Multiple Things

by Mira P.

Hey, everyone. There hasn't been very much activity on Tiny Cages recently, except for an occasional Facebook status, so I have a few things to say here.

One - one thing I've been wanting to talk about ever since I made this blog is one of the first things people may think of when they think "tiny cages" and "animal abuse", but it's one that, sadly, a lot of people unknowingly contribute to - puppy mills.

Puppy mills are an inhumane yet legal thing that's been going on for years, decades, I don't know how long. They force dogs to mate with each other and take the babies away before they're ready, all to sell them to pet stores so they can make money. They keep them in tiny cages and sometimes dogs never get to see sunlight their entire lives. The people who manage them more often than not don't take care of them properly; in fact, it's downright animal abuse, there's no questioning that.

Two - onto to something a little more cheerful than the subject of puppy mills is a problem I notice with some individuals. Not puppy mills, or corporations, but just regular people. One thing I notice is that a lot of people view getting a dog, for example, as "buying a dog".

To me, this attitude of "I'm going to buy a dog" can seem fine, but can also hide bad intentions. Sometimes it's an innocent thought, but sometimes it's a "this dog is a toy" or "this dog is for shows only" or even just something like "this dog is not my pet, nor a family member". A dog, or a cat, to me, is like a child. You wouldn't adopt a child without having a loving home ready and waiting, you wouldn't adopt a child without doing plenty of research on parenting first, and you wouldn't adopt a child simply for show - so why do it when it's a dog and not a child?

A dog is a family member, just like a child. A dog may be equally as traumatized as a child if given up by a family he loved and thought loved him, or if brought into a home where no love is given.

Three - The last thing I have to talk about is something much more cheerful than the last two. Have you ever seen a video or a story of a solider returning from the war to greet his child or maybe his dog? They're pretty popular, and it's likely you have.

The SAC (Soldiers' Animal Companions) Fund helps soldiers that have found dogs or cats in Afghanistan to keep the dogs by sending them back to the USA so they are waiting for their owner to return. There are many sweet stories. If the soldier cannot keep the dog, they help get it adopted into a loving home. The dogs are always so happy to see their soldier return, and the feelings are mutual! Lots of times the soldiers say that the dog helped save their life, even if it's just that the dog was there when they were having a tough time or missing their family.

Here's SAC Fund if you want to check it out. And if you want to, please donate! It's a wonderful thing they are doing and they could use all the help they could get.

Oh, Rats!

by Mira P.

I have been planning on getting rats ever since I found out just what wonderful pets they make. I have been researching, and hoping, and saving money, and today it all paid off as I just adopted two wonderful boys. They are very happy in their new home (at least, as far as I can tell) and have been wandering around and chewing up their bed basically all day.

One of them is a dumbo, a rat which has rounder ears that are more on the side of their head. This one, which is recently-named Buster, is a bit sweeter and relaxed than the other one. The other one, recently named Gob (pronounced "Jobe") is sweet, however a bit more nibble-y and eager to escape. He also seems to enjoy the treats a bit more than Buster does.

Buster and Gob - Arrested Development, anyone?

They are, admittedly, a bit bigger than we expected, and our before huge cage is now looking a little smaller. (to be clear, it is not small) However, they appear to be more than happy, and love exploring, though Buster is now laying down for a nap.

Rats, as many rat lovers will tell you, make fantastic pets. I can tell you that right now, and I've barely had these ratties for a day. They are intelligent, loving, and extremely cute. Boys tend to be slightly calmer than girls, preferring to sit in your lap instead of explore the bathroom. Of course, it all depends on the individual rat's personalities; boys can be excitable and adventurous, and there are girl lap-rats.

Another thing rat lovers will tell you is that rats are like mini dogs, and yes, this is also true! They can be just as smart as dogs, just as playful, they can come running to the door to greet you, and, you can train them! You can train them to come when you call, to fetch a ball (hey, that rhymed!), to walk on hind legs, use a litter box, anything! Teaching them to come when they call is slightly important, as it can come to your aid if your rats go missing - and they can be little Houdinis when it comes to getting out of their cage.

I am very excited and grateful that I was able to get rats, especially ones as sweet and cute as Buster and Gob!

Arizona Piggie Poo Rescue

by Mira P.

A few years ago, my family adopted our two current guinea pigs (Sugar and Charkie) from AZ Piggie Poo Rescue, who rescues guinea pigs. I e-mailed them a while ago to ask them some questions. Here they are below:

TC (Tiny Cages):  Did you start off a small organization and grow bigger? Was it hard to promote yourself?

APPR: (AZ Piggie Poo Rescue): Our organization, Arizona's Piggie Poo Rescue, Inc., began in 2006.  We've grown exponentially since then, and we now have our own permanent shelter facility and a big list of volunteers and foster families who help us to operate smoothly and care for the animals we have at any given time.  From one person and her family with a desire to help some guinea pigs destined to be sold as snake food, we've come a long way.  We promote ourselves as much as possible, while still providing the care level to guinea pigs and other small exotic pets in our care that they have come to expect, and that we demand of ourselves.  Our first priority is always the welfare of the animals.  That being said, we also constantly need to raise money to provide that care, so we are always in promotion mode.  Right now, social media, like facebook, is our primary means of day-to-day communication.  We also use our email list to help when needed, and participate at events where possible. 

TC: What do you think of the tiny cages at pet stores?

APPR: We have yet to find a pet store (large or small) that carries any habitat that is suitable in size or style for guinea pigs, either single or paired, on their shelves.  There are a few mail-order pens that will work, but the C&C (Cube and Coroplast) pens are what we recommend, and demand of our adoptive families.  We carry these in the SqueekShop online or at the store at 1610 E. Bell Rd., Suite 109 - on the Northeast corner of Bell and 16th Street in Phoenix.  They can be custom made with colors you like, too!  Plus...they are the least expensive you will find!  (Not to mention the other guinea pig approved supplies at the least expensive prices anywhere, and the BEST FRESH TIMOTHY HAY EVER!)

TC:  What's the hardest part of what you do?

APPR: The hardest part of what we do is probably seeing animals that are surrendered, for any reason.  Even if they are in perfect health (and most are not), the emotional trauma for the animal is devastating.  Imagine everyone you loved and relied upon just giving up on you.  Guinea Pigs are herd animals and bond deeply with their human caretakers.  To be separated, even if those caretakers were severely lacking, is tragic.  Yes, we have animals surrendered that are neglected and sick, too.  Because our primary purpose is the welfare of these animals, we do sometimes find it hard to just bite our tongues and resist giving a lecture to neglectful pig-parents.  However, we do it, with difficulty, and re-route our anger and hurt to helping the animals we have in our care.  I think each of us remembers nearly every single animal we've cared for at the shelter, be that for a day, a week, a month, or a year.   

TC: What do you want people to know about having guinea pigs and other small animals as pets?

APPR: Our primary item of education about Guinea Pigs is that they be seen as a part of your family, and not as a 'pocket' pet, or as disposable when you get tired of them.  Proper care includes everything from proper housing, food, medical care, and grooming care.  Guinea Pigs are intelligent and sensitive animals who rely on their humans for nearly everything.  They do better in pairs, and we rarely have difficulty matching up pairs, if someone has a single piggie.  We offer a Cavy Savvy education class frequently that offers humans a chance to better understand their pigs, their body language, their squeaks and wheeks, and even their play and personalities.  Also, when you adopt Guinea Pigs from Arizona's Piggie Poo Rescue, we are invested for life.  We are here to answer questions, give advice, and even help you find joy in your piggies again, should that feeling wane.   

TC: How do you care for all the guinea pigs? How many do you usually have?

APPR: Our all-volunteer staff assures each day that the pigs at the shelter are fed, watered, cleaned up after, and socialized daily, even if the shelter isn't open to the public.  We also care for a number of pigs who might have special needs such as illness or socialization issues.  A network of foster homes, where pigs can get very individualized attention helps with this task.  At any given time, we average anywhere from 20 - 60 guinea pigs in our care in the shelter and foster homes.  We have had as many as 120 in our care when needed, such as last September when we helped with a hoarding case in California, transferring 94 pigs in one day from California and Tucson to Phoenix.  People often look incredulously at us when we tell them these numbers, and that we've helped over 1500 pigs in total.  They can't believe so many piggies would need help and rescue.  It is our sincerest desire that people understand the need and find it within their hearts to adopt from or donate to Arizona's Piggie Poo Rescue, Inc.  People can find us online at http://www.piggiepoo.org where they can find information and donation/adoption opportunities. 

 Arizona Piggie Poo Rescue is a very good and kind-hearted rescue. If you live in Arizona and want a guinea pig, this is a very good place to go. Like their Facebook page and check out their site!

Thanks!