A bad idea?

[Skyenoir]

We are thinking about getting another guinea pig and I called one of the shelters nearby about some of the piggies they had listed on Petfinder. I have two females now, but all the pigs they have at the shelter are male. So, my question is this, should I wait and try to find a female somewhere else, or should I adopt one from the shelter to save it's life and have it neutered? I have read that neutering comes with many risks, but is it better than one of the guinea pigs being outright euthanized at the shelter? What do you think? I know neutering comes with the risk of death, so I am torn.

 

[TheQueen]

Well, on one hand, you can save a guinea pig, get him nuetered, and gain a friend for you, and all three of the pigs can be happy. On the other, you can wait to find another girl. No risks from nuetering. I would probably adopt the male. He will be much happier with some pals, and your girls will love him after a bit I'm sure. Good luck with whatever you decide.

PS- Although there are risks with nuetering, they're very unlikely. There are risks with everything. If you get a girl, there's a risk that they will fight and not get along. I don't know of any pig that died during his "fixing". Good luck again.

 

[VoodooJoint]

I would get one of the males and neuter him. The risk isn't as high as people make out. In fact his risk of going into another home that may neglect or abandon him, if you don't get him, is greater them the risk of surgery.

He would love to get neutered and live with a couple of beautiful girls I'm sure.

 

[Amanda]

Get him and neuter. If you find a good vet, then you should be able to have confidence that he will be careful and know what he is doing. You will be saving a life as well. Problems happen, but if you keep an eye on him and check his surgery site often you can find it in time and treat it quickly.

 

[rabbitsncavyluv]

Are you able to have two C&C cages? You could adopt a pair of males and keep them separate.

 

[pennick]

I would definately get a neutered male. Another female can present trouble. Three females can be a problem. You make find that 2 will bond and one will be left out and picked on. Usually with females and one male, everything runs smoothly.

 

[Skyenoir]

Yeah, I was worried about that "third wheel" factor. I don't have the room to have another cage, either, and I would want them all to be together anyhow. I would feel bad if they could only see each other and not be able to interact with each other. I am still thinking about it... Right now money is tight so spending $200+ on neutering might not be possible for a month or so. I was reassessing the situation last night. It stinks because I would really like to save a piggie! If I could find an already neutered male, that would be great, but they aren't so easy to find.

 

[Faunn]

How close is Pleasannton from Santa Rosa? Or SF? If you are gith there, we have a shelter in Healdsburg that neuters there piggys, and dosnt euthanize them, SR also does this...They are 35$ here, dont know about any where else, but probably because they also give them vet visits...U can try, but Im not to sure... If you have a 2+ hour drive (unless you REALLY want them) then think about the piggys NEARER to you.
Kat

 

[pennick]

Yeah, I was worried about that "third wheel" factor. I don't have the room to have another cage, either, and I would want them all to be together anyhow. I would feel bad if they could only see each other and not be able to interact with each other. I am still thinking about it... Right now money is tight so spending $200+ on neutering might not be possible for a month or so. I was reassessing the situation last night. It stinks because I would really like to save a piggie! If I could find an already neutered male, that would be great, but they aren't so easy to find.

If I am not mistaking, when adopting a male they are automatically neutered at no expense to you except for the adoption fee. Please correct me anyone If I am wrong.

 

[LuvMyPiggers]

Same thing I was wondering pennick. If I had a choice (And the same herd size and gender) I would say give the lonely bachelor a lovely home with two beautiful females.

 

[citronsoul]

It depends on the rescue. Some will neuter their males, but others don't.

 

[Ly&Pigs]

Three females can be a problem

This is not necessarily true. I have had 3 sows that lived together wonderfully. Now I have 5 sows that live together wonderfully. It is more dependant on the personality of the pigs than anything.

 

[Faunn]

Well, neutering is 60, so they cut it half I suppose, I should ask...

 

[Skyenoir]

Santa Rosa is about 1 1/2 hours away, SF is about 45 mins. I called a shelter in Antioch, and they don't neuter them, and the adoption fee is $5! Can you believe that? I think that is terrible. It is only going to make their animals go to people that may not really want to take care of them.

I looked at the shelter in Santa Rosa online and it didn't appear there were any pigs for adoption as well as the SF shelter. I was interested in one of the little guys from Cavy Spirit, but I didn't hear back from Teresa and I have to wait to be able to afford the high cost of neutering anyhow. The boy I was interested in isn't neutered I don't think. I was filling out an application and then I thought better of it because of the immediate expense. I don't want to separate the piggies.

I will look again at the other shelters in the area, maybe I am wrong about the animals they have. If anyone knows any more info on the shelters around here or where I might be able to find a neutered male, please let me know either here or through private message! Thanks!

 

[LuvMyPiggers]

Santa Rosa is about 1 1/2 hours away, SF is about 45 mins. I called a shelter in Antioch, and they don't neuter them, and the adoption fee is $5! Can you believe that? I think that is terrible. It is only going to make their animals go to people that may not really want to take care of them.

I looked at the shelter in Santa Rosa online and it didn't appear there were any pigs for adoption as well as the SF shelter. I was interested in one of the little guys from Cavy Spirit, but I didn't hear back from Teresa and I have to wait to be able to afford the high cost of neutering anyhow. The boy I was interested in isn't neutered I don't think. I was filling out an application and then I thought better of it because of the immediate expense. I don't want to separate the piggies.

I will look again at the other shelters in the area, maybe I am wrong about the animals they have. If anyone knows any more info on the shelters around here or where I might be able to find a neutered male, please let me know either here or through private message! Thanks!

That is bad because anymore, $5 is nothing!

 

[suzilovespiggie]

The shelter I got my 2 pigs was $10.00 apiece.