Rehoming advice on downsizing guinea pigs :(

[Flower]

Long story short I must re-home all but 2 or 3 of our guinea pigs. This is SO HARD!!! Kids and I are attached to them all and don't want to find new homes for any, but we have to... So, I am seeking advice on which guinea pigs to rehome...

We have 3 boys which are all texel / peruvian mixes. It is so calming to sit and pet them because their fur is wooly and they are so docile. They hate being picked up and will rocket around like crazy to avoid it. But once you pick them up, they are like little cuddly teddy bears and really enjoy being cuddled. They stretch out for their rubs, sniff and sometimes give kisses. They play and popcorn, but don't get into the same trouble as 2 of my girls do, Lol. They are a little more high-maintenence with their type of fur and being males, you know.... but their lovey sweetness makes up for it.

Then we have 3 girls. One is hairless and super hyper. She is always up to something and has the funniest antics. She also makes the most adorable expressions and is super vocal. I honestly think she's the smartest one. Her partner in crime is a peruvian mix I think, her long hair is super shiny and soft. She is a real sweetheart and the most adorable one, but also energetic. And finally, we have an american shorthair that we took in about 9 weeks ago. She should have babies any day. She looks like an Irish Setter Guinea Pig, lol. She's that red and beautiful. Sadly, she came to us pregnant. I can't tell but I am thinking maybe she'll have 2 or 3 babies. (Going off what I can feel on her belly.) She is the most outgoing piggie ever. She seeks attention, gives kisses, and loves to be held. She is not a clown like the other 2 girls, nor is she as expressive. But she is a real sweetheart. She acts like she is so happy to be with us! Obviously I am keeping her until her babies are weaned. But then I will also have babies to rehome. And who knows, she may have way more than 3 babies... ?

I take excellent care of all our piggies. They have big cages (boys / girls in separate rooms), unlimited hay & pellets, and we go thru veggies like crazy! They are brushed, played with, read to, and have roaming time everyday. We really enjoy them! So it's just to hard to decide.

If YOU had to rehome all but 2 of these pigs, which ones would you keep? Kids and I sat down and made lists several times, but we can't make a decision and the kids break out in tears crying to keep them all. I wish we could, but we can't. I would appreciate honest advice. Thank you!

 

[jm_1234]

Is there any reason why you have to re-home them? Is it just to much work having a big herd? I have 7 guinea pigs soon to be 8 so I understand the amount of time/work they are but in my opinion it is worth it. Why don't you let whoever wants some to pick which ones they like, that way you don't have to decide, the decision is made for you

 

[Flower]

We had planned to finally settle down. As a couple / family we have lived & moved from Europe to East Coast & back to 3 diff places in Europe ... and then back to the States... After a year of deciding to stay here, we are not after all. Also have dogs and now birds. Easier to re-home piggies while still young. We have to keep the dogs no matter what & will do our best to keep our birds.

That's a good idea to let someone else pick, but I wanted to rehome them as group of either all boys or all girls (after babies weaned). Are you saying let them pick either group or just one / two? (The groups are bonded.) Thank you

 

[jm_1234]

Awwww...thats to bad. I could only imagine how hard this must be especially with children involved. My kids would de devastated if we had to give away their piggies so I really feel for you. I think it will be harder to get someone to take a herd since most people prefer pairs. If you could find someone to take a bonded group that would be ideal and yes if you are having a hard time deciding I would let the person taking them decide. If you are going to give away your pregnant one I would make sure she goes to someone who knows what they are doing. Another option would be to keep your pregnant piggie and give away everyone else and keep her with a daughter and give away the rest.

 

[pinky]

You're moving back to Europe? Won't that be a stressful move for the ones you think you might keep? In all honesty, if you're moving overseas, I don't think I'd bring any along because I don't think it would be fair to have them confined for the trip.

 

[Flower]

Don't know where yet... So moving is ultra-stressful for guinea pigs? More so than for other pets?

 

[PigPandemonium]

Yes, it's more stressful for them than other pets, plus they could only have water on stops, since a water bottle whilst driving would leak, so there would have to be a ton of stops. I would recommend just re homing them all if you would have to go through all that, it would be much to stressful for them.

 

[Flower]

Oh no... This is terrible. I thought we could manage with a just a few.

 

[pinky]

I think it would be way too stressful for a guinea pig. Even if they'd be able to be in a carrier under your seat, it'd get messy and wet in there. The change in cabin pressure would probably be really painful for them and the trip would be way too long to be in a carrier. I'd never have a pet fly in the cargo section of a plane, either. There are too many cases of animal deaths and lost pets.

 

[Flower]

Well, wow... this is just SO depressing... Thank you for your honesty, though. My kids are going to really have a hard time with this... Me too.

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

If you are driving to your new home I think that it is do-able to move pigs, even if the drive is a long one. With birds, dogs and kids you will be making plenty of stops anyhow. For driving long distances with pigs, these* types of water bottles do not leak but pigs need to be trained to them first. Litter like pine shavings or Yesterday's News is better than fleece for travel as well. I do agree with what others have said about flying over seas with them, that would probably be way too much for such little easily stressed animals. I would not fly mine overseas but I would drive them across the country.

*These are the water bottles I am talking about:

https://www.bunnyrabbit.com/brcom.html

Sorry for the disjointed post my brain feels extra scattered today.

 

[pinky]

If you are driving to your new home I think that it is do-able to move pigs, even if the drive is a long one. With birds, dogs and kids you will be making plenty of stops anyhow. For driving long distances with pigs, these* types of water bottles do not leak but pigs need to be trained to them first. Litter like pine shavings or Yesterday's News is better than fleece for travel as well. I do agree with what others have said about flying over seas with them, that would probably be way too much for such little easily stressed animals. I would not fly mine overseas but I would drive them across the country.

*These are the water bottles I am talking about:

https://www.bunnyrabbit.com/brcom.html

Sorry for the disjointed post my brain feels extra scattered today.

I agree with everything you've said. My comment was intended as a response to a relocation overseas or by air. Driving long distances is very doable as long as you stop. There's a woman I know from our rescue that has a summer home across the country and makes the trip each year by car with her guinea pigs. She stops at pet friendly motels and sets up a grid pen for overnight. She gives them wet veggies for the car ride so they don't get dehydrated. It's all a matter of careful planning.

 

[Inle_Rabbit]

I was just commenting in general. The OP said they didn't know where they were moving and no one had mentioned that driving with GPs is OK to do so I thought I would just throw it out there in a very scattered sort of way. lol