This will go one of two ways

[fortifiedwithtea]

I'm desperate for another guinea pig. Effectively Naughty Girl has been on her own since Monday when Fatimus sadly went to the vets and we all know how that ended

I don't want a baby, because I don't want to get into the cycle of losing one and a cagemate being left behind with a long lonely life ahead of it. I looked up some rescues but then I saw the RSPCA had an adorable neutered boar and I couldn't resist sending them my details. The RSPCA have rung me and we had a chat. I know more about him. Usual story family got a guinea before finding out anything about how to keep and care for him and couldn't cope. RSPCA neutered him pretty much as soon as they got him.

RSPCA will contact me again to arrange a home visit to make sure I am a suitable guinea pig owner. My DH was like you are joking aren't you Yes really DH no joke, they really do check homes for guinea pigs

I must tell the neighbours to expect to see an RSPCA van in the road. When my friend house sat to look after the piggies whilst we were on holiday last month, the lady oppostive was on the verge of calling the police. She thought we had squatters

Given that you've just admitted feeding Naughty hobnobs .....

Seriously, there is no way you need a home visit, there is no-one more suitable to be a piggy parent. I thought you would probably be finding a friend for Naughty - just hope she behaves herself when she meets her new husband.

It is lovely that they do home checks for pigs.

Ah, it's a big decision isn't it?
Companion or not.
Male or female.
There's pros and cons.

But a little neutered boar sounds lovely.
I guess with the number of boars in Rescue they want to make sure that you .
Hopefully it'll be a quick, basic check.
Do they ask you all the questions before they come round? Like what are your plans for winter/summer/ feeding etc.

When I got GP3 I had to take GP1 (to boar match) and photos/ measurements of my accomodation.

GP1 was judgily in his travel box but I'm sure he was telling the other pigs what a brilliant owner I am.
"I get onions skins to eat. And leftover Greggs sausage roll pastry. And I live in a dustbin "

@ hobnobs.
GP1 eats Cornetto cones (strawberry) and Oreo biscuit.
Not sure I've seen those recommended on the Peter Gurney website

ha ha at hobnobs and cornettos! I was just trying toget more adventurous with my piggy offerings but you guys take the biscuit , ooo a boar - whats he like - you seen a piccy? Today I offered my newby parsley and cant say she was crazy about it - carrots same, cucumber a bit more enthusiastic - maybe I should try her on my shreddies! I went to the RSPCA looking for a piggy mate and was shocked at the £40 adoption fee - bit off putting as dh is a tight git but it is good they thoroughly check where they are going. I chatted on the phone for about an hr with the lady from the rescue I got sooty from - she didn't do a home visit but said she was picky about where they went too and as I had a big long piggy story she took me on trust I wasn't telling her porkies- I did find it funny when she kissed her in the carpark as she passed her over though

Yes I've seen a picture , he's black and white, could be a mis-marked dutch but can only see him face on. He looks a fun little chap. RSPCA lady said he was definitely an adult but small for a boar and estimates he is a year old. With humans he is friendly, is easy to handle and very talkative. He has had no guinea pig company since original owners got him so he has been lonely a long time That could be a problem, nobody has any idea how he behaves with other guinea pigs

One thing is for sure, after months of isolation he is going to be a randy little boar once he finds a laydee

He sounds lovely and his markings would look gorgeous with Naughty Girl (sounds very shallow I know, judgeing a guinea by it's colours)

Only one way to find out really- even if he does try it on with Naughty, she won't get upduffed. And hopefully after she's told him to do one he'll get the hint.

It is so sad to think of them alone though. Sounds like his original owners didn't read the guineas need company advice.

If the worst happens and they couldn't share happily without him pouncing , would you be able to side-by-side them?

He sounds lovely and I'm sure Naughty Girl will be only too glad to teach him how to behave around other pigs - "No, you have to let lady pigs have first choice of fresh veg, hay, places to sleep ... "

I still haven't heard from the RSPCA Worst DD1 doesn't think the boar is cute but I think its because he has the look of OB, the very thing that attracts me probably makes her sad and turns her off

There are also a pair of 2 year old sows on Gumtree in Chelmsford my home town being sold because owners are down sizing. Names will obviously have to be changed, one is called Rosie and the other is Bramble.

The RSPCA boar is on the North West Middlesex RPSCA website and his name is Roy.

So readers of SFA, have a look at the piccies and tell me would you think

The two sows- "I'm asking £30 to ensure a serious buyer"

Not you're asking £30 - end of.

If I was after these girlies (which I'm not ) I'd email and say:
You want a good forever home for two adult sows.
They've been on Gumtree for 19 days.

I'll give them a home. A very good home.
I'll email you photos and updates.
You want to rehome your pigs.
I'm not going to enable you to profit from it.

Take it or leave it. But if not I'll get a pig elsewhere and your guineas will have missed their chance.

Or words to that effect.

If I ever wanted to rehome my furbabies (which I don't) I'd pay someone to take them.
Not because they are that bad. But I'd be that serious about them going somewhere that could care for them.
And they wouldn't go on Gumtree either.

Roy looks gorgeous (and I've only seen a couple of OB photos but yes, there's similarity)

But................look at BUMBLE and BUZZ

They are gorgeous.
But two boys and a girl (or indeed those two with my two) is begging for trouble with your bowl out.

If you're in Chelmsford then could you go to Hadleigh? We got a rescue sow from there and there was none of this mucking about with home visits.

Or try here.

Miss Strawberry I cannot recommend Cornettos as part of a guineas diet but our GP1 literally chases DD round in the run if she's earing one.
He only has a bite of the crispy wafer.
And my little pigling (GP3) doesn't eat them.
Oh No. He's a good boy.

A crust of wholemeal toast for him, if he's good

I want to feed my piggy human food!!!

I know 70 Buzz and Bumble are lovely but 2 boys and 1 girl Noooo!!! I know what you mean about the Chelmsford sows, sounds cheeky but perhaps the owners are just trying to ensure they don't end up as snake food.

Thanks breatheslowly for the links. Yes we could get to Hadleigh and I'll keep checking the guinea re-homing site

Well when I went to collect GP3 I took the Nissan and not the 70s Furrier to the Gentry van.
Got away with it

Asking a £5 is okay as a snakefood defence but £30 is taking the p*.

You could go to P@H and pay £25 for two brand new babies.

(I'd phone her and gauge the reaction)

MissStrawberry I was in Tesco today buying food for my boys.

"No they don't like that, they like the little gem lettuce with the red bits.
And they had rocket. I'll get them a mixed bag.
Ohhh, they might like grapes..."

I shouldn't be allowed out alone

Went shopping yesterday and bought a load of veg. Was preparing dinner tonight and realised I had no veg for us as I'd only bought stuff for the furry boys. Will have to shop again tomorrow as we ate some of their carrots

Guinea-pigs will share.
Rabbits OTOH,
well think General Woundwort from Watership Down..........

But there was also Fiver and Hazel.

Current Bun is great at sharing - he's been sharing his excess fluff with the carpet for a while now.

Just checked out Roy. He's lovely - looks a bit of a character. Do you have to adopt his monkey as well?

I noticed in the advice at the top of the RSPCA page they suggested it would cost £5 a week to feed a small animal. They clearly have not met mine. I have told my boys they have a budget now and they are in the big igloo deciding how they are going to cut back.

I have sent an e-mail again to the RSPCA as have heard nothing

I think £5 per week would only apply to non pampered not SFAguinea pigs. Imagines Smooth and Scruffy debating can they give up parsley That will be a no then

Phone them. Sometimes emails can be ignored for a while or forgotten about.

Scruffy suggested if we got a large canopy to cover the lawn and patio heaters they could graze daily and thereby cut feeding costs. Smooth suggested we got rid of Scruffy