Message board topic:

Piggy very nearly had a little girlfriend today.  Cheri's son works on a truck in town and today while in an alleyway, he spotted a guinae pig!  She had the same rare coloration that Piggy has, and was all by herself in that alley.  Her son said she was shaking like a leaf.  It wasn't very cool so I figure she was scared.

He called Cheri asking if we wanted her and she said yes, with some trepidation.  Guinae pigs usually get along great...but not always.  If they didn't get along we'd have to get a new cage.  Either way, the food and litter budget would double.  I'm guessing I spend about $35 a month on hay and litter, and I have no idea what we spend on spinach, celery, carrots and occasionally grapes.  And that's if we didn't end up with a new batch of little Piggies.

As it turned out though, a driver for the city said they had to take it in to see if someone claimed her.  I couldn't imagine anyone calling the city looking for a guinae pig, and I couldn't imagine the city having the slightest idea how to care for one.  It hadn't occurred to me that they would turn it in to the animal shelter, (a very nice new shelter) and she ended up in a temporary foster home.  I was half disappointed and half relieved, and somewhat worried about her future.  I couldn't help but wonder whether she got loose or was set loose.  If she isn't claimed or adopted...who knows?  John

Di you leave your information with the shelter so if no one claims it you can get it? And how long do they wait for a claim?

 

David and the CoolCyberCats

Forever in my heart





Cats Nap. Only Humans Put Them "To Sleep": Sterilize, Don't Euthanize!

 

We haven't contacted the shelter, but I do feel a lot better that she's in a foster home and not at the shelter.  Piggy is 5 years old now but I have no idea how old she might be.  If the situation gets critical we'll take her in.  If someone lost and is missing their guinae pig, I wonder if they'd even think to contact the animal shelter.  Guinae pigs are really fragile in a lot of ways and losing one downtown would be a nightmare.  John

I have often wondered if people generally contact the shelters if a pet is missing. I always see flyers put up, but no clue of people think of the shelter too.

 

David and the CoolCyberCats

Forever in my heart





Cats Nap. Only Humans Put Them "To Sleep": Sterilize, Don't Euthanize!

 

I'd honestly never heard of anyone losing a guinae pig, but I suppose it happens.

There's an ugly rumor going around that other guinae pigs, (as many as 9) have been found in that area.  If that's true, (and I don't know that it is) then someone has been carelessly letting them breed and just dumping the excess.  This guinae pig was no baby though.  Any guinae pig released here wouldn't stand a chance.  Between traffic, dogs, hawks and even cats, a guinae pig would be easy prey, and once the weather turned cold, well that would be it.  Guinae pigs are only comfortable in the same temperature range as we are.  We do keep Piggy pretty comfortable.  John

I hope that is not happening!

 

David and the CoolCyberCats

Forever in my heart





Cats Nap. Only Humans Put Them "To Sleep": Sterilize, Don't Euthanize!