Pets at home dearth of pets for sale?

[tobee]

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.

Thank you all for the latest replies!

I've never been to a Guinea pig show, they sound like they'd be fun!

You can neuter males but I don't particularly want to do that if it's dangerous for them.

Thanks @katkit. My dd searched those rescues and I think one of them didn't have available girls and one hasn't replied but that was a couple of weeks ago so we'll try again. I know a lot of rescues work in their spare time so have not been expecting a quick response.

Thanks @SausageinaBun re those Facebook groups.

12 years ago, when we bought our first pair, I wasn't sure about Pets@Home, but asked around parents at school and people seemed to say they were not bad.

As has been my experience locally, decent guineas, free health checks after a couple of weeks, and vetting us. However, I'm aware things can change and don't take it for granted

I will never buy from PAH ever again, we have had 5 hamsters all from there, the first 2 lived a good life, one just short of 2 years & one nearly 3 years but the last 3 lived a year, 6 months & 10 weeks. I'm sure it is because they are being overbred. I will only buy from a breeder who limits the number of litters each mother has.

@tobee, ahh shame. My friend volunteers for ARC- she says they've a pair of girls (these guys) not yet on the website but they are nervous, so maybe not what you're after. My friend is also my guinea pig dealer. 😂

@katkit ARC were the people we didn't hear back from! 🤷🏻‍♀️

It might be worth keeping an eye on the HAWS website - they cover SW London:
www.haws-animals.org.uk/adoption/pets/guinea-pigs/
They've got two males at the moment - maybe you could rehome one of these (neutered I guess, to prevent baby piggies )

@tobee that’s dreadful. I told them they’re missing messages.

There really are. Want some links to rescues? What area?

SW London & yes please

We got a ‘spare’ Guinea pig from Wood Green animal shelter - it was a centre outside London but not too far (we are west London). They actually introduced our GP to another one they thought was a match and kept them together for a few days.

That’s a nice idea

I know for a fact ARC have a waiting list of animals waiting to come into the rescue, as they simply don't have enough volunteers to cope with them all. Please get in contact, they're a great rescue, but bear in mind they all have day jobs, and respond when they can.

Thanks I will bear that in mind if we need to get more gps. I didn't want to hassle ARC as I know they are busy volunteers.

We picked up a pair of rescue girls today after joining a Facebook group.

Thanks all!