What should I do?

[Cherryrosed]

The following ad appeared in this weeks town newspaper. I live in a small town.

Free to good home. One approximately 1 year old brown Guinea Pig with cage.
(phone number included.)

I don't know if I should go rescue the poor little piggie or if I should call the people with the name and phone number of a ferret rescue. I have 2 girls and don't know if this is a male or a female. I wasn't planning on getting another pig at this time. Would it be okay to take it in as a foster until I find it a better home? It would have to remain in its own cage, which is probably too small, if it is a male. If it is a female I would of course quarantine it and check its health before putting it in with my girls. Please, advice is needed.

 

[Sabriel]

You should at least call them and tell them how dangerous free to good home ads are. They are feeder fodder. They should at least charge some money to screen out the people looking for free snake food.

As for housing a male, I'm expanding my cage's loft to temporarily accomidate him untill he gets neutered. If you want him (if it is a him) could you add a loft to your cage? It's not that hard and it doesn need a ramp (my husband is making me take out the ramp. He says he soesn't trust the boar. Thinks he's gonna get through the cubes or something.) All you need is a few more cubes and a bit more coroplast and it doesn't take up any more floor space. If your cage already has a lid, it's even less work to make a loft.

 

[Cherryrosed]

Thanks. I think I pretty much came to the same conclusion on my own. I can't just ignore the ad. I am really worried about the poor little pigger.

 

[Sabriel]

I hope it all goes well Sometimes we get more then we bargained for.

 

[Slap Maxwell]

Definetilly ask them to charge something. Give them the name of a nearby rescue. I hope somebody bad hasn't already gotten him.

 

[Cherryrosed]

I called the people and they still have him/her. They do have a person coming to look at "Brownie" an Saturday evening. I warned her about people taking free pets for animal food and she was happy to hear the warning. I told her that charging something for the piggie would help to ensure that it went to a good home. I am going to keep calling her until Sunday. If it hasn't gone to a good home by Sunday, I am going to get it. Thanks for all your input. I will let you know how it turns out.

 

[Cherryrosed]

Hello again. I just wanted to let you know that the piggie was adopted by a family with two children. All of them appeared to be excited about getting a pet. I just hope that they read up on caring for it, and it has a good home.