Adoption Policy and Application Form

1:Read our adoption policy 

2:If you can comply with our requirements please complete the application form {any issues with the form - its new } or please send a message via our contacts form.

3: We will get back to you ASAP.

Its great you have reached this page that means your interested in adoption but, i just want you to think carefully about a few things before we go any further.

People buy them for the wrong reasons - common example is pressure by children.

People experiment with breeding and it gets out of hand

Home and family circumstances can change - House move,rented accomodation.

People cannot afford to keep them anymore - Redundancy / unemployment/ health

People did not research fully what was involved with owning Guinea Pigs.

People buy new pets or their existing pets wont accept new arrivals !!

People have a baby

"The kids have lost interest"

"Its too cold to go out and feed them"

" I never wanted them it was the kids who bugged me"

" Kids are older now and have lost interest"

"Since the new puppy came along i cant cope with Guinea Pigs too"

" I am struggling with a new baby and Guinea Pigs "

" They were a gift but i dont like them"

" Cant afford it now, what with our new kitten and all"

" They squeak and make funny noises "............ yes i know.

Now we know life does change and who knows whats around the corner, but it seriously pays to do your homework and have a really good think before taking on Guinea Pigs or any pet.

Its a long term committment 4 to 8 years.

Time you have to give

Love you have to share

Space you have to care                           

Thank you

Helen

1:We only rehome single Guinea Pigs to live with an existing companion.

We rehome Guinea Pigs in bonded pair's.

We do not rehome Guinea Pigs to live with rabbits.

https://www.rspca.org.uk/adviceandwelfare/pets/rabbits/company/rabbitsandguineapigs

Descriptions of our available Guinea pigs are clearly listed on our web site.

Adoption donation £20 per Guinea Pig

Adoption donation for a boar NEUTERED by our vets is £70 this will cover our surgery costs.

Adoption donation for a boar already neutered on surrender is £30

We match our Guinea Pigs with your circumstances - A set up check may be carried out in person by one of the rescue team prior to adoption.

All our guinea pigs are re-homed on the basis that they are not to be used for breeding.

We cannot guarantee the age of sows, so it is important sows are not bred from.

Birth problems can occur in sows that have not had a litter before the age of 12 months.

Most of our rescue guinea pigs boars and sows have already had a difficult time and just want a peaceful loving home free from extra stress.

All adoptions are considered on an individual basis by the rescue manager whose decision is final.

Think carefully how your exisiting pets will accept new family members, this mainly refers to Dog's and cat's.

Dogs are a huge part of a family,and some breeds can instinctively be interested in rodents !! So its worth taking into consideration how your beloved pooch will welcome Guinea Pigs into your home.We have added this reminder to our policy as sadly Guinea Pigs were recently returned due to a pet dog becoming very stressed and not leaving them alone.

We recommend all owners never leave their Guinea Pigs unsupervised around other animals and use a fully enclosed run in their garden.

3:Quarantine of two weeks is applied to all Guinea Pigs we receive into the rescue.

A full health check and mite treatment will be carried out during this time.

Owners who have experience of guinea pig care have the choice to carry out quarantine themselves at home and before introducing a guinea pig to an existing Guinea Pig.The wellbeing of a depressed guinea pig is paramount and the benefits of exclusion have to be weighed up. Guinea pigs can be placed near to one another so at least they can share conversation and smells. This is occasionally done with neutered boars.

If you live in a rented property please check with your landlord you can have Guinea Pigs in your home.

We only rehome indoor Guinea Pigs to SMOKE FREE homes - see web link page for information why. 

We don't rehome to free range garden set up's.

On our Guinea Pigs available for adoption page our residents will be listed as either requiring INDOOR  or SEASONAL accomodation. 

See definition's below.

Hutch can be based in a sheltered outside area during summer months, moving to a  Garage / Shed during winter months - with lighting,heating and insulation. Inside area and cage must be available to view at time of adoption - garage not used for car storage.

Secure garden with fox proof mesh covered run available - 5ft x 2ft minimum - protects from other animals and birds of prey. We do not rehome to free range garden set up's.

5ft x 2ft length hutch  (this must be floor space )minimum for 2 Guinea Pigs,this size gives plenty of room for toys and tunnels.Double hutches must have ramp safety adaptations - just ask our advice, easy to do. 

We do not accept EGLU set up's as permanent accomodation.

We do not accept hutches with runs attached unless hutch is min 5ft x 2ft excluding attached run. 

Waterproof and windproof cover.

Inside your home / conservatory all year round - run time outdoor during summer months.

A minimum 140 length indoor cage. 

We do not accept double ferplast type indoor cage's with ramp's.

Various brands available on the internet, Amazon / Ebay / Zooplus sell a good range of indoor cages at good prices.

C & C grid set up - 5ft x 2ft minimum loft space optional 

We recommend the Chartwell 5ft hutch double or single, its very well made and meets the requirements of our policy.

However you can have any brand as long as it meets the required measurement's.

Visit www.homeandroost.co.uk who make and sell the Chartwell plus a really great range of british made products for Guinea Pigs and Rabbits - There is a link to them on our webs link page.

C & C grid  minimum 5 x 2 ft set up - a loft is optional.

Example of a beautiful C&C grids set up

Further information at:

https://candcguineapigcages.co.uk/ 

Adoptees agree to ensure the guinea pig is fed fresh meadow hay, a varied fresh low calcium vegetable diet and dried nuggets with added vitamin C .

You will find lot's of dietary information on our webs link page.

The rescue advises a low calcium diet to help avoid bladder problems - information sheets available on our webs link page.

Science selective grain free nugget is our prefered product.

Good examples are:

Burgess excell / Mr Johnsons Guinea Pig Advanced / Science selective and Science selective grain free / Harringtons

Hay and fresh water MUST be available at all times.

Bladder stone prevention:

Filter your Guinea Pigs drinking water its the best way to help prevent bladder stone issues,especially if you live in a hard water area. Its really a simple,cheap way to help reduce the chances of bladder problems along with a low calcium diet.There is more information on that issue on our health pages.

Dishes and water bottles must be cleaned on a regular basis - NO GREEN BOTTLES PLEASE !

Adoptees agree to register the guinea pig with a RCVS small animal veterinary practice and seek prompt care for a sick Guinea Pig it is a legal responsibility under the 2006 Animal Welfare Act.

Do not have pets if you cannot financially take care of them.

Adoptees agree to ensure regular health checks are carried out along with regular preventative treatment for skin parasites. All our guinea pigs are treated with a course of Ivermectin before they leave the rescue. Its important good skin care is maintained as we cannot guarantee your Guinea Pig will never get a mite or fungal infection,its something piggies can occasionally get from Hay, housing conditions or grazing on lawns.It is important you see your vet promptly with any skin changes.

Adoptees agree to ensure lots of cuddles and attention are given on a regular basis, play things must be provided to make cage time interesting. Guinea Pigs need regular exercise and an indoor / outdoor run of some type is essential, lawn or not.

Parents – Guinea pigs can live for 4 to 8 years !!!

Do not adopt Guinea Pigs unless you are the willing primary carer !!

We have found that one of the main reasons for unwanted guinea pigs is that they are bought for children and the children lose interest.The parents were not really interested in Guinea Pigs and therefore want to rehome them.Its a shame and large retail pet stores make it easier to buy Guinea Pigs on a whim,without really considering the responsibility required.

We love it when families tell us they have been researching and thinking about Guinea Pigs for several months !!! Hooray !

Be prepared to cultivate their interest,ensure they find out as much as they can about Guinea Pigs and teach them about being a responsible pet owner by being a good example yourself.

We do ask parents to consider the committment required before re-homing a guinea pig, parents must be the primary carer and encourage the child’s on going interest and take an active role in the guinea pigs care. Guinea pigs are wonderful, interesting animals and their care can be made educationally interesting and prove a valuable part of gaining citizenship and social skills.The rescue can give you lots of tips and information.

We do not rehome to schools / nurseries.

Pets are a 24 hour responsibility not just in school hours,we feel it sets a very bad example to leave pets unattended at school.

Sending Guinea Pigs home with different people can be distressing.

Please read our page why we dont adopt to schools and nurseries.

If your circumstances change and, you can no longer keep your adopted Guinea Pigs then contact us for advice.

We are having issues with the new application form ! 

If you complete but cant send PLEASE email us at t[email protected] or use the form on our contact page.

Thank you 

Helen x