ADOPTING GUINEA PIGS

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If you are interested in adopting a guinea pig from us, please contact us so we can email you a Rehoming Questionnaire for you to complete and return to us.  Once this is received we will get back to you.  Also please read our rehoming policies to avoid disappointment.

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Before getting a guinea pig you should think long and hard why you are getting them.  The following sections highlight some of the things to consider before adopting.

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Please think ahead when getting guinea pigs, will you be moving, going to university, going abroad, etc, which means you will not be able to keep your guinea pigs for its lifetime.  Getting any pet is a commitment for the lifetime of that pet.

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Are you allergic to guinea pigs or hay.  Many people are allergic and it would be wise to handle some beforehand to see if any of the family have allergies.

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Guinea pigs and children.  Up to 90% of the guinea pigs that come into rescue have been bought for children who have lost interest.  Children's interest in anything can be sporadic and as a guinea pig can live for up to 6 years or even longer this is a long term commitment.  The Animal Welfare Act states that a child under 16 cannot be responsible for any pet.  As such it is the policy at The Wheek & Squeak that guinea pigs are rehomed only to adults.

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Of course, guinea pigs do make excellent family pets, however, parents must understand that they have to be solely responsible for the care of the guinea pigs.  We also want our guinea pigs to go to homes where they are wanted by ALL the family and not just fed, cleaned and tolerated once the children have long lost interest.

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Many parents have said to me that they have either bought or are going to buy guinea pigs to play with the children.  Please be aware guinea pigs do not play with children, they are naturally shy creatures and as such are more likely to try and hide than actively play.  Guinea pigs are NOT childrens toys and should be treated with respect.

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Children under 8 years of age are too young to be able to handle a guinea pig safely and children over that age need to handle a guinea pig with supervision.

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Owning guinea pigs can be very expensive.  They need a good quality hutch without ramps or cage with a separate solid secure run.  This could cost well in excess of £300.  Then there is the cost of hay, bedding, dried food, fresh vegetables.  Have you thought who will look after your guinea pigs while you are away, if you have no family or friends that can help, you will need to consider the cost of boarding.  On top of that there are vet bills.  Guinea pigs are very sensitive little animals that are prone to skin problems, chest infections, teeth problems and lumps, so vet bills can easily run well into many hundreds of pounds.  So please think long and hard about whether you have the extra funds to pay these bills.

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Guinea pigs also need your time.  Do you have time to handle them each day, put them in a run on nice days, prepare their feed, clean them out and give them fresh water, food and hay each day.  With busy family life this extra half hour or so each day can be very difficult to find.  It is not fair to leave them up the end of the garden and throw some food in when you have a moment.  Without regular handling they will be frightened and nervous of you which is not the relationship you want with your guinea pigs.

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If after reading the above you still think that guinea pigs are for you and that you can offer a loving home in the right environment for the lifetime of that pet then we will be delighted to hear from you.  Please complete and return our Rehoming Questionnaire and pleased read through our Rehoming Policies to avoid disappointment. 

 

We provide help and support for the lifetime of your adopted guinea pigs including complimentary nail trim to any guinea pig.

 

OUR ADOPTION POLICIES

 

HUTCH/CAGE SIZE

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We prefer guinea pigs to live indoors especially during the colder months say from mid September to mid April.  They do not do well in the cold and especially in our damp atmosphere.  Hutch/cage size should be 4ft' x 2ft' for two guinea pigs, 5ft x 2ft for three guinea pigs and 6ft x 2ft for 4 guinea pigs.  Outside hutches should be made of wood and not thin ply and should be at least 2ft off the ground.  We also do not agree with steep ramps, often guinea pigs fall off of the ramp or as pigs get older they struggle getting up and down them or some pigs refuse to go up and down them altogether.  There should be a separate robust run for them to go in when the weather is good.

 

BEDDING

 

We do not recommend shavings as bedding.  This has been linked to several health problems in guinea pigs.  There are several healthier and cheaper alternatives to shavings, these are Megazorb or Aubiose both can be purchased at equine suppliers 

 

NOT FOR BREEDING

 

We ask that your adopted guinea pigs are not used for breeding.  Firstly, because they have had enough stress in their short lives and we do not want them going through the stress of breeding.  Secondly, there are thousands of guinea pigs in this country that are put to sleep because there is not enough homes for them all.  (I would add that this is NOT the policy of The Wheek & Squeak).  To continue indiscriminate breeding while rescues all over the country are full to bursting with these poor little souls just dose not seem fair to me.

 

SURRENDERING

 

If at any time you cannot keep your adopted guinea pigs they should be returned to The Wheek & Squeak Guinea Pig Rescue.  You will certainly not be judged, we just want to know our guinea pigs are back in safe hands.

 

UNDERCOVER DURING COLDER MONTHS

 

Our winters can be very cold and wet and this is very harmful to guinea pigs.  A blanket over the hutch is just not enough to keep them warm.  Guinea pigs are suited to temperatures similar to humans and as such will find living outside or in an unheated shed in winter with just a blanket over the door very hard.  We ask that they are brought inside in autumn/winter, either indoors or a heated shed.

 

CHILDREN

 

We do not rehome where the guinea pigs are adopted solely for children.

 

HOME VISIT

 

A home visit will be carried out prior to any rehoming.

 

ADOPTION PROCEDURES

 

If after reading the above you feel that guinea pigs are the right pet for you and you can comply with our Rehoming Policies, you will need to contact The Wheek & Squeak and we will send you a Rehoming Questionnaire.  We care very much where our guinea pigs are rehomed and that they will be cared for properly, so we will ask a lot of questions about the home you have to offer.  Please do not let this put you off, it is not a test, it's only because we care.

 

Having received your completed Rehoming Questionnaire we will contact you to arrange an appointment for you to meet the piggies and discuss the adoption further.  You will be able to handle the guinea pigs and you will be told their history and then you can reserve the ones you would like to adopt.

 

An appointment will be made to do a home visit to check hutch/cage size and that it is placed in a suitable area, free from direct sunlight, sheltered from wind and rain etc, that the hutch is prepared correctly and that the run is solid and safe for the guinea pigs to run in.

 

This is also a time to discuss, particularly with new owners, any further questions they may have.

 

Once all parties are happy the Adoption Certificate will be signed and handed over and a donation is given to the Rescue.  A suggested minimum donation of £20 per guinea pigs or £55 for a neutered boar, this goes towards the general running costs of the Rescue.