I find it hard and sad for rescues

[Lizzie]

My sister used to volunteer at the RSPCA who have this policy. She'd see rabbits and guinea pigs being bought in who were suffering but because the owners were handing them over they wouldnt be taken in. One time my sister had to turn down a rabbit who was going to be fed to her bfs snake if the rescue didn't take it. This system is more promoting animal cruelty it as people are more likely to dump, abuse or dispose of pets as they wont be taken by a rescue.

well if they were dumped or abused then they'd end up in a rescue anyway.

Let me put it another way...

Most of you refuse point blank to go to a pet shop or breeder...however, you're very happy to go along to a rescue and adopt an animal who has come from one of these two places...

Business = supply & demand

the demand is there because those people who got fed up of their animals and dumped them (in whatever way) have been rehomed by yourselves...which allows them to go out and purchase the newest fad animal available...which results in the supply, and the over breeding of sickly animals.

 

[scpiggy]

well if they were dumped or abused then they'd end up in a rescue anyway.

Let me put it another way...

Most of you refuse point blank to go to a pet shop or breeder...however, you're very happy to go along to a rescue and adopt an animal who has come from one of these two places...

Business = supply & demand

the demand is there because those people who got fed up of their animals and dumped them (in whatever way) have been rehomed by yourselves...which allows them to go out and purchase the newest fad animal available...which results in the supply, and the over breeding of sickly animals.

I would rather adopt from a rescue where i know the money goes to caring for abused, ill, neglected guinea pigs whether it might, in an unconnected way, cause more breding or pet shop piggies (which i don't believe it would) than get from a breeder or pet shop where my money would be a profit to them and it would directly cause more piggies beng bred meaning more piggies out there to get abused or neglected.
I also dont go to pet shops as they're not always healthy and pet shops often sell pregnant or mis-sexed guinea pigs.

 

[Lizzie]

I would rather adopt from a rescue where i know the money goes to caring for abused, ill, neglected guinea pigs whether it might, in an unconnected way, cause more breding or pet shop piggies (which i don't believe it would) than get from a breeder or pet shop where my money would be a profit to them and it would directly cause more piggies beng bred meaning more piggies out there to get abused or neglected.

but you are directly contributing to it...person goes into P@H, buys a pig, takes it home, gets bored of the smooth haired one they chose, takes it to a rescue centre, then goes back to P@H and buys the scruffy one they've seen and decided they like better...someone 'rescues' the original pig, but in the meantime the shop has already replaced two pigs which have been bought.

 

[scpiggy]

but you are directly contributing to it...person goes into P@H, buys a pig, takes it home, gets bored of the smooth haired one they chose, takes it to a rescue centre, then goes back to P@H and buys the scruffy one they've seen and decided they like better...someone 'rescues' the original pig, but in the meantime the shop has already replaced two pigs which have been bought.

I'm not directly contributing to it as i dont go into pet shops and buy them myself. I find it VERY hard to believe everyone who gives up a guinea pig to a rescue immediately goes out and buys another one. The only situation where i can see where you're coming from is when mass amounts of guinea pigs are taken from someone who over breeds, i can see breeders getting back into the same situation months later. But in these cases I think these people should not be allowed to keep animals therefore stopping the problem.
Where do you get your guinea pigs from may I ask? How are you not directly contributing to more being bred?

 

[Lizzie]

Didn't say I wasn't, but then I'm not 100% pro-rescue as most people on here are. I know the background and history of all my pigs except 1.

 

[scpiggy]

Didn't say I wasn't, but then I'm not 100% pro-rescue as most people on here are. I know the background and history of all my pigs except 1.

If you're saying you do contribute then what is your problem with rescues that also "contribute."

 

[Lizzie]

Never said it was a problem...but pointing out that very few people stop to think where the animals in rescues have come from, whilst at the same time complain about pet shops and breeds...food for thought, that's all it was

 

[ghostbusterbunny]

but you are directly contributing to it...person goes into P@H, buys a pig, takes it home, gets bored of the smooth haired one they chose, takes it to a rescue centre, then goes back to P@H and buys the scruffy one they've seen and decided they like better...someone 'rescues' the original pig, but in the meantime the shop has already replaced two pigs which have been bought.

I see your point, but I have to ask, so what? The unwanted one won't be left to rot in a garden, it would get the help it needs.

There is no way that anyone can stop the cycle - it just won't happen. But what rescues can do is do their damned hardest to get to and help all the piggies that have found themselves in bad situations and get them to a better one - their forever home. That is what they do - they RESCUE the victims of the cycle. The cycle would exist regardless of whether or not rescues existed and people adopted from them. But without them we'd have pigs that can't get the help they need... Simple as, really.

Rescues exist to help these guinea pigs - and then through their efforts find them homes where people actually want them and love them. Yes, by rescuing piggies from some situations there MAY (and that is far from a given) be an opening for another one or two at some point. But the fact is that the original piggy that was not wanted would be badly treated or even killed if there was nowhere else for it to go.

I've seen what can happen when people get bored and neglect their pigs. My first two rescue pigs came from an abandoned house where someone had moved out but left the pigs. Neighbours said the kids got bored of the pigs and the owners didn't want them anymore. These pigs came in with 4 inches of their own exrement as 'bedding', no food, one dead sister that they'd resorted to eating to stay alive. They weighed 350 and 375g respectively (they should have been more than double that). Had the RSPCA not made space for them - they'd have been dead within the week.

I have 13 rescues so far, some of whom have come from a less than desirable home before the rescue took them in. These pigs have been able to get the love, help and care they need to sort them out and get them to a new home - just like the thousands of other guinea pigs that have gone through rescues. By adopting 13, I've opened up the space for 13 more to move from a bad situation to a good one.

Very few of the places these pigs come from are going to replace them - why would they go to a rescue if they planned on getting more? Surely they could just dump the pig and be over with it - why go to the effort? Obviously they were given up for a reason and I think you're very off the mark to say that if I adopt 13 then 13 more are going to be supplied. 13 may be supplied elsewhere, but not 13 more as a result of my adopting, or the rescue rescuing.

I make an informed decision to adopt rather than buy now because I want to help those guinea pigs that have found themselves in a tough spot - and I want to help the rescue to help more by both freeing up a rescue place and by being able to use my adoption fees.

 

[scpiggy]

I see your point, but I have to ask, so what? The unwanted one won't be left to rot in a garden, it would get the help it needs.

There is no way that anyone can stop the cycle - it just won't happen. But what rescues can do is do their damned hardest to get to and help all the piggies that have found themselves in bad situations and get them to a better one - their forever home. That is what they do - they RESCUE the victims of the cycle. The cycle would exist regardless of whether or not rescues existed and people adopted from them. But without them we'd have pigs that can't get the help they need... Simple as, really.

Rescues exist to help these guinea pigs - and then through their efforts find them homes where people actually want them and love them. Yes, by rescuing piggies from some situations there MAY (and that is far from a given) be an opening for another one or two at some point. But the fact is that the original piggy that was not wanted would be badly treated or even killed if there was nowhere else for it to go.

I've seen what can happen when people get bored and neglect their pigs. My first two rescue pigs came from an abandoned house where someone had moved out but left the pigs. Neighbours said the kids got bored of the pigs and the owners didn't want them anymore. These pigs came in with 4 inches of their own exrement as 'bedding', no food, one dead sister that they'd resorted to eating to stay alive. They weighed 350 and 375g respectively (they should have been more than double that). Had the RSPCA not made space for them - they'd have been dead within the week.

I have 13 rescues so far, some of whom have come from a less than desirable home before the rescue took them in. These pigs have been able to get the love, help and care they need to sort them out and get them to a new home - just like the thousands of other guinea pigs that have gone through rescues. By adopting 13, I've opened up the space for 13 more to move from a bad situation to a good one.

Very few of the places these pigs come from are going to replace them - why would they go to a rescue if they planned on getting more? Surely they could just dump the pig and be over with it - why go to the effort? Obviously they were given up for a reason and I think you're very off the mark to say that if I adopt 13 then 13 more are going to be supplied. 13 may be supplied elsewhere, but not 13 more as a result of my adopting, or the rescue rescuing.

I make an informed decision to adopt rather than buy now because I want to help those guinea pigs that have found themselves in a tough spot - and I want to help the rescue to help more by both freeing up a rescue place and by being able to use my adoption fees.

Couldn't have said it better myself.

 

[AudioHeart]

Most of you refuse point blank to go to a pet shop or breeder...however, you're very happy to go along to a rescue and adopt an animal who has come from one of these two places...

Business = supply & demand

the demand is there because those people who got fed up of their animals and dumped them (in whatever way) have been rehomed by yourselves...which allows them to go out and purchase the newest fad animal available...which results in the supply, and the over breeding of sickly animals.

Whoot?

I am certainly not supporting pet shops by going to a rescue! The donations I give to the rescue personally go towards food, medicine and a home to other unwanted pets and abandoned/ mistreated animals. It certainly doesn't 'feed the cycle' rather it helps support animals who would have no other option than to suffer.

It makes me very angry to think that the person who kept Percy-Roo in a hamster cage will go out tomorrow and buy another guinea pig and I've supported that. Because in no way whatsoever I condone nor support that, and in by going to a rescue I believe I am supporting a rescue to rehabilitate an animal which would certainly suffer and be neglected for years to come.

If we stopped going to pet shops and started going to rescues, pet shops and breeders would decline

A little off topic but....did you know 7,723 dogs were destroyed last year alone? If more people went to rescues rather than breeders or 'puppy/piggie/animal mills' less animals would be brought into this world due to the lack of demand, and less animals would die and be destroyed.

These animals were put down due to lack of space in rescues, due to people wanting a particular breed, due to that mum of that particular breed giving birth to 'ugly'/ not breed standard babies, due to over breeding/ no education, due to abandonment and illness. If less people went to breeders, pet shops, and animal mills less animals would suffer.

I think it is a never ending cycle, but education and understanding is the way forward

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

Whoot?

I am certainly not supporting pet shops by going to a rescue! The donations I give to the rescue personally go towards food, medicine and a home to other unwanted pets and abandoned/ mistreated animals. It certainly doesn't 'feed the cycle' rather it helps support animals who would have no other option than to suffer.

It makes me very angry to think that the person who kept Percy-Roo in a hamster cage will go out tomorrow and buy another guinea pig and I've supported that. Because in no way whatsoever I condone nor support that, and in by going to a rescue I believe I am supporting a rescue to rehabilitate an animal which would certainly suffer and be neglected for years to come.

If we stopped going to pet shops and started going to rescues, pet shops and breeders would decline

A little off topic but....did you know 7,723 dogs were destroyed last year alone? If more people went to rescues rather than breeders or 'puppy/piggie/animal mills' less animals would be brought into this world due to the lack of demand, and less animals would die and be destroyed.

These animals were put down due to lack of space in rescues, due to people wanting a particular breed, due to that mum of that particular breed giving birth to 'ugly'/ not breed standard babies, due to over breeding/ no education, due to abandonment and illness. If less people went to breeders, pet shops, and animal mills less animals would suffer.

I think it is a never ending cycle, but education and understanding is the way forward

well put lady x

 

[AudioHeart]

Sorry its made me very angry and upset to think that by going to a rescue I've given the 'two thumbs up' to Percy-Roos old owners/ my new little pigs breeders to go out and give another animal the same life that they have lived when initially i believed that by going to a rescue I was supporting similar owners in that situation to be able to have that support there for not only themselves but for the animal too, and at the same time educating and allowing people to gain an understanding and knowledge of what is required of them to take care of an animal. Alongside giving the animal the life and care it should have.

To think that by going to a rescue that I'm putting another animal in neglect and living a life underweight, undernourished, uncared for and unnamed is very upsetting.

sorry if i have come across rude.

x

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

you havent hon, dont worry x

 

[AudioHeart]

you havent hon, dont worry x

Oh I hope not its just made me a bit upset! I really shouldn't of read this thread:x thank you for the support hun! x

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

 

[Gems]

Two of the boys I rescued myself were kept in a fish tank with just over a foot of space each, had not been fed in weeks, mould was growing all over the tank, the tank had been pushed under a table and the boys had been forgotten about. I highly doubt this person would then go on to buy a further two piggies just because they had handed them over to me. I don't think by taking these piggies on and rehoming him that I was contributing to petshops ( especially because I paid for everything out of my own pocket, including their neutering ops, and asked for no money from their adopters ).

I would dearly love to open my own rescue at some point in the future as I think there's a serious lack of them in the North East ( with the exception of Layla's NEGPR ) but unfortunately time and money constraints mean I can't at the moment, but I try to help out by fostering.

On the point of educating I recently watched a guinea pig for my parents neighbour whilst they were on holiday. When I gave her back the owners asked if I thought she was healthy. I told my mam to tell them that she needed more variety of food in her diet and that she shouldn't live alone. She has now started to give her a variety of fresh food and is looking into getting her a friend. This person wasn't doing anything wrong, they just didn't know what was right for the piggie, and I'm so pleased that they have taken my advice and are acting on it.

 

[doglovinpiggylover]

thats great, i wish everyone was so open to new ideas, most people just get defensive i think.

 

[Lizzie]

Sorry its made me very angry and upset to think that by going to a rescue I've given the 'two thumbs up' to Percy-Roos old owners/ my new little pigs breeders to go out and give another animal the same life that they have lived when initially i believed that by going to a rescue I was supporting similar owners in that situation to be able to have that support there for not only themselves but for the animal too, and at the same time educating and allowing people to gain an understanding and knowledge of what is required of them to take care of an animal. Alongside giving the animal the life and care it should have.

To think that by going to a rescue that I'm putting another animal in neglect and living a life underweight, undernourished, uncared for and unnamed is very upsetting.

sorry if i have come across rude.

x

I'm sorry it's upset you, I understand full well what you mean and where you're coming from.

I just don't think that people really think about where their animals come from. The care and work, attention and love that goes into 'fixing' an abuse animal truly is something to be admired.

But I do think people are putting their head in the sand if they think that the animal picked up in the rescue centre wasn't replaced by another...it happens far too frequently - you only have to go and look on freeads or preloved to see the 'cat free to good home due to new puppy and they don't get on' type adverts...there are TONS of them. Whether that animal had a better life than the one before, well, that's anyone's guess...I suppose they could.

And to be perfectly honest...it's not the pet shops or the breeders (in most cases) who bring them into the rescues...it's the people who buy them.

 

[Alicia]

Yes, an animal adopted from a rescue will be replaced, as the person who adopted the animal will help make space for the rescue to help another animal. I adopted my rabbits, and the rescue they came from were happy to have another empty pen because all of the pens were full, so by adopting them from the rescue, there was space for them to help other neglected rabbits that needed a rescue space but couldn't before because it was full.
I think rescuing is the best way to get a new pet, you are giving an animal a second chance at a home. I have been to breeders for all my guinea-pigs, but my Mum has now seen how much work rescues do, and she has agreed for me to get any future guinea-pigs from a rescue. Sorry I haven't read the whole thread, I'm just going on the first post and a few of the recent ones, so I'm sorry if I'm just being totally random here I plan to go to a rescue for my next guinea-pig and I'd love to get one that had been there for a while.

 

[Sodapops]

But I do think people are putting their head in the sand if they think that the animal picked up in the rescue centre wasn't replaced by another...it happens far too frequently - you only have to go and look on freeads or preloved to see the 'cat free to good home due to new puppy and they don't get on' type adverts...there are TONS of them. Whether that animal had a better life than the one before, well, that's anyone's guess...I suppose they could.

And to be perfectly honest...it's not the pet shops or the breeders (in most cases) who bring them into the rescues...it's the people who buy them.

I think everyone knows that a rehomed rescue pig means another space to be filled by the next to come through the doors - it would be pretty silly if we didn't know this - rescues say it all the time on here - for each pig rehomed a space is made available for another.

In terms of rescues centers turning away those that willingly 'hand' the pigs in - that just wouldn't be possible. Not every pig handed in to a rescue center is done so because of selfish reasons - not every pig is the cast off from a child becoming bored. There are loads of reasons why someone would hand their animals in to a rescue: accommodation issues, moving abroad, personal illness, death in the family (meaning no one to look after the animal) the list goes on. If rescues shut their doors to these people where exactly would the animals go? There would be no point trying to educate someone who's been told by their landlord if they don't get rid they'll be homeless :{

I personally don't think that because i adopted Wexford from Walsall RSPCA that I'm no better than actually walking in to a pet shop - my donation was handed over to support the rescue and to go some small way in paying towards his neutering op, food and shelter whilst he was there.

I'm not one of those pet shop or breeder bashers as my first two pigs were pet shop - two of my boys came from a breeders ex stock while another two came from the result of the pet shop's mis-sexing. Ive been down 3 lines of the re-homing process, so know which is the more fulfilling!

I'm not against pet shops or breeders by any means - just now ive been educated, id rather go down the rescue route

 

[AudioHeart]

But I do think people are putting their head in the sand if they think that the animal picked up in the rescue centre wasn't replaced by another...

And to be perfectly honest...it's not the pet shops or the breeders (in most cases) who bring them into the rescues...it's the people who buy them.

Due to lack of education from not researching before hand/ from the breeder/ from the pet shop this is why,[*] in some cases,[/*] they are handed in.

And as I said above, if more people went to rescues less animals would be going into the rescue or "being replaced by another". Rescues educate, work alongside and offer life long support to their adopters therefore less animals are likely to be abused, mistreated, uncared for etc, as they have lifelong support and given the right guidance from the beginning.

 

[Sodapops]

Due to lack of education from not researching before hand/ from the breeder/ from the pet shop this is why,[*] in some cases,[/*] they are handed in.

100% true - if i had a pound for every bit of bad advice the pet shop gave me, not only would i be a millionaire,. id also be over-run with in-bred pigs.

My first pet shop pig:
- fresh veg: can be given every now and then and only as a treat
- males cannot live together under any circumstances (even though there were several males in a pen together)
- sold a ferplast 80 cage as being more than big enough for a single pig

My second mis-sexed pig:
- 3 members of staff sexed him/her for me - deffo a male (i do have to take 50% of the blame i should have read up and educated myself)
- females cannot get pregnant until they are 16wks old (funny my sow popped two out that that age)
- males can stay with mum/sisters till they are 8wks old
- a ferplast 100 is more than adequate for multiple pigs (they said this was even backed by the RSPCA - a complete LIE)

The list goes on and on...... It's far too easy to walk in to a pet shop and walk out with a pet - they do not educate and they certainly do not follow minimum housing guidlines to ensure the welfare of the animals they are selling.

 

[lilmisscavy]

Never said it was a problem...but pointing out that very few people stop to think where the animals in rescues have come from, whilst at the same time complain about pet shops and breeds...food for thought, that's all it was

We all know about the birds and the bees, we all know about pet stores, you can't suggest none of us think about that, of course we do.

The facts still stand regardless, like others have said, rescues have to pick up the pieces when these animals are neglected and disposed of by their oh so loving owners.

Ever since I worked at the LETBR, I knew it was exactly what I wanted to do with my life, work with rescuing animals and finding them new homes. When you see it and experience it with your own eyes, you'll know exactly why these people do what they do. It's not about the past, it's about the future, working a way towards something better for them. I shouldn't really talk about this but it was 8 years ago now, I remember once a beautiful little white girl came in, bouncy and fun and so sweet. She was crawling with mange and fleas. The owner of the kennels and I were picking them off, one by one. The owners were adamant she had NO skin problems or fleas and I was absolutely dumbfounded how stupid and ignorant they were. The owner of the rescue kept her cool and so did the owner of the kennels. After they'd signed her over and gone, we sat in the van and I said to the owner of the rescue, 'How do you keep so calm when you get people like that?' and she said to me it's not about getting angry at the owner, it's about giving the dogs a new life. She also said she'd done it for so long, she'd learnt to keep her tongue lol.

The same can be said for all animals given to rescue or found neglected though, they're all being given a new life in rescue. They're given probably their very first warm bed, decent food, even a cuddle. Some may never have had affection in their lives!

So what does it matter WHERE they came from? Life isn't about the past, it's about right now, and right now, millions of animals are in rescue with loving, compassionate people around them, looking after them and starting them off with a new life.

Sorry to ramble on but man this was annoying me!

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

Oh my! We have some very passionate debates because of our love of animals

It started by asking why aren’t rescue piggies getting rehomed very quickly, months and months of advertising when a 'free to good home' thread pops up, they are rehomed within a week.
Thank you it has been a real eye opener and my head hurts with thoughts ... @)

Thank you everyone though, I've found it very interesting.

Some people found the process of rescue rather daunting that the fact they thought they may be judged, other thought the websites of some listed too many strict rules. Hopefully this forum bridges the gap and forms good understandings and relationships with rescues. There are so many good people on here that donate to the rescue or help with piggy trains, using their own time to volunteer at rescues or fosters as well as adopting.

Some people buy on impulse from pet stores or seek out particular types
Of course everyone has a choice – that’s not the point of this thread, every piggy deserves a loving, enriched home.

But I just wondered why I was feeling this part of the ‘cog’, was stood still – pigs that were in need of rescuing can’t be help if the rescues are full and no one is rehoming.

For the Rescue's process to work, we need to check that the life the rescue piggy goes to is going to be better than the one it came from. That’s our job. Unpaid and very emotionally charged but that’s our job to ensure the pigs in our care get a good life from leaving the care of the rescue to their new homes.
We need to make sure, as we promised these pigs when they come into us that we would get them a wonderful home with a loving slave.
And finding a good home with loving people is what keeps our faith in the human kind.

Good rescues help by offering support through building up relationships, by being approachable and educating.

 

[nutmeg]

Gosh this is a long thread. Lizzie, I think you're right when you say people don't always think about where the pigs were originally bought, but, all the people I have rehomed to have always seemed more interested in the circumstances as to why they have come into rescue, and relieving that situation. :-)

Alongside the rescues basic non flexible guidelines for rehoming, there will always be some that are flexible, and this is where getting to know the family and their particular situation is vital, and forms a major part of the homecheck. I don't think I ever scared anyone on a homecheck. I hope not anyway. lol

Something that was mentioned early on in the thread was about rescues having the same size accommodation as they require their adopters to have. This is a good ideal, however from my personal experience not always practical. 6 really unkempt pigs dumped on my doorstep, pregnant sows taken in just about to give birth because someone's child thought it would be fun to have babies! etc. It just isn't always possible, I just felt that previously abused guinea pigs, SHORT TERM, are much happier in smaller that ideal cages with fresh hay, regular veggies, food, water and love is preferable. As was said though, permanent long termers should without doubt be properly housed.

A good debate Salt and Pepper's mum. Thanks.
(ps. Cola is great) xx

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

Thanks Jane.... it's been a while! I missed you

Hope your doing OK too?

I think about Cola often, give him a snuggle from me.

x

 

[pollekeskisses]

Something that was mentioned early on in the thread was about rescues having the same size accommodation as they require their adopters to have. This is a good ideal, however from my personal experience not always practical. 6 really unkempt pigs dumped on my doorstep, pregnant sows taken in just about to give birth because someone's child thought it would be fun to have babies! etc. It just isn't always possible, I just felt that previously abused guinea pigs, SHORT TERM, are much happier in smaller that ideal cages with fresh hay, regular veggies, food, water and love is preferable. As was said though, permanent long termers should without doubt be properly housed.

I might not be loved for this, but that's quite keeping a double standard. At one side you say 'well they can be kept with more in xyz space if they need, and I'm allowed to do it' and on the other end you are like 'but they must atleast have xyz2 space if you adopt them'. That is quite confusing people you know? I understand where you are comming from but atleast Dutch shelters keep pigs as they want adoptees to keep them. No exeptions. If a mom with babies comes in, they take a cage from storage and put them in there, look for a foster home (there are plenty of peeps who love to help out tempirarily, even promote the little ones), and go on.

Also what you do consider short term? A month, 2 months, 4 months, untill adopted?


In my opinion if you want to be taken serious, you don't keep a double standard. So you keep them as you want them to be kept (minimum requirements).

 

[nutmeg]

Yes I can see what you mean. I think it also has to do with the size of your operation, and the problem can be, rescuers tend to get known around the area, so where I may think ok I have 4 x 5' cages, so I can take in X number of guinea pigs, when they are literally dumped on your doorstep, or someone rings and says if you don't have them I will set them free in the fields, sell for snake food, the smaller cages for space, quarantining etc come into play. I will happily admit it's not ideal, but sometimes unfortunately necessary. Everyone who visited me saw how it was, and when the sad circumstances were explained with an explanation for those in smaller accommodation, it really didn't give a false impression of how guinea pigs should be cared for, and wasn't a problem. Short term? Mmm, a difficult one. This goes right back to Salt and Peppers original concern about rescue v shop bought/breeder guinea pigs. You're right though, there is no official meaning to short term. Minimum 2 weeks for quarantine, more if on pregnancy watch, time to bring back to health if needed, then as long as it takes to rehome. Still feel though that they were happier with me than abused with original owners. xx

 

[Wiebke]

Having picked up some of my piggies from you, nutmeg, and having been on here during those mad times when the rescue you were fostering for took in over 70 (mostly pregnant!) piggies from several massive RSPCA rescue operations in one week, I understand what kind of problems you are talking of! I was impressed how happy your foster piggies were and how unfazed they were by any stranger coming into your shed! Ideally, a rescue should be only a short step on the way from an unhappy to a good home.

It becomes a real problem when there is a big influx of unexpected piggies that are either dumped or are being rescued from desperate circumstances, lots of pregnancies/births, and not enough interest in rehoming rescue piggies. Sadly, it is a fact that there are always more piggies in need of rescue than there are spaces.

PS: Lizzie, I am perfectly aware of where my piggies come from initially and agree with you that the whole system is skewed - too much careless breeding is going on on all levels. However, while we many on here strive to better their own care and to educate, we (and especially the rescues) are still left to deal with the stark reality as it is. It is your personal choice which end of the pool you want to get your piggies from and which way you can contribute to educate people.

 

[Salt n Peppers mum]

I am perfectly aware of where my piggies come from initially and agree with you that the whole system is skewed - too much careless breeding is going on on all levels. However, while we many on here strive to better their own care and to educate, we (and especially the rescues) are still left to deal with the stark reality as it is. It is your personal choice which end of the pool you want to get your piggies from and which way you can contribute to educate people.

Agree ^