* 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.
Irondequoit (near Rochester), NY: Chip and Gizmo are two five month old brothers who need a new home; their owner is moving in to an apartment that does not allow pigs. I am sure that these pigs are well loved, but I hope the poster won't mind if I point out a couple guinea no-nos from her ad in order to educate others (and the no-nos are things pet stores say are great--why not buy two?). (Ad also posted
here).
1.
The cage is too small. It may be okay by petstore standards, but they're really just out to make money. And these small cages, akin to a person living in their bathroom, get charged for a ton more than it would to buy a great
C&C cage, or make your own (we've done both, and when we made our own a huge cage--about nine times this size--it cost about $20).
2. There are no water bottles. The post is relying on water dishes, which guinea pigs will often urinate or defecate in, then no longer want to drink. Plus it evaporates.
There should be one water bottle for each pig, if not more--especially for two boars entering adolescence.
3.
There needs to be two of everything for each guinea pig to hide in or use. Guinea pigs are territorial, and scarce resources can cause tension and even fighting. That means two pigloos (the pink thing on the right), one for each brother. If you have a larger cage, there will be room for two while still allowing them exercise and popcorning room.
4. I don't see any hay.
A high quality hay (not Kaytee brand from the stores) must be available in unlimited amounts to help guineas' teeth and digestive processes. Plus they love it! A good quality hay will be a nice soft green, with few stems. I recommend either Kleenmama's Hayloft (where you can order quality hay and pellets in bulk) or Oxbow, which may be available at your local retailer.
5. A close up of the pellets they're being fed can be seen in one of the brother's photos.
This is not a good quality pellet. It should not have colored pieces in it. Guinea pigs pick out the colored bits and love them, but it's essentially junk food. A poor quality pellet diet (such as Kaytee Fiesta)
can result in obesity and organ damage. Though transitioning to a quality pellet (again, Kleenmama's or Oxbow) may take time and effort, it's imperative for your guinea pig's health.
6.
That wire ball hanging from the lower left hand corner is supposed to be used to hold treats, veggies, or hay, but it
is too much work for the guinea pig to get to the food. And solely as a toy, most guinea pigs don't care. They're happier running through a tunnel or hiding in a pile of hay, then popping out covered in their favorite food.
7. My exception to rule number three.
There should be ZERO exercise balls per guinea pig. Guinea pigs are prey animals, and being inside one of these can really scare them, as they feel trapped. The construction also doesn't work with their body shape or fragile bones--they can break bones in their spine or feet, and die. Petstores like PetCo sell these marketed toward guinea pigs, even though it can be a fatal toy.
PET STORES SELL AND ENCOURAGE TOXIC ENVIRONMENTS
LIKE THIS FOR GUINEA PIGS.
It's very discouraging the more and more you learn
how little their advice can be trusted.
So, end of lesson, and here are the cute boys looking for a new home:
859
The Lollypop Guild welcomes a new member, a small young boy named LISTING REMOVED. 3854038. Too enigmatic for a name. Too indescribable for a bio. Good ol' 3854038.
LISTING REMOVED. Penfield (near Rochester), NY: This ad worries me, but at least they're charging a (very reasonable) adoption fee. It seems like the poster wants the guinea pig out NOW, and I at least want this pig going to a good, cavy savvy home. He's seven or eight months old and comes with his cage and food dish. Um. Better buy a water bottle then. And a hay rack. And a hidey home or pigloo. And bedding. And food. I hope he got these things in his first home.
These sassy girls get along well with other guinea gals, so introductions to a pre-existing herd would probably go well. They sound very active and vocal, and expect to be treated like the guinea royalty they are. Fill your crisper drawer now--from the listing I think these two like to eat.
Trixie's favorite hang out is a hat or cozy sak, and Emma is a hidey-home girl. Might be a good idea to get one of each anyway--sometimes a pig's favorite hang out is where her mate is (and not because the mate's there, but because she shouldn't be!).
Cookie, Sugarpie, Sieka, Princess and Sundae are five cute and fuzzy looking girls available for adoption. They must be adopted in either a pair or a trio, because they're bonded. The girls have been on pregnancy watch for a while, and according to their listing they will be off in five days.
This group was housed with boys before joining the rescue, and they came from a local shelter. They were dropped off because they were no longer wanted. Poor girls, at least they've had each other through all this. They are used to being around cats and dogs.
Rascal and Clover are bonded boys. Clover has been in the rescue since June of 2006 (time for a forever home!) and under very sad circumstances. He was found wandering outside, completely terrified. Poor boy. it sounds like he's had a lot of time to calm down by now. He is a black, white, and buff piggy.
Rascal has been in the rescue since April 2007, and was given up by his owners who could no longer care for him. He's used to dogs and cats. He's a black white and blonde abby who is now about 15 months old. If you can't adopt, Have-A-Heart is accepting donations toward their neuters.
LISTING REMOVED. Haddon Township, NJ: Wow, this ad makes me vomit in my mouth! Two very sweet boys named Rush and Nibbles available for adoption due to allergies. Their adoption fee is far t00 l0w and includes a lot of supplies. But GET THIS! These pigs would be great in a school or daycare environment. WOW! These pigs must not have the fragile bone structure, immune system, and prey instinct that makes them fear a book page turning. THESE PIGS MUST BE MAGIC! If I do something evil and get reincarnated as a small animal, and then am put in a cage for thirty sets of tiny sticky hands to prod and pull, I'll bite anything that comes near me. Hello lawsuit to a school from some angry parents! Better toss that guinea pig--it's a liability! I think my head is going to explode from the controlled rage. I'm going to go get on some PJs, drink some chocolate milk and eat some popcorn while I watch Gamera. Then my world will be pure again.
