guinea pig adoption UK

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Guinea Pig Adoption United Kingdom (UK)

Congratulations for your interest in adopting a guinea pig instead of buying from a pet store or a breeder. Every year shelters and guinea pig rescues struggle to find homes for animals who have been abandoned by their families. The guinea pigs you will find up for adoption are not problem pets, simply animals unlucky enough to have had families who were not able to keep them for various reasons. Adopting a guinea pig saves yet another animal from unnecessary euthanasia, so thanks again!

So what do you need to know about the guinea pig adoption process? Well first of all rescue organizations as a whole tend to be very committed and passionate. This means they will have standards they expect prospective applicants to adhere to before allowing the adoption to go through. Why is this? For one, there is the strong commitment to the animal’s welfare – no one wants to see a guinea pig placed in a home where he or she is likely to be neglected or mistreated. Secondly, there is little desire to go to all the work to place a guinea pig in a home only to have the new owners change their minds.

What are UK guinea pig rescue organizations looking for?

Rescue organizations are looking to adopt out to families not children. Most organizations are looking for a strong commitment and interest from an adult. The main reason for this strong standard is that if the parents are not also interested in guinea pigs, if the child loses interest later on the animal is very likely to be given substandard care or abandoned. Other restrictions could also include not adopting out except as a pair (unless you have a lone guinea pig at home already) as guinea pigs require the company of other guinea pigs in order to be happy.

Expect to be required to buy certain approved equipment. This usually means that you are expected to house your guinea pigs in appropriately sized cube and coroplast cages – anywhere from 7.5 square feet for one cavy and 10.5 square feet for two. Some rescues provide these cages for a small fee, usually $40-$60. Many rescues will also make great effort to educate you on proper guinea pig cage locations – not one’s garage, laundry room, or outdoors. You will also be expected to have other supplies like approved cage bedding, accessories, and food ready at time of adoption.

Finally – note that rescues do not look favorably on adopting out guinea pigs to owners who may want to breed them. When you run a guinea pig rescue you run into way to many unwanted animals who were the products of failed home breeding businesses.