Merrypigs Guinea Pig Sanctuary

27/03/2024

Mr Tomas is improving! He is going longer between wees now rather than constant incontinence, and his bum is clean and dry. This is his relieved face when I told him he wouldn't need any more bum baths! 🐹😌🫧

27/03/2024

How sad 💔

25/03/2024

Poor Tomas is having a few issues post castration - he is suffering from urinary incontinence!
He is so brave having his daily bum baths and is having his Metacam like a champ. We are seeing a slight improvement, and hopefully this will continue! He's otherwise absolutely fine in himself 🤞
Here is the pe**ee monster on his way for a check up!

21/03/2024

Now that Covid has vacated, Tomas has something to tell you...
He had a deep sleep and when he woke up he felt suspiciously lighter around the bum area! He is very disappointed in Mummy's betrayal - sorry Tomas! 😱🍒
But on the bright side, he will be allowed to have some sow friends in 6 weeks time - silver lining eh Tomas? ♥️🐹
Here he is feeling sorry for himself in his oxygen box post op 🥴

11/03/2024

Sorry we've gone quiet, I've got the dreaded Covid (again) 🤒 The list of every pig we've had at the rescue will continue soon!

03/03/2024

PIGGIES #4 AND #5

Toffee and Fudge are piggies #4 and #5. They were also surrendered to the pet store where I used to work, another family who mo longer wanted to care for their pets in their older years 😔

Toffee was definitely in charge although her sister Fudge was bigger! The girls were a bit thin and stressed, and Toffee had mites leading to hair loss and sore skin over her back. Their nails were long and they needed some tlc!

Tlc isn't often provided in a pet store and as the girls were approximately 5 years old, they came home with me for their 'retirement'. Toffee had treatment for her mites over the course of the next few weeks, and Fudge too as a precaution. Her skin soon became more comfortable and her hair began to regrow.

A pedicure and some feeding up later, and the girls were enjoying their retirement together in comfort. They had their squabbles but Fudge was very insistent that her sister spend time with her and Toffee usually gave in! As the girls grew older, Fudge began to suffer with urinary issues which progressed beyond treatment.

We kept her as comfortable as we could and eventually made the heartbreaking decision to let her go. We brought her home so that Toffee could see her, and it was sad and lovely to see her saying goodbye to her sister. Toffee was subdued for a little while but with lots of encouragement and the company of 'Mr Monkey' her favourite cuddly friend, she pulled through, and became very much a people pig! ❤️

At this point Toffee was quite the cranky old lady when it came to other pets but she adored being with people. She began to slow down over the coming months until she too crossed rainbow bridge, with me lying by her side.

These girls were the most adorable pigs, with such bright characters and expressive personalities. They took a massive piece of our hearts when they had to go, and will always be remembered fondly (if bittersweet). Precious piggy sisters reunited over rainbow bridge 🌈♥️

26/02/2024

PIGGIES #1 AND #2
▪️The first pigs through our doors, Simon and Joe, were the ones who sparked the idea of taking in rescue pigs.
▪️They were from the Adoption centre of a Pets At Home store - too old now to be sold in the main part, and Simon had a deformity - unilateral microphthalmia, meaning he couldn't be sold like all the other 'normal' guineas 😟
▪️Terrified to begin with, and just 16 weeks old. Simon couldn't see well and initially relied on Joe for help.
▪️Over time, they blossomed. They got on so well and loved grass time in the garden! They mostly free ranged, and enjoyed exploring their home.
▪️After some years, Simon's eye started to shrivel and he was losing weight, so after much discussion with a vet the choice was made to have it removed. Devastatingly, on returning home Simon had not recovered well from his anaesthetic and passed away a few hours later in our arms 💔
▪️Joe missed him and it was heartbreaking to see him looking around for his friend. We showed Simon's body to Joe after he had passed and, after sniffing his brother in a final goodbye, Joe moved away and hid for a while.
▪️Joe lived with us until he too passed away after developing recurrent bloat. He loved eating Simon's critical care feed and every other syringe had to go to Joe, waiting patiently by your feet for his turn, despite being healthy and well at the time! He hated the sound of cutlery hitting a plate, and the classic 'incorrect' noise from Family Fortunes - if he heard one of these, he would run away grumbling!
▪️Deemed unsuitable for mainstream sales due to their age - just 4 months old!! - and Simon's appearance. The pet trade is shallow, impulsive and entirely money-focused 😔
▪️Remembering Simon and Joe with love and fond memories always - sleep tight boys, over rainbow bridge 🌈♥️

25/02/2024

***MEET EVERY PIG WE HAVE HAD IN RESCUE***
(give or take a few!)

We are beginning a series of posts sharing every piggy we have had through the rescue over the near-8yrs we have been running!

It is a wonderful chance to reminisce, learn from their pasts, enjoy their success stories and remember the ones who didn't quite make it 💔

So join us as we look back at all the little souls who have come through Merrypigs' doors 🚪🐹

25/02/2024

It goes without saying that reputable rescues are going to be anti breeding of all species. It blows my mind that despite having a wealth of information at our fingertips, still people choose breeders over rescue. And whilst we continue to line breeders pockets, we are encouraging them to carry on. If you believe that by going to a breeder you’ll get a healthier, friendlier rabbit, let me tell you that it couldn’t be further from the truth.

Ronnie is originally from a show breeder. He looks as far from a rabbit should do as he possibly could. His flat face and squashed up body, all in the name of looking cute, causes him no end of health issues. Is it his breeder forking out the thousands for faecal samples, xrays, blood tests, meds and the almost inevitable ct scan? No, of course not.

Another rabbit in our care came from a supposedly ‘ethical breeder’ (there is no such thing, in our opinion). Their reviews read that they are ‘highly recommended’, and that their rabbits are clearly well loved.

However…Did said breeder meet his welfare needs, in terms of space, diet and companionship?

No, they didn’t.

Did they address his arthritic joints and attempt to alleviate his pain?

No, they didn’t.

Did the breeder vaccinate him against deadly diseases? Or treat his severe mite infestation? Or his dental disease?

Well, I think you know the answer…no, they didn’t.

Did the breeder continue to use him; a chronically unwell, chronically poor example of a healthy rabbit to create more rabbits? Indeed they did.

Is it the breeder about to be broken hearted as he dies, having never known a happy loving home? No…it isn’t.

Please, please support reputable, ethical rescues instead of lining the pockets of breeders who have absolutely no care for the animals they are exploiting. If you don’t, who will pick up the pieces time and time again when we are no longer here? 💔

24/02/2024

Do not disturb 🤫 Saturday snoozing 💤

17/02/2024

Animal Shelter

14/02/2024

These feeties are red and swollen, especially at the pressure points. This indicates the beginning of urine scald or bumble foot, probably due to their previous unsuitable bedding. Now they are on soft, dry bedding these paws will soon recover! 🐹🐾

14/02/2024

Poor Tomas was a bit squinty this morning and on investigation we managed to retrieve this naughty bit of hay!
It's very important to keep an eye on your piggies (no pun intended 👀) for hay pokes and foreign bodies in the eye! If you are unable to remove any hay easily, please take your piggy to the vet - leaving it in place can cause damage, discomfort and affect your piggy's sight 🐹👁️

11/02/2024

Of course, small furry pets like rabbits and piggies can make wonderful family pets - but the emphasis is on family! Make the decision to rehome any pet together, never just for children 🐹🐰

Kids nag. We get it.

But when they nag you into buying a pet and you don't take full responsibility for it, it's not their fault; it's yours! Stop purchasing cute babies from farms! Stop purchasing rabbits from breeders who just don't care! Stop. Think before you commit.

👉A rabbit is worth more than making a quick profit by selling off cute babies.
👉A rabbit is worth more than a tiny life in a tiny hutch.
👉A rabbit is worth more than giving in to your kid's nagging.

Truth.

10/02/2024

The many snoozes of Marcus-pig (and a hello from Tomas!)

09/02/2024

These 2 delightful chaps are Marcus and Tomas and are our newest intakes. They will be ready for a new home after their quarantine period and health check ❤️🐹🐹