a group promoting breeding cavies here in my country

[pandaloki]

I got this information about a cavy convention led by a non profit group that wants to promote cavy husbandry in my country. I love the idea that we have a cavy group, problem is that it's mostly made up of breeders. The group promotes breeding and importing cavies (from UK, Australia and America), and setting up caviaries (it's like a huge breeding place for pigs).

I get really pissed off about this because people are just using them as a business thing, and what ticks me off more is that they don't give them adequate care. They live in wire bottom dog cages and they eat livestock feed/rabbit food/cuni gran. But still a better place than pet shops.

I try to tell them that's wrong but they tell me they can't afford good pellets. Well why on earth did they start a caviary if they can't even afford their food or proper housing? Obviously it's all meant to make money. Anyway, I don't know what to do now. I live in a land where guinea pigs (or any animal) are used to show off social status. It's weird, most cavy owners here are grown up men.

Makes me sad when ever I see a stud ad or breeder ad in our local forums, then everyone gets all excited

[2Julia112]

That's horrible! Maybe (if possible) you could file a report of 'animal abuse' to your local police station.

[pandaloki]

Yes. But then I can't do this by my self, I'll need to get proof and details for each caviary. And these are grown men who paid big money for imported animals with papers and all, I'll surely get into a lot of trouble if I ruin their "business". Oh well, I'll just have to do what ever I can

[fridzalone]

In some developing countries such as Philippines and Indonesia (my country), people don't really care about animal welfare. Most people would think "why would I give such a luxurious lifestyle to animal IF there are still sooo many people around me that needs help". Of course, most of them only saying it as an excuse, and they are not really helping those people who need helps too. And police are not helping at all, the laws about animal welfare are not strong enough to scare people who abuse animals. And cases like businessmen "pay" the police to make sure their dirty business stays clean are happens everywhere. So I'm totally know your situation because it happens here too.

My advices for you would be :
- Stop trying to close those caviaries by yourself, it's like suicidal action. If one day, you want to do it then do it after the animal welfare laws are strong enough, and you have supports from animal welfare organizations, etc. But it's not a good start if you're alone.
- Start join biggest forum (which has "pet" subforum), or join another pets forum that has big influences in your country. And start giving advice like : separate boars and sows, steps to make C&C Cages, proper foods, etc. By doing this, there's a chance you might open people's mind about how to take care of piggies. Some people agree with breeding, inproper cages and treatment JUST because they don't know. You know better than them, so spread the message. I did this for three years, and now there are many people in Indonesia who uses fleece, C&C cages, hay, proper pellets, etc. You might find people who try to stop you, but don't give up.
- If there's anything that you don't know, or you can't find, it's always better to ask this forum or Guinealynx. I had difficulties find Oxbow, I asked here and Ly told me to use CP Diet instead (it's poor product, but it's better than another brands available).

Maybe you can't stop breeders to quit breeding, but you always have a chance to open piggies owners mind to start giving their pets a proper treatment. So, good luck!