Frustrated One Lonely Piglet

[librarychick]

Hey folks, it's been a while!

Two weeks ago our older pig passed away. It wasn't a surprise at all, except for maybe that she held on so long. Willow was 6 years old, but last January the vet told me she likely wouldn't make another 3 months - well, she made a year. She was happy and eating well right up until the end, which is about the best I could ask for.

However, I'm now left with a dilemma. Molly.

Molly is 4 years old, and has always had an older pig or two around (When I got her she was our third pig, last January we lost Ruth and last month we lost Willow. RIP girlies). I thought at first she'd be ok...but she's really not eating enough. I don't think it's a health issue, as she'll eat fine if I sit with her, but stops eating as soon as I leave the room. Moving her to another spot in our house isn't possible - She lives in a kitty free room, and our 4 cats would definitely stress her out too much for her to be in a more well traveled area. She was a fair bit over weight when Willow passed (I was guilty of spoiling a certain older lady in her last days, Molly benefited as well.), but now she's definitely lost weight.

I've spent the past two weeks looking around on local buy/sell sites, but all the available pigs are either unneutered males or under a year old. I don't want to get a male, since she's never been around one I think even a neutered male would be a bit much for her, and I don't want to be stuck in the same place in 2 years if I adopt a young female!

I've put up ads and asked on facebook, but so far I've had no luck. I have also called my vet to check her over, just in case it is health related, but she can't get us in until next week. I do really think it's just loneliness, but I'd rather have the vet check than be wrong.

Any ideas on how I can help Molly perk up until I can find a solution? I'm already spending a lot more time with her, but since I can't bring her out of her room (because cats) and I work full time as well as have business...there's only so much time I can spend with her.

Anyone in Alberta, Canada who's willing to take in a sweet girl or has an older female who needs a new home?

 

[Saylavi]

(broken link removed) not sure if it's a girl or a boy but this one definitely needs a new home
see if your nearby shelter can't put you on a waiting list

 

[librarychick]

(broken link removed) not sure if it's a girl or a boy but this one definitely needs a new home
see if your nearby shelter can't put you on a waiting list

I am on a waiting list

I wish I could help that poor piggy...but it's 8hrs away.

 

[Omgitspink]

Just keep checking kijiji.. I find it shocking that in Alberta there's not a lot guinea pigs on there. Here in Ontario I'm scrolling past literally twenty a day. Also the shelters here have tons as well. Check an site called petango. It searches all the shelters near you for what you are searching for.

 

[librarychick]

I've got a kijiji alert thing set, so it emails me anytime a guinea pig ad is posted in my area. I'll definitely keep checking!

There are gps posted, but they're all females under a year old, or males. None that fit my criteria in the past 2 weeks. Ditto for the rescues that take small animals.

I'm kind of at a loss for what to try next. I could broaden my kijiji search...but the next big city is 4 hours away, and I can't justify an 8 hour trip for a guinea pig given my current budget.

 

[librarychick]

Well...new dilemma. I found a 3 year old female looking for a home.

Downside is that it's a breeder selling off some of her older breeding stock, she's not willing to rehome her for free.

I don't want to support the breeder...but Molly is stressed and not eating enough. *sigh* hopefully something else turns up tO'Day or tomorrow.

 

[magicpiggie]

(broken link removed) not sure if it's a girl or a boy but this one definitely needs a new home
see if your nearby shelter can't put you on a waiting list

Don't want to derail this thread, but that is horrible! A rabbit AND a guinea pig in a pet store cage! I'm surprised the guinea pig is still alive...

 

[maddy harper]

I wont go in to pet stores because i know how the animals are treeted and where they come from. I know its not their poor falts but if people would stop buying from them then the suffering would end...