Bushpigs Needs Cheering Up

[BUSHPIGS]

How I appreciate all you piggy lovers. I love reading all your news and it is plain to see how much you love and care about Gp's.
As some of you know I took in a further 14 pregnant girls a few weeks ago and now have another 15. At the moment I have 33 babies and as you can imagine many more to follow.
Before I go much further I must reassure you all that even though I have 113 at the moment they are all well cared for.
I very rearly need a vet but I am in the process of "educating" our local vets to the fact that "guineapigs matter".
The reason I don't need a vet very often is my piggies "run free" eg. they are not in cages but have full run of how much land they want. They are guarded by a Maremma stock guardian dog.
They are all checked twice a day as they come in for feed. In Australia we call them "trap yards" and I have used them for cattle and now use them for my piggies. All it means is they come into a yard to be fed and that can be shut off and then any piggie can be caught for inspection.
I have very few problems because they run free but I do have a Ivomec program.
I know most people have piggies for pets eg. in their home etc. and I do have what I call "specials" and these are in cages but the need was so massive I had to come up with a solution for so many unwanted piggies hence the running free and Minty the Maremma.
By the way, I only have females. There is another lady who takes on all the males. She is a wonderful lady and used to show guineapigs but became so disgusted with that she is now helping our little friends by taking on the boys that no one wants. I could truly use another dozen of her!
On a brighter note Honey and Muffin have gone back to their owner and I shall miss them especially Honey-Bun (as I called her). She always came out to greet me even though she had to put up with alot as she has bumble foot and had an ulcer on one of her front paws which was very painful but we got on top of it. She also had "mange" when I first got her and she was magnificant when she went home. Her owner has MS and in a wheel chair but was willing to learn and truly cares for her piggies.
I am a bit down (but not beaten!!) when I get in 29 poor piggies, all pregnant and needing a home and knowing that there is no home for them but I must admit they will have a nice home here and they are loved and cared for. Both these "rescues" were idiots that thought they were going to make big heaps of money selling to pet shops!
If anyone is worried about what they eat etc. please let me know as I don't want to bore you all to tears (think I have gone on long enough!)
You have not idea how much I appreciate this forum and reading about all the genuine love and care.

[daisymaisy2]

Sending a big <<hug>> to you and all the guineas you take care of and the lovely lady for her help.

[Sandy_Acres]

Wow. That is a boat load of pigs! Do any of them ever get adopted?

[Mutty]

You are truly amazing, Bushpigs. Those little piggies are very lucky to have you for a Mama. It's a good job that there are people like you in this cruel world.

You must be absolutely tired out. Do you have any one to help you?

We missed you here on cyberspace. I knew you wouldn't be on holliday though and was hoping that you weren't sick.

We should call you Mother guinea pig.

Cyber Hugs for you and all the little piggies.

[my4gps]

Wow, do you have your hands full! 113 piggies. And most people think I'm nuts for having 4. I know a lot of people here have many more than that.

Anyway, cyber hugs to you and your piggies, also the special lady that helps with all the boys.


I'm curious though, if the pigs are free range, what covers them to keep birds of prey away?

Or is that what the dog does?

[papiggieluverz]

Oh you wonderful lady!! Big hugs from us and our 9 piggies!!

[PiggiesAndMice]

Major hugs from Me, Twix, Hazel, and Jing!

[BUSHPIGS]

Thank you for all those kind words - gives you a boost!

I have done this for 10yrs and never have I seen the numbers so huge.

Sandy Acres One of the reasons I am knee deep in piggies was an article that came out in the paper in January re my "haven for little animals" and I was swamped with calls and became quite excited with the interest shown, thinking people were interested in adopting.
Oh no they weren't, they thought they were going to get free GP's so they could breed.
Not one person was interested in males.
Some people were very rude and in the end my manners weren't too crash hot either but no way were any of the piggies going to doughtful homes.
I have a set of questions I run past people and you can find out pretty quickly what there intentions are.
The only real success I had from this article was I found another lady who would take the boys.
What has happened is I get calls from people who don't want their piggies anymore or turned over to the animal shelter in dreadful condition and they can't cope with them or GP's that have just been let go and living under buildings, the tip etc.
If I don't take them on they have no where to go and I can't turn my back on any of them.
I am just so glad I can cope with the numbers even though it gets a bit overwhelming at times.

my4gps I have never had a problem with birds. The secret is (apart from the Maremma) is you must have plenty of hidy holes as GP's don't like being out in the open. They have tunnels all over the place, plus houses and shelters. They feed mainly in the early morning and late afternoon and appreciate it if you are sitting out there with them. They gain confidence when they hear your voice. You have to be careful at times where you put your feet as they are quite often following you about. They love it when you work in the vegie garden!

Mutty No I don't have any help on a regular basis as most people think I am mad and can't see the point in "bloody guineapigs!!". I am on the widows allowence and work is few and far between so I have plenty of time and don't get tired as I enjoy it. As you can imagine it is constant cleaning of houses which is done on a roster. Usually takes me an hour morning and night to do the feed and water. But it is very worthwhile and I love to see them so happy and it is so interesting watching them all.

[my4gps]

Sounds awesome. God bless you.

[Mutty]

Oh! What alot of cleaning. It takes me half an hour to clean out one, two storey cage, then there is the vacuming of the grass and hay and the washing of their mats and towels. and an hour a day picking enough grass to satisfy their appetite, Then comes the Reward. Their happy little faces and Lap time. It is all worth it.

But I can't for the life of me imagine looking after 113 piggies and more on the way. It sounds like you are happy though although you must get frusterated with people sometimes.

I hope that you win the Lotto. You deserve it Bushpigs.