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Where is the best place to adopt a guinea pig? If you’re interested in getting one of these small, furry rodents into your home, you may think the local pet store is the best option. However, many people don’t realize that guinea pigs – also known as guinea pigs – can often be found in a local shelter or shelter. If you’d rather rescue a guinea pig that someone bought on a whim, chances are you’ll be able to find one from one of these organizations, which has many benefits.
Before you look for guinea pigs to adopt, it helps to know some basics. First, you can expect to pay anywhere from $10 to $100 or more depending on where you buy your new pet. For example, the average cost to rehome a guinea pig from a local shelter is between $10 and $35. Local animal shelters and animal control facilities can charge between $20 and $40 each Guinea pig. Pet stores sometimes have these furry little critters available for adoption for between $10 and $40. You’ll pay top dollar if you adopt one from breeders, with the average cost typically being anywhere from $40 to over $100 per pet. .
1. Local Animal Shelters
Many local animal shelters, including the SPCA, rescue and rehome unwanted or otherwise homeless guinea pigs. Due to their compact size, these creatures are considered “pocket pets,” and you will find that many animal sanctuaries have special services for pocket animals. Unfortunately, these services are necessary because people often rush into adopting guinea pigs, assuming they require virtually no care. While these are indeed low-maintenance pets, you must be willing to put in the time and effort to keep them healthy and happy.
When adopting guinea pigs from an animal shelter, take your time and visit all the options available. You may even want to come back several times to see which one is best for you and your home. It is also wise to visit multiple shrines, if available, before making a decision.
Many animal shelters require house calls before releasing the guinea pigs to their new owners, so be prepared for that. With this in mind, make a place for your new pet before adopting one. Find a quiet, safe place in your home and make sure you have all necessary supplies. These include a large cage with a low roof or lid, a special water bottle for guinea pigs, newspaper and fresh hay for the bottom and a selection of dry and fresh foods.
2. Independent, Local Guinea Pig “Helpers”
Because many local shelters and shelters do not accept guinea pigs, individuals often make efforts to rescue, raise and find new homes. These guinea pig “helpers” are usually very knowledgeable about caring for this furry little one rodents, so they are great places to learn about the ins and outs of caring for them. At the same time, you can feel good knowing that you are helping to rescue and rehome a helpless, homeless animal.
These helpers act as foster homes for unwanted guinea pigs, providing temporary food, shelter and love until a suitable home is found. However, make sure you are dealing with a real foster home rather than a guinea pig farm where these creatures are continuously bred by unscrupulous people trying to make a quick buck. Warning signs include finding multiple baby guinea pigs for adoption at once and paying exorbitant prices to adopt them. If you are asked to pay more than $40 or so, look elsewhere.
3. Small Animal Rescue Organizations
In many areas, it is relatively easy to find nonprofit organizations that specialize in rehoming small animals such as guinea pigs. However, to avoid accidentally adopting from a breeder, it’s critical to do your homework on any organization you’re considering. A great way to find a reputable local small animal rescue organization is through online search portals such as www.petfinder.com.
Like independent guinea pig helpers, small animal rescue organizations are usually staffed by people with extensive knowledge about these types of pets. You can usually get helpful tips on caring for your new pet; guinea pigs, for example, prefer to have a low roof over their heads because of their instinct to be wary of birds and other predators. Small animal rescue organizations strive to keep guinea pigs healthy and happy, and they know how to properly mate them to avoid unwanted litters down the road. Expect to pay $10 to $35 to adopt a guinea pig from this type of organization.
4. Animal Control Facilities
Another place where guinea pigs for adoption can be found locally is an animal control facility such as a humane society or shelter operated by a local city or other jurisdiction. Guinea pigs found in these places usually arrive there after their owners abruptly decide not to keep them. Other times they are found on the street or in the wild and brought in by concerned citizens.
By adopting a guinea pig from a local animal control facility, you can prevent it from being euthanized. Such facilities usually do not have a lot of extra space, so they can only keep such pets for so long. Plus, workers aren’t necessarily well versed in these types of pets or how to care for them, so you’re unlikely to get much help in that regard. So be sure to educate yourself about the ins and outs of caring for guinea pigs before attempting to adopt one from this type of facility.
5. Online Classifieds
Try checking Craigslist and other online classifieds sites if you’re looking for guinea pigs in local shelters and the like. People who urgently need to relocate these critters often turn to such locations to find a new home as quickly as possible. As an added bonus, many people are also willing to throw in cages, water bottles, and other essentials,
so
you may be able to save some money by pursuing this option.
While such sites’ terms of service prohibit breeders and sales, it’s not uncommon for people to try anyway. Therefore, once again it is vital to exercise due diligence before proceeding. Beware of sellers with multiple small guinea pigs of about the same age and avoid sellers charging more than $40 per pet. These are red flags that something is wrong and that you should pursue other options.
6. Pet stores
In many communities, local pet stores accept unwanted guinea pigs, allowing their owners to find new homes for their former pets. If you’re thinking about adopting one from a pet store, start with local family stores first. Such places usually have local community connections, so they may be able to help you find guinea pigs for adoption, even if they don’t currently have one.
While smaller pet stores are easier to handle when adopting a guinea pig, sometimes chain stores are the only option. Places like Petco and PetSmart occasionally have these furry, colorful rodents up for adoption. As an added bonus, they usually have all the supplies you need, including cages, bedding and food. Occasionally they even throw in free stuff if the previous owner left them with the pet. The average cost to buy one guinea pig from a local pet store is anywhere from $10 to $40, and you can usually select one and take it home the same day.
7. Guinea Pig Breeders
Most people prefer to rescue unwanted, homeless guinea pigs. However, guinea pig breeders are always an option if you are looking for a particular breed or have other unusual requirements. That said, it’s essential to know the difference between reputable breeders and people who run guinea pigs, who produce pets without regard for their health or wellbeing.
Without a doubt, adopting a guinea pig from a breeder is the most expensive option. Depending on the breed and other variables, breeders typically charge between $40 and over $100. You are unlikely to get free stuff from a breeder, so make sure you have everything your guinea pig needs before proceeding. On the plus side, breeders usually have a wealth of knowledge about caring for such pets and can provide many tips and tricks to keep them healthy, happy and safe.
As you can see, you have more options to find and adopt a guinea pig than you probably think. Research the options available in your area before taking the plunge. Chances are, you can find your new pet at a local shelter, rescue operation, or shelter so you can rescue an unwanted guinea pig that would otherwise be euthanized. Otherwise, online classifieds sites, local pet stores and independent breeders are also viable options – just make sure to stay away from guinea pigs or farms, which are usually just there for the money and don’t necessarily provide adequate care for these cute critters.
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