Barbara, this is exactly what I mean. You have READ about satins and READ heartbreaking stories (like the one about Julio and Fidget which seems to have been published absolutely everywhere).
I was pleased to read your earlier posting saying that you have not had a satin in your rescue centre. But you say “but I will as there are now breeders in my area, it's a matter of when….†. Can I tell you that Tyne & Wear (which I understand is the location of your rescue centre) has actually been a ‘hot bed‘ for satins almost since the time of the original imports from USA. They are not NEW to your area at all, its just that the people who have kept them looked after them properly and bred from them carefully. Sadly Vic Bailey, still known affectionately in ‘showing’ circles as ‘the Shiny King’ because of his lovely satins, has now passed on. Another top breeder still lives in your area but I will not identify them because they still keep many satins (big fit winning ones!) Please just see that there are both sides to this ‘satin debate’ - all I am hoping for is HONESTY and good care of satin cavies and this seems to be a bit thin on the ground!
I agree that the ‘Julio’ story has made show satin breeders realise that they must not sell satin piggies to beginners, or worse still, anyone who would breed hundreds for the pet trade but why is this so strange? It’s the same reason that children are given grumpy hairy fat ponies to learn to ride on - not racehorses or delicate show ponies! It really has to be the same with piggies and perhaps this is where the education is needed.