Adopting How do I go about rehoming our guinea pig, Angelina.

[jayval]

Ok. So if you know me from the past on these forums, we had one male guinea pig, Twix. He was so happy alone. Even though others told me that he woudl be happier with a mate. I still feel he had a great life, and friendship with us.
After he passed, we decided to get another. Against your knowledge, we came home with an 8 week old, gorgeous caramel colored abbysinean. Her name is Angelina. SHe is very healthy, and active. We feel after 8 months, that she would do best with a another partner, and we can not get another guinea pig. She is still very scared, though she squeals and squeals for attn. She is in my husband's office, as Twix was, and he can no longer make business calls the squealing is so loud. After watching and trying to bond with this pig, I am truly seeing how social these animals are. Twix was different all together. Nothing would make me happier then to see her cared for by a true guinea pig guru, with a friend. We jsut want her to be happy. we feel she is not happy. We would be willing to give up Angelina for free with her entire cage system. She is in a 2x3. We even have her lifted higher off the ground with the C&C cubby drawers that I paid alot of money for. I am at a loss over all of this. But my husband feels its the right decision. We are in Central NJ. I just want to make sure that we give her to someone who will care for her the proper way. Is anyone looking for a gorgeous female pig.

 

[bpatters]

You can list them at the Guinea Pig Zone or over at Guinea Lynx in the Placement forum.

But why not just move the cage into another room away from your husband's phone, and get another pig?

 

[jayval]

We just can not get another pig at this time. Also, that is the room that has more interaction. I feel terrible over it, but I think I had a special bond with my prior pig, and I have tried to bond with this pig. I am seeing for myself that this pig definitely needs a friend. I have learned a good lesson. Her personality is so active too. Twix was very laid back. I do care for her , but just want her to have the best life. I feel she is not realyl happy. If I post on the places you mentioned, how can I tell she will be adopted my someone who really knows how to care for a guinea pig?

 

[bpatters]

You can't tell. You'll have to interview them and see what they're like. A lot of guinea pig rescues have questionnaires that potential adopters have to fill out -- you could look at those and get some ideas about what to ask.

But, please don't offer her for free. Someone will just snap her up for snake food if you do that. You can ask a $25-$30 fee, which will drive away any snake owners, and then waive it for someone who will give her a good home.

 

[foggycreekcavy]

I'm not sure what lesson you've learned. That guinea pigs are disposable pets? That once it's not working out you can get rid of it?

Even guinea pig rescues (with applications and contracts and even home visits) can't guarantee that the guinea pig will have a good life.

 

[LoveMyPigs25]

I wish I lived closer. I would take her in a heartbeat. I am currently looking for another abby.
we have four females in a huge c&c cage. She is the color I would love to have also. .

 

[poop_patrol]

It's unfortunate that this guinea pig has predictably decided to act like a guinea pig, acting alone and scared without a companion and inconveniently vocalizing for attention from its humans because it lacks the companionship it needs. It's also unfortunate that the pig hasn't lived up to whatever your expectations were for bonding with you. Best to just get rid of it.

Or...maybe you can step up to the plate and make good on the obligation you assumed when you bought/adopted this baby by finding a way to move the cage out of the office and give her a companion.

 

[jayval]

I'm not sure what lesson you've learned. That guinea pigs are disposable pets? That once it's not working out you can get rid of it?

Even guinea pig rescues (with applications and contracts and even home visits) can't guarantee that the guinea pig will have a good life.

No. I have learned that all guinea pigs should have a partner. Maybe there are some exceptions. I really do love her, and that is why I feel she woudl be happier elsewhere.

 

[jayval]

Too bad. How far are you?

 

[jayval]

I wish I lived closer. I would take her in a heartbeat. I am currently looking for another abby.
we have four females in a huge c&c cage. She is the color I would love to have also. .

Too bad. How far are you. I woudl love to have a true guinea pig lover adopt her!

 

[jayval]

It's unfortunate that this guinea pig has predictably decided to act like a guinea pig, acting alone and scared without a companion and inconveniently vocalizing for attention from its humans because it lacks the companionship it needs. It's also unfortunate that the pig hasn't lived up to whatever your expectations were for bonding with you. Best to just get rid of it.

Or...maybe you can step up to the plate and make good on the obligation you assumed when you bought/adopted this baby by finding a way to move the cage out of the office and give her a companion.

You have to understand. We had a gp before. He was amazing, without a partner, from a baby age. I thought maybe most adjust. I am seeing now, that it is not true. We can not get another pet at this time, or I shoudl say, that is not the right decision for us. So is it better to jsut let it live life alone, of course not!! She is only liek 8 months old. She has a long life to live, and nothing would make me happier then to see her running with other pigs.

 

[jayval]

You have to understand. We had a gp before. He was amazing, without a partner, from a baby age. I thought maybe most adjust. I am seeing now, that it is not true. We can not get another pet at this time, or I should say, that is not the right decision for us. So is it better to just let it live life alone, of course not!! She is only 8 months old. She has a long life to live, and nothing would make me happier then to see her running with other pigs.

 

[jayval]

Ideally I would like to adopt out to someone on this forum, so we can keep in touch about her happiness and health.

 

[LoveMyPigs25]

Too bad. How far are you. I woudl love to have a true guinea pig lover adopt her!

We are in N. Carolina.

 

[jayval]

We are in N. Carolina.

I guess too far to drive

 

[jayval]

Here she is a few months ago. She is about the same size.

 

[surlypiggy]

If you decide to list her, please do not try to recoup the cost of the C&C cubby. Many people try to do this, justifying that because they spent $350 on all supplies, they deserve to get back at least half. Not saying you would, but most of the posts I see are asking $80, 90, or more for rehoming. (I'm trying to adopt one more, and am constantly on CL).

 

[bpatters]

@surlypiggy, if you're in Dallas, why not try Texas Guinea Pig Rustlers in Lewisville? They've got plenty of pigs available. www.theguineapigrescue.com

 

[PandaPiggle]

I mean you never know I guess... I adopted my first 3 from Craigslist. The first two were single pigs in pet store cages with awful food, and when I adopted them the people didn't want to have anything to do with me or the pigs again, like a closed adoption, and that was okay with everyone. I had a C&C cage and the two of them have never looked back. But the third piggie, Bridget, was the result of someone adopting a pregnant guinea pig, and so they'd had her from a baby and loved her but they didn't have room so they posted on Craigslist and insisted she had to go to a home with other female pigs. And I saw her and fell in love and sent an inquiry with pictures of my two, and we just hit it off and now we text sometimes and I even got the courage to join this forum because she was a member.

Also two guinea pigs really aren't much more expensive (in terms of time or money) than one, except an increase to the vet fund. Since increasing my herd from two to five, I tend to buy larger bulk quantities of hay and pellets, so the cost per pound is much cheaper and the cost per pig is lower. The only place that won't hold true is lettuce and veggies, but now they can go through stuff that I don't eat, like endive, before it gets old and weird, so it's not even double the expense.

But if you're absolutely set on rehoming then I would try every avenue available, just making sure you're very clear about the kind of home you're looking for and stipulate that you'd like this to be more of an open adoption and arrange a way for that to happen. You might find the piggie parent you want in a place you don't expect.

 

[jayval]

Thank you!