Guinea Pig for a 6 Year Old ?????
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 1 дек 2024
- I have an Etsy Crystal Shop!! Take a peek theuniverseref...
Donate - www.laguineapi...
Shop in our super fun store! www.laguineapi...
List of ACTUAL items we use www.amazon.com...
Start your Amazon shopping through this link smile.amazon.com/ch/27-1292225
Wish list - www.amazon.com...
Link to the store as well as the PAIN RELIEF cream gel pen Saskia uses in her videos www.laguineapi...
MY Facebook Group! Ask questions through the Wheekers Group run by me !! / 137047001051961
Lots of GP stuff se well here www.etsy.com/s...
After a traumatic event at 4 years old, my parents adopted a piggie for me to help me cope. They cared for her basic needs until I was old enough to handle all of it myself, and in my case that was only a couple years later. But they were fully committed to caring for Daisy even if I had "grown tired" of her (which none of us kids in my family every "tired" of a pet or "lost interest", that concept boggles my mind).
The exact opposite happened a couple years back with a family we knew. They, just like in this video, adopted a piggie for their 6 year old because she had seen pictures of mine and thought they were cute and wanted one. She never fully cared for his needs; my parents ended up helping with lots of stuff for him. When it became apparent he was essentially dying in her care and he had signs of heart disease, my sister went full crisis mode and convinced the parents to let us adopt him before the family moved across state. He is now the largest, healthiest boy with a wonderful docile cagemate. He still gets daily heart meds and supplemental feeding but it is night and day the difference between his condition with proper care and without.
I know it is beyond overwhelming having pigs dumped on you all the time, but you are doing such a loving kind thing. It doesn't go unnoticed.
that's amazing! so sweet for rescuing a piggie on need 💜
Laughed when well-meaning grandpa got the two pigs for his granddaughter who already had her own HORSE. It doesn't take a genius to know that guinea pigs are going to play second fiddle to a freakin' horse. 😂
I mean what was grandpa thinking 🤦😂
Spoiling a children doesn't make them responsible.
Quite so!
True my daughter would look after horse before guinea pigs. Even though she loves animals. If kids not teenagers then of course kids not going look after them.
Ha. I have two horses and three Guinea pigs- they all get same level of love and care !!! No difference as far as I can tell- love them all for who they are. 🥰
My 7 year old daughter wanted a guinea pig. So I did thorough research fully knowing they would be my responsibility. Now I am known as the guinea pig lady to my family and friends. I have 7 pigs now. All rescues. I have a huge wall of very large c&c enclosures. It is a lot of money, time and care but it is so rewarding taking care of them and giving them homes as they were given up by their previous owners. My daughter will grow up to have fond memories of the piggies but not of taking care of them as I am their caretaker.
You are the very rare exception of people that take responsibility for animals, but most do not. Guinea pigs are not for children, because they are high maintenance.
YOU are my dream adopter! ❤
@@LosAngelesGuineaPigRescue I learned everything from you and Scotty!! If I lived closer (and not in Iowa) I would've adopted from you. 🥰
I found these guys both on RUclips. I am truly thankful to each of them. Our exotic veterinarian is a surgeon and doesn't treat at times preventive. She jumps to just putting them down. So, I have learned a lot from both of them.
NO WAY!!!!
what care is a 6 year old doing for A HORSE?? This guy is too much! Thanks Saskia for cutting the line for them
I always forget to turn down my volume when one of your videos start 😆 my piggies go nuts when they hear the wheeks
This is how I got my Sarah pig- one of my former coworkers reached out saying her current teammate was looking to rehome a pig they had gotten for a younger family member. Poor baby had a small pet store care and was by herself. Boy was she happy to have a herd and all the space we were able to give her. Now she’s one of my herd seniors and just as loving as ever. They really are not pets for kids.
They probably never even asked the kid whether she wanted guinea pigs, but their little emotional blackmail didn't work, then they are left with the animals and don't want the trouble. People mean well but they don't think these things through. The same happened to me when I was a kid, guinea pigs turned up one day and my sister and I were supposed to look after them. They were put in a shed out in the garden, "out of sight out of mind". Fine for a few weeks then all forgotten. Unfortunately it did not end well for the guinea pigs. I carried a lifelong guilt because of what happened and only recently have I been able to forgive myself and realize it wasn't my fault, I was put in a position of responsibility that I wasn't ready for and never asked for. My partner and I have a herd of 3 now and we love them to bits and look after them properly because we wanted them and learned how to take care of them. They live in the house with us, right in the living room and they are the first things we see when we get up in the morning and the last things before we go to bed. As you say Saskia, pets are not toys for children, it is an adult responsibility keeping another living being.
i’m sorry about what happened to your pigs as a child, it’s such a sad situation for them and you. no child should have the responsibility of an animal dumped on them whether they asked for them or not :(
My one year old sister loves my piggies and I get her to help me give them their night food, but they are in no way her pets. I did not even get my first pigs until middle school. They are so much more work than people realize.
I’m 46 and adore these little guys. But even I’m not ready for all the work they require! Lol! I’ll see when I grow up if I can swing it. Lol!
reading the title reminded me of my most recent rescue, someone wanted to surrender a male and female guinea pig they got for their four year old! insane!
i am just honestly not surprised at this story at this point! it happens so often. so careless of these parents not to believe us when we say this!
Is the female pregnant?
@@BlueBirdFeather1996 so the whole story was that they bought the female from a pet store, then they were told guinea pigs need friends (good!) so they bought another but it turned out to be a male and very soon after she gave birth. luckily they separated them in time and sadly they returned the babies to the pet store. they tried to give the other two adult piggies to the pet store but they were "too old". ugh. so they reached out to me and told me the whole story, and also complained that their 4 year old wasn't paying much attention to them anymore... duh! she did mention also that they had ringworm that she had to treat. pet stores never fail to disappoint me. she also bragged about being "such a good guinea pig owner" while housing them in pet store cages. she asked if i wanted the cages and i asked for the measurements, and they were half the size of the minimum requirement of 7.5sqft. no shocker there. well, they're with me now in good hands. they each live in 10.5sqft playpens (we don't have cages at this time to house them, we're full!) and the female now has another female friend she lives with and the male is pending bonding with other male partners. long story short, DON'T BUY FROM PET STORES AND DON'T GET GUINEA PIGS FOR YOUR FOUR YEAR OLDS!
@@BlueBirdFeather1996 they were two boys thank goodness
I always tell people Guinea pigs are NOT a starter Pet! They are actually complicated and interesting. The same thing happened with my daughter and our pigs. Now they are mine and they know how much I love them.
I honestly made the same mistake but, BUT now, we as a family are trying our best to take care of our herd. And, I'm not going to pretend that it's been easy, especially recently with prices going up and our family not being the richest but giving them up is not an option so I've been trying my best to be creative like asking for vegetable scraps at my local store.
Edit: also with proper research, foraging outside for weeds and plants
Reduced parsley is always a hit for our piggies
@@eveking6289 thank you for the advice 😄
@@eveking6289 What is reduced parsley?
I got my first guinea pig when I was nine, and she lived until I was eighteen! My mom was very involved in her care when I was younger. Children will go through a lot of changes and changing interests in their lives during the life of a guinea pig.
Oh my... 6 years old is so young to get two Piggies ! I had my first Piggies when I was 11, now I'm 15 and I love them soooo much❤️. By the way, your channel helped me a lot !
You are perfect, dont change!
Hello from France ❤️
By the way, my 1 y.o brother learns to respect them and my 5 y.o sister loves helping me take Care of them! But I would Never ever leave them Alone with my pigs
I'm so glad you help them understand these animals.
I remember when I got my first guinea pig at age 12, barely took care of it mostly fell on my mother's responsibility. Got a pair again as a 19 yr old adult and actually did research before getting them. I've had guinea pigs consistently ever since, now 22 and have VERY spoiled piggies. Lol There's a big difference getting a pig for a child than as an adult but nonetheless the piggy should be the adults responsibility no matter the interest of the child.
So very true. I was about the same age when I had my first guinea pig but also the same age when I felt responsible to take care of them. I think people assume "they're smaller than a cat or a dog, so surely my kid can take care of them" No one can be more wrong
My 10 and 8 year old have gotten their first pigs. They adore their babies, clean up after them, buy them toys and food with their allowance money. It’s been great for their responsibility. They spend so much time playing and cuddling their piggies !
We homeschool and it’s just become part of their daily routine.
We have 3 girls. Sushi, pumpkin, and cappuccino.
Aww, those are wonderful names! 🥰❤️
Was about to comment the exact same thing
I'm going to buy some crystals soon off of your Etsy shop to help try and support you in any way I can, since I'm unable to adopt (I don't live in the area, but I AM looking to adopt a pair of females and I think I found a good local sanctuary to do so from) from you guys. Much love, and thank you again for what you're doing for these piggies.
Edit: I really don't find his "guilt tripping" to be attractive in the slightest "Oh please take them, I mean, I'm already here." Okay, but that doesn't mean a single thing at all. You're clearly already overcrowded and taking on more when you're not able to at the moment just because it'll be best for him? Isn't what's best for the piggies. Common sense a 6 year old isn't going to be able to have such responsibility on their shoulders. I don't mean to be so harsh, but this is an animals life. One can't be so careless and part of me thinks also it was an excuse to get them for themselves but they realized they don't have the time nor energy to keep up with taking care of them. It's just sad, really.
Thank you again and if I even lived anywhere near you guys I'd help out for free with taking care of them, and such.
We have a live sale on the Friday the 17th!!!! Starting 1pm Pacific and we will sell for 9 hours!
@@LosAngelesGuineaPigRescue I’ll be there! 😄
I always say this in every video but bless you, Saskia, and your big heart. When I was 8 I wanted a puppy so my 'rents got me a guinea pig. My Dad was the main caretaker, but I really loved that piggy and loved to cuddle him and feed him and borrowed all the books on guinea pigs from my school library. I was a weird nerdy little kid, I guess (who grew into a weird nerdy adult).
I had guinea pigs as a very young child. It is great for kids who have parents who remain involved to teach their child responsibility. My dad build them large cages and of course the parents were financially responsible. I loved those guinea pigs so much and was in charge of feeding and cleaning their cages. It was hard work but very rewarding and some of my happiest memories include grocery shopping for veggies for the guinea pigs. I loved how happy the piggies always were to get their veggies. Like ALL pets it is up to parents to make sure kids are committed to their care and to help them as needed. BTW, my first guinea pigs were also a gift from my grandparents! On the other hand, they know that I loved animals already and would love them.
It's good to teach children how to interact with animals from a young age, but the adults always have to be prepared to do the work. Even when the kids are older, as long as the animal is in your house you are responsible. In the Netherlands most of the stores stopped selling animals and I avoid the ones that still do. All of our animals are rescues. And all of them have behavioral issues (who knows what they went through). But with a lot of patience, space and good care I got them to act almost normal. They live in the garden and I don't expect them to be tame, but I can pick them up for checkups. After 3 years they took veggies from my hand and I almost cried because of the trust they had in me.
The shelters in Germany are filled with Pandemic pets such as dogs, cats and bunnies, but there are no guinea pigs. Not even the shelter in Frankfurt had some. It took a two week search and multiple emails to animal shelters and private rescues to find someone who had guinea pigs available for adoption. The private rescue i found had just 4 pigs, one neutered male and three females. Luckily, there was one that was an instant match for my group. Similar age and fitting personality.
It surprised me quite a bit to see that you have so many piggies at the rescue. The total opposite to our situation.
Wow!
Bless you Saskia for not refusing to take these two babies. I so wish I lived near you because I would adopt some piggies from you but I live in spain
My mother took care of my cat when I was young. She knew that I wouldn't do it and Jinks was the family cat. He lived to be 15. My mother was wonderful with all animals and would say," God Bless It." Even when animals were on the TV.
I am 32 have had 2 guinea pigs for 3 months and realize it is a big responsibility that no children can not afford. I clean the cage twice a week, I buy organic vegetables (feed twice a day) and mix concentrated feed with flowers, herbs, etc. myself. I do a health check (teeth, ears, claws) and brush and bathe if necessary. I don't think I would have taken care of my piggies that much when I was 7.
This is why people need to stop getting guinea pigs or any freaking animal as a "gift" to a child.
If a person is going to do that they need to be prepared to take on that animal themselves! This is insane! I feel so bad for these piggies.
I definitely want to work at the Guinea Pig Rescue now! I actually care about these little critters unlike most people!!!
Awwww!! I have 3 teens, 17.5, 16 and 13 years and they will feed our piggie and will hold him and play with him but that's it!! Lol we were given our piggie by a woman my hubby worked with because her sister (who was an adult) wasn't taking care of him at all. I grew up having small pets, guinea pig, rabbits and hamsters and I know they require a ton of time and money to take care of. It's so sad, they are such adorable piggies!! Thanks for bringing this situation to light, Saskia!!
Nope, nope, and nope. I am the resident "guinea pig lady" and anytime someone asks me if they should get guinea pigs for their kids, I ALWAYS tell them it is a hard "No." There are other (better) ways for children to learn responsibility and a gifting them living creature is NOT it. I used to be a Vet Tech and I would see so many "pocket pets" have to be euthanized because they became too ill to save for this very reason. I wish people would listen. Thank you, Saskia, for all you do for the piggies. (Wish I lived near you, I would volunteer to be a foster!"
Yup right there with you. I’m full too, but if someone begged I’d find room. Somehow.
I got my first piggie, Wirimu, at 4. We shared breakfast, lunch and dinners. He made a few kindy visits. Then he would come to school every now and then (20 mins in the morning. Wed bring in a bag of long grass, us kids formed a circle and let him wander around. He loved it. Then my mum would take him home). We got him a lady friend when he suffered Constipation. But before that I gave him his medicine (i was 6). I was always responsible for cleaning the hutch, keeping them groomed, collecting bags and bags of long thick grass from the paddocks. Our local vege used to give us the not so pretty fruits and veges. Even grew some. They lived in an outdoor hutch, so I had to move them if I saw they'd eaten all their grass. But I had to do it in lines. They were good lawnmowers and left excellent fertiliser behind. I had Guinea pigs for 20 years. But once I had a human baby I gave them up because I felt I couldn't give them all the attention they deserved. When my kids are teens, I may get a couple again. Will depend on my lifestyle. They went to a Cavy Club member.
I did not get my first guinea pig until I was 16 years old! BEFORE I could adopt, I had to get a part time job to be able to purchase initial supplies and ongoing supplies and needs including vet care. If at anytime he needs veterinary care that I cannot financially afford, I can apply for a loan from "Bank of Mom" and it must include a plan to repay the loan amd how to avoid that situation in the future. If I slack on his care in any way, there are consequences which may include facing Miss Saskia to explain to her why I am not providing proper care to a creature she and her staff loved and allowed me to adopt.
I think the difference is, if I slack on Solvang's care, Mom is not going to pick up that slack. She is going to force me to be accountable and responsible for his care. I think, and this is coming from a kid, the adults need to be consistent in making the children responsible for their pets. It should be a part of their daily routine just like brushing their teeth, going to school, etc. If the parents take the easy way out and just take care of the animal themselves or surrender the animal as opposed to staying on their kids and forcing them to be accountable, then that teaches the kids to take the easy way out too. Just one kid's opinion!
Well my sweet little Julie - you my dear have an exceptional mum doing an exceptional job and quite frankly folks would do right following her example!! ❤
I never told you this, Miss Saskia, because I messed up, but I will share it now as an example.
A few months ago I overslept and had to rush to get to school on time. I decided to wait and feed Solvang when I got home from school that afternoon despite him being used to getting his salad for breakfast. Mom stopped home between clients and realized that Solvang's salad was still in the fridge (I prep it the night before). She called the school, found out what time my lunch period was and asked them to please have me come to the office instead of the cafeteria because she was going to be picking me up and I would return before my next class. She picked me up from school, took me home, and she picked up and held Solvang and told me to explain why he had not been fed breakfast that morning. I told her and she replied "So your poor time management is this little guy's problem? Did he ask Saskia to send him across the country by car over 2600 miles to live here? Or was that you? HIS NEEDS COME BEFORE YOURS! Just as your needs and your sister and brother's come before mine." I apologized and told her it will never happen again to which she replied "Damn right it won't!" I fed him and cried the whole time and then Mom drove me back to school in time for my next class. When she dropped me off she said "I am sorry if you are hungry from missing lunch, but now you know how your piggie felt this morning."
Some may say she was too tough or harsh but I recall every word she said to me and how I felt looking into Solvang's eyes while she spoke.
Wouldn't it have been easier for her just to feed Solvang and talk to me after school? Yes but would I really have learned anything from that? It was not about him being fed later, the bigger lesson was responsibility, accountability, and commitment to my animal.And Mom was 100% correct that it will NEVER happen again!
We got our pigs last spring, but I knew it would be me and my husband at the very least directing their care. I also clean the cages because while the kids will do it, they're not great at doing a good job yet. This is why the pigs live in the living room and not in anyone's bedroom.
I got my first piggy when I was 8 years old and my first rabbit when I was 10. I remember walking down to the feed store to buy their food and cleaning cages every weekend. I have always loved my little critters. Right now I have 2 boars who are from the same litter and one rabbit. My son is 7 and helps me with cleaning and feeding.
I agree with the age of 13 being a good age for a guinea pig! My daughter is 13 and she's helped with the cat and dog we have but I knew guinea pigs were gonna be more care. She helps take care of them daily and she holds them as soon as she gets home from school everyday! We've had them since November so the newness hasn't worn off and I don't think it will. She loves them so much and so do i!
I'm the only one in my family that takes care of our two guinea pigs. My sister got them from the pet store a year ago for my niece's 5th birthday. My niece and nephew don't really have much interest in the guinea pigs anymore even though they are supposed to be the kid's pets. At first my sister was taking care of them but she doesn't really care about them.
I have always loved animals and I volunteer at my local animal shelter with the dogs. My local animal shelter sometimes has rabbits and guinea pigs for adoption too!
Good for you! And you describe the typical situation
My first guinea pig was a seven year old lady who we got from friends who were moving back when I was in fifth grade, the mom of our friends didn’t want the kids to be upset when she passed away and my mom knew that she would be the one to take care of her. She needed surgery and medication due to a lot of health issues, but she made it to eight years old before we made the decision to put her down. After that we bought guinea pigs unfortunately from a pet store and one of the pair passed away not two days after we got her, so we went back and got another cagemate for the other guinea pig. Since then we haven’t gotten any more pet store guinea pigs, they’ve been taken in from people we know or adopted from a local rescue. I’m proud to say I haven’t lost interest, even though during COVID and dealing with mental health issues it hasn’t always been easy. We just had to put down one of our pigs due to some crazy trapped gas, but her sister seems to be doing okay and we’re hoping that she continues to be okay since she’s four or five years old and my mom isn’t keen on looking for another pig to be her new cagemate
I totally used my daughters as an excuse to adopt two piggies. I always tell people I have five children, a boy two girls and two cavia’s 😊
I got my first pair of piggies when I was 17 as a science project. I cared for them, but they bonded with my mom, since I was off to school full time. Squeaky thought the speaker was for her every time it rang. They were my pets yet my mom and dad cried when they passed on. My grandmother had 3 piggies, 2 boars and a sow. They were so scared since grandma would tickle their back legs to make them popcorn. After she passed on we adopted her piggies and gave them the best, most spoiled life a piggie could dream of. I now have a spoiled, neutered boy cat that i'd be lost without.
My gerbils go nuts when they hear the guinea pigs in the beginning lol
They are so cute
I recently got 2 guinea pigs for our family. My 6 year old loves his guinea pig. He plays with her every morning and evening. I have to beg him to put her back. This week i told him he needs to start sweeping her poop as his chores. And he's been doing it. I love them and knew most of the work would fall on me but I love them so much.
When my oldest son was 5, he asked Santa for a rabbit--we discussed it with St Nick, and a Guinea pig was gifted to him. He named him Whistle and he loved that pig with all his might. We assisted in his handling and taught him to clean his condo and feed him. Whistle lived to be almost 7, and the lesson on when a pet dies was also a painful and necessary one. Sometimes there is an exception, but You are indeed the expert Saskia. All advisements are to be taken and contemplated ✅
Very sad indeed though that he had to live his life alone. They must always be kept in pairs or more.
@@rozparamor5602 I would say if you can find a guinea pig his partner in crime go for it but sometimes guinea pigs are just happy being the only spoiled one. Theirs seemed to have had a good life. Better than someone who don't know how look after the one, two or many they have.
@@Kt-cn2rq yes indeed-I now have a herd of 6. Two of the boars are solo dwellers, after multiple attempts to bond them were unsussessful. Whistle had his own 2x4 C&C cage, an outdoor run, and a pouch he relaxed in when my son had little league games, and he insisted Whistle come to 'watch'. Good memories
We have 8 Guinea pigs and my son takes good care of all his piggies he loves them so much
Простите не стабильный интернет. Ещё раз за все спасибо! Мира Вам и Вашим родным! Храни Бог Вас и Ваших свинок! 💙💛UA
My daughter has had her pigs since she was 4. But as the adult they're my responsibility. She's always happily fed and handled them, but as they have a 40sq foot set up, clean out is my job, she's 10 now and we have 6. I still do the clean outs. Children should not be expected to do it all.
Thank you for doing it right!!! 🙏
Thankyou! We also have 2 dogs a cat and handrear kittens for a rescue, so she's been helping me with animals since she was crawling. Most of our piggies over the yrs have been like the ones in this video, she works hard to get them used to being handled.x
Oooh aren’t they absolutely beautiful! Saskia send them to me in Melbourne Australia….only if you could…they would be loved every day of their lives!
Hello, my respect and recognition what you do for all this cute piggies. I had piggies for many years and they had really a luxerios happy piggie-life. No I live in a small appartement and work long every day, so that I have no much time and place for them. But I am happy that you safe this lovely animals and help them. I hope everyone will find a good new home where they get all the love what they need. They are all so lovely and cute. Please don't stop your work. Best wishes from Germany
Aww, I feel bad for these boys, but I hope they find a home with someone who properly appreciates them.
In 1975, my brother was 10 and brought home 2 piggies. I was just 7. My parents did not like guinea pigs or rodents or really any animals too much. They tried with dogs, but my brothers didn't do a thing. So we loved them and held them and played with them, but rarely, honestly, took real care of them beyond very basic. My mom mostly fed them and often cleaned their houses (2 became 6, btw). She would vacuum inside the houses, it was so hilarious. It wasn't until much later that I learned to do everything and live for my piggies. 30+ years later, I could not live without piggies and spoiling piggies in my life. But I totally agree with Saskia - kids and piggies just don't mix. They don't get it. They are too young; even older kids aren't the most responsible. It is very rare.
True. I have a almost 13 year old. She does help with nail trims, feeding and she spends time with them. But as far as cage cleaning etc, I’m the one who does that most of the time. Kids just don’t care for these animals. If you want an animal for kids Mayb a fish or a cat. Otherwise be prepared to care for them yourself. And make sure you’re gonna be ok with that.
Oh goodness, that is so frustrating and shameful 😢 I am glad they are with you now but you are just much nicer than I would have been. 😖
I don't know how you maintain your composure.
They are so beautiful.
Love what you guys do. Very cute piggies 😍
Parents don't know the damage they do putting that kind of responsibility on a child. Children lose interest especially at that age. I still remember this one young child that kept appearing in every Saturday live chat asking questions. It was clear her piggy needed a vet, but also clear the parents didn't want to take it to the vet and told their child to just keep watching LAGPR video and ask questions. They were probably hoping for a home remedy which there isnt for many things like URI. One day that child disappeared from here, and I know it's because she lost her piggy. My brother & sister were given guinea pigs when they were children. They were too young to understand responsibility. They apparently left the pigs outside in the hot sun and they died. I was too young to remember this, but I only know of this because of how many times over the years my parents brought it up and told my older brother and sister how awful they were for that, but they were too young to understand. It's not only bad for the guinea pigs. It can be bad for the child(ren ) psychologically to feel it's their fault their pig died. Sorry for length, but this makes me think of all those things. 😢🐹🐹
That is horrible of your parents to put that onto you and your brother! An adult should never guilt trip a child
@@andrielisilien It was my older brother and sister. I was too young to remember it. I only know it because of how many times they brought that story up about and totally blamed my brother & sister for it. Parents must take responsibility but many don't when they buy their kids pets.
@@ITIsFunnyDamnIT this is horrible :( your poor siblings and those poor piggies, that was so unfair for everyone involved
@@lauryn6037 Yeah, Just hearing the story of that growing up always bothered me. I had never planned on getting guinea pigs, but two were given to me that I didn't ask for nor plan on, Beavis & Butthead, Butthead passed and now it's Beavis &Nacho. I try to give them as nice a life as I can, like I'm somehow trying to make up for that two that died because of what I knew about them. Originally I wasn't going to keep my guinea pigs, than I found Saskia's channel and learned how to save some money. An decided to keep them and so glad I did because I have fallen in love with them. My piggies are my world. I'm trying my best to give them the best life that i can but worry about failing.
@@ITIsFunnyDamnIT i’m sure your pigs are living their best life!! it’s not always easy, i have 3 boys Kip, Ollie and Bobby and i got the last 2 after Kip’s friend Rico passed away and i ended up with 3 piggies who refuse to live together so have to be neighbours lol but they’re so worth the stress. as long as your piggies have have a home and some food and nice treats and your affection you’re not failing at all and they’re so lucky to have you :)
My husband and I have had our 4 piggies for 4 years and now our 18 month old daughter is helping with them and having a lot of interest in them 😊
She gives them their vitamin cookies everyday and walks up to them a lot to pet their nose ❤
Just donated, love from the UK ❤
Thank You for donating ❗👍🐹🐹
Thankyou soooo much Estrella!!!
The first guine pig my twin sister and I had at the age of 6 because my Mother's cats vet suggested a guinea pig for our first pet. We loved our boy Spike and always helped take care of him. I'm 40 and still love having guinea pigs, the one I have now will be 4 this October, I'm allergic to them now, but will never get rid of mine.
I live in southern Oregon, wish I lived closer because I would bring home sooooooo many piggies! And have a place for piggy check ups! Don’t have anything like that here
I wanted a guinea pig since third grade and even I knew that it was best to wait until I could take over the vast majority of the care. In fifth grade I got a hamster as a sort of "trial run" (even though hamsters and guinea pigs are nothing alike) and Aurucaria lived to the ripe age of 3 years old - extremely old for a hamster. Only when I had enough experience did I get Vanny and Kaylee.
poor babies, they arent used to hands yet :c hopefully they learn to trust humans fast and get to be happy
Thank you for what you do for these little cuties 🙏🏻🐹🇨🇭🇫🇷🌺
i wish I could adopt on your shelter but i live in FL. instead I'm a momma of 3 guinea pig girls here, all adopted locally. it just breaks my heart seeing these little guys
I also live in Florida. Where did you adopt yours from?
@@catherinesteele4015 there's a rabbit sanctuary in Gainesville, they occasionally have guinea pigs there
Thank you!
@@Ash-mo7oc Thank you!
@@catherinesteele4015 no problem, the guinea pigs up for adoption are housed indoors in AC due to Florida weather not being the best for piggies. They have of all ages and i believe the boys are neutered so that they can be with girls. They won't let you adopt single piggies unless you already have some at home.
I‘ve had my neighbour‘s kids over two days ago. My guinea pigs might be traumatised for the next few days still. Those kids got into my large outside cage, chased them, screemed a lot, picked one up and then fought about it. I couldn‘t have my eyes everywhere to make it stop. 🙈 I hope their parents never ever buy them any animals.
I hope they are fine now❤️
Had a family friend bring their 2 yr old over to visit and they insisted he be allowed to pet my guinea pig. When I told them “no” they said I was overreacting and did it anyway. The toddler grabbed onto my piggies’s hair and wouldn’t let go, the piggie was traumatized for days
Next time tell the children and their parents that your piggies have a highly contagious disease and see if the kids still want to touch your piggies 😏
It's the owners' responsibility to protect their pets and my 2-year-old niece understands if I tell her to be quieter around my piggies and not to touch or scare them. She can hand feed them pea flakes when I am around or gently pet one IF I have one in MY hands. She even 'helps' me to clean their dirty laundry by putting the fleece into the laundry basket or washing machine, hands me over their clean pee pads so that I can hang them up to dry, holds a bag while I collect forage and even waters with her little water can their forage in my garden. And that's how you teach children to care for living beings by showing them how to take care of them - until they are old and responsible enough to do all of these things on their own and understand that these little lives really depend on them.
I‘m glad you’re so firm on your opinion, Saskia. You’re absolutely right. There’s no way a child under 12/13 can handle the responsibility of satisfying the very complex and specific needs of guinea pigs. Just because these animals are small, doesn’t mean they are „beginner’s pets“. I hope, one day we‘ll get rid of this myth.
I had guinea pigs at 6 but I really loved them and I took good care of them. My parents kept an eye on me though.
They are so adorable
I had guinea pigs when I was quite young. My folks handled the care until I was old enough. Now, my son was interested in Guinea pigs. My mother has 2 that she keeps and my boys and play with when visiting. BEFORE getting my son guinea pigs, he was responsible to babysit Grandma's guinea pigs for a few weeks, and be sure that the responsibility was something he wanted to do. It worked out quite well. I don't find Cavies to be a difficult pet, but school age kids have LOTS of distractions. Perhaps it would be a good idea for youth who are interested in cavies to volunteer to do some chores at the rescue, to be certain that it's something they want to take on.
To teach a child responsibility why not have chores rather than another life that can't fend for themselves? Children can't even take care of themselves. The irony of using a pet to teach responsibility. Pretty irresponsible thing to do.
Exactly!
At this point I really wish Tamagotchis become a thing again so parents can see how 'responsible' their offspring can really be without hurting a real living soul.
My guinea pig was for myself and show my kids chores. So they help me clean his cage and feed him. Bacon loves the kids.
I don't have a problem IF the parents are supervising the experiment, but most parents won't spare the time or effort to make sure the kids follow through....
@@Kt-cn2rq your guinea pig's name is Bacon? 😂 Love it!
My kiddo wanted a piggy so I got her one. That's ok with me. Now I have 6 and 4 of them are fosters. We love the piggies . Even though they are meant for the kiddos, me and the hubby knew that all around they are our responsibility. For that we get enjoyment of the pigs and so do the kiddos. The kids help us feed them and say hi to them. Other then that they our mine and the hubs responsibilities.
I donated. I know that right now it's really hard and I hope it helps even a little.
It helps. Everything helps. Thank You for donating ❗👍🐹🐹
Thank you Taakani!!!!!! ❤❤❤🌻
Holy Moses, so Gramps couldn't even bring their cage? And the "no donation" is just a bad as wildlife rescue. People are dense when it comes how rescues function. I volunteer to pick up certain species of Wildlife. People want to get an animal help but fail to realize it's my car, my gas, my time that does this. Do they give $10, nope. Even when they see the question on the form they still dont donate.
This story just really resonates and upsets me.
Yes same here sadly - we also have a an area on the surrender form that alerts people that a donation is much needed allows s themtop fill in the amount. But 86% of the time we do not. Noe granted - we dont ask for it. But it makes sense. Two males, it may the 2 - 3 months till get adopted. Food. Care , staff wages
I got my first piggies when I was 13 but my dad had a lot of experience with piggies and him and my mum agreed that they would take on responsibility for them if I were to get bored, thankfully I didn’t I just needed help with cage cleaning sometimes. I’m now 23 and still love piggies (I had two girls when I was 11/12 , an oap neglected boar who we rescued when I was 16 who we didn’t have long 💔 and then 2 girls at 19 who are 4 now and I obviously take full responsibility for them now, but they still love their ‘granny’ and ‘grandad’! 🙈😂💖
I had guinea pigs when I was younger than that, but my dad cleaned them out. I think I fed and played with them. (It was a long time ago so maybe not remembering it properly)
People are dumb !!!!! Thanks for rescuing these guys. I hope they gave you a good $$ donation.
I wanted a hamster when I was a kid. I snuck up to the 5 and dime bought it and a small cage to go with. Tried to pass it off as my Dad's father's day gift. Um parents didn't buy it. I was held responsible for Hami's care and mom and dad?...They bought Hami a bigger cage so he didn't have to suffer. Any bulking on caring for Hami was meant with the "I can and will make your life hell" look. I appreciated the lesson in accountability.
I blame on social media. The kids get to see all cute animals and ask there parents without both sides researching the type of animal. Personally I believe a 6 yr old is too young to understand how to properly take care of any animal without parents proper guidance. I didn't let my kids get there frist animal, which were hedgehogs, til there were much older. Then as a parent I assisted in taking care, knowing how to feed, house, hold, clean and find a veterinarian that does exotic animals. We all talked about this along the way of their journey. Now we have Guinea pigs. We even too in a rescue from one of my daughter's friends that got it at a animal con. The people who sold it to her didn't even know the right sex of the Guinea pig. I see it all over Instagram reels. This is where you need to be Saskia. To teach like the guy Guinea dad. Brand yourself. I try to teach by commenting on things on other social media platforms.
6?! 😮
He did seem like a kind man. At least he made the effort to get them somewhere safe.
The ONLY good thing is that he brought them to you instead of leaving them in a mess and not being taken care of. But not fair to you or all the other pigs in need
In my sense no kid should be given a pet, unless the parents are also taking care of it and teaching the kid responsibility. It's guinea pig here, but it could have happen with a dog, a bunny or a cat too and the situation would have been the same I've seen it so many time where i live.
But some child can be responsible, my best friend son whose is 6 , help his dad and mom taking care of their mouses and remaining piggy and now their new kitten, my 2 yo nephew would make tantrum if we don"t let him take care of the cats or my many pets, but those kids were taught that animals are living being too, they understand that we human are responsible for them, But those animal are theirs in name only because they are kids, at the end of the day they are the adult's pets, but they still get to experiences what it's like to take care of an animal.
Hi, I don't own guinea pigs yet but I wanted to leave a comment. I rescue hamsters off of kajiji ( Canadian version of Craigslist) and I have seen so many terrible adds for guinea pigs and hamsters. I want to scoop them all up from the terrible situations but I can't get them all. I love what you guys do, I'm a teenager and I rescue with my mom. I agree that the majority of kids shouldn't own these precious animals as they are so delicate and are a lot of work. I'm thinking about rescuing 2 guinea pigs and taking them to a humane society that has other small animals, but I'm not sure if I will yet. I now know what I want to do with the rest of my life, thank you for helping me discover that. ☺ I've been doing research for the future of owning guinea pigs, I want to be prepared for anything. Thank you so much❤
Dear Grandpa 👴🏻, I am sure these little guys have not been living in that extra small postal 📦 which must have been terrible for them to travel all around in. Why not bring their cage with them? Did you return the cage to PetsMart and they would not take the piggies, so they gave you the small 📦? And then showing up unexpectedly wanting to simply leave them, not even bringing any food, house, pocket change … what great lessons could you possibly provide to your granddaughter 🙁 SHAME ON GRANDPA 👴🏻
I would think about charging those who come to surrender a “restocking” fee of $20+
We thought of that but it may discourage people to come forward with guinea pigs they would have left somewhere as they honestly do not have the money. So it s donation basis
i got my first piggy when i was only 8 and my older sister got one as well. she help taking care of them for like a week before giving her guinea pig to me. surprisingly i never lost interest and the pigs lived to 6 and 8 years
People think they can win, or buy affection from a child through an animal, and that is the worst idea and act you can do for the animal. Even if the child ask for it, you as a adult are taking full responsibility. Guinea pigs are high maintenance, but worth taking care of them, earning their trust and love, if you can afford the time and money.
These guys are adorable!!!!!! ❤
also depends on the child, while one of my sons was far too rough growing up, so I said no to guineapigs, whereas my now 7yr old other son is soft, kind and they seek him out, not all kids are the same. You also have to fit the appropriate animal with a kids personality
My brother bough a piggy for my 5yr old nephew.... Now it lives with me XD
"Can I please have a pet?"
"No, dear, your little brother is your pet. He's just like a puppy!"
"grumble"
-Me and my mother many years ago.
Got my first at 14. Mom, sis and stepdad wanted us all to have rabbits, I wanted my guinea pig instead. Didn't know they needed a partner, then, but learned that with the next piggies! And that's how the madness started.
I do feel a bit sad for grandpa, thinking he did a good thing. But I feel worse for the piggies and the rescue!
Majority of my piggies that I have gotten are due to this. My heartbreaks for them.
Children losing interest for animals is unfortunately extremely common as you're saying. All of the hamsters that I've had (3) where sold/ rehomed to me because children lost interest. Took them between 2 months to almost a year for them to lose interest. Me and my siblings also had a bunny when we where younger that had horrible care, my siblings lost interest somewhat fast and eventually I also lost interest and by then it was seen as "my bunny"
I learned in vet tech school that Animal husbandry is one of the most important aspects of owning Guinea pigs. I absolutely do not expect my 5yr old daughter to take care of them. They are my babies first and foremost!
You can't blame your kids if they don't take care of them..You are the adult. As long as they are underage they are YOUR pets not theirs!
I agree
It is good for kids, BUT as parents you are responsible!!! We always had animals growing up and i HAD to help to take care of them. But in the end, my parents where responsible and took charge. They never left full respinsibilty on us. When i was around 10 is got the first responibilty of taking care of the rabbits in the mornings. And if i could not, i had to tell my mum and we would make a trade(than i would take over 1 of her evening feedings). And clearing cages we always did tougether!
its about how you raise your child i had a bunny at 9 and i let it free roam and done chores for the money
I won't lie Ardyn was like that children lost interest in one day and brought him back and my mom adopted him thankfully
So true Soskia, children should be much much older to care for these Guinea pigs.
Whenever a parent gets their child a pet, they need to be responsible for it, not the child! That is just completely irresponsible of the parents! If the kid wants a pet but you don’t want to take care of it, have them volunteer at an animal shelter or rescue.
Oh they are so beutiful! Id love to take them, but living in Europe is a bit far away
To add another perspective, in the 80’s my abusive mom decided she would do her Masters thesis on interbreeding guinea pigs and the results of that. At the height of this we had 50 piggies in about 10 cages in our laundry room which my bedroom shared a wall with and from when I was 11 until I was 13 they would wheek and cry all night because of the constant breeding and hunger and I spent many nights taking them out and holding them and feeding them grass. So many deformed babies were born and my mom would put them in formaldehyde after they died and display them in our home. In the end my dad couldn’t take it anymore and put the remaining piggies in a garbage bag while I begged him not to and whacked them against an outside wall until they were all dead and then dumped the bag in the woods. I had nightmares for decades that I had neglected them and forgot about them causing them to die. At the beginning of quarantine my daughter wanted a small pet and hesitantly we got her two pigs and they had three babies. Since then daddy passed suddenly while I was holding him and we gave away the one baby boy. We still have mommy and the two daughters but my daughter has little interest in them now but for me it has been incredibly therapeutic. I feed and refill all their needs three times a day and take each one out for lap time every evening. It has been very healing for me but I truly believe that has a lot to do with the guilt I’ve been carrying. Don’t set your children up to fail to be good pet owners. Firstly know your child and what they will be willing to do for the pigs five years from now and also be prepared to take it all on if they don’t. I’m not trying to be preachy but, rather, I want people that aren’t long time piggie owners to know the full reality. I also echo other comments here about how special you all are for attempting to stretch as thin as you have since quarantine ended. You are all piggie angels and I’m sending you strength and love because I can’t spare a monetary donation at this time (have in the past and hope to do so again in the future). 😘👏🏼👍🏼
I am
HORRIFIED by your testimony here. You poor thing. Your parents were both educated people I’m assuming as your mom did this for her masters thesis. But why would she display the deformed ones? And your dad?????? That was the only way he could come up with to get rid of the piggies? Why that terribly violent way. I don’t even remotely get it. And I’m front of you? You had the woods available so at the very least why didn’t he just take them way out in them and let them go. I’m not saying they would have lived but why bash their little bodies and souls until they all died? Such violence scares me? I am positive you have some serious issues from this ordeal alone as a child. But something makes me think people like this …..this wasn’t the only horrible experience you lived through. For this I’m so sorry. And I hope you have peace and joy today. And are spreading that joy to your children to end that cycle. Just a horrific story.
I can see how having piggies now is allowing some major healing into your life. It was not your fault, you could not stop it.I have a similar story with rabbits and my father and brother in law. You will be ok. Love you Saskia
@@thruErinseyes Thank you sweetheart for your comforting and poetic sentiments. Yes, my parents were both very educated; one with a PhD and the other a CEO of a fairly important company here in Northwestern Ontario Canada. I’m humbled by your perspective that lots of other horrible things occurred in my childhood that would be considered traumatic but for some reason I was drawn back to piggies (let’s face it it’s because they are so sweet and full of their own personalities). I am constantly astounded and thankful that this community cares about these little creatures and my adult experience with them probably equates therapeutically with a year of weekly psychotherapy. They are so special and I’m so lucky to have taken that path again but I do really want those considering owning piggies to understand they are at least a five year commitment and much more attention than, for instance, a cat (of which we have two so I feel like I have some knowledge). Thank you again, Ali
@@LosAngelesGuineaPigRescue Thank you honey. I’ve followed you and the rescue since before the pandemic and I wish I could help more. I do know my childhood experience was beyond my control but for some reason it remains so vivid and haunting even compared to other major traumatic events during that same time period. I greatly admire you and your team for doing this work for such a niche species that is so undervalued. My heart bleeds because I can only imagine the stress you are all facing as society “returns to normal “ and these precious little ones are discarded and deemed now as more work than payoff (I’m not saying this as a blanket statement or to be rude). Again, love and light to you and your team as you are all precious angels 🥰💕🌟
If she could take care of a bloody horse! You expect she would help with the guinea pigs!