Adopting during COVID-19 advice

Dorota Kasiak

Dorota Kasiak

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On 21/04/2020 I lost my beautiful little Popi (tricolour) after complications from bladder stone surgery and we later found out she was in the early stages of cancer. It has been a difficult couple of days and we are trying to adopt a guinea pig to be a companion for Ziuta (white/red). We have been contacting a local animal rescue but they themselves don't know if introductions between guinea pigs and other services will continue due to COVID-19. It is the second week without Popi and we are worrying about Ziuta being alone for too long. Are we in the situation to be able to be picky (we told the rescue that we want a single female/neutered male around 3 years)? If we go on for too long should we look at other options?
 

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You don’t need to be specific about the age. Age is largely irrelevant when it comes to bonding guinea pigs - it’s character which is the deciding factor on whether a bond will be successful.

What other options do you mean?
 
The age isn’t important. What is crucial is character compatibility. So even if you wanted a 3yr old Male they may not get on. Consider what is your maximum number of piggies then go from there. I feel you will be hard pushed to find a single female in a rescue. Most I think are usually paired up.

I don’t know where you are, but register your interest with several rescues around you and see what they say. I think Wiebke mentioned that some RSPCAs are carrying out adoptions.
 
We realized that it is a bit difficult right now and I am not picky at this point but my mum would prefer a piggie closer to Ziuta's age. However, I didn't know that age didn't matter, and I will pass on the information. While the rescue seems to have guinea pigs in pairs, which I wouldn't mind adopting but I'm worried that we don't have enough space.

All other rescues we contacted were closed or unavailable for adoptions so adopting is difficult for us right now. By other options I meant looking at local breeders/other pigs for sale.
 
It isn’t always easy to have an already bonded pair accept your single. Dating is the safest way as you wouldn’t bring home another pair unless they had accepted Ziuta.

Adding More Guinea Pigs Or Merging Pairs – What Works And What Not?

You obviously need to do what is best for you and Ziuta but going to local breeders/piggies for sale in papers, is incredibly risky. As mentioned, a successful bond comes down entirely to character compatibility - there is no guarantee that if you were to just bring home another piggy that said piggy and Ziuta would be compatible and bond. People selling animals in newspapers can say anything to get rid of their unwanted pets, same goes for breeders. You would be risking taking on not only the chance of a failed bond (and then Youve got two piggies living alone), but the risk of taking on health issues and potential pregnancies (we see many a post from people who have brought home piggies from breeders only to find they’re already pregnant by their brothers as they weren’t separated early enough). I’m not saying every single one is going to be the same way, there are genuine people having to rehome their animals for all kinds of reasons but even without health/pregnancy, you are still taking on the chance of a failed bond.

I know it’s incredibly difficult right now and you just want to do right by Ziuta. If she is otherwise managing ok being on her own, then it really is safest all round to wait for a rescue centre.
 
Ok, thanks for the advice! I wasn't sure how long Ziuta can be left alone, and was a bit worried :/
 
You have to let the piggy guide you - some can only manage a couple of days on their own, others a few weeks but the situation now is obviously making everything harder.
Monitor her, monitor her weight, use all the enrichment ideas on the housing section to keep her mind occupied (Ie hide her veg in hay) and keep in contact with rescue centres.
 
Right now she seems to be doing fine after grieving the first two days. She has a big appetite and is getting very spoilt now without Popi stealing her food!
 
I have been hiding food around to try and get exercise since Popi was more energetic and kept her occupied. However, my mum usually just gives her the food rather than hiding it. I have also been making lots of toys which she loves to throw
 
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