Adopt, Support or Start a Rescue, Report Abuse, Petfinder

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Lynx
Celebrate!!!

Post   » Sat Jul 24, 2004 11:52 am


Are you looking for a guinea pig? Give a home to a needy animal!

Check www.guinealynx.info/.html

Or perhaps Petfinder will have your new pet listed. On the left had bar at Petfinder, choose "Small & Furry", for Breed enter "Guinea Pig", then enter your city/state OR zipcode. Click GO and the listings in your area will be displayed.

If you can´t find a rescue in your area, try your local ASPCA, Humane Socitey, Animal Control or check bulletin boards at local pet supply stores.

Before you select a pet, do all the reading you can to ensure you can provide a good home and adequate care. A good place to start reading is RAISING A HEALTHY GUINEA PIG.

Please consider providing a spacious home for your pet. Check out CavyCages.com for great, inexpensive cage ideas.

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PETFINDER is a useful tool to both find and place guinea pigs. Charybdis writes more about using this service for rescuers in a post about Petfinder: https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=3254

REPORT PETCO ABUSE:
jul312 will provide contact numbers if they are needed. See: https://www.guinealynx.info/forums/viewtopic.php?t=13682

STARTING A RESCUE:
Snowflakey posted a list of threads discussing starting a rescue or fostering for a rescue or ASPCA: thread list

SUPPORT RESCUES:
And lastly, make sure you support a rescue. For some ideas (and to help out Cavy Spirit) see:
Supporting Our Rescuers

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And for those who wonder "Why Adopt?":

Why should you adopt a guinea pig, you ask? It is so much more than simply giving a rescued animal a home.

Reputable rescues:
  • Are familiar with the health of the animal and generally treat for parasites and other common conditions.
  • Know something about the animal's personality (this is so much more important than looks)
  • Can provide you with care information.
  • Can help you decide if a guinea pig is the right pet for you.
Myths:
  • Rescued guinea pigs are older and have problems.
The reality:
  • Rescued guinea pigs are less likely to come to you ill, more likely to be friendly, have been handled more, and come in all ages.
What you're likely to find at a petstore:
  • Unknowledgeable staff (sales of small cages and inappropriate foods are common)
  • Mixed sexes in the store and inaccurate sexing of guinea pigs sold (often leading to unexpected and risky pregnancies in very young guinea pigs)
  • Ill guinea pigs (no disinfecting between shippments; lack of interest in health of pups [too costly]; frequent respiratory infections)
  • Dangerous medical advice (this is born out time and time again on the medical forum)
One has no idea where petstore guinea pigs come from -- cavy pet mills, breeder rejects, unexpected pregnancies from customer's pigs. In all these cases, medical problems are common.

The average new pet owner has no idea how quickly a guinea pig can go downhill. He/she may not realize how important veterinary care is to the health of a pet. Most rescues will not only provide a wonderful relatively healthy pig, but will make sure you understand how to keep that pig healthy.

So check out a rescue! You'll not only be doing a wonderful thing for a homeless guinea pig or two, but you're more likely to get a pet to love and cherish for years to come! -- written by Lynx

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