Snugglybutt
Well-known Member
Cavy Slave
- Joined
- May 21, 2018
- Posts
- 181
- Joined
- May 21, 2018
- Messages
- 181
Hey all. Yesterday my mom went to a few yard sales around 7:30AM and at one of them, she seen two adults guinea pigs for sale. For context, it was quite chilly during this time, probably around 12 degrees celsius. I was quite shocked so I went over to take a look at them for myself around 10AM after work. The cage was one of those "Living World" cages that they sell at petstores and I think it was the large size. The guinea pigs had no space to run, they had a large bowl of cheap pellets, a handful of hay, and a piece of fleece draped over the bottom of the cage. The cage was just sitting in the driveway, out in the cold.
Upon closer examination, I noticed the pigs were both overweight and had curled nails because they were so long. One of the pigs was a classic american guinea pig, and aside from the nails, he looked decently healthy. The other pig though, he was visibly neglected. He had long hair that was extremely matted and a GIANT abscess that was about a toonie in width and came out about an inch. Oh, and it was bleeding! His breathing was labored as well. The woman selling them didn't mention the abscess at all so I thought that was extremely scummy of her to do. I bought the pigs for $20 and instantly took them to my local pet supply store to see if the owner would help them. The owner is a true animal lover who has rescued neglected guinea pigs and birds in the past. Since I don't have the funds to take care of these issues myself, I figured it was my best chance at helping the pigs. I just wanted them OUT of that woman's care. The owner said he will take them to the vet on his own dime Monday and see what's up with them, but he thinks the long-haired guinea pig will possibly be put down due to his abscess and breathing. If the short-haired pig is healthy his sister-in-law will probably take him, as she is an experienced owner.
At first I felt great about what I did but I've had a bad feeling in my stomach ever since. The woman who was selling the guinea pigs was obviously an unfit owner (the matted hair, the nails, the giant abscess, they lived in her garage), but I feel so horrible because she was under the impression I was going to keep them for myself and provide them a loving home. She kept telling me how happy she was and that they were "meant for me". She took a picture of me "admiring" them and showed it to her friends. I keep telling myself that I did the right thing, but I am very conflicted. I feel horrible that I didn't take them to the vet myself and take care of the long-haired pig's abscess, but I already have a heart pig and I have a pet-fund big enough to only take care of my two current pigs. The woman was closing up her yard sale, so the chances of a wealthy guinea pig lover stopping by and adopting them was quite slim.
Did I do the right thing?
Upon closer examination, I noticed the pigs were both overweight and had curled nails because they were so long. One of the pigs was a classic american guinea pig, and aside from the nails, he looked decently healthy. The other pig though, he was visibly neglected. He had long hair that was extremely matted and a GIANT abscess that was about a toonie in width and came out about an inch. Oh, and it was bleeding! His breathing was labored as well. The woman selling them didn't mention the abscess at all so I thought that was extremely scummy of her to do. I bought the pigs for $20 and instantly took them to my local pet supply store to see if the owner would help them. The owner is a true animal lover who has rescued neglected guinea pigs and birds in the past. Since I don't have the funds to take care of these issues myself, I figured it was my best chance at helping the pigs. I just wanted them OUT of that woman's care. The owner said he will take them to the vet on his own dime Monday and see what's up with them, but he thinks the long-haired guinea pig will possibly be put down due to his abscess and breathing. If the short-haired pig is healthy his sister-in-law will probably take him, as she is an experienced owner.
At first I felt great about what I did but I've had a bad feeling in my stomach ever since. The woman who was selling the guinea pigs was obviously an unfit owner (the matted hair, the nails, the giant abscess, they lived in her garage), but I feel so horrible because she was under the impression I was going to keep them for myself and provide them a loving home. She kept telling me how happy she was and that they were "meant for me". She took a picture of me "admiring" them and showed it to her friends. I keep telling myself that I did the right thing, but I am very conflicted. I feel horrible that I didn't take them to the vet myself and take care of the long-haired pig's abscess, but I already have a heart pig and I have a pet-fund big enough to only take care of my two current pigs. The woman was closing up her yard sale, so the chances of a wealthy guinea pig lover stopping by and adopting them was quite slim.
Did I do the right thing?