Taking on "Ex-breeding stock"?

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Flower_Girl

Flower_Girl

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I contacted a woman on preloved about a pair of sows free to a pet home within a reasonable distance from me. I've only just noticed that she is a breeder. (This wasn't clear in the ad.) I suspect the sows have been bred from previously. What do you guys think about taking on piggies from breeders who no longer have a use for them?
 
I have taken on and indeed do have some piggies who came into Rescue due to breeders not continuing due to the recession or whatever other reason.

I just treat them as any other guinea pig and endeavour to find them loving homes as we do all the others.

H.
x
 
My thoughts are every piggy deserves a good home and their background should not mean that they can't qualify for rescue. Even if this essentially makes room for more breeding piggies.
 
Basically, any guinea pig has the right to a happy home. There are no more and no less "deserving" piggies!

At least two of my guinea pigs are stock from an ex-breeder (though adopted through a rescue, and they have never been bred).

As far as I'm concerned, it is up to you whether you want to adopt from her or try and go through a rescue.
 
I also have a few ex-breeding piggies. A fair few guineas in rescue are ex-breeder pigs, so by taking them on direct from the retired breeder you're really only missing out the rescue stage!
 
We have got three female piggies here who have recently given birth having come from a breeder already pregnant,One is spoken for and is going to a super home with one of her little ones,another is available shortly as is the third,I have kept ex breeding sows within my own herd as they make brilliant granny's to the new bubs....and no i dont breed,there are enough about wanting homes without adding to the problem.

allan
rspca west suffolk branch
 
I think that one of my piggies came from an ex breeder and I wouldn't change her for the world. I echo what others have said and that is that all piggies deserve a loving home and their past shouldn't matter.

I am not 100% clear on Eleanor's past but to be honest, I'm not too bothered as she is well looked after and is safe.

However, you should really go with your gut instinct. If you really want these 2 piggies then go for it. If you're not 100% sure, go to a rescue instead xx
 
Theres a post on preloved from someone near to me that says "I have had a change of direction in my guinea pig breeding, therfor am selling my entire stock of shelties and corronets".

I can't see why they should be treated differently, if they are the right piggies for you, go for it! :)
 
Breeders overbreeding, downsizing, running out of money, giving up etc etc etc are one of the reasons there are so many pigs in rescue. This reinforces why we are a pro rescue (anti breeding) forum, as we see the consequences of it so often. They most certainly deserve a good home, and a good rest! xx
 
If so many ex-breeding piggies end up in rescue, in my opinion taking them from the breeder will reduce the number going into rescue which would give some more needing piggies a chance with the rescue. If that makes sense?!

EDIT: I don't mean buying from the breeder, I mean in the case of your preloved piggies!
 
Do you mean that if rescues take in ex breeding stock or breeders surplus to requirement stock, then that will leave less space in rescues for other types of rescue eg unwanted pregs and kids getting fed up? xx
 
56 of our rescued guineas have come from breeders this year,downsizing,last years stock etc,etc,they think that picking up the phone and calling the assorted rescues can solve everything and then they have the cheek to get abusive when we cannot take them all at once.

I find that ex breeding animals are more nervous than 'pets' and take longer to turn around however they do make excellent companions once you have their trust.

allan
rspca west suffolk branch
 
I don't think it's fair to treat any animal any different because of such a reason.

It's not the piggies fault that they were used as breeding tools.
They deserve a decent, loving home, so that they don't have to go through anymore.

They deserve a good life, just as any other Guinea Pig does.

That's what I say, at least.
 
nutmeg said:
Do you mean that if rescues take in ex breeding stock or breeders surplus to requirement stock, then that will leave less space in rescues for other types of rescue eg unwanted pregs and kids getting fed up? xx
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Yes. Although I don't think that there should be any need for rescues at all, I don't think that pets should ever be 'the kids' - it's always the adults responsibility. And breeders giving surplus stock to rescues because of reasons you just described earlier is beyond me! They need to take complete responsibility! They have tried to profit from the piggies, they should see it through.

With Sasha just having her litter, I can't see how anyone would sell them off. They are so lovely! Although, this litter was accidental and will be the last. Just made my piggie checklist so that I can get a strict routine going with the 6 of them so that the rest of the household doesn't see them as a burden! :(|)


tillythepig said:
I find that ex breeding animals are more nervous than 'pets' and take longer to turn around however they do make excellent companions once you have their trust.
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I would have assumed that, because I would assume that they wouldn't be handled often as they aren't seen as pets. I am shocked at how many you've had in ?/ Crazy!


MommaPiggy said:
It's not the piggies fault that they were used as breeding tools.
They deserve a decent, loving home, so that they don't have to go through anymore.

They deserve a good life, just as any other Guinea Pig does.
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Completely agree with you!
 
All interesting, and lots of good points. However, sadly in the real world people don't behave as maybe you or I do, so thank goodness there are rescues. Yes all guineas deserve a good life, irrespective of their background. xx
 
surely the piggies who have been pregnant and had numerous babies are the most deserving of a new good home to get spoilt rotten in.if youve ever been pregnant you can really sympathise with the poor things
 
Thanks for the great responses! Some really interesting points have been brought up.

My reservation was not whether or not they deserved a good home - I agree 100% that all guinea pigs deserve great homes, regardless of their background! And of course it's not their fault that they've ended up where they have. I just really don't want to condone "throwing" guinea pigs away when you're done with them.

Saying that, I would have no hesitation adopting a guinea pig from rescue who came from this background, and I didn't really consider that so many probably do go straight to rescue, so by adopting a piggy straight from the breeder, it could just be cutting out the middle man, as Laura said!

I've sent another email asking for any additional information on the girls (and mentioning that they'd join my sow), so we'll see how it goes.

Thanks for all the opinions!
 
I understand that you don't want to condone just 'throwing away' piggies when people have had enough, but surely, it is good that the ex breeder is listing them as free to a pet home, rather than dumping them somewhere and not caring whether or not they are found?

I honestly think that some people don't think about their actions. I think that some (if not all) breeders are very selfish and have bred piggies to make money for themselves and havent really thought about the piggies that already need homes and are currently in rescue. They also seem rather ignorant in the fact that they can just get rid of their stock as an when they want to, as they don't have the heart enough to bond with them as pets in the first place. Everything comes down to ignorance and selfishness.

If it was me, I'd take them. I wouldn't see it as condoning the breeder's behaviour. I'd see it as rehoming two lovely piggies, who through no fault of their own are probably feeling very exhausted and very unloved!
 
I got my 2 off a breeder from preloved, although I never knew at the time. But to be honest, I think 80% of them were pets and he only bred a small amount. He was extremely responsible and went through everything with me, showed me the parents, gave me a 'family tree' thing. I know this forum doesn't condone breeding but I don't think all breeders are bad and all piggies deserve a home wherever they come from. :)

We will never stop breeding wherever and whoever we get them from.

LOL I agree with the pregnant comment daleksarah, not that I have been pregnant but it made me laugh! :(|)
 
I agree with Flower Girl, somehow it seems a little irresponsible of the breeder to just get rid of surplus or unwanted pigs by surrendering them to a rescue if they are still gonna continue breeding and may surrender pigs continuously... But then they are still little pigs in need of a home and I don't want to think about what an irresponsible breeder might do with them if he/she couldn't surrender them to a rescue.
 
skrikopanik said:
I agree with Flower Girl, somehow it seems a little irresponsible of the breeder to just get rid of surplus or unwanted pigs by surrendering them to a rescue if they are still gonna continue breeding and may surrender pigs continuously... But then they are still little pigs in need of a home and I don't want to think about what an irresponsible breeder might do with them if he/she couldn't surrender them to a rescue.
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You're not wrong. xx
 
My breeder said he would happily take them back at any time if needed, so I know he is being responsible. I am not going to let him have them though! :<>
 
The 'Irresponsible' breeder would most likely let the animals go anywhere,be it to a less than satisfactory new home or simply dump them.

And given some of the animals we have on our local website i've just had a lady call asking if i know any breeders as she wants some 'Aby's' and we havn't got any.

allan
rspca west suffolk branch.
 
I'm so glad there are rescues for little unwanted animals so that they have a chance to be wanted by someone again! You're all doing an amazing job!
 
I must state although, there are alot of unwanted to pigs, which is terrible for them. I very recently handed my piggie into Rescue and that was purely due to circumstances and one of the most painful things I have ever had to do and I will not do it again. I didn't try and rehome him, as I felt I would not be able to vet the people to make sure they were the right person for Marvin. As I don't Drive, The rescue I handed him do homecheck's which means he will def go to someone that wants him!

Marvin was 100% wanted and Loved! Which is why I made the decision I did! If you don't know the story there are lots of threads!

I also agree rescues do a wonderful job for these wee piggies!
 
I think all piggies deserve a forever home where ever they come from.I rehomed a retired sow from a breeder friend and she is very happy now and baby free !
I would not purposely seek out a piggie from a breeder but i prefer to know whats going on than be ignorant to piggies needing a home after being bred from.
xx>>>
 
The wanted/unwanted in my post refer only to breeders who surrender pigs just to make room for the next bach which may be more "perfect".

I understand it must be awful to have to rehome a loved animal because of allergies or a situation like your, Joanne.
 
I freely admit that i almost needed my piggies rehomed many years ago due to circumstances beyond my control,thankfully it didnt come to that.It did however give me some experience regarding the heartbreak of having to part with an animal and has served us well since we started rehoming for our local RSPCA.

Under those circumstances we always tell people the animals will be fine and if needs be they can come back and see them while we find them new homes,phone us to see if they are ok etc,the only things we cannot do is tell people where they have gone or let them have the animals back unless by prior arrangement.

These people we feel truly saddened for and even though i'm 47 years young i have felt the odd tear run down my cheek.

allan
rspca west suffolk branch.
 
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