Guinea Pig Home

n5b77 · 09-25-2007, 09:59 PM

I've owned guinea pigs from pet stores in the past. I was unaware that there were any other options. I am now looking to get two baby piggies. I thought that going to a GP show was the answer to avoiding pet stores. This forum makes breeders sound just as bad as pet stores. I really would like 2 healthy baby piggies of the same sex. I am willing to adopt, but I'd like to have healthy baby piggies. Is this possible?

Location: Southwest MI/ Northeast IN

Thanks

Cavylvr · 09-25-2007, 11:04 PM

I would say you have pretty good chances of finding some babies. Lurk around here and any other adoption places you can find that are in your area. It seems there is always a pregnant momma being dumped somewhere. I am hoping to soon adopt a mom/daughter duo. But there were some siblings that went to new homes too. With patience and a keen eye you are sure to find what you are looking for.

Foggycreek · 09-25-2007, 11:15 PM

Oh yes. Rescues often get in pregnant females, or babies. Keep looking--perhaps contact rescues and let them know what you are looking for.

I know babies are cute, but really, I prefer adult pigs. They are more calm, and easier to hold and pet. Babies are too busy exploring and running around, and they like to nibble on everything (including fingers).

Read this page on pet stores. There is also information about breeders on it-- http://www.cavyspirit.com/petstores.htm

n5b77 · 09-25-2007, 11:29 PM

Thanks, I saw cavyspirit's website first. It sparked my interest in adoption. Are guinea pigs from shelters just as likely to be sick/have mites/ sexed wrongly. Are people at shelters usually well versed in guinea pig care?

daisymaisy2 · 09-26-2007, 04:43 AM

With my experience, the rescue knew what they were talking about. Of course you could come across not so informed ones also.

Foggycreek · 09-26-2007, 09:58 AM

There is a difference between shelters and rescues.

Shelters often don't know anything about guinea pigs, focusing on cats and dogs. They can, and do, missex them. They also euthanize. Some shelters are lucky enough to have cavy smart people volunteering for them, or they work in conjunction with a cavy rescue.

Rescues are mainly run by people who specialize in a certain breed or species. They are non-kill. They are usually quite knowledgable about the animals they rescue.

A shelter animal could be missexed, and could have parasites or other health problems. However, they desperately need a home.

A rescue animal is usually healthy. Most rescues can tell you the animal's personality and background info.

papiggieluverz · 09-26-2007, 01:01 PM

I like older guinea pigs as well! Are first piggie that we bought from a pet store, was younger and only lived 3 days. After that we found that we could adopt and wanted older pigs so that we knew they were healthy. Most of our piggies are over 3 years old and we love them!

There are so many pregnant guinea pigs being dropped off at shelters, there are always babies around!, Good luck in your search, make sure you come back and show us pictures.

I have seen that most shelters mis-sex them and also keep them all in the same cage, were always looking to see if they show the males and females all in one cage and email them to tell them they should try to sex them and seperate them.

n5b77 · 09-26-2007, 06:07 PM

Thanks everyone, I'm nervous about getting two guinea pigs, just because I have no experience myself in determining their sex. I'm hoping I can find a knowledgable person to ask before I bring my pigs home.

Also, To share. When I was calling sign stores about the coroplast, I told them it was for a guinea pig cage. It turns out they have an old sign that they printed and no one has picked up in a year. They said its free for me if I just come pick it up! So be sure to tell the sign stores that it is for a guinea pig cage when you get your coroplast!

n5b77 · 09-26-2007, 06:08 PM

PS: The sign is only printed on one side, so the pigs will be exposed to the blank side.

WHEEK · 09-27-2007, 01:46 AM

Nice coroplast find! It also pays to ask for scraps. Scraps are great for making ramps, haylofts, and tunnels. The sign supply store I go to has a warehouse where they sell scraps for $2 a lb. They commonly have full size sheets in the scrap area, just because they're a bit scuffed.

I also prefer adults. I did adopt one of mine as a 3 week old baby, but the other 3 came as adults. She could fit through the target grids at first, something to keep in mind if you do get a baby. Now, the popcorning and zoomies are very fun, but next comes that pesky adolescence. Babies will pee and poo in your lap, IF you manage to get them to hold still long enough. And with adults, you'll know what kind of personalit ies they have, without having to wait a year for them to grow up.

Also, even if you do ultimately decide to go the baby route, you might consider getting an adult and a baby, rather than two babies. They will most likely get along just fine, as long as you give the older some place to escape from the immature antics of the baby. Two babies, on the other hand, will go through adolescence at the same time, and may fight like crazy.

Have you tried petfinder yet? Petfinder will list gps at dedicated rescues, as well as those at cat/dog rescues. A dedicated rescue won't missex their pigs. cat/dog people might. Adult pigs are FAR easier to sex, though. Babies, not so easy.