sdpiggylvr
Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2009
- Posts
- 1,780
- Joined
- Sep 14, 2009
- Messages
- 1,780
@PizzaPiggy - Your piggy has lived alone for some time, so he may not have the strongest social skills. Introductions may be a bit of a challenge. The rescue I volunteer for invites adopters to bring their lonely piggy to the rescue and we do introductions right there to find the best match. A format like that would help you find a friend for sure, since they will have all the options and will know what to do.
There is no way to tell whether or not a guinea pig that bites humans will be aggressive to other guinea pigs. I had a guinea pig who was super sweet to me and then would fight other guinea pigs to the death. So I can't give you a definitive answer on that.
I know you don't want to hear that the pet store is not the route to go, but I really think you should reconsider getting this guinea pig. Honestly. Do you want to save this one life, only to continue to the pet store animal cycle of abuse, or save two lives at a rescue -- the one you adopt, and the one that the rescue now has room for?
As hard as it is to step away from that poor pig, that is the decision I would make in this situation. I stopped buying pet supplies from pet stores because it makes me so sad to see the guinea pigs there and know that I cannot save them. But what you must always remember is that if you free up the space for another guinea pig at that store, they will fill the space. There will always be more pigs there. The only way to stop that cycle is to support rescues and shelters and not pet stores. We vote with our dollars and with our business. Taking that animal off the pet store's hands is another way of telling that pet store that there is a demand for animals. They won't stop unless the demand stops.
It's true that rescues can't do anything about genetic problems in guinea pigs originally from pet stores. Even breeders could end up with guinea pigs with birth defects or other complications. There are no guarantees for a perfect guinea pig from a breeder.
But many guinea pigs from pet stores have treatable illnesses or are mis-sexed. So when you buy that guinea pig from a pet store, it may have mites or an upper respiratory infection or it may actually be a boy instead of a girl. Rescues sex guinea pigs properly and provide medication, high quality food, love and care. I can only speak for the rescue that I volunteer for -- all our adoptable guinea pigs have been given a completely clean bill of health. Any guinea pigs who have serious issues that require ongoing medical care are kept as sanctuary animals to live out their lives in the care of the rescue. So the only guinea pigs an adopter will be able to adopt are healthy and normal.
I'll admit -- my first guinea pig was from a pet store. The first guinea pig I looked at had drainage coming from one eye and a bald patch on its back. The second guinea pig I looked at was the one I ended up buying. Over the years it was obvious that she had not been bred well. She was sickly and did not end up living a long life.
Now I foster guinea pigs for a rescue, and I am often reminded of why I do what I do -- there is a constant supply of guinea pigs desperately in need of homes. At my rescue, we don't euthanize our animals. Some shelters don't have that luxury.
My motto is, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.
There is no way to tell whether or not a guinea pig that bites humans will be aggressive to other guinea pigs. I had a guinea pig who was super sweet to me and then would fight other guinea pigs to the death. So I can't give you a definitive answer on that.
I know you don't want to hear that the pet store is not the route to go, but I really think you should reconsider getting this guinea pig. Honestly. Do you want to save this one life, only to continue to the pet store animal cycle of abuse, or save two lives at a rescue -- the one you adopt, and the one that the rescue now has room for?
Do you suggest letting this poor thing live its life miserable just because you hate pet stores?
As hard as it is to step away from that poor pig, that is the decision I would make in this situation. I stopped buying pet supplies from pet stores because it makes me so sad to see the guinea pigs there and know that I cannot save them. But what you must always remember is that if you free up the space for another guinea pig at that store, they will fill the space. There will always be more pigs there. The only way to stop that cycle is to support rescues and shelters and not pet stores. We vote with our dollars and with our business. Taking that animal off the pet store's hands is another way of telling that pet store that there is a demand for animals. They won't stop unless the demand stops.
What is the difference from the health of a rescue pig that originally came from a pet store? You guys shame breeders but the ones breeding for health would be the only way to get a piggy that wasn't pet store stock.
It's true that rescues can't do anything about genetic problems in guinea pigs originally from pet stores. Even breeders could end up with guinea pigs with birth defects or other complications. There are no guarantees for a perfect guinea pig from a breeder.
But many guinea pigs from pet stores have treatable illnesses or are mis-sexed. So when you buy that guinea pig from a pet store, it may have mites or an upper respiratory infection or it may actually be a boy instead of a girl. Rescues sex guinea pigs properly and provide medication, high quality food, love and care. I can only speak for the rescue that I volunteer for -- all our adoptable guinea pigs have been given a completely clean bill of health. Any guinea pigs who have serious issues that require ongoing medical care are kept as sanctuary animals to live out their lives in the care of the rescue. So the only guinea pigs an adopter will be able to adopt are healthy and normal.
I'll admit -- my first guinea pig was from a pet store. The first guinea pig I looked at had drainage coming from one eye and a bald patch on its back. The second guinea pig I looked at was the one I ended up buying. Over the years it was obvious that she had not been bred well. She was sickly and did not end up living a long life.
Now I foster guinea pigs for a rescue, and I am often reminded of why I do what I do -- there is a constant supply of guinea pigs desperately in need of homes. At my rescue, we don't euthanize our animals. Some shelters don't have that luxury.
My motto is, if you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem.