The places where some of my friends have gotten them are petsmart and stores like that. Is that a good choice for a place to buy this pet. I have done tons of research and i am sure i could handle the needs of them.
2007-06-02 12:27:30 · 14 answers · asked by land_devin 2 in Pets ➔ Rodents
I just don't know where else to get one.
2007-06-02 12:28:20 · update #1
lol opps didn't put the pig in there talking bout guniea pig
2007-06-02 12:31:29 · update #2
Don't buy one, rescuse or adopt. Pet stores sell animals that sre usually infested with mites or sick. Please don't support them. With so many guina pigs needing homes, I don't support breeders either. Why bring more into the world, when there are so many needing home.
Rescues and shelter care for the guinea pigs well. You are more likely to get a healthy pig this way. You will pay a small adoption fee, no more than you would pay in a store. It's the best way to get a guina pig and a wonderful thing to do, ethically!
2007-06-03 09:51:47 · answer #1 · answered by MemphisGal 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Petshops are the WORST places you can get a pet. They get their stock from money-making breeders who do not give a damn who their animals go to. They keep them in tiny cages and give them little attention. There is no such thing as 'rescuing from a petshop' because buying from there just supports this type of breeding. Often guinea pigs from petshops are pregnant, ill or very timid. Is that what you want?
The best option is to try at a Rescue centre. If you want a baby they DO sometimes have babies available. People are always put off because they think they will only sell old animals, but they get a lot of pregnant guinea pigs in. Rehoming centres will not sell an unhealthy or ill animal so this would be a brilliant place for you to look!
Your next resort would be to a RESPONSIBLE breeder. I know it'll be hard for you to know whether they are or aren't but if they are kept in dirty conditions then do not buy from them. If they are kept in soiled hutches then they obviously don't get much time spent on them and probably aren't handled much (so may be timid).
If you can tell me whereabouts you live I can give you names of rehoming centres and good breeders nearby.
I have a lot of experience with these animals so please feel free to speak to me!
Good luck.
2007-06-03 04:20:59 · answer #2 · answered by Trina 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
be sure to adopt rather than buy from a store. Adopting a guinea pig is a good idea for a number of reasons, including the fact that a guinea pig from a shelter is probably used to being handled while a guinea pig from a store has just come from a backyard breeder where they get little to no human contact. There are also thousands of guinea pigs in the U.S. alone that are in need of a forever home, and you can easily find bonded pairs (pairs of males or females that have formed a special bond, usually from living together for their entire life) that are adoptable together. Shelter pigs also tend to be healthier and more well-cared for than pigs in a pet store, who are likley to be ill.
adopting a guinea pig is so much better than buying one, plus it's gratifying knowing you saved their life, you know?
2007-06-02 21:19:44 · answer #3 · answered by pixi1030 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
I dont' buy them from the store with pretty much any animal including fish there are usually tons that people got and then ran out of time for it or simply tired of it and the pet needs a good home that will properly care for it...
Some good places to check are your local paper, your local Pound(they get rabbits and guinea pigs as well as cats and dogs) , your local freecycle or craigslist... some of the places will require a "rehoming fee" usually to insure the pet goes to a family that will be responsible for it and not for research etc.. Others will be free... some that ask for a rehoming fee can be talked out of it...
2007-06-02 19:49:27 · answer #4 · answered by minky_2001 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Firstly, try somewhere like the RSPCA or a rescue centre - it is better to home an abandoned guinea pig than buy a new one, if you can. or you can try other pet shops or individual breeders - look in newspapers or research on the internet for local breeders. oh, and you should get at least two guinea pigs - thay are very social animals, being natural herd animals, so will get very lonely on their own.
2007-06-03 05:54:51 · answer #5 · answered by pullthetrigger 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
go to an animals shelter first. this will be the best place. alos try looking in your papper for any adds, lots of kids don't take care of them, and then they smell so im sure you can find a few people trying to get rid of one. only if you fail at the first two places should you go to an exotic pet store or a non-chain store. they provide the best care for them there and will tell you the best way to take care of it.
never go to a chain pet store. they are louwsy with their care and heath of the animals, they don't work that hard to take care of them either.
2007-06-04 15:04:35 · answer #6 · answered by Mango Muncher 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i would NOT reccommend getting ANY pet from Petco or PetSmart or Walmart. those pets tend to be more violent and unhappy. either look for a breeder (they advertise in papers) also you could check and see if there is a small pet store in your town. smaller pets stores in my opinion take better care of their pets because they know what they are doing. check them out and look at the animal. insist you get to see and hold you piggie (or other animal) before you buy. if they wont let you dont buy. check the breathing eyes fur and everything else to see if your piggie is healthy.
2007-06-03 22:09:45 · answer #7 · answered by Anya 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Think small. Check your phone book for smaller pet shops and breeders (the animals are less expensive and in better health). Only use the larger stores if you absolutely need to (they tend to inbreed their animals and are prone to illness). You may also want to look in the classified section of your newspaper.
Here's a great site for common ailments and info.
http://www.oginet.com/pgurney/index.html
2007-06-02 19:39:38 · answer #8 · answered by yeoldguineapig 3 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Sometimes breeders will advertise in the paper, or exotic vets may know breeders. Pet stores are ok, but make sure the piggy is alert, soft shiny coat, no foot injuries, bright clear eyes with no discharge, no nasal discharge, no sign of diarrhea around it's butt. It should feel "heavy" and solid when you hold it, not skinny or light. They are wonderful. p.s. Don't forget to feed it good timothy hay (not alfalfa) and add 100mg of liquid vitamin C drops (made for children) to it's water every day.
2007-06-02 19:33:54 · answer #9 · answered by KimbeeJ 7 · 0⤊ 2⤋
I assume you mean the rodent- not the bird? A pet store is a good place to buy one. NEVER buy a dog at a pet store though. They are mostly low quality rejects from puppy mills.
2007-06-02 19:35:04 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋