Tameside has been started recently by a forum member; it is definitely safe to rehome from! It is currently on our watch list. [Sorry have to retract that due to mistaking Tameside for another rescue.]
What you should look out in a good rescue:
- mandatory quarantine for all incoming guinea pigs and appropriate vet treatment. Any guinea pig that is put up for adoption should be totally cured/healthy and be signed off by a vet if it needed any treatment.
- mandatory 10 weeks pregnancy watch for all incoming sows unless the rescue can vouch for a boar-free background through personal knowledge and not just the word of the previous owner.
- rescue born babies should should be 6-8 weeks old, so they are sturdy enough to cope with the stress of moving to a new home and environment. Any baby boars should have been separated at 3 weeks old.
- any neutered boars should have had a 6 weeks post-op wait before they are allowed with sows.
- any already bonded pairs should be carefully personality matched and stable and the rescue should be able to tell you about their background, behaviour and quirks.
- the hutches or cages should be a decent size with plenty of hay and clean water. They should also have winter protection.
What you don't want to see in a rescue:
- itching guinea pigs with bald patches that are explained away as "dry skin" or a "seasonal" issue - it is always untreated or undertreated ringworm or mange mites (or both). A good way is to ask what they use for mange mites treatment. It should be either vet treatment or xeno/high dosed ivermectin, not a cheap shop product which only makes things worse.
- green or empty water bottles, dirty bedding, no or soiled hay, filthy pellet bowls, rackety breeder boxes and insufficient protection.
- no or not sufficient gender separation.
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