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!
A few months back (around the time Mira P. got her rats) I also got a few rats as well. It was a pretty tough decision because we wanted them to be absolutely healthy, and happy. So we decided to get them from a rat breeder (little did we know about rat shelters). We did hardcore research and even measured cages to see what would fit them best. I guess all the work was worth it, but in the end the rats are usually sitting on shoulders or laying on your lap. They are not playing with any fancy toys, they are playing with their brothers.
