Dilemma with guinea pigs - advice needed

muddlingmywaythrough

So a bit of background, my 10 year old has spent the last few years consistently asking for guinea pigs. I managed to put off getting any for a couple of years as I was dubious about how well she would care for them etc and I didn't want the responsibility myself. I should also say that I love dogs and animals that you can interact more with as opposed to those that are in a cage etc and I have never been keen on rodents.

Anyway, last Christmas we gave in, got 2 lovely little boys and sure enough within a few months the novelty had worn off and the care has now been left to me. I have tried so hard to get involved with the piggies and although they are still quite nervous they are very, very sweet.

With added commitments I have, as well as work/kids etc, I felt terrible but decided that I couldn't commit the time they deserved and have contacted a local rehoming centre. The centre are happy to take them but said they have a long waiting list before they can take them (they obviously can't specify an exact time but it could be months).

Because I felt so unbelievably guilty about it all (and been quite upset), I've really made an extra effort with the pigs and have recently spent lots of extra time with them. They don't like to play but they love their cuddles and bath time etc so I have actually enjoyed the last few weeks more than any other time.

They are also responding a bit more to me. I don't think they will ever be running up to play or anything and they don't like coming out of their hutch for a run (though they like it when they are actually out!) but they are now very comfortable with me and are always squeaking if I walk past etc which they never did before (though if I get too close to the hutch they immediately run and hide!). All of this is lovely to see but has given me massive second thoughts about rehoming so I would love some genuine, non-judgemental thoughts/opinions.

Do I continue with the rehoming when a space becomes available and uproot them from a home they're used to or do I stick it out and try to spend  more time with them and make more of an effort?

Savvy_Sue

Honestly, I don't know which would be best, but I admire you for making the effort - I feel many people would have done the bare minimum in care, and you've really made the effort. 

Just one thought, does your DD know how you feel about them, and that you are intending to rehome them? Do warn her that there will be no point her kicking up a fuss when that happens. 

Also, I (think that) I'd actually insist that she helps out whenever possible, and handles them when you are giving cuddles and baths. 

I know I dodged this one by having our best friends' animals for half term: despite saying they wanted pets of their own, no-one here was interested in feeding, caring, cuddling, and as a result all subsequent requests for pets of our own were firmly turned down ... 

One thing which might help would be to think about how you'll feel if anything happens to 'the boys' before you're able to re-home them. Would you feel relieved, or very sad? 

Spendless

I looked up the average lifespan of guinea pigs and it's 4-8 years. That takes your child through the teenage years and upto being an adult. Are you prepared to be sole carer for the pigs for that long or insist said child also contributes during their lifetimes? Is it just you 2 in the household or other family members who should also be helping out? If no to the above I think I'd carry on with the re-homing and be aware you'll  probably feel bad about it when it  does happen.

I sympathise, I made the  same mistake once with a rabbit (yes single, I was so ignorant I didn't know they should live in pairs until too late) and the care fell to just me,  even my DH dipped it after transporting rabbit once when we were going away and then saying it made him sneeze. It contributed to my decision to refuse to get a dog (I used to use the phrase 'everyone wants a dog that I'll look after') until a lot later on and my youngest fell ill and then I felt she NEEDED a dog rather than WANTED one and I was prepared to put the effort of care in to having one 

TBagpuss

I agree that you need to think log terms - Guinea Pigs can live 8 years or so.
It's great that you have made the effort to socialise them and they may well continue to become more trusting. I look after my neighbour's piggies when they go away, and over time they have become much less nervous - when I first met them, they would run and hide if anyone went close to the hutch or opened the front - now, they will come up to the wire and stay close for petting and treats when I feed them, and are comfortable being picked up to g into their run - they are typically a little shy on the first visit but either remember me once they've had a good sniff,  or just realize I'm bringing food as they are normally much friendlier on the second and subsequent visits! I presume that they are friendlier with their actual owners.  I can't remember how long they have had them, I think about 5 years now and they are still going strong. 

If you do decide to go ahead with rehoming then you've made it much easier for them as they are well socialised and likely to settle well with a new owner, so don't feel guilty if you decide that that's the best thing to do .

TripleH

It was a reason why I never wanted a pet. I didn't think I would provide the appropriate attention one would need.

It wasn't until I moved in with my wife and her cat that I actually had a pet I was responsible for, but I think I was at an appropriate age to give the attention required. We now have 4 cats!!

It was my father refusing the request for a dog from my mother and sister that stopped them getting another one as he felt he'd be the one doing the walks in rain etc. Ironically having a dog may have helped prolong his life.

Op, I agree with above that your daughter should be made to help look after the guinea pigs regardless of if you keep or rehome them. It's a life lesson that you cannot walk out on your responsibilities when you get bored (I'm not having a go, that was my logic  and reason for not having a pet).