Should I rehome my boar?

SusieW

SusieW

Junior Guinea Pig
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Hi guys,

I am in a rubbish situation with my guinea pig. I have 8 in total at the moment which is a long story- never meant to end up with 8 but had a couple of fall outs so had to get new friends for those. Only wanted to get a new friend for my senior bereaved boar originally- was down to one guinea pig last year! But 8 is my maximum so trying to find another friend for this guy isn't an option.

But long story short, I have a young single boar who can't seem to live in harmony with anyone. I've tried him with three other boars now and he's always either attacked or the attacker, apart from one boar he adores yet can't live with as the one he likes is very closely bonded to his brother who the single one fell out with. I feel horrible about him living on his own although he interacts through the bars with the pair of boars next door which includes the boar he likes.

I don't want to have sows in the house because of risking affecting my boar bonds (all 8 are male) but I am beginning to wonder if he would be happier being neutered and living with girls and if so should I give him to a rescue. I am in bits about this as I desperately don't want to give him up- I really love all 8, and I have a real issue with people giving up animals, yet I want to do the best for him. But at the same time I'm afraid of giving him up for rehoming in case he ends up in a tiny cage, not looked after, or not in a home forever- hate the idea of him being passed around. And I would miss him so much. I'm totally devastated as I really love him, and was wondering if anyone has any thoughts- my parents are annoyed with me for being so upset about it and I'm annoyed with them for not understanding why I'm so upset so hoped you guinea pig people would understand! He is a very handsome boar (a tricolour alpaca apparently although I think his hair is not right for an alpaca as it's silky) and he's only 5 months old so I'm sure he would get a new home. But I really love him and he's already been through a lot- when I adopted him he had lice and then got ringworm and has had a rough time really.

I just dont know if he would be happier staying with me or if I'm just utterly selfish and he'd be happier being rehomed. What would anyone else do?
 
I’ve heard that they can get the socialization they need with having a neighbor which is what you have. I don’t know the exact situation so I can’t tell if it’s sufficient or not.
 
My boars fell out and live side by side. Unfortunately due to health issues I can't neuter them and I never set out to have 4 piggies of any gender really so I don't think I'll try and rebond them with more boars.

They can regularly be found zooming around their cage, popcorning and generally making happy piggy noises. I take comfort in that as I was worried their living arrangement wouldn't be enough...but they seem happier than when they were together. They seem more chilled and I'm seeing more of their personalities.

I'm not a particularly experienced piggy owner so their might be more knowledgeable views to come. But I would say let your boar tell you how he feels. If he seems active and doing all the things a happy piggy would do then that's a positive sign.

It sounds like you're a caring owner, so whatever you decide it'll be a decision that you made with all the right intentions.
 
Many piggie owners do keep boars side by side when they've fallen out and as far as I know they can be very happy this way. But if you feel your boar is acting lonely or you find yourself worrying about him then don't worry about surrendering him. Although many people surrender animals for the wrong reasons there are some very good reasons for animals to need rehoming. Nobody will judge you for doing all you can and feeling asthough you just can't do any more without some help. Most rescues will happily answer any questions you have on things like whether they will neuter him to live with sows or how they will asses if his new home is suitable. And a good rescue will be as keen to ensure he has a good life as you are.
 
Hi

If you feel that the side-by-side notion is not what you would like or can cope with, please look for spayed sows (some US rescues do have them). Any piggy bond however relies very much on mutual liking and acceptance so you can never count on a bonding success to be a given unless you rescue date.
Rescue Locator (the link to recommended good welfare standard US rescues is below the UK map)
 
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