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Small pets

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Original poster

So sad :-(

51 replies

Sleepingbunnies · 21/01/2013 19:32

Some of you may remember last year I started a thread about a lone guinea pig at a party my eldest DD went to... (don't know how to link)...

Just chatting to the friend, and I mentioned our girls have been in with all the bad weather (6 inches of snow here)... I made the stupid mistake of asking after the piggy I so desperately wanted to adopt :(

She said they havent changed anything with regards to him... he is outside... All on his own... And I know this is stupid but I almost cried and I again asked if I could have him! Her reply was 'don't start all that again'

So now having just given my girls some treats and cuddles I just feel so sad for him!

God, I need a slap! I can do nothing about it, don't even know why I'm posting tbh... Maybe just needed to say I wish people wouldn't get pets they dot fucking want or can't look after as good as me at all!!

Rant over....

OP posts:
guineapiglet · 22/01/2013 10:19

Hi all, it was obviously rant day yesterday, I ranted on another thread and then had to go and have a very strong coffee with a brandy in it - as I said there, there are three types of people a) those who understand and are on the same 'wavelength' as their pets, b) those who like animals, but dont really get them and are therefore not cruel but are neglectful and c) those who exploit them for money and dont a give a stuff about what happens to them. Agree with everything that has been said by you all, you CAN judge people by how they treat their animals, with dignity and understanding and these are usually the nicest type of people. Fortified is right, in that for him to experience love and kindness might be even worse for him, in that you may have to hand him back. Poor little mite.

I told some of you about a guinea who arrived at my house on Christmas Eve, in a cage full of broken glass and fag ends, not much turns my stomach, but that did. It was so wonderful to be able to clean her out, feed her properly, spoil her and gradually, over time, watch her change, become chatty and bossy, her coat become glossy, and she became part of the family. I had hoped you would be able to do this for this little chap sleeping, and this is why I think getting pets from rescues is such a great joy.

guineapiglet · 22/01/2013 10:23

PS I did have dark thought which is a bit out there....

You could do exactly what Silver says, and borrow him for a while. You could then sadly explain to your friend that he had died, in the meantime either 'hiding' him at yours or finding one of us out here to have him ( where are you?)

< seriously hoping no officers of the law are reading this>

It must be very hard to police 'small pets' tho' - the more I hear and see of them, the more I realise some of these little furries have no quality of life at all. :(

BonkeyMollocks · 22/01/2013 10:43

I completely agree with guinea and fortified that you can tell alot from someone by the way they treat their animals!

Sleeping Do you want to know what I would do?

I would speak to the mum, calmly explain that she is (meaning to or not) making the pigs life a misery and I am now giving her the option of accepting £x amount for him now and letting me take him home or I will be calling the RSPCA because she is obviously incapable of listening to advice from her daughter or her friend.

Depending on the outcome, I would be prepared with the cash and a carrier and get the hell out of there quick with him or I would have the RSPCA line ready on my phone and call them on her doorstep in front of her preferably and report a cruelty case.

If she gives him up I would grit my teeth and stay polite until I had him. Say that her grandkids are welcome to see him if they wish (I bet they don't) .

I am not a confrontational person but I found my bollocks somewhere when I was trying to get the horse I mentioned up thread. I could not bear to leave her as she was. I would have taken stole her if I thought she could have walked to my field . I got her in the end!

('cuse my language here - feels wrong sometime swearing in this topic Hmm ).

If all that fails - Rugby tackle her then lock her in a cage in freezing temps, alone, and living in her own shit and see how she fucking likes it Angry
But some people need a taste of their own fucking medicine! Angry

BonkeyMollocks · 22/01/2013 10:44

BTW don't count on the RSPCA to do anything but the call may be enough!

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/01/2013 17:42

I re-read the original thread (it was early Sept time before the DC went back to school.And lovely warm weather still).

sleeping offered money, a new home, to "borrow" the boar to breed with her girls (on a pretence, her ladies are too mature for that shenaligans)

IIRC they wanted to OP to look after the GP while they were away, but were still determined to keep him.
Sleeping agreed with the thread that to give this little boy a taste of Paradise then whisk it away , was unfair.
He'd have got attention, company from the sows next door, good food, wash and claw clip.
Then back to reality Sad

Oh and (according to the pig's owner) they don't neglect him they "feed him loads" Hmm. There's more to it than opening a door and shoving in carrot.

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 22/01/2013 21:56

I'v just text her again and asked if I can have him... I just can't get him out of my head...

Im going to call the rspca tomorrow....

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/01/2013 23:05

sleeping a guinea in a cage on his own in September is bad enough.
To be in an outdoor cage on his own in this weather is unnacceptable.

At least a pair of GPs can share body heat.
Do they put a cover & insulation on the cage or is the little soul just tucked away in the sleeping box.
(My GP2 got really stiff legs once when he sat in his hay box and just cuddled into the hay. He walked down the ramp -DD liked to put them on the carpeted ramp to make them excercise a bit for their supper, He sort of rolled his legs rather than do his little hedgehog walk. Only lasted a few hours. But we reckoned h'd just got seized up from inactivity. Lazy beast)
So sitting in one spot, huddled against the cold. Poor thing Sad

We'll await updates and offer advice (nicely now Bonkey )

70isaLimitNotaTarget · 22/01/2013 23:08

Sisclaimer: I know alot of owners keep their hogs outside happily. But that with lots of extra bedding and protection.
I'm betting this boy isn't getting this standard of care.
(just in case any Outdoor Hog People thought I was criticizing . Mine are In-and-Out Hogs)

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 23/01/2013 08:07

Her reply to my message last night was 'hahaha, i'l im ignoring that message xxx'

I will call the RSPCA today on my lunch break... :(

OP posts:
Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 23/01/2013 11:05

I have tried one more time and just text to say i'l keep him for the winter and wil give him back when it gets warmer... Not holding my breath :(

OP posts:
BonkeyMollocks · 23/01/2013 11:09

Sleeping Your asking the wrong person if its her mums!

You need to be speaking to her directly!

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 23/01/2013 11:20

Don't have the mums number and tbh her mum is a bit of a hard faced cow so appealing to her better nature won't work....

Hoping my friend can make her see sense...

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/01/2013 12:24

The RSPCA will most likely advice but whether they would take the GP, I don't know.

But if they gave her the option of taking the pig, would they let you have 'first refusal' or would he end up in rescue. (But it sounds like if he does end up in a guinea-rescue then at least he'd be looked after and have company)

You're going to have to keep the gentle pressure up (and the RSPCA intervention)

Sad
BonkeyMollocks · 23/01/2013 12:34

The best they will do us pop round for a chat and give some advise.

Then they should go back to see if any improvements have even made. Whether they will ire.not depends on who deals with it I spose .

At worst - nothing.

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 23/01/2013 14:59

I feel like saying fuck it and going round there and demanding she gives him to me!!! Her fucking excuses are disgusting and even if she doesn't want to do it she is depriving him of a life because her grandchildren like to poke him once in a while :( Angry

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/01/2013 15:04

Does his hutch have any sort of protection sleeping.
If it's exposed (ie open-fronted) then deffo RSPCA.

I know they give temp guides on when a pig hutch should be sheltered (like in a shed at least) or a proper cover.

They might take action if he's not protected?

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 23/01/2013 15:16

No protection it is in a shed though, I am assuming they shut the shed door at night...

I know I just have to stop thinking about him and just stop going on about something I cannot change :( doing my head in :(

OP posts:
silver73 · 23/01/2013 20:06

This poor little pig is not a living toy. Can you tell RSPCA that if they don't do something you will go to your MP?

This is making me feel sick so I can only imagine how aweful this is making you feel...

What about gett

silver73 · 23/01/2013 20:07

Sorry posted too soon... what about getting advice from your local guinea pig rescue they will have dealt with similar situations

MariusEarlobe · 23/01/2013 20:30

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 23/01/2013 21:20

Yup he has always been alone :( makes me fucking angry that pet shops sell them singulary Angry!!

I am going to ask for her mums number to see if I can speak to her...

OP posts:
70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/01/2013 21:31

RSPCA can now seize an animal before they get to the neglected stage. (IIRC they used to have to wait-sometime too late- until it was suffering until they could move in)

YY to having another word with the pig's owner. If he's in a shed now he's protected from wind and the elements but he's out of the way now isn't he.
They might wander down to feed him, but I'll guess they aren't taking him out.

My boys shed gets down to 0c overnight (they aren't in it at night just now) but their water bowl doesn't freeze (I give them fresh in the morning )

When the heater is set on and they havve their assorted Spoiled RatBag snugglies, it's about 14-16c . Nice, ambient temperature, lots of hay. They are snug when I lift them. Indoor they are away from the radiator with a fleece cover for night.

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 23/01/2013 21:34

Fingers crossed for the number...

I am just upsetting myself thinking about him :(

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70isaLimitNotaTarget · 23/01/2013 21:38

Just another thought sleeping.
If she says she's keeping the pig for her grandchildren-
and if you do get him-

do you think she'd be the type to get another GP or rabbit for them? Sad

I can't understand why she wants to keep him when she's got minimal interest in his care. And you are on side to rehome him.
I can't see what either party (the boar and the grandmother) is getting from this situation.
Can the GP live with the grandchildren at their house? Would he get looked after better there or do they not have the space?

Original poster
Sleepingbunnies · 23/01/2013 21:51

Nope he can't, my friend gave him to her mum because she couldnt be arsed with him in my opinion...

None of te other grandchildren will have him. It would involve their parents giving a shit :(

I know I should put him out of my mind... Part of me would be relieved
To be told he had passed... It's no fucking life he's having :(

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