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Small pets

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Original poster

Pets at home dearth of pets for sale?

40 replies

tobee · 26/05/2022 21:39

Anyone else found this or is it just our local area?

A few weeks ago one of our 2 female Guinea pigs have died. We wanted to get one or two more to keep her company. We've previously got our guineas from pets at home; either babies or ones from their adoption section. On inquiring we were told they only have a few boys. Rang a few times since and reply either none at all or just a handful of boys; various branches.

Went into today and no Guinea pigs or rabbits for sale; babies or ones for adoption. Asked at counter and was told maybe next week.

Anyone else found this recently?

We've emailed local rescues and have had no replies.

OP posts:
BigFatLiar · 26/05/2022 21:46

I think there is increasing pressure on pet shops not to sell pets but to focus on the food, toys etc.

Original poster
tobee · 26/05/2022 22:03

Ah interesting thought.

OP posts:
Namechange1345677 · 26/05/2022 22:10

Our local no longer sells rabbits or piggies. I think its a good thing.

GodspeedJune · 26/05/2022 22:14

Contact a breeder directly. Any reputable breeder wouldn’t sell to pets at home anyway.

Sprogonthetyne · 26/05/2022 22:15

We got our piggies from a rescue centre, might be worth checking if there's anywhere local to you. As PP said, there's been a push to discourage shops selling of pets, no matter how small, as many did nor go on to be we'll cared for.

If you consider 20 years ago you could walk into any petshop and buy a puppy, 50/60 years ago you could buy things like lions, it's a gradual progress but in another 20 years we'll be shocked you could just walk in and buy a rabbit or guinea pig.

GreyTS · 26/05/2022 22:17

I'm actually kind of shocked that you can walk into a shop and buy an animal, seems pretty archaic actually so probably a good things it's stopped. Then again I despise the caging of animals, don't care whether it's tigers in the zoo, birds in aviary's, it's awful

mangoontoast · 26/05/2022 22:18

Good. Pet shops shouldn't be allowed to sell animals. There are hundreds of rescues overflowing with rabbits and guinea pigs.

MintyMoocow · 26/05/2022 22:25

Ours adopts rabbits and gps, doesn’t sell them. They still rats. Wonderful pets if you have time to spend with them.

Original poster
tobee · 26/05/2022 22:25

Although actually there aren't hundreds of Guinea pigs and rabbits at rescues as I've looked.

@GodspeedJune how do you go about finding a reputable breeder please?

All our Guinea pigs, which we've had the first 12 years ago, have been long lived and in good health and taken to the vets as soon as they've needed. We've always looked at the returned/unwanted Guinea pigs at pets at home.

All I'm hoping for is to get a healthy guinea as a companion for my existing female.

My dd is autistic and Guinea pigs have been an a very important part of her life.

OP posts:
Original poster
tobee · 26/05/2022 22:28

I also would be wary of getting a Guinea from a further afield rescue as I don't want to stress it out through a long journey.

OP posts:
Barleysugar86 · 26/05/2022 22:30

Might be worth looking at preloved- not used it for small animals but I found my dogs breeder through the site www.preloved.co.uk/classifieds/pets/all/uk/guinea+pigs

BammBamm · 26/05/2022 22:32

Where are you OP? There's a rescue relatively near me that are always advertising.
We went into pets at home recently to get a carrier for our existing guinea pig so we could take him to a rescue for a bonding session and found a lovely piggy looking for a new home.

Original poster
tobee · 26/05/2022 22:43

Thanks for the replies.

We are in SW London. Currently local rescues only seem to have males that are unreserved. Or else we've had no reply at all 🤷🏻‍♀️

Heard of Preloved @Barleysugar86 but wasn't sure if their reputation.

OP posts:
Barleysugar86 · 26/05/2022 22:49

@tobee I think preloved is the same as anything online, you'll get the bad and the good.

When I was looking for a dog I just asked a lot of questions- the lady I found was very forthcoming with information about vet things, the parents were both treasured family pets. I was able to meet both parents at the same time as the puppies and they both had lovely temperaments. She had lots of pictures of her with both the parents that she sent me pre visit.

There were also adverts on there I got a bad vibe from and ignored too, but my experience was very positive. As with any pet I think communication is key and trust your gut instincts. If they love and care deeply for their animals I think that becomes obvious early on!

Original poster
tobee · 26/05/2022 22:50

Thank you @Barleysugar86!

OP posts:
Villagewaspbyke · 26/05/2022 22:51

GreyTS · 26/05/2022 22:17

I'm actually kind of shocked that you can walk into a shop and buy an animal, seems pretty archaic actually so probably a good things it's stopped. Then again I despise the caging of animals, don't care whether it's tigers in the zoo, birds in aviary's, it's awful

Do you eat meat?

GodspeedJune · 26/05/2022 23:16

It sounds odd but people breed them for showing purposes and to develop different lines. If you Google there should be societies who will recommend a breeder local to you. I haven’t had Guinea pigs for years but when looking for a rabbit I found the Dutch rabbit club/ society who had breeders listed across the country. Found one close to me, and they are really reasonable too. My rabbit was less expensive than those from dubious backgrounds in PAH.

Original poster
tobee · 26/05/2022 23:19

GodspeedJune · 26/05/2022 23:16

It sounds odd but people breed them for showing purposes and to develop different lines. If you Google there should be societies who will recommend a breeder local to you. I haven’t had Guinea pigs for years but when looking for a rabbit I found the Dutch rabbit club/ society who had breeders listed across the country. Found one close to me, and they are really reasonable too. My rabbit was less expensive than those from dubious backgrounds in PAH.

Thank you!

I'm interested if Pets at Home have deliberately chosen to do this; stop selling small animals, that they're not announcing it. 🤔

OP posts:
Antarcticant · 26/05/2022 23:22

I went into our Pets at Home for cat food the other day and they had guinea pigs for sale and a pair for adoption. I'm in W Yorks though so too far for you I should imagine.

Original poster
tobee · 26/05/2022 23:24

Thanks @Antarcticant

OP posts:
katkit · 26/05/2022 23:24

Rescues are generally packed, and will help bond your Guinea with a new one. Whereabouts in the country are you?

katkit · 26/05/2022 23:27

Sorry. Seen SW London. How about ARC... animalrescueandcare.org.uk/adoption/adopt-a-guinea-pig/

katkit · 26/05/2022 23:30

Or this lady? Got one from her... thislittlepiggyrichmond.webs.com/these-little-piggies

Antarcticant · 26/05/2022 23:31

There seem to be males available from RSPCA in London - I'm guessing you can't mix sexes with guinea pigs though? Or can they be neutered?

SausageinaBun · 26/05/2022 23:49

I'd look for a guinea pig specific rescue, rather than RSPCA or similar. Apparently the general rescues direct people to them instead of taking guinea pigs themselves.

There are a few facebook groups that might be worth trying:
Guinea pig Rehome and Rescue Network UK
Guinea Pig Rescue UK.

Otherwise preloved or pets4homes often have lots of guinea pigs.

We've rescued and also bought designer guinea pigs from breeders. You can get pet couriers, though ours cost more than the pigs themselves 😬.

You can also buy at guinea pig shows, but we haven't done that, so not sure how easy it is.