Welcoming new people, a suggestion

[Fishguy2727]

I think this forum could be a little better about welcoming new people. I bring this up because I recently talked to someone on another forum who had come here but was attacked so badly they refuse to come back. They bought their new guinea pig at Petco and apparently rather than help this person and their guinea pig people just wanted to 'rag on' them for buying it at Petco and not a shelter or rescue. Although I think it is important to make people aware of all the homeless guinea pigs, giving them that hard of a time about past purchases doesn't help anyone.

The guinea pigs are the most important priority. In this case their guinea pig is missing out on top notch care assitance because people here couldn't let it go. I don't know their name on here and maybe they were very argumentative and rude or something. But I have seen this as a trend. Let them know about the issues with homeless guinea pigs and focus on improving care for their current animals. Being too abrasive about a person's past actions doesn't help anyone, especially the animals.

[NicholsS10]

There was actually a recent thread where the issue of kindness was discussed. I posted on the thread, which is why I remember. I agree that people can be harsh with words. Maybe reading through the thread will help.

http://www.guineapigcages.com/forum/...-site-but.html

I hope this helps!

[Fishguy2727]

I really wanted to bring this up to show that there are definitely people leaving this site because of the attitude it conveys. That is a huge loss for their guinea pigs.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

It was likely we told that person to adopt yet they still went to Petno and bought. There is rarely an issue when the person doesn't know any better. We tell them then move on. If they still buy, that's another issue.

This is a pro rescue, anti-breeding forum.

[Fishguy2727]

This person had already bought it and was looking for a good forum to help them take better care. Maybe it was worse than they are saying (maybe they started an argument or something) but they were definitely not happy with the way they were treated for trying to get help and I just wanted to make sure people knew this was happened so we can all be a little more aware of how we MAY come across, not just how we mean to.

[dra&pigs]

Could you find the thread?

[Fishguy2727]

No. I don't know the person's name on here and the details of that thread are not my point.

[AnimalHouse36]

Originally Posted by Fishguy2727

No. I don't know the person's name on here and the details of that thread are not my point.

Actually they have alot to do with this paticualr case. If s/he started up an argument about how theor pig s fine and we're a bunch of liars and they're getting their next pig from there, we'll argue.

This site clearly states that we are anti-breeding and anti-petstore and when people come here and rub it in our faces that they bought a pig and totally "diss" everything we stand for, we will get angry and defensive.

Rarely do we "attack" (yeah because we're so viscous) with out warning. Much like a dog! And yes people thats a joke.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Then you are blindly attacking us without knowing the details? Aren't you doing the same thing that you are warning us of?

[ColoradoMama]

It sounds like there are a lot of variables in this equation and we would need more info about the specific circumstances to make any relevant comments on the matter. Otherwise we are just guessing on what really happened.

[Fishguy2727]

This is in no way an attack. I am sharing information I thought people here might not be aware of and might appreciate. This person said that people simply wanted to make a big deal out of the fact that they bought it from a pet shop. They felt unwelcome and couldn't get help because of that. I have seen this before and even felt this way multiple times. I just wanted to make sure people here knew that these types of cases are definitely happening (leaving here instead of getting help here). So even if this person did start an argument, the overall issue is still true.

I just think people here need to make sure the double check how they MAY come across, not just how they intend to. If person after person comes on and says it is wrong to buy from a shop then it can be overwhelming to face for someone who just joined because they wanted to improve the care they provide.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by Fishguy2727

The guinea pigs are the most important priority. In this case their guinea pig is missing out on top notch care assitance because people here couldn't let it go.

If this person's guinea pig is "missing out" it's not because of anything anyone here said, it's because this person couldn't "let it go." S/he can still come back here and search through threads, read advice, without ever logging on, and get awesome advice for his guinea pig's care. THAT is up to your friend.

Here's a real life example of what I'm talking about - The vet that owns the clinic I take my pigs to is an abrasive know-it-all. He's also the most gifted small animal surgeon between Seattle and Los Angeles. Do you think I'd ever let one of my pigs suffer, or not have him operate on them if they needed it because of his attitude? No way. Would I rather not have to deal with him, talk to him, see him? You betcha. But I would never have another person operate on my pigs, and I have to put my personal feelings aside because it's what's best for my pigs. This vet has hurt my feelings, insulted me, etc., but in the end if I let those things get in the way of care for my pigs, I would be at fault, not him. When it comes to the care of my animals, it's a matter of what's best for them, not how I might feel about the person who can give them the care they need.

[Fishguy2727]

But it shouldn't be that hard for people to stay. That is all I am saying. People come on here and hear from ten different people about how bad of a person they are, it will effect them.

All I am saying is get the point across and then move on.

[Paula]

Originally Posted by Fishguy2727

But it shouldn't be that hard for people to stay.

And people here (or anywhere, for that matter) shouldn't have to sugarcoat what they say or worry about how something they say might "seem." The bottom line is that the objective here is to make sure guinea pigs get the best possible care they need, not make sure their owners feel warm and fuzzy.

If I'm doing something wrong, especially if it could endanger my pigs, I'd rather have somebody say it bluntly and outright. I'm much more inclined to pay attention to such communication, and for matters that involve the well being of pigs, I think it's important we do everything we can to make sure the pigs are safe and cared for, not that their owners feel good about it.

[Fishguy2727]

I am not saying not to say it or sugarcoat, but if the point has been made no need for five more people to keep ragging on the person about it.

If the guinea pigs are the top priority then the number one goal is to get people here on this site and to stay. With time we can educate them about the issues with stores. Cramming it down their throat when they first get here is not effective. People used to going into shops and then come on here will simply think we are just a bunch of extremist nuts and won't stick around to get the facts. The only time that should be done is when they come on here and say something like 'I can't wait to get my guinea pig from Pet***tomorrow'.

[Paula]

If guinea pigs are the top priority (and presumably they are or the person wouldn't be on this site in the first place, right?), then I don't think anything anyone here says or how they say it should determine whether or not a person "stays."

[Fishguy2727]

They are our top priority, but someone who feels attacked as soon as they get here may not feel this is the best forum to help them improve their care.

So for us to effectively help people scaring them away is ineffective.

[Paula]

Whether or not a person feels attacked, particularly on an internet forum, is largely up to the person. And if you're inclined to let how someone types something out "scare you off" then I think you're also just as likely to find a problem sooner rather than later down the road with the forum. If caring for your guinea pig really is the top priority, it's up to you to "get over" those things and seek out proper care.

[Fishguy2727]

You will either take this or not. If you are deadset on being rude and abrasive to every new person that is your choice. You can cram all these ideals down their throat and scare them off or you can be a little more diplomatic about it and possibly help more guinea pigs. I am just saying that isn't helping the guinea pigs as much as being a little better about it.

To anyone reading this:
I think a better way of doing things is bring up the issue with shops. Explain it. But don't go overboard. If someone else already mentioned it you don't need to jump on board and gang up on a new person just trying to improve the lives of their pigs. With time we can educate them about the issues with shops, etc. But cramming it down their throat in their first week is overwhelming. Most people haven't been exposed to these types of ideals when it comes to animal care, so having it forced on them so much when they first come here can just scare them off. For those types of people we can come across like extremist nut jobs. This can drive a divide between us and many newcomers. But showing that these ideals and standards are founded in the love for the animals and not hate for the people involved can really win people over. Even if they don't agree with us completely it is better they are here learning then here for a week and then gone.

[rabbitsncavyluv]

No one is cramming anything. You can't tell someone's tone over the internet. It's a public message board (which is pro rescue and anti- breeding/pet stores that sell animals). You can't dictate someone's responses or reactions either.

We are merely educating people, which is helping the guinea pigs/ animals stuck in breeder's and pet shops. If they don't like it, they can just use the search features as suggested or find a more warmer and fuzzier board.

Since you work in a pet store and breed, it's hard to take you seriously esp. with the name calling.