Bereaved guinea pig and owners

G&C

G&C

Junior Guinea Pig
Joined
Mar 15, 2018
Messages
469
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255
Points
455
Location
West Yorkshire
Hi, we lost my beautiful Gizmo yesterday and I’m still heartbroken. I have read the guides on here but still can’t work out what to do for the best for our remaining boar Gilbert. He’s 3 1/2 years old and seems to be doing ok, they weren’t exactly the best of mates and had in their teenage years some really lengthy ‘arguments’ and hormone spikes. I know I should look at getting another but it’s just not possible at the moment I’m due to give birth in a few weeks, and at the back of my mind I know that having a child will take me away from giving him the attention he needs for a while... I’m not saying he’s going to be neglected it’s just having the time for cuddles and general care really. What would be best?
 
So sorry you have lost Gizmo, sending hugs at this sad time. I think it’s a little too early to plan anything at the moment for Hilbert. See how he goes on for now and you have a big occasion coming up soon too. once you are settled with your new baby you can then decide what to do for a Gilbert’s best interest x
 
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G&C said:
Hi, we lost my beautiful Gizmo yesterday and I’m still heartbroken. I have read the guides on here but still can’t work out what to do for the best for our remaining boar Gilbert. He’s 3 1/2 years old and seems to be doing ok, they weren’t exactly the best of mates and had in their teenage years some really lengthy ‘arguments’ and hormone spikes. I know I should look at getting another but it’s just not possible at the moment I’m due to give birth in a few weeks, and at the back of my mind I know that having a child will take me away from giving him the attention he needs for a while... I’m not saying he’s going to be neglected it’s just having the time for cuddles and general care really. What would be best?
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BIG HUGS

I am ever so sorry for your loss!

As long as Gilbert is eating and drinking, you have some weeks to get over the worst of your grief, do your research and think things through. I would recommend that you contact a good welfare standard rescue if you can get to one so you can sort out your potential individual options with them. Companionship in some way, especially when you have less time for Gilbert would be important. Guinea pigs are not wired to be on their own as they are social species.

Unfortunately, without idea which country or part of a country you are located in, we cannot give you any more precise tips.
Rescue Locator
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (Contains a chapter on the specific challenges for bereaved singles).
 
So sorry for your loss.
It’s good that you are thinking about Gilbert’s needs when you have so much going on.
Allow yourself a bit of space to think through options and be gentle with yourself as you grieve.
Congratulations on the new imminent arrival.
Hope all goes well with the birth.
 
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Wiebke said:
BIG HUGS

I am ever so sorry for your loss!

As long as Gilbert is eating and drinking, you have some weeks to get over the worst of your grief, do your research and think things through. I would recommend that you contact a good welfare standard rescue if you can get to one so you can sort out your potential individual options with them. Companionship in some way, especially when you have less time for Gilbert would be important. Guinea pigs are not wired to be on their own as they are social species.

Unfortunately, without idea which country or part of a country you are located in, we cannot give you any more precise tips.
Rescue Locator
Single Guinea Pigs - Challenges and Responsibilities (Contains a chapter on the specific challenges for bereaved singles).
Click to expand...
Thank you, I’m located in West Yorkshire and the closest rescue to me is BARC (Barnsley animal rescue centre). But I don’t understand how it all works. I don’t like the thought of handing him over to a rescue centre and him still being alone with people he doesn’t know. Then also, if I was to do that, I would always worry that he has gone to someone who won’t look after him very well as there’s no guarantees of this or they are unlikely to share with me where he has gone. I'm going to have a think about it all and see how he goes for now. Thanks again everyone ✌️
 
G&C said:
Thank you, I’m located in West Yorkshire and the closest rescue to me is BARC (Barnsley animal rescue centre). But I don’t understand how it all works. I don’t like the thought of handing him over to a rescue centre and him still being alone with people he doesn’t know. Then also, if I was to do that, I would always worry that he has gone to someone who won’t look after him very well as there’s no guarantees of this or they are unlikely to share with me where he has gone. I'm going to have a think about it all and see how he goes for now. Thanks again everyone ✌️
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Signing your boy over is not the only option; but you could also discuss companionship where the rescue adoptee will revert to the rescue after the death of your boy.

Can I just say that all our recommended rescues have been carefully vetted for all stages of the rescue process and that they only rehome to home checked homes.

@pig in the city is a fosterer for BARC. She is also one of our (few) trusted monitoring members in the pregnancy section. We only have three in that section, and the other two are mods; that should tell you something. ;)
 
G&C said:
Thank you, I’m located in West Yorkshire and the closest rescue to me is BARC (Barnsley animal rescue centre). But I don’t understand how it all works. I don’t like the thought of handing him over to a rescue centre and him still being alone with people he doesn’t know. Then also, if I was to do that, I would always worry that he has gone to someone who won’t look after him very well as there’s no guarantees of this or they are unlikely to share with me where he has gone. I'm going to have a think about it all and see how he goes for now. Thanks again everyone ✌️
Click to expand...

G&C said:
Thank you, I’m located in West Yorkshire and the closest rescue to me is BARC (Barnsley animal rescue centre). But I don’t understand how it all works. I don’t like the thought of handing him over to a rescue centre and him still being alone with people he doesn’t know. Then also, if I was to do that, I would always worry that he has gone to someone who won’t look after him very well as there’s no guarantees of this or they are unlikely to share with me where he has gone. I'm going to have a think about it all and see how he goes for now. Thanks again everyone ✌️
Click to expand...
I am sorry to hear about your boy. Sadly BARC no longer are able to take in guinea pigs. I would think that Milhaven rescue in Keighley might be your best bet.
If you decide to rehome your remaining boy, l can reassure you that all recommended rescues will ensure that your piggy is rehomed to a good home and will make sure he has a companion.
 
Sorry for your loss, @G&C .

Hope I'm not speaking out of turn, or doing anything wrong, but I just noticed that last month another member, @Alamerona was looking for a companion for her boar after he was similarly bereaved. She lives in Yorkshire too! If she hasn't found a friend for him already, maybe you could arrange to try a boar-date, see if they get on ... If they do, that's two happy boars and two happy piggy slaves :nod:
 
Qualcast&Flymo said:
Sorry for your loss, @G&C .

Hope I'm not speaking out of turn, or doing anything wrong, but I just noticed that last month another member, @Alamerona was looking for a companion for her boar after he was similarly bereaved. She lives in Yorkshire too! If she hasn't found a friend for him already, maybe you could arrange to try a boar-date, see if they get on ... If they do, that's two happy boars and two happy piggy slaves :nod:
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Thank you 🙂
 
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