Is 4-H cavy/guinea pig clubs EVIL?

[wheekmau5]

I was thinking of joining the cavy club last year but I read somebody's post saying that 4-H is bad. Is it because of the breeding?

[bpatters]

As a former 4-H member, I think there's a place for 4-H clubs. But I lived in a rural area, and we raised cattle and chickens for milk, eggs, and food. That's a far cry from breeding small furry animals just so school kids can have the experience of breeding. That, I object to.

So I'd have to say that where 4-H kids are involved with farm animals and life on a daily basis, and any breeding that is done is for support of the farm and family, 4-H is ok. For suburban kids with no need for an animal, I think the emphasis needs to be changed. Maybe those kids could volunteer at a animal shelter, and visit one that kills the unplaced animals. That's what overbreeding of those animals results in.

[Catahoula]

It's more of a 2 fold answer. Yes, one reason many people are against 4H showing is it promotes guinea pig breeding. But, the other part is that guinea pigs aren't really equpped to deal with the stress of a show. There's just too much going on for their little bodies to handle.

[foggycreekcavy]

My kids were involved in a homeschool 4H guinea pig group. There was no showing, and the emphasis was on care. There was no breeding, either. The group used to come and cuddle pigs and clean cages for my rescue.

I always feel so bad for the pigs and bunnies at the 4H shows at the local fairs. They get poked at, it's usually too hot, and the cages are tiny.