Rehoming Safe Rehoming Tips?

[Squeeky]

I have four young male guinea pigs that are ready for new homes. I rescued their mother who had been listed as "free snake food" off of craigslist. After her second trip to the vet it was confirmed that she was pregnant!

Now they're 3 weeks old and have been separated from mom and her female companion. I'd like to find them a caring guinea pig-experienced home, but I'm at a loss of how to go about it properly. I have them posted on guinea pig zone and flyers at their vet. Does anyone else have other suggestions? I'm not in a rush and I want to make sure I find the right situation for them. I toyed with keeping them but I'm definitely at my maximum pet-wise right now. Any advice would be appreciated!

 

[Starthecavy123]

Just ask them questions like have they researched guinea pig info. Have they ever had guinea pigs before. Make sure they know they do better in pairs. Also ask if they already have a guinea pig(s). If they do ask for the genders and make sure they aren't gonna breed.

If they have never had guinea pigs before sending them home with a care sheet would probably help. I've never had to rehome pigs before so if anyone wants to correct me on this please do.

 

[MrWhistles]

Ask for pictures of where they will be kept.
Ask what food they'd be given on a daily basis, what their vet will be, what bedding would be used....

Personally, I'd type up a nice contract stating that the pigs will not be used for food, breeding, will be provided vet care when needed and cared for as best as possible. If something happens and they cannot keep the pigs, they should be brought back to you or to an approved rescue or shelter. If the following will not be honored, they'd legally be required to surrender the pigs back to you.

I did this for Mr. Whistles when I was going through college and a full time job. Knowing that he was going to a family with daughters, he would have a high chance of being rehomed within the year. Thankfully, he came right back to me and I vowed to never purposely become too busy to care for my animals.

 

[Squeeky]

The contract is a good idea! If things didn't work out for some reason I would take all four of them back in a heartbeat, even if it was years down the road. I'd hate for them to end up as snake food like their mom, or in a breeding situation like the one I got Henrietta from. She was a breeding program cull, her coloration apparently made her worthless. Her genetics puts her at risk of producing lethal white babies.

 

[Starthecavy123]

Yes I like that contract idea to. Since you posted an add on guinea pig zone I doubt you'll have to worry about breeders. Most people don't even know about guinea pig zone unless they have done their research. I know I didn't know about them when I got Star. I would have definitely used them but I made the mistake of buying from a pet store. Although I would never had changed a thing after I got him but I do wish I had adopted. But anyway since guinea pig zone is a sister site to guinea pig cages they don't alow breeders. So I think you will be safe posting an add there. But again I do like the contract idea.

 

[AmberCalzone]

Here is the application I used when adopting out my babies (I also adopted a pregnant guinea pig). Feel free to use the entire application, or pick and choose the questions you like

Gender of Guinea Pig:
Amount you would like to Adopt:

1. How large is the cage you're planning on housing them in; how many other guinea pigs will also be housed in the cage?

2. How often do you feed fruits and vegetables, what is the quantity, what type will you feed?

3. Is this a child's pet, a family pet, or a pet for yourself?

4. Where in the home will the cage be located?

5. Please describe the feeding needs of a guinea pig in as much details as possible - include specific amounts, please.

6. Who will be responsible for cutting nails, how often will it be done, and what age will it begin?

7. Do you plan on breeding guinea pigs, or do you already breed guinea pigs?

8. How much "out of cage time" will the guinea pig receive on a daily basis?

9. How much of this "out of cage time" will be floor time, and how much of it lap time?

10. Do you currently have any guinea pigs? If so, what are their ages and sexes? Do you plan on housing your current and new guinea pig(s) together, if so, do you have experience with introductions?

11. Would you object to a home visit? If you do or you live out of state, I request pictures of your guinea pig's cage set up.

12. Is anyone in your family allergic to hay, grass, etc?

13. What type of bedding will be used?

14. What is the lifespan of a guinea pig? If something were to come up, where you can no longer take care of the guinea pig, do you have a plan on where it will go?

15. Do you rent your home, or own it? If you rent it, written permission for your landlord is required.

Adoption Fee: (enter here)
Available for Adoption On: (enter date here)

Hope to hear back from you soon!
-(your name)

 

[MrWhistles]

Yes I like that contract idea to. Since you posted an add on guinea pig zone I doubt you'll have to worry about breeders. Most people don't even know about guinea pig zone unless they have done their research. I know I didn't know about them when I got Star. I would have definitely used them but I made the mistake of buying from a pet store. Although I would never had changed a thing after I got him but I do wish I had adopted. But anyway since guinea pig zone is a sister site to guinea pig cages they don't alow breeders. So I think you will be safe posting an add there. But again I do like the contract idea.

But there may still be the chance of a risk taken. I'm not sure if you saw the user, but there was a user who was a breeder and was using the GPZ to sell her pigs.

 

[MrWhistles]

I like [MENTION=31096]AmberCalzone[/MENTION] 's questions.

 

[Starthecavy123]

But there may still be the chance of a risk taken. I'm not sure if you saw the user, but there was a user who was a breeder and was using the GPZ to sell her pigs.

I know wasn't it the one Zombie Queen posted because she accidentally rehomed Jasmine to her? I was just saying that because its not very common. But of course you always need to be careful.

 

[MrWhistles]

I don't remember if it was tied to ZombieQueen. But yes, care should always be taken when rehoming any animal.

 

[Starthecavy123]

I've had to rehome my cat and dog before for reasons I had no choice over but I was very careful. My cat went to an elder lady who had moved and couldn't bring her cat so she was looking for another. She was very nice she lived alone her children were grown and everything. So Kelsey would be the only thing keeping her company and she was also retired so. But anyway Kelsey got a great home luckily Kelsey and her new mommy were elderly, Kelsey was about 9 years old at the time. Duke my pug I think got a good home his new family had kids and another pug for him to play with. They also got him neutered. I only met the mom but she seemed pretty nice. Oh and don't worry the kids weren't that young I think the youngest daughter was like 8 and the eldest daughter was like 13. And they had a big backyard with a fence for him to roam in. Sadly I didn't do a contract with them because for one thing I wouldn't of been able to take them back. I'm sorry now I'm rambling haha.

 

[Zombie Queen]

Twas me. But I do like these questions! Would it be rude to ask to see their prospective new home? Or is that totally crazy? I think there is always a chance that the person could have ulterior motives for wanting your guinea pig but with the application, pictures and even a contract, that would weed out most of the crazies. I wish I had done a contract.

I foster the occasional piggy still when someone is in need of finding their guinea pig a new home, and I'll be using contracts and these steps mentioned in this thread in the future. I think it'll help re home the guinea pigs to a safer, more loving home that will most likely be permanent.

 

[CavyHouse]

I would ask them for the dimensions of their cage and what type cage it is. Don't feel bad asking for a photo of the cage if you need to. And definitely ask where the cage will be kept. I had one person give me dimensions for her pet store cage that I knew were inflated. So she brought me the cage and told me that it was big enough - 2' x 4' or whatever. I said no way and went and got a tape measure. It was like 1 1/2' x 2 1/2'. She went home without any of my piggies, needless to say.
Find out what other animals the family has. If they have dogs or cats, find out what their prey drive is like and how they'll protect the piggies. If the dog ends up having a lot of prey drive, what will they do with the piggies?
If the family has kids under the age of 6, find out how they'll ensure the piggie's safety. Kids that young can't safely handle pets.
You might tell them what the costs of a vet visit is how much it costs to get xrays, teeth trimmed under anaesthesia, ovarian cysts removed etc and see if that would be a problem. Or you can just ask them how much they're willing to spend on vet bills if the guinea pig can have a quality life.

 

[PiggieWigglies]

@Rodent Cuddles is very good at rehoming tips, she has a legit rescue and is very good at choosing homes for her little piggles :3

 

[Squeeky]

Thank you so much for all the advice and example questions! I feel much more confident going into the adoption process now.

 

[Agrimony]

I think the adoption app posted by @AmberCalzone is great!

The only part I would personally allow some leeway on is home visit/ landlord permission. Pictures of cage are fine and home visits could be good but I personally,as a nervous single female, would not allow someone into my house like that. I filled out a similar app to adopt my pigs, and my lease stating pets were allowed was enough. The rescue I went through offered 2x4 cages included with their adoption fee. I'd think a picture should be enough proof, but the questions on basic guinea pig care are very good ones! Many people honestly don't know, or know incorrect information and are well intentioned just misinformed.

 

[MrWhistles]

Obviously through a reputable rescue, you shouldn't fear someone coming to visit the pigs you adopted from them. I send pictures to the rescues I adopt from every few months.

 

[Agrimony]

If the home visit is pre adoption you wouldn't know necessarily. I keep in touch now with the person I adopted from but if a requirement was someone came to my house I would not have adopted from them.

 

[Squeeky]

A potential home has been found for one pair of boars. A nice couple recently lost their 7 year old boar and are now looking for a young pair of boys. They seem knowledgeable and I am excited to see if it will be a good match!

 

[Starthecavy123]

That's great to hear.