Had to Rescue some Pigs from a "Rescue"

[roosterboy]

I just got back from a "shelter" of sorts. The lady had 7 adult and 4 baby cavies left of whatever she had, two goats, two pot bellied pigs, a turtle, two dogs, a fish tank, bird cages, and the whole place smelled horribly of numerous cats. OMG, I thought. My younger daughter kept asking the lady and me, "Is this the animal shelter?"

We brought home three baby girls and an adult female. She said a real shelter was going to pick the rest up tomorrow, but I wonder about that. She also said she worked in a shelter until recently, and that her daughter works there now. I kinda wonder about that also. The lady had rabbit hutches where she said in better weather she really had things going in the back yard. She was obviously letting all of the animals breed at will.

Funny thing is, I went into that second room knowing there was something there, but I looked into the pen where she had all of the adults together and did not see anything. I thought to myself, "Where is it?" And then once some of the structures were moved around I saw her, the one, and I picked her up.

The lady went on about how this one was this and that, and she couldn't let it out of her care until it was nursed back into shape. The adult girl she said suffers from fits of nervousness where she's chewed her hair off. It was so dark I could barely see her, but I told the lady I would take care of her, and knew what was needed and would do what was needed to bring her to full health. I just held her for 15 minutes, and she looked at me and I looked at her, and she started licking my finger tips and seemed calm.

I suspect the other pigs were fighting with her. The lady said she kept her separate to calm her, and that she started having problems awhile back after she had babies. She did not know if she was pregnant or not at this time, but she might be. She hasn't bitten at her fur once that I've seen, and seems absolutely calm, sitting here watching me.

I think people mean well in the beginning, but find themselves overwhelmed with their love of pets. This lady certainly was. She said she had cancer, and had to take care of her mother, and could no longer spend the time with the animals,...

Wow!

 

[RubyPiggie2]

Oh wow. That was great of you to take some animals off of her hands. I'm suprised she's letting them breed although she's trying to get rid of them. The girl pig obviously wasn't doing too good. You should be proud of yourself for rescuing them, it was a great thing. I can't believe that woman let things get out of control like that. Totally irresponsible. At least they are going to be in a better place, either in your home, people's homes, or just in a shelter. Sounded quite... disgusting, I guess. Were all the cages clean, or dirty, or something? Good Job!

 

[tashagurl]

The hair-cutting thingis called barbering. Lots of pigs do it, including two of my girls. My girls cut their hair like the first picture. Check this link out.https://www.guinealynx.com/hairloss.html#barbering Keep us posted on her progress.

 

[agpiggy]

Good on you for doing the right thing....that deserves a high five

 

[CavyCrazyMom]

Are you from southern california too?? Is this that lady on TV with all the pigs and stuff?? All I can do is pray for her because with 5 rescue under my roof, if I take anymore I'll end up like her. Good for you. Take care of that sweet girl, I can sence a strong bond between you and her. Kindered spirits you know. Good luck!

 

[critterlover]

Wow! I couldn't imagine that many pets in one home. She obviously loves animals, but can't cope anymore. That's a wonderful thing you did taking home all those pigs. I'm sure they'll be very happy with their new life. Let us all know about your new adult girl and when she gets better.

 

[RubyPiggie2]

Oh, forgot to add... I know that she must have loved animals, but she shouldn't have allowed them to breed or anything. That was the irresponsible part.

 

[CavyCrazyMom]

BTW I meant porcine pigs, not cavy pigs lol...

 

[roosterboy]

The lady had the mom and four four-week pups in a ten gallon fish tank. The bedding there had just been changed. She had all the others in a single cage. I said, "You know, if they're together they'll have babies," and she said, "Oh, I know it, but it's only temporary until the shelter comes to pick them up." I think she just said that. I don't think she had much of a clue, except I think she was realizing she was overwhelmed. Sadly, I think she gives some of the animals up and just continues on the same way again.

This isn't just barbering. There are nicks and stuff too, and hair is gone from where she can't reach, but there is hair still on her legs. She's a doll though. I said, "She seems calm enough," and the lady and her daughter said, "Oh, yeah, she's the calmest one, isn't she sweet?" It didn't all add up.

I put the piggy we call Momma with the pups and she seemed interested in them. They started wheeking and following her around. They stay right next to her and she is right up next to them looking like a proud mommy. She follows them around also and looks really happy with them. I think she is trying to dig a nest in the corner, and then they all go squeeze in there with her. We'll see how that goes.

I'm in Petaluma, north of SF. I think the rescue stories happen all over the place.

 

[mncavylover]

Good job, roosterboy! Thanks a ton for doing the right thing. Are there still more cavies and animals there? If so, have you notified a shelter?

 

[roosterboy]

Though I could not confirm the story, I took the lady at her word that she was giving them up except for one of them. The daughter placed the craigslist ad, so I think she is dealing with the cavies,and I think the other animals, so her mom does not have to, and supposedly she works at a place. I don't think any laws were being broken, but the whole house was a shock to me. The folks living there didn't seem to think anything of it, and they didn't seem to be abusing the animals, just litterally living with them. In fact, the house was as crowded with people as it was with animals. And the lady and daughter were barefoot. Talk about "earthy."

 

[mncavylover]

Ok, thanks for clearing that up. =)