One Is Not Enough
One Is Not Enough…
For the first time ever Guinea Pig Welfare is going to have a “theme” for 2012. It will be “One Is Not Enough” to highlight the need for guineas to have compatible company of their own choosing. Over the 10+ years of doing rescue socialisation/company has always been prominent. I have never rehomed a guinea pig to live on its own, neither have I condemned any in advice I give to a solitary life. I am certain that all guineas, when all their needs have been met- i.e. behavioural, situation issues etc, will be able to be sociable. If they are in a good place with no issues and are not happy with guinea pig friends then they haven’t met the right guinea or maybe there is an underlying behavioural problem which needs addressing. Behavioural issues can go far back in a guinea’s life. One boar I took in had been rescued from a flood where his brother had been killed, the lovely Human that took him in tried her best to socialise him, she gave him a large choice but eventually he arrived here and coincidentally I was helping an Animal Aromatics student with case histories, Mr. Red became a candidate, some of his hair was taken as a specimen and his oils were chosen. To cut a long story short he found friendship after his course with the first boar he was introduced to, later, when that boar was rehomed, he was castrated and lived with sowfriends.
The intention this year is to illustrate this need (an Animal Welfare Act requirement) by example, using the stories of the Guests that have been on Planet Guinea, this will be their contribution to Pigdom . We do recognise that through misinformation many people are allowed to give a home to a lone pig through no fault of their own.
There are times when a guinea pig needs to be alone, when it is recovering perhaps (though most do better with a nursey pig), when guinea is traumatised, this also needs addressing and he/she should not be rehomed when in a state of trauma that is either shown through fear or aggression or other ways. This is where the sources of guinea pigs should be recognising and addressing the problems and reputable ones do. There will be a lone guinea if people no longer want to keep them although arrangements can be made..