For anyone who is considering getting a new pet cavy, a terrific alternative to a pet shop is to look up your local animal rescue center or pet shelter, or your city could even have a guinea pig rescue center that are experts in cavies.
It's not at all uncommon for an owner of a pair of cavies to suddenly learn that the female is expecting a litter after which they find themselves having a hutch full of cavy pups. Very quickly this may bring about cage overcrowding which can then very quickly become a health and well-being issue for the babies and the mom and dad. In the event the owners cannot sell the cavy pups to a local pet shop, or to individuals through a newspaper ad, and they are struggling to keep the pups, they will sometimes turn to an animal shelter or a rescue center to take the baby cavies to.
Luckily one can find such things as guinea pig rescue centers. They can be found in every city and community wherever there is an individual or a group of compassionate animal lovers that want to give a sweet and gentle cavy yet another possibility to be placed with a caring family. They are really a safe place to take abandoned or unwanted pets, and for many who wish to adopt a new pet they will be able to find a lovable and affectionate new cavy companion as easily as visiting a pet store.
If you do choose an animal shelter or a rescue center to get your new cavy, you should always take time to determine from the people at the shelter or rescue center what the scenario was that brought the cavy to the rescue center. If it had been mistreated or perhaps neglected, for example, the cavy may possibly never be able to bond with a human again, therefore he or she wouldn't make a good "holding" pet. However I'm not suggesting that a neglected or abused cavy shouldn't be considered for adoption - quite the contrary. He or she could be the one who needs a very good home the most. Nevertheless , you get the point - its a good suggestion to learn the animal's history.
Additionally you will want to examine the cavy very carefully for symptoms of sickness, like discharge from the nose, watery eyes, or loss of hair, to name some, which might indicate poor health or an infestation. These could very well be minor ailments that a quick trip to the vet can treat easily enough.
Don't be taken aback if a cavy that that you find at a rescue center seems to be stressed, scared, or timid. Bear in mind he is in a new and different place, and cavies by their character aren't happy with change. If they were cared for well by their original owners and by the staff at the rescue center then they will probably adapt quickly to you and their new quarters, and their shy nervousness will quickly go away.
If you should ever find yourself with an unexpected litter of cavy pups, or maybe grown up cavies that you're unable or willing to care for, don't forget that there are people and places, guinea pig rescue centers as an example, which will accept your pets and find a good and loving home for them.
Additional information can be found in an article relating to guinea pig rescue centers at http://www.petguineapigsinfo.com/guinea-pig-rescue
