The guinea pig or domestic guinea pig, also known as the cavy or domestic
cavy, is a species of rodent belonging to the genus Cavia in the family
Caviidae. Breeders tend to use the word cavy to describe the animal, while
in scientific and laboratory contexts, it is far more commonly referred to
by the common name guinea pig. Despite their common name, guinea pigs are
not native to Guinea, nor are they closely related biologically to pigs,
and the origin of the name is still unclear. They originated in the Andes
of South America. Studies based on biochemistry and hybridization suggest
they are domesticated animals that do not exist naturally in the wild,
descendants of a closely related cavy species such as C. tschudii.
Why adoption is important:
Please don't buy a guinea pig from a pet store such as Petco until the
corporations can guarantee healthy animals being sold! Big name pet stores
as well as small local shops sell guinea pigs that come from huge breeding
facilities just like puppy mills. Many of the animals are sick when
purchased.
Timon's Story
Timon was bought at a local Petco and sold sick with a very severe cold,
after asking for a vet to examine them before purchasing, the staff
coninued to insist he was fine and that there was no one there to see him.
The next day his wheezing got worse and he was rushed to the exotic vet
and was told that his heart was barely audible from how congested he was,
any longer and he probably would not have made it. They prescribed him
antibiotic, critical care diet and nebulizer treatment. Petco was
confronted and forced to pay all of Timon's vet bills since they did not
follow their "animal care guidelines" of treating and isolating sick pets.
On top of that they offered to have Timon returned in exchange for another
guinea pig as if these animals are simply merhcandise and not living,
breathing animals.The happy ending though was that after over a week of
intense medical treatment he made a full recovery and is now living
happily with his new pal Junebug who was adopted from the Los Angeles
Guinea Pig Rescue.
Timon was bought at a local Petco and sold sick with a very severe cold,
after asking for a vet to examine them before purchasing, the staff
coninued to insist he was fine and that there was no one there to see him.
The next day his wheezing got worse and he was rushed to the exotic vet
and was told that his heart was barely audible from how congested he was,
any longer and he probably would not have made it. They prescribed him
antibiotic, critical care diet and nebulizer treatment. Petco was
confronted and forced to pay all of Timon's vet bills since they did not
follow their "animal care guidelines" of treating and isolating sick pets.
On top of that they offered to have Timon returned in exchange for another
guinea pig as if these animals are simply merhcandise and not living,
breathing animals.The happy ending though was that after over a week of
intense medical treatment he made a full recovery and is now living
happily with his new pal Junebug who was adopted from the Los Angeles
Guinea Pig Rescue.
