Canada Looking to buy my first 2 guinea pigs.

[SableWolf]

Hello, my name is Nessa. A little over a month ago, my small dwarf hamster passed away due to illnesses from bad breeding. My family and i agree that we would like to try a different type of animal and we are interested in guinea pigs. We have done research into diet, cages, basic needs, and that they need to be paired.

My only problem currently is where to find them. I do not want to go through a pet shop because of the hamster's illnesses, but I cannot find a breeder in my area. There is one rescue, but as far as I can tell they can't sex them or tell me an age. Are there any other ways to get healthy guinea pigs that do not require petshops?

Thank-you for taking the time to read this.

I am in Manitoba, Canada.

 

[bpatters]

Try PetFinder. https://www.petfinder.com/pet-searc...=Guinea+Pig&filtersUpdated=false&distance=100. And I think there's a specifically Canadian site, if I remember correctly. Maybe someone else will chime in on that.

If you have pet shops in your area, there will be guinea pigs available for rescue. Contact the rescues and shelters in your area, even if they seem too far away. They're usually a group of foster homes, and one of the homes may be much nearer to you than the rescue's address would indicate. They'll also sometimes meet you halfway if you ask.

 

[SableWolf]

Try PetFinder. https://www.petfinder.com/pet-searc...=Guinea+Pig&filtersUpdated=false&distance=100. And I think there's a specifically Canadian site, if I remember correctly. Maybe someone else will chime in on that.

If you have pet shops in your area, there will be guinea pigs available for rescue. Contact the rescues and shelters in your area, even if they seem too far away. They're usually a group of foster homes, and one of the homes may be much nearer to you than the rescue's address would indicate. They'll also sometimes meet you halfway if you ask.

Can a rescue be renamed?

 

[bpatters]

I don't know what you mean?

I'm sure someone could rename one, but I don't know why they would. Is there one you're not able to find?

 

[SableWolf]

I don't know what you mean?

I'm sure someone could rename one, but I don't know why they would. Is there one you're not able to find?

The humane society hs 2 males and I was curious if I could rename them if I adopted them or if they need to keep the current names.

 

[Rywen]

Yes, you can change their names to anything you want. One of mine came named Dixie and I changed to Trixie. Mine all know their names, I call their names when I hand feed them veggies and they learned their names pretty quickly.

 

[bpatters]

LOL! I thought you meant that a rescue or shelter had been renamed!

Of course you can rename one. How would the rescue know? And what would they do if they did? Come get the pig? I don't think so.

 

[2cocos]

I'm in western Ontario. Your best bet is either the Humane Society or Kijiji. Our local humane society does not take small animals, but hands them over to a few local pet shops that foster them and adopt them out. So you ask them where they send their guinea pigs when they rescue them.

 

[CavyMama]

@2cocos - this thread is from back in October.

 

[2cocos]

LOL, I was quickly looking through the Canada threads for the first time and didn't notice the dates. Just assumed it was recent since it wasn't too deep. Sorry!!