Adopting Adoption vs. Buying at a pet store

[alyssa.doherty]

I really don't want an argument or anything, but I was just wondering why it's so bad to buy a guinea pig from the pet store? I mean, granted, I know there are lots of piggies that need homes and everything, but don't the piggies at the store need one, too? That part just gets me. We only have one local pet store around where I live and everytime I go there to get MY piggies food, I just want to take all of them home.

 

[ILoveMillie]

When you "rescue" a guinea pig from the pet store you're not rescuing the poor female guinea pig who now has to breed again and again to produce more babies. They sit in a wire cage, no food or anything. They are never held, they only use for them is to make more guinea pigs. Are you rescuing the next little guinea pig that takes the one you purchased place? Now the new one has to live in a terrible aquarium with 5+ other guinea pigs. Are you rescuing the father guinea pig, who is only used for breeding as well?

Trying not to be harsh, but it's the truth. When you purchase a guinea pig from a pet store they just force the females back at the breeding mill to make more babies and another guinea pig takes it's place. How is that helping anything?

When you rescue or adopt a guinea pig from a rescue or shelter, you're not making room for another guinea pig who's mom is still stuck at a breeding mill. You're making room for another guinea pig who needs rescuing.

Just wanted to add: I'm not saying that the guinea pigs at pet store don't need a home too, it's just purchasing them starts up the whole breeding process again and that's why there are so many guinea pigs at shelters already.

 

[MissJean]

If you buy from a petstore, that money gives the breeders a profit. Your money will be used to breed more pigs. The sows might be bred back-to-back (pregnancy after pregnancy), and who knows what kinds of people will purchase the pups. You would be funding a vicious cycle that kills guinea pigs as well as puts some into the rescues. If they make it to the rescues in the first place.

 

[CavyMama]

There has already recently been a thread taking on this very topic. I'm not sure there is need to start a new one.

To answer your question, here is a thread that will help:
https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/47359/

 

[alyssa.doherty]

Thank you guys for the information. I actually got "into" guinea pigs because of not being able to have a dog where I moved to. I love the 2 I have with all of my heart and I hope they know it. I just feel so bad for the little ones at the store. I'm in the middle of trying to adopt this one piggie that's being fostered an hour away from where I live. I'm really looking forward to helping make her life so much better. Thanks again. I had no idea..

 

[alyssa.doherty]

There has already recently been a thread taking on this very topic. I'm not sure there is need to start a new one.

To answer your question, here is a thread that will help:
https://www.guineapigcages.com/threads/47359/

Thanks.