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These are very common
reasons that we hear when people are trying to surrender a guinea
pig or pigs to the rescue. So before
adopting, please consider all of the following, and don't get a
guinea pig or pigs unless you are ready to commit to giving them a home
for the rest of their lives. Also, please see our
'Is Adopting For You' page for
more information to consider.
The kids aren't interested
anymore:
Guinea pigs can be 'their' pet, but parents should always make sure
they are being taken care of, and getting the proper care, and they
shouldn't be gotten if there is any chance of this happening.
They need more attention
than I have time for:
Guinea pigs are not just pets that you take home for their cuteness,
put them in their cage, feed them every once in a while, and be done
with. They need to be handled and be able to get out of the cage
daily.
I'm going to college soon
and he/she can't come with me:
If a student in high school is almost in college, then there should
already be a back-up plan for when it's time for college. Guinea
pigs can't just be there for the high school year to then be dumped
when it's time to move on to 'bigger and better' things.
I'm moving out of Georgia and I can't bring
him/her:
If you know you are moving before getting a guinea pig(s) then you
should either be able to bring them or wait. If you are moving,
maybe get somebody to pig-sit while you are packing and moving
things, then get them when you're ready and settled in. Moving can
make keeping your guinea pigs harder, but not necessarily
impossible.
They got too big:
Guinea pigs can get up to a couple of pounds, and can be pretty big,
definitely larger than a hamster, though not as large as a cat or
dog. If what you are wanting is a little pet for the palm of your
hand, then a guinea pig is not for you.
They bred and I can't find
homes for the babies:
Please be a responsible guinea pig owner. If you get two guinea pigs
and have them together, you should double check to make sure that
they are the same sex, unless one or both of them is neutered. If
you have guinea pigs housed together that are physically able to
breed, they will. If you intentionally breed (please never breed
your guinea pig, there are way too many that already need help) then you should
have homes ahead of time, for as much as eight guinea pigs, though
there are typically three or four.
They were given to me
because their previous owner couldn't keep them, and now I'm unable
to:
If you don't know about guinea pigs and how to take care of them,
then you shouldn't get them. If you do end up 'rescuing' them, then
please either have a plan to get them a new home, or be prepared to
keep them. |