment?

Because if not, I think you'll find many people will continue to sign the petition. The farm also now has a ferret world and a rabbit world for entertainment. Wonderful :/

yes they are still outside and yes they are for entertainment ( as are most peoples pet gps).....and your point is???

chickenman · #14 09-19-07, 02:41 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by KazzysCavies

I cannot say too much in detail at this juncture, save to say these premises have been revisited this last week and the situation remains the same, despite protests to the contrary by some, in fact health concerns for the pigs are also now in question. The small animal expert is in fact a breeder who supplies them with quality breeding boars and sows, that fact I have in writing by this establishment.

As soon as I am in a position to update further I will do so. The facts and findings as stated in the original petition stand.

KazzysCavies.

It is nice to know you are keeping an up to date eye on things and obviously have more knowledge of the 'goings on ' at the farm than I do. I would be interested in your findings as well. I intend to visit the farm next week with a camera to photo the 'suffering' animals. i have not totally dissagreed with you from the beginning, however I find the petition and the reaction to it by others very over the top and of no benefit to the animals.

chickenman · #15 09-19-07, 02:46 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by KazzysCavies

Addendum to my post above.

Correct fact, I am the person who commissioned this petition, and fact, I was INVITED to this establishment by the proprietor, along with a fellow guinea pig colleague/experienced guinea pig rescue. Not a mere member of public/bystander, and certainly not responsible for calling in RSPCA/Animal Behaviourist period.

Facts please regards myself, not suppositions to suit your counter-arguments.

Kazzys-Cavies.

I did actually mean /write that the farm called the vet etc in after your visit, perhaps I didn't write it clearly enough for you.
I'm afraid without any 'formal' qualifications to back you up you are still a 'mere' member of the public ....as am I

**thalestral** · #16 09-19-07, 03:56 am

Quote:

Originally Posted by chickenman

yes they are still outside and yes they are for entertainment ( as are most peoples pet gps).....and your point is???

My point is that you know nothing of which you speak - both of those issues are frowned upon here greatly. So if both are still happening then the matter is nowhere near closed.

Also, I'm afraid I'd rather trust the rescues than a "mystery man" who has turned up, joining communities he has nothing in common with to defend a company. Very convenient.

If anything you are simply making more people suspicious - but thanks for confirming the guinea pigs are outside! I shall go ahead campaigning the company and the BBC with that bit of information

Thank you KazzysCavies for this useful post, says:
ortal (09-24-07)

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