Wanted - in Florida - is this the right place?

[fuzziepig]

This is the only place I see wanted ads, though no where do I see anything specifically saying this is where they go. Would I put it here, or place an ad in the classifieds as if I were adopting out?

If this is the right place, here's my want ad:

I'm needing a buddy for my guy, as the buddy he came with recently died. He gets cuddle time every day, but it's very obvious he's lonely. The local SPCA has one guinea pig right now, but last time I tried getting a buddy there, it died of a URI (can guinea pigs get kennel cough?) within the quarantine period, within HOURS of showing the first signs - so before I could even get him to a vet. When I went back, the over 20 guinea pigs (not to mention gerbils, rats, etc) were mysteriously missing after less than two weeks. I casually asked about it, and everyone seemed to kind of dodge the question of whether they had all been adopted so quickly or not. I mentioned what had happened to the guy I had just adopted, and they simply said it wasn't their responsibility after 48 hours, which I understand fine - I should have taken him to my vet for a wellness check even though they don't have that policy for pocket pets. I'll go there if things start looking bleak (I'll NEVER buy from a pet store. Never have gotten a pet from a pet store or breeder, never will. End of story) but would rather go somewhere I at least somewhat know what I'm getting.

I'm afraid I AM going to have to be a bit picky though, which is why I'm posting here in addition to looking around the usual sites. I want an older male or spayed female, as honestly, I didn't want a guinea pig to begin with (the 'I'm going to take them to a KILL SHELTER if no one takes them!!!!' was pulled on me. Sigh.), and don't want them the rest of my life. My guy is a real treat and I love him to death and would NEVER give him up or just let him be lonely 'til he dies of old age, but I know he won't live forever and don't want an endless cycle of replacing buddies as the older one dies. He is at LEAST 5 years old, maybe even older than 6. I've had him 4 years, and the person before me had him at least a year and he was an adult when she got him. I would LOVE another Peruvian (I can be such a girl when it comes to hair. Once I learned to properly care for it I grew to enjoy it), but short, long, smooth, crazy, etc doesn't really matter. I would prefer darker color as well, as I'd be less tempted to give butt baths so often if I couldn't see yellowing hair (I think that's what did the first buddy in - it was a couple days after a butt bath that he started sneezing).

Of course, I would take a new guy to the vet right away. I've learned my lesson (and in fact, as soon as I get some positive leads I'm taking my guy to the vet for a wellness check as well). I provide free choice Timothy hay all day, a small amount of pellets (oxbow) once a day, and a romaine/cilantro/bell pepper (plus a smidge of any other safe veggies I happen to have) salad twice a day. I also occasionally give fruit as treats, during cuddle time so I know one isn't hogging all the sugar. Right now the cage is only 2x3 (cubes & coroplast) as I'd taken part of it for the quarantine cage (yes, I thoroughly sterilized it before using it), but once two are together it'd be 2x4 with a hay loft. I use carefresh, aspen, fleece, or a combination (depending on how rich/poor/feeling like doing laundry I am that week) as bedding. I spot clean the cage every day, doing a bedding switch every 3-4 days and a complete cage breakdown every 2nd or 3rd bedding switch. All in all, I think they've been pretty well taken care of for pets I didn't want. Not that they've gotten any more or less favoritism than any other animal I have, though admitedly my other animals get more routine vet care.

If anyone out there has what I'm looking for, please drop me a line! Or if I've got this in the wrong place, also let me know and I'll put it elsewhere.

I live in Pinellas Park Florida, but am willing to drive. Can't leave the state right now (in a rental after getting hit by a semi) but I'll go far for the right piggie.

[fuzziepig]

Well, still no luck in finding a buddy. Punky has actually started throwing himself at the side of the cage when anyone walks by. I hold him as much as possible, but can't all the time. There've been a couple ads on craigslist advertising guinea pigs, but no one has responded except one, and she'd already found a home for him.

I'm heading to Gainesville at some point this week, so if anyone lives in the area and might have a buddy for him, please drop me a line.

Thank you!

[Comet]

Hi Fuzzy,

It doesn't look like you have been around since January and may not still be looking, I thought I would let you know that I have a wonderful 7 year old piggy named Comet who I am caring for temporarily because his owner can no longer house him.

It's probably a longshot, but are you still interested in a companion for your piggy? Hopefully you will get this message. Just thought I would try.

I would be happy to drive, too as I live in Jacksonville.

Thanks,

Dana

[cielo]

Hi!

Is a male? If so, Is Comet neutered?

[Comet]

Comet is a male. I am not sure if he has been neutered, but can find out from his owner.

[Pennsylvania Pigger]

Why does he need to be neutered if your current pig is already male? It's entirely possible you tried to explain that and I'm just too sleepy to figure it out. You say you want an older male or a spayed female above.

[cielo]

You did not read right...The original post is from fuzziepig, she wanted a male because she has a male. I am Cielo.

[Pennsylvania Pigger]

Oooookay, sorry about that Cielo and Fuzziepig. That's what I get for reading forums at mignight...

[cielo]

Jajajajaja...No problem with me.