Store guinea pigs or rescue guinea pigs

Sxophiee

Sxophiee

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Hi, I’m getting guinea pigs soon and I was wondering if there was really any difference getting a store guinea pig or
A rescue Guinea pif?
 
I would guess that most rescue guinea pigs started life being sold from a pet shop. But if you buy from the shop it's sort of an encouragement for them to continue not very good breeding practices and conditions and animals being seen as commodities; if you get them from a rescue the guinea pigs have a second chance at life. (Not to mention the other benefits of having contact with a rescue - such as they may be able to help with bonding, will neuter boars etc.)
 
With a rescue you are giving them a second chance at life, with pet shop piggies (they're still amazing, both of mine were from a pet shop) they're just being bred for shops, though they are kept in bad conditions most of the time, there is a higher risk of illness in pet shop piggies, my piggy Smudge was a pet shop piggy and he passed away shortly after we got him. It's really up to you.
 
With a reputable rescue you are getting a piggy that is properly bonded, correctly sexed, no chance of being pregnant, and properly health checked. You don't get any of this with a pet shop pig. Also, anyone can set themselves up as a rescue so not all rescues meet this standard therefore we do recommend you take a look at our rescue locator.

It is also a common myth that you only get older piggies in rescue. Often pet shop pigs are missexed and then rescues find themselves faced with pregnant sows. I have taken a 6 week old sow from a rescue before. Not all of the piggies in rescue have had a bad start either, sometimes people surrender them for very genuine and heartbreaking reasons
 
Rescue if you can.
It can be risky buying from shops - unknowingly buying already pregnant sows, unknown health problems and bonding problems can quickly come up. If you go out and buy two piggies, even though they are together in the shop, you have absolutely no guarantee that they are compatible and you may get them home and find that they hate each other and have to be separated, you then need extra cages and a new friend for each piggy etc
 
If rescuing is an option, I would take it, if only to give a pig a second chance at a good home. You're also going to know that they are not ill (a good rescue should observe a quarantine period before making pigs available for adoption) and should have already handled bonding so you are more likely to have a pair that is a good match. That said, it's not an option that is available in all places and circumstances... I have pet store pigs and they are great little pigs. But I would rescue if it were readily available in my area.
 
Helen82 said:
I would guess that most rescue guinea pigs started life being sold from a pet shop. But if you buy from the shop it's sort of an encouragement for them to continue not very good breeding practices and conditions and animals being seen as commodities; if you get them from a rescue the guinea pigs have a second chance at life. (Not to mention the other benefits of having contact with a rescue - such as they may be able to help with bonding, will neuter boars etc.)
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No other comment is needed, this is spot on 👍lol
 
Please get your piggies from a reputable rescue if you can. There is great satisfaction in giving a piggy which hasn't had the best start in life a loving home.
 
In my opinion it's always better to rescue. Places where you buy guinea pigs aren't maintained very well and more expensive whereas a rescue guinea pig you save them from being euthanized it takes a little bit more work as with any dropped off pet they have a skeptical view or humans but with due time they will love you so much if not more from saving them from a place they didnt really know. Best of luck :)
 
I rescued my first 2 boars myself from a school and watching them transform into happy pigs was just the best thing ive done.👍

I got them loads of high vit c veg, they had timothy hay for the first time. Nuggets too. The fur was the first thing to change. Went from greasy scruffyness to smoothe and soft. Then i sorted their twisted nails out when they were more confident. Here they are below, lived to 6 and 7 from . Sky left pip rightView attachment 103849
 
Skypipdot said:
I rescued my first 2 boars myself from a school and watching them transform into happy pigs was just the best thing ive done.👍
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I did that with my 2 sows. They are still very frightened. One more than the other but they are so sweet and deserving of a better life ☺☺☺
 
Skypipdot said:
Its a good feeling for you and the pigs. I basicly stole these pigs, they were only meant to be with me for the summer holiday. And i said i cant let them go back. Luckily the school was glad to get rid
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That's great! At least the school didn't put up a fight :)
 
Hi, we had a look and did consider rescue but sadly there was no rescues available within our area.

We got two from the store and the guy performed a health check and did make sure to see what sex they were.

In the end it all worked out! Thanks.
 
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