Guinea Pigs - The Herd
While guinea pigs are relatively easy to take care of, many owners don't know much about it. Proper care involves adequate clean cage space,
fresh hay and vegetables every day. Even when owners can't provide that level of basic care, many surrender the piggies to a shelter
or unload them via sites like Craigslist. Guinea pigs are not good pets for kids, despite popular conception and despite what
pet stores tell you. When kids get tired of guinea pigs after a few months, they invariably get ushered out of the house in favor
of a cat, dog or more human spawn.
On August 18, 2007, Kay and I adopted a guinea pig named Snickers. When visiting the shelter, we saw that she wasn't in the
best of shape. It was also clear that she not going to be adopted by anyone given her appearance, and the low rate of
guinea pig adoptions from shelters. She only enjoyed three wonderful weeks with us before her health complications caught up with
her. Her adoption lead to a what is now a new tradition of rescuing guinea pigs as space permits.
Since Snickers, my herd has grown to be as large as eight piggies (the most their habitat will comfortably support).
They are an active bunch who get to be free range piggies and roam the living room on a near weekly basis. Much to
their dismay, some of them need bathing which makes everyone else in the room happy.
Zesty (A089150) is a female Abyssinian adopted from the Denver Municipal Animal Shelter on September
7, 2007, one of three guinea pigs brought in that were apparently found near an auto repair shop, left to fend for themselves. The only female of the bunch, she was
described by the staff as an 'escape artist' and estimated to be approximately one year old. We feared she was pregnant due to being housed with the two males she was found
with. We soon learned that she was an escape artist but fortunately not pregnant. The queen of the
herd, Zesty is the most feisty guinea pig we have. [Pictures]
Biscuit is a female Abyssinian adopted the same day as Zesty to provide companionship to the feisty beast. Oh, and she was ridiculously cute and mangled. Our third
guinea pig and first baby, adopted at only 5 weeks old, Biscuit knows no fear since she grew up in a happy home full of daily vegetable platters, endless hay and a huge play
pen to run around in. Hands down the most tranquil pig, she has known no hardship in her life like the rest have. [Pictures]
Waffle is a female Abyssinian personal adoption taken in on November 16, 2007. Hands down the most distinct color we have seen, a great blend of white, grey and
black, giving a 'peppered' appearance. Her black feet are also quite distinct and make her stand out in the herd. Approximately five weeks old when adopted, she seems to
live for fresh hay more than anything else. When she isn't bouncing around her home she is laying in one of the hay lofts for easy access to her precious. [Pictures]
Tater is a female Peruvian Abyssinian Silky (mangle-poof) personal adoption taken in on April 11, 2008. The runt of a five-pig litter, she was taken from a family
that had pigs living in poor conditions and mostly neglected as they "didn't have time for them any more". If left in those conditions, she certainly would have been housed
with mom, dad and any brothers in her litter leading to a very early pregnancy. Said to be four weeks old, we believe she was much closer to two weeks old when we got her.
It only took her a few days to become extremely lively, eat any veggie she was given and develop a great personality. She is currently living with the herd and integrated
faster than any other pig has. She now receives monthly hair cuts as her coat is too long and bulky. While she whines during the trimming, she becomes considerably
more energetic and seems much happier afterwards. [Pictures]
About: Our guinea pigs live in a custom "C & C cage" built into two adjoining
Wide 5-Tier Wire Shelves. Each floor is made of a coroplast base (with sides) for easy removal and cleaning. Rubber coated wooden ramps allow easy access between the
levels. One set of outdoor wire lights provide subdued lightning on evenings when they are not in the play pen. Detailed pictures of the mansion are
available. The play pen is built from three collapsable MidWest Homes for Pets' Small Pet Playpen fences surrounding beach towels. Our guinea
pigs get annual examinations and treatment from Dr. Sharyn Esposito at the Aurora Animal + Hospital, a superior Doctor
of Veterinary Medicine (DVM), referred by the excellent Cavy Care Inc. Guinea Pig Shelter & Sanctuary, who I support with yearly
financial and material donations.
