| Q: |
How long do guinea pigs live? |
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| A: |
It's impossible to predict the lifespan of your guinea pig but generally they live for between 4 - 6 years.
As with all animals, genetics and environment play a big part in their life span. It goes without saying that if piggies have the very best of care it increases the chances of living until a ripe old age. Here at the rescue we frequently hear from people who have a piggie over 8 yrs old, we also sadly hear from people who have bought babies only for them to have died within the first year.
Think of them as living for 4 years and then make the most of every day you have them after that.
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| Q: |
Do you do guinea pig / rabbit boarding? |
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| A: |
No,we don't have any boarding facilities.
However you could try ............
www.bobtailbunnies.co.uk based in Kingsteignton, Newton Abbot, South Devon. |
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| Q: |
Do you have any neutered boars available? |
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| A: |
Although we do not routinely neuter males we will undertake to if it is in the best interests of the guinea pig. This may be because he is unable to live with another male because he is a victim/bully or we simply don't have anything suitable to pair him up with. However this operation costs the rescue and consequently we will have to ask for a donation towards this cost.
All neutered males will be shown on the available for adoption page. We NEVER neuter females because of the associated risks.
Please note that neutering a guinea pig does not in anyway alter their behaviour and should NEVER
be used as a solution to boar aggression or fighting. IT WILL NOT WORK. |
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| Q: |
I need to rehome my guinea pigs. Can you take them in and what happens now?
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| A: |
We understand entirely that people's circumstances change and it is not always possible to continue looking after much loved pets. Whilst we do not in anyway promote breeding either we also understand that sometimes people get in a pickle and need help with rehoming baby guinea pigs.. We are not here to make judgements, we are here to help piggies in need.
However, we can only admit a small number of guinea pigs in at any one time as we like to give them as much care and attention as possible so it may be that we do not currently have any available space. In those circumstances we would advise you of other organisations that may be able to help you.
If we do have space Louise from the rescue will come to your home to pick up the guinea pigs. You will be asked to sign a form saying you are the owner and you are relinquishing any further claim on the guinea pigs. It really does not matter what condition the guinea pigs are in or how old they are. However, it is preferable for us to know what they have been eating etc.
All the guinea pigs admitted here are looked after as our own, they are also health checked prior to rehoming. We carefully match up guinea pigs to their new homes and do everything we can to ensure their continued wellbeing. We would like to reassure you that they will be well looked after.
Although the details of their new families would remain confidential if you would like to know how they have settled either with us or in their new homes please telephone us and just ask. Your enquiry would be most welcome. |
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| Q: |
Why do you do home visits? |
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| A: |
All the guinea pigs that come to us for rehoming deserve the very best, they need us to get it right. Many of them have come from situations where they were neglected and unwanted. It simply can't happen again and so we have to safeguard their futures. Part of that process is building up a picture of what their future will be like, how they will live, how they will eat and how they will be cared for, for many years ahead. A home visit gives us an opportunity to see that for ourselves, in an informal and friendly way. It also gives us an opportunity to give hands on advice about hutch siting/set up, bedding and diet, perhaps meet their other pets/piggies and answer any questions. It isn't a pass/fail situation, we are here to help, educate and advise people who would like to share their lives with guinea pigs. It may be that improvements could be made in some areas but it is in all our interests if we work together and the lines of communications remain open.
The guinea pigs in our care have "only us" looking out for their welfare. We wouldn't be doing our job properly if we didn't take the utmost care and make that extra effort when rehoming them. Fortunately, most people respect our way of thinking. |
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