I’m struggling to find a companion for Geoff

Roselina

Roselina

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So many of you know that I lost my beautiful Bobby last month
Geoff has been alone for nearly 4 weeks and I’m worried - he appears fine and is eating bimbling along etc ….but
I’ve tried desperately the last 2 weeks to find an older single boar as a friend
But none of the rescues I’ve tried have any
( which is good but not for me and Geoff)
The problem I have is Geoff is an indoor piggy in a 5x2 c&c cage on a stand (as I have a dog and visiting 4 year old) and I don’t have room for another set up
So I need to bond Geoff with another piggy asap
I want an older piggy as I’m concerned a young piggy/ baby might cause a bond break with hormone spikes etc later on
Geoff is not neutered and at 4 yrs 10 months I’m not going to do that
He is a gentle quiet pig who allows me to groom him, cut his nails etc , Bobby was the dominant bossy pig who squealed at the sight of the scales
A rescue could help me with bonding but there isn’t any near me in Suffolk
With everyone’s experience and wisdom …..can you advise me please ?
 
I'm sorry for the loss of Bobby.

Do any of the rescues you've spoken to have any younger boars available (of any age younger than him) that would be worth trying? I personally wouldn't let being younger be a barrier because often it doesn't cause issues - do remember more boars make it together than not. Although not a teen, I bonded my 2 year old dominant single, Wilbur, with my bereaved dominant 6 year old, Popcorn, and it was an instant hit. Pops washappy to have a friend again that he immediately gave up all dominance and let Wilbur take charge.

Are you able to travel at all? Wood Green in Cambridgeshire for example?
 
Hi,

Sorry for the loss of Bobby. :(

I know it's a long way, but the rescue 'Mandy's Rescue a Guinea Pig' in Wimborne, Dorset, have a single boar right now who is looking for a home...

'Gizmo
Beautiful Gizmo, he is an affectionate boy and has welcomed the tlc and attention his foster family have been giving him. He arrived in the rescue as a single piggy, as did his Dad (we can see where Gizmo’s colours came from). He is roughly aged 2.5 years old.
If you have a single piggy and can provide a set up for a gentle bonding, Gizmo could be the perfect piggy pal. He arrived with bald patches but with good nutrition, it is growing back well already. He has a longer coat and will require grooming assistance'...
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Piggies&buns said:
I'm sorry for the loss of Bobby.

Do any of the rescues you've spoken to have any younger boars available (of any age younger than him) that would be worth trying? I personally wouldn't let being younger be a barrier because often it doesn't cause issues - do remember more boars make it together than not. Although not a teen, I bonded my 2 year old dominant single, Wilbur, with my bereaved dominant 6 year old, Popcorn, and it was an instant hit. Pops washappy to have a friend again that he immediately gave up all dominance and let Wilbur take charge.

Are you able to travel at all? Wood Green in Cambridgeshire for example?
Click to expand...
Omg @Piggies&buns THANK YOU - I had looked at and been in touch with Blue Cross RSPCA and others etc but hadn’t come across Wood Green
Cambridge is about 1 hour away
They do mixing /bonding and Geoff will stay for between 2-5 days to find a suitable friend
I feel so much better about everything and hopefully they will have a piggy or two to find a match 🤞
I’ve filled in the form and they’ll contact me within 5 days
 
Roselina said:
Omg @Piggies&buns THANK YOU - I had looked at and been in touch with Blue Cross RSPCA and others etc but hadn’t come across Wood Green
Cambridge is about 1 hour away
They do mixing /bonding and Geoff will stay for between 2-5 days to find a suitable friend
I feel so much better about everything and hopefully they will have a piggy or two to find a match 🤞
I’ve filled in the form and they’ll contact me within 5 days
Click to expand...

Fingers crossed!
Wood Green are my local rescue - I’ve found them to be very helpful.
 
Storm1974 said:
Hi,

Sorry for the loss of Bobby. :(

I know it's a long way, but the rescue 'Mandy's Rescue a Guinea Pig' in Wimborne, Dorset, have a single boar right now who is looking for a home...

'Gizmo
Beautiful Gizmo, he is an affectionate boy and has welcomed the tlc and attention his foster family have been giving him. He arrived in the rescue as a single piggy, as did his Dad (we can see where Gizmo’s colours came from). He is roughly aged 2.5 years old.
If you have a single piggy and can provide a set up for a gentle bonding, Gizmo could be the perfect piggy pal. He arrived with bald patches but with good nutrition, it is growing back well already. He has a longer coat and will require grooming assistance'...
Log in to Facebook
Click to expand...
I was going to mention Mandy's Guinea Pig Rescue too. I adopted Misty and Bramble from there. @rp1993 came all the way down from London to adopt Panko from Mandy's too. She popped in to see me on the way to collect him which was lovely.
 
Betsy said:
I was going to mention Mandy's Guinea Pig Rescue too. I adopted Misty and Bramble from there. @rp1993 came all the way down from London to adopt Panko from Mandy's too. She popped in to see me on the way to collect him which was lovely.
Click to expand...
I do know how lovely everyone is at Mandy’s Rescue and the amazing rescues they do ❤️
I’m not a confident driver nowadays ( since Covid) so it would be a bit too long a journey for me but I really appreciate the advice 🥰
 
Wood Green have been in touch …..they only have one male guinea pig - he’s a skinny pig of 2 1/2 years and is a shy gentle piggy
I’m happy to have a skinny pig it’s the friendship / companionship that is most important to me
I realise I need to keep the room warm and to not have anything sharp etc that could damage his skin
I always use soft silky hay anyway
I tried to open the guinea pig info on skinny pigs but I don’t have permission to do so
So I’m asking for advice about taking this skinny pig on ( obviously it depends if they get on !)
@Lorcan if you could advise me that would be wonderful as I know how experienced you are
Wood Green would take Geoff to mix/bond for 5 days
 
I'm sorry about the info page, I've been working on it and not getting myself very far :oops:

Cam loved to bury himself even in spiky timothy hay, scratches and scrapes aren't guaranteed to happen. Just keep an eye - any minor scrape can be cleaned with a little saline. Don't use anything like coconut oil on their skin, it screws with their skins natural oils and they don't have dry skin naturally. If their skin is dry, that's for the vet.

Food wise he'd need a little more than Geoff. It's not massive amounts, Bann just gets the bigger half of whatever he and Mourne are eating. It's to compensate for the extra calories burned, much like the higher room temp. And he'll be warm to the touch, much more than Geoff. Mourne always feels cold in comparison, I keep forgetting he's the default and not the exception.

They don't need a specific bedding. I've used a variety of disposable and washable.

Just be prepared for the noise. Skinnies have a flair for the dramatic and they love letting you know it.
 
Lorcan said:
I'm sorry about the info page, I've been working on it and not getting myself very far :oops:

Cam loved to bury himself even in spiky timothy hay, scratches and scrapes aren't guaranteed to happen. Just keep an eye - any minor scrape can be cleaned with a little saline. Don't use anything like coconut oil on their skin, it screws with their skins natural oils and they don't have dry skin naturally. If their skin is dry, that's for the vet.

Food wise he'd need a little more than Geoff. It's not massive amounts, Bann just gets the bigger half of whatever he and Mourne are eating. It's to compensate for the extra calories burned, much like the higher room temp. And he'll be warm to the touch, much more than Geoff. Mourne always feels cold in comparison, I keep forgetting he's the default and not the exception.

They don't need a specific bedding. I've used a variety of disposable and washable.

Just be prepared for the noise. Skinnies have a flair for the dramatic and they love letting you know it.
Click to expand...
Thank you so much Lorcan I have gained a bit of knowledge of skinny pigs from Cam and Bann and your posts
It’sgood to know that his skin doesn’t need extra care - extra food won’t be a problem
I think I can give him a good home with Geoff if they get on -
The noise would be ok I love to hear wheeking/ chattering altho I realise it might be more than that !
🤞that they get on !
 
I’m taking Geoff to Wood Green on Sunday afternoon and if his health check is ok they will start the bonding on Monday -
They say it will probably be for 5 days
I’ll miss Geoff but I’m so hoping it’ll work out 🥰
Freddy ( the skinny pig) came from a home that had too many pets and he has not been rehomed yet as people didn’t think they could offer what he needs - I’m sure I can if they become friends
 
Did they ask if you had an outside run? They wouldn’t let me bond my boy when he was bereaved over the Summer because our outdoor run is not six foot. The piggies live indoors in a 5x2 and have a run for occasional use!
 
YorkshireLass said:
Did they ask if you had an outside run? They wouldn’t let me bond my boy when he was bereaved over the Summer because our outdoor run is not six foot. The piggies live indoors in a 5x2 and have a run for occasional use!
Click to expand...
They did and I have a small square run so they did advise I get a larger one for the warmer months
I have a gravel garden so Geoff and Bobby didn’t go outside when I moved -
 
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