Adopt a Guinea Pig in PA/NJ/NY/WV: Nov 4, 2007

NJ-Somerset Regional Animal Shelter-boar; tips

Somerset Regional Animal Shelter is an award winning shelter that cares for about 1,000 animals a year. The shelter also provides humane education to schools and other interested groups.

ADOPTED! Aaaaand, they have a handsome guinea pig named Licorice!

To be honest, the description they provide for Licorice worries me a bit. So I'm just going to post his picture, and refer you to some sites to read up about how to care for this cutie.

Learn about a proper sized cage here: C&C Cages
Learn about Guinea Pig diet from Guinea Lynx here.
And now that you know about quality pellets and unlimited hay, visit Kleenmama's Loft.
Learn about Guinea Pig bedding from Cavy Spirit here.
Learn about "what's normal" in a guinea pig from Guinea Lynx here.
Learn about what providing a "forever home" for Licorice implies here, another valuable Guinea Lynx page.

The sites that I've linked to aren't nearly as many as I could. Guinea Pigs are complicated animals, socially and medically. It's important to learn as much about them as possible before adopting, and stay open to new knowledge.

For example, if you're putting Vitamin C in your guinea pig's w a t e r, you've got some reading to do!

helpful links: Quality Hay and Pellets in bulk & Pampering your Pig & Cheaper, Larger Cages & Bedding & Essential Guinea Supplies & Proper Diet & Cavy Savvy Vets & "What's Normal? What's Not?" & "What is Rescuing and Adopting?"

356

NJ-Craigslist-an "it"

* If responding to a Craigslist ad meet in a public place, or
go with a friend. Google the phone number of the poster
to ensure it matches the name he or she gives *

LISTING EXPIRED. South Jersey (Pennsville), Guinea Pig being dumped for fr33. Sex not specified. The guinea pig is very friendly. Stepparent bought guinea pig for stepson for Christmas, and the son was allergic. To paraphrase, the poster hates to get rid of "it," but doesn't have time for "it." So the guinea pig might die.

Don't buy pets as presents for other people. Pets are the presents
you give to yourself after thorough research.

355

PA-CompAnimals

CompAnimals is a really wonderful rescue. They focus on rescuing "unadoptable"animals, and to date have saved over 700 animals. They're in need of foster homes, and have a mailing address in Landenberg, PA.

ADOPTED! There is nothing unadoptable about Bubba though! She is a big lovable lug of a guinea who was rescued from a local SPCA. She loves to squeak and eat carrots (great for the occasional treat).

The other guinea who was at CompAnimals has been adopted, so she's all alone. Can you bring her to her forever home?

354

PA-Craigslist-two sows

* If responding to a Craigslist ad meet in a public place, or
go with a friend. Google the phone number of the poster
to ensure it matches the name he or she gives *

POST DELETED. Bonded three year old sows in Munhall, PA need a new home. Adoption fee includes cage, water bottles, cage supplies, carrier, food, treat, toys, and two leashes. My usual suggestion for leashes is to use them as abstract art. But they could also make a kicky trim on a vintage skirt.

353

NY-Craigslist-Two Listings

* If responding to a Craigslist ad meet in a public place, or go with a friend. Google the phone number of the poster to ensure it matches the name he or she gives *

LISTING REMOVED. S o w b e i n g d u m p e d for fr33 in Bloomfield, NY (near Rochester). Two and half year old sow, all yellow. She comes with her cage (probably not large enough, check out C&C cages for a larger, cheaper, and necessary alternative), water bottle, and two pigloos. She is friendly and active. The poor girl, she sounds beautiful and sweet.

LISTING EXPIRED. T w o m o n t h o l d b o a r in Inwood/Wash Hts needs a new home. He's a result of an unexpected pet store pregnancy. He sounds like a real cutie -- all brown except for some white hairs and a cute white speck on the top of his head. Small adoption fee includes cage, water bottle, and food dish. Spoil this boy even more by shopping at the Cozy Cavy. Photos are available by request.

351

NJ-Craislist-Sow and Boar

* If responding to a Craigslist ad meet in a public place, or go with a friend. Google the phone number of the poster to ensure it matches the name he or she gives *

LISTING EXPIRED. D A N G E R: Two guinea pigs in Downtown Jersey City being dumped for fr33. Sow is 14 months old, long haired, gray/gold mix. She sounds beautiful. The boar is a red and white short hair, and is a year old. Separate them and do a pregnancy watch. They both come with an "extra big" cage (I doubt it, try a C&C cage) and plenty of bedding. Can you stop them from becoming sn@ke food? You don't have to go to Med School to be a life saver.

349

NY-Lollypop Farm in Fairport

A n e w m e m b e r of the Lollypop Guild! He doesn't have a picture yet, but he's a guinea pig, so science proves he'll be a sweet cuteheart.

LISTING REMOVED. Patrick is a brown tri-color boy, who is three years old. This does make him a guinea pig baby boomer, and also harder to get him adopted. But I think the three year olds are the sweetest. They're past the tumultuous adolescence and have committed to being sweet.

LISTING REMOVED. ETA: There's another cute guy I hadn't posted yet; his name is Garnet. His listing just says he's a small adult, but this handsome abby's photo cries "adopt me!"

Don't forget there are a ton of other guinea pigs available for adoption at this shelter. And they also have some excellent events coming up.

O n N o v e m b e r 7 t h they're offering a seminar on "Bringing Baby Home to Pets." This is such an amazing idea; I can't begin to total how many ads I've seen for pets being given up on Craigslist because their owners are pregnant. Here is a good thread on the fallacy of giving up pets for pregnancy.

O n N o v e m b e r 10 t h they're offering a Pet Loss Seminar, conducted by a licensed grief counselor. We create an amazing bond with our pets. When that bond is physically broken, it is a difficult process--many people don't understand it. Other pet owners do. Respect and honor your pet and your grief by letting yourself heal. This is a fr33, reoccurring event.

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PA-Two Ways to Help the Homeless Guinea Pigs

Two ways of many to help the PA GPs.

#1: Piggie Lovers Inc. Guinea Pig Rescue is in need of donated or low cost dog or cat carriers. They use them to take their animals to the vet, to transport pigs to and from the rescue, etc. It's amazing how all the "small" costs of running to a rescue can add up. If you don't have carriers but do have other guinea pig supplies, I would imagine they'd be in need of them as well. And if you have such supplies but aren't near this rescue, please think of the rescues and shelters in your area.

#2: Philadelphia Animal Welfare Society (PAWS) is in need of people to volunteer to visit the small animals at their shelter (bunnies, gerbils, guinea pigs, etc.) while they wait to be adopted. That sounds a great, fun way to volunteer. There's one guinea pig listing on their site, who I believe are now actually with Have-A-Heart, but they're pictured on wire floors. This is a real guinea pig no-no, as it can lead to bumblefoot. Help save the pigs' piggies by checking out this wire floor situation. You'd meet new people if you wanted, and enrich the lives of poor homeless animals. As a side note, they are also desperately in need of foster homes for kittens.

Have any more suggestions? Add them in the comments section!

PA-Berks County Animal Rescue League-two pigs

This shelter, located in Cumru Township PA, always has piggies. They tend to move fairly quickly, though! So, if you see one you like, I suggest you get there quickly! :) Even if you don't see any piggies listed on the website, there are probably some at the shelter. Just posted today - LISTING REMOVED. Emily and Joe (I sure hope one of the pair has been altered!)