Adopting I am so lost :( help?

[madelineelaine]

I really want to adopt guinea pigs, but I am having such a hard time. There are so many adds on kijiji in my area that I found, but I'm scared that I might bring home an animal that is unhealthy. Or that they're very sick etc. I don't know what add to chose or how to contact the person or any of that. My original plan was to buy from a petstore, and I know it's better to adopt but this is seriously stressing me out ! :expressio

 

[madelineelaine]

I am so overwhelmed and I just don't know what to do ! I feel bad there are so many pigs out for adoption, and I found a few that sounded good but then my mom said it was too far of a drive. I'm competeing with a pet store that is right around the corner from our house, and my mom really just wants to go there and I feel bad and I know its wrong and I am just freaking out.

 

[MissJean]

A petstore pig has a high liklihood of being sick,too. There have been a lot of horror stories posted on here about that over the years.

A pig requires much effort through the years, and the solutions to problems are not always the most convenient. Pigs also require patience, consider waiting for something closer to come available as practice. When you're young, minutes go by like hours sometimes. There is no need to rush things. You know the benefits of adopting versus buying. Waiting will be all the more rewarding.

Also, don't dismiss the possibility that the pigs owners may be willing to drive a little ways to give you them. I'd like to believe (though it's not always the case) that someone rehoming their pet wants to make sure the animal goes into the best home possible. Even if they say "Pickup only", speaking to them might change their mind if they find you the most suitable option.

Sometimes pigs end up sick shortly after you get them from other people rehoming them. I'd be prepared for this. They are quite good at hiding their illness. Make sure your mother fully understands this as well. I'm assuming she'll be paying for a lot of the pig's needs? if this is the case, your mother needs to be educated and willing as well.

 

[madelineelaine]

She is educated and willing, I haven't shut up about pigs for the past 3 weeks. I want to get them next weekend, that was the deal we made 3 weeks ago. It's complicated to explain, but the sooner I get the pigs the better. I just don't know what to do. All the ads on kijiji are so sad there are just SO many pigs and a lot of people buy them for snake food and that is just completely terrible ! :'( I found an ad on this site and the pigs are SO cute and the ad was typed in proper grammar (n0t lyke dis) so that was promising. It's over an hours drive from here though. If the person could drive them here, or at least meet halfway, that would be an option.

 

[Mastershroom]

Show your mother this site. Pet stores are absolutely the worst place to get a guinea pig from. Many pigs on Kijiji may have been from pet stores in the past, but at the very least, you're not giving the pet store any more money or a chance to get another breeder mill pig. And given that they've lived with their current owners for some time, it's much less likely that they'll be sick than a pig living in a pet store.

Are there any rescues or shelters in your area? That's by far the best route to go; pigs there are (usually) properly cared for and in need of a good home.

Rescues/shelters > Kijiji/Craigslist/other classified-type ads > pet stores.

 

[madelineelaine]

I've looked at some humane societies, but they don't have guinea pigs. I will probably call and ask though, beause the websites may not be up to date. I'd feel most comfortable going to a humane society. This is just a whole fluster of information at once!

 

[Dee_E]

If I may ask, why "the sooner I get the pigs the better." Not trying to challenge you.

Sometimes it is best to back off, hard to do, and look at why we want to do things.

 

[madelineelaine]

Basically I have a deal with my parents that if I abstain from a very self destructive behaviour for a month I can get guinea pigs. It's been 3 weeks. I've never wanted to participate in said behaviour when I've had pets in my room. Pets are also wonderful, they listen to your problems and give a cuddle when you're sad, which is something I need. My mom just emailed a rescue in our area with two adorable guinea pigs to find out how we can adopt them

 

[Dee_E]

That is good to hear! Critters are very understanding of us!

I also want to thank you for sharing that very personal situation.

 

[mufasa]

You have a much better chance of getting healthy pigs from Craigslist or Kijiji or a rescue/shelter than a pet store. I got Mufasa at a pet store and he came with a URI that killed him in 15 days. I know now that he almost certainly came from a breeding mill with cramped, disgusting conditions because that's where pet stores get their "stock." I'm sure most of his cagemates were also sick and shared the same eventual fate.

On the flipside, I got Amy from Craigslist. Although she originally came from a pet store, she'd lived with her family for a year and wasn't exposed to conditions likely to get her sick. They had to get rid of her due to a move. She's been with me now for a month and is healthy, happy, and more than a little opinionated. Craigslist was the much, much better option for getting a healthy pet. You get to see where the animal comes from if you pick it up at the person's home, and you don't open up another spot at the pet store or support a breeding mill by taking that Kijiji or Craigslist pig so there's very little downside. Sure, any pig can be sick, but the chances are much, much lower when you get one from a classified ad, and lower still from an experienced rescue.

 

[CritterLuvva]

Maybe you should ask your mom if she thinks you could afford as many as 10 piggys for a month or two while you work on finding homes for them. Guinea pigs at pet stores are commonly mis-gendered and female pigs (whether you realize they're female or not!) might be pregnant when you get them.

A lot of people who have mental disorders find animals friendly, comforting companions. I'm unable to work and alone, hoping to get my own piggies within the next year.

You can ask rescues if you can get a look around their facilities and see how they care for their animals. Most are friendly and will show you around. You can also ask private homes, who may or may not let you see how they take care of their animals. Use your best judgement whoever you consider adopting from. You don't want to buy from pet stores or breeders as it encourages breeding, which is dangerous for guinea pigs. (1/5 females dies from pregnancy.)

i know you're eager to adopt your first piggies, and hope you find a good pair. Ask questions and be prepared to answer questions. Learn as much as you can so you can be prepared to answer and know how to take care of them once you have them! Getting piggies is exciting; I hope you find the right ones soon.

 

[madelineelaine]

Thank you, I am super excited. I am driving my whole house hold insane. At dinner, I kept wheeking, and on occasion I would blurt out PIGGIES! My parents are very aware of how eager I am. 7 days to go ! I've looked into a local rescue and I'm waiting to hear back. I definitely will look the pigs over. The pair I'm looking at are a year old, and it's a neutered male and female. They looked adorable in the picture.

 

[madelineelaine]

At a pet supply shop the lady suggested I look into finding a breeder and I was like :O NO. Never. I won't support that. Then I left !

 

[Petlovr]

Good for you! I would have left, too. Just take a deep breath and settle down a bit. If you're super excited when you approach the pigs, you'll scare them. It's hard, but try to be calm when you approach them, and speak softly.

You might want your Mom to order this for you while you wait:https://www.guinealynx.info/record_book.html
You can keep track of your pets health and weights in there, and take it to the vet with you if the pigs get sick-it has the best medicines to use and the ones to avoid listed in there.

Your Mom and/or Dad should educate themselves, too, since they'll be paying fo the vet bills. Have them read these following links with you. You don't need to make decisions by yourself.

Check out this link:https://www.guinealynx.info/health.html It tells you what the signs of illness are so when you go to look at the pigs, you can check them out to make sure they are healthy. I know they hide it when they are sick, but just do the best you can, and ask questions.

MAKE SURE YOU SEX THEM YOURSELF BEFORE YOU ADOPT!!!!
See here:https://www.guinealynx.info/sexing.html You do NOT want a pregnant piggie. It's dangerous, and then you have to find homes for the babies.

Good luck, and take your time choosing a pig. They will be with you for a long time.

 

[madelineelaine]

I will definitely sex them, although the pair I want is a male and female. The male has already been neutered, is there any way to tell? It's from a shelter, I don't think they would lie about that.

 

[Petlovr]

No, they won't lie. The testicles will be missing-they are the lumps on either side of where the penis is.

 

[madelineelaine]

okay thank you, I don't want them to have any babies! good news guys! the pigs got put on hold for me while we go through the adoption process I am so happy. The names are Isabella (I'll probably name her izzy) and Felix! Izzy is a deep brown colour with a lighter rump, and Felix is white with some gray patches. They're both smooth haired. They are adorable. I hope I get approved for adoption.

 

[CritterLuvva]

pigtures or link to them?

 

[madelineelaine]

(broken link removed)

You have to scroll down, they're right near the bottom! I think they're adorable.

 

[madelineelaine]

oh wait, when you click the link you have to click "on hold" then scroll