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All About Guinea Pigs

In the last 3 years CAW have taken in and rehomed 76 guinea pigs.This clearly
indicates a problem for the guinea pigs of County Clare. There are several
individuals in Clare who supply the pet shops with a constant supply of guinea
pigs, purely for profit, with no concern for their future well being.

Historically guinea pigs have always suffered in human hands. Most notably in
research laboratories but also in the pet trade. The trade in guinea pigs by
pet shops inevitably leads to suffering for these animals. They are far less
well suited to life as a pet than cats or dogs because in the wild guinea pigs
live in large groups, they are social animals and it is cruel to keep them singly.

When a male guinea pig is born in captivity his choices are limited. He cannot
easily be paired with another male, as they often fight, and the options of
neutering so he can live with a female presents many risks as guinea pigs are
so small and do not always cope well with anesthetics.

Far too often guinea pigs lead cramped, lonely lives, deprived of the space and
company they crave. After devoting 3 years of my life to guinea pig rescue, I
have come to the conclusion that these wonderful creatures would be far better
off living in the wild in South America.

If however you already have a guinea pig, or guinea pigs there are a few basic rules

1. They need company
2. They need as much space as you can possibly give them, most of the shop
bought cages are far too small.
3. They should never be housed with rabbits as rabbits can bully guinea pigs.

There are some excellent websites on guinea pig care and we recommend the following.

Guinea Pig Cottage
www.cavyspirit.com
 

Click here to see ‘Smallies’ we have rehomed and/or some that are looking for new homes

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All About Rabbits

Rabbits & Children

Contrary to popular belief rabbits do not make good children’s pets.

As prey animals, most do not like to be picked up and cuddled.

They need plenty of space and a suitable environment.

The traditional rabbit hutch is outdated.

It is very cruel to keep a rabbit caged or to keep on singly as they need the company of other rabbits.

Unfortunately both sexes will fight if they are in same sex groupings and so the ideal pairing is a neutered male with a female.

Humane Alternatives To Caging

(a) House-rabbits - rabbits can be litter trained and have the freedom of your house. See this rabbit website for more details

(b) Rabbits can live outside and have the freedom of an enclosed back garden or a very large pen. The pen needs to be at least 15 foot by 15 foot, the more space you give them the more rewarding they will be to watch. They will need a dry sleeping area, such as a hutch or dog kennel filled with hay but you will probably find they burrow under it and live underneath.

(c) Plenty of people keep “free range” rabbits successfully but this is risky and you need all the factors to be just right for it to work.

For further information on the keeping of rabbits the best website we have found is Cotton Tails Rescue

The Following Are Photos of Rabbits We Have Previously Rehomed

Click here to see ‘Smallies’ we have rehomed and/or some that are looking for new homes

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