Recently I have had a speight of people asking for pigs under what I can only describe as rushed thought.

Many do not realise how much care pigs need, how they can reproduce still ven though they are older than normal breeding age - how they can catch pregnant frmo only a few weeks old, by brothers and fathers .

Many do not even realise they need vit c on a daily basis and should have a constant supply of hay as they are grazing animals.

How do you encourage people to research the animals in question, and disuade them from making rash decisions?

With me being more involved in pigs than any other animals, I find some peoples reactions very unusual - oh its only a pig it can be replaced - we'll keep all the babies/have home for the babies etc..

Before anyone thinks, this is not aimed at anyone, other than the idiots that think I am a dumping ground for their stupid mistakes, lack of knowledge and respect for animal cake

:rant: over

I totally agree with you. People should research whatever type of animal they intend to get as a pet instead of rushing out and buying them and then maybe discovering they weren't quite what was expected.All pets require time and effort and unless you're prepared to commit to this you shouldn't get an animal in the first place.

we find that with our ferret rescue and its quite worrying sometimes. People do need to think of what pets involve ie pigs the care they need ect and requirements. With us ferrets are a big part of mine and debs life and people asking us for ferrets and we always ask is have you done any reading and reasearch on them and if not we turn them down till they do. I dont know much about pigs but if i was gona get one or any animal reasearch is vital. Know there basic needs ie diet,living requirements, Any special needs thay they may need and work our the cost

people think they have a right to own animals but in actual fact they dont it sould be a privilage

I'm also constantly amazed at how many people take on a kitten or a cat without any concept of cat behavioural issues or health problems brought on from lack of care or inadequate diet.

When I was married my (then) husband surprised me with a pair of lovebirds and a parakeet. I was livid with him because it meant that I was going to have to play catch up with the learning about them and then even more livid when it became apparent that he got angry that they had a dawn chorus at dark o'clock and he didn't like that (they're birds, of course they have a dawn chorus, and if they're parakeets then it's a blooming loud dawn chorus!).

For some reason he thought that we could train the birds to sit on us (which you can't really do with adult love birds which haven't been hand reared or trained as fledglings to be close to humans) and that we could train the birds both to only poo in their cages (again not possible) and to not do any damage to our room (totally impractical).

If you want an animal doesn't it make sense to learn about it before it arrives, rather than to make mistakes at their cost and then try to pick up the pieces?

If I get any new pet i research first, at present I am banned from any new pets as I rescued a bunny ! and hubby says no more presently ( until next week)

I think the OP goes for any 'unusual' pets ..... the 'fad' pet if you will.

in the 80's ... the pot bellied pig was all the rage, without a thought on how big they get, what attention they need etc etc. The 90's was 'turtles' .... almost every house had one ... until they grew to big, then dumped into ponds.
small Monkeys were the rage a few years ago ... and still are to some extent, owners not even thinking about the responsability for lifespan of 27ish years

Its a shame there isnt more regulating of animal ownership, until there is .... shelters for all types of animals will be full to bursting forever

people should learn about any pets they wont. We have just got leopard gecko`s and african geckos and at x mas i got a bearded dragon and i read up on them did research looked on the net learned as much as poss. When i got my first ferrets we did the same and even now we are still learning and are always on hand if people wont advice. Never be scared to ask for advice on any pet. As i say if you dont ask you wont get

It goes for any pets, but especially the "fads" just really gets me

Do you think the "fad" could be made more popular because of the film "bedtime stories" being released on dvd?
Just as nemo made the kids want clown fish?

It appears with every pet but I too have had it with the dalmatians... so many dallies in rescue because they weren't what people expected after seeing the film (why I'm not sure, because the dogs in the film were far more mental than my dogs!).

They just like the look of them and don't really see the care that goes into them.

I think 'hutch pets' and caged animals are hit very hard due to the fact they can just be locked up and forgotten about - therefore making them an 'easy pet' - not true.

I was only a child when mum got the cats so it doesn't really count there but I really researched the dalmatian breed before getting Takara and have done lots of research on bunnies when I planned to get a bunny (which we are no longer doing - my choice).

However - the two hamsters we were landed with really when their owner never came back so I have had to play catch up. I can already see the problems involved in playing catch up and they're 'just hamsters' - I am however, managing! I guess it helps if you have a brief knowledge of small animals already and a bit of common sense.

I think 'hutch pets' and caged animals are hit very hard due to the fact they can just be locked up and forgotten about - therefore making them an 'easy pet' - not true.

I totally agree. 'hutch pets' are not an 'easy pet'. They are definately a lot harder work than the gerbils I used to keep. They eat so much more, need a lot more cleaning out, need to be checked over on a daily basis to make sure they arnt ill and need plenty of exercise.

I was fuming in the vets today when I took Billy for his castration. There was a baby pug in who was very cute and I got talking to the daughter (her parents were there to). The parents had bought the dog for her and he/she was just having jabs today. Anyway we got talking about vet bills not being cheap and I mentioned that helenasq off here had her dog in for 10 days last year and it cost her £2000. They said if it was going to cost that much they would just get rid of the dog and get another!!! :o

How can people be so inconsiderate towards animals and self centred. If my pet needed urgent care I would get myself in debt to pay for it if I had to. My pets mean the world to me and I love them all to bits including dp :hihi:

It just makes me angry that parents give in, kids get bored we all know that!

This is why I've cut right back on the rescues I take in, and only take them if its absolutely dire now

the hamster i got is actualy my sons who is only 1 i will admit that bt i knmow i clean him out i pay for him and vet bills ect obiouvly and obviously he dosent pick him up but he enjoys him from within the cage and gggles at him and points, but generaly there is a lot of people who get them for there kids and then when they get bored they git rid, again i have nothing against getin pets for kids but surley the parents should think about if they can take care of it long term if they do ge bored?that realy does puzzle me

Just incase it makes anyone feel better, a couple of terrapins I got in 1990 are still alive and well :) Hey, I was only 9, but my Mum took over when she realised they weren't just gonna live in a fishtank. They were the size of a 10p at the time and are huge beasts now :D One of them had a lung problem just under 10 years ago and had to have £100s of treatment, had to live out of water for a bit and learnt to walk like a tortoise!

my mum bought mr my lab when i was 15 stainboy and 7 years later shes still here so where nt all bad r we lol

i am totally fed up with people arguing about animals, i have seen it for many many years, 14 years of rescuing, giving advice and education on reptiles...i see on other forums, people get them on the spur of the moment, dont even know what set up is needed until AFTER they buy it..then find out how much it costs, how to keep etc etc then want rid...now heres a story for you all

I no longer do a reptile rescue or give advice, as at this very moment im so close to going over the edge, i had a breakdown 3 weeks ago, and spent the last 2 weeks driving all over the country, finding homes for the reptiles that came in, inc my pet ones...some i have had for many many years...we were pushed to the edge, space, amount of animals, care, and cost...was a nightmare...close to a 100quid a week on leccy and food...for what???? we got no thanks from the people who didnt want them, they just wanted rid..well as im sat here now, about 70 animals down, just a couple i have to take to essex hopefully this week, and im still stuck with 15 large turtles outside...no rescue centre would take them, there all overrun...

the last 3 weeks have been sooooo fecking bad for me, im in a complete mess...i wont say its the only reason, the reptiles that has made me like it, but its the main part....the stress, the worry, the sleepless nights...and what finally pushed me over the edge, after my girlfriend left me (she had to do msot of the cleaning and feeding etc etc, i couldnt cos of illhealth) was taking in a really skinny lep gex, that i had to have put to sleep....that really pushed me over the edge..

im now trying to find home for my 2 huge iguanas, had one for 14 years and the other 10, but again rescue centres are overrun...they need a room, not a viv....

the stress, seeing animals bought on a whim, then unwatned, and yes i see it with rabbits etc and infact, the little beaten, scared male ferret jedi took in 2 weeks ago...actually was dumped on me....and all i saw was a little scared, afraid ferret that had been abused in his short life....

im hoping to get a reply about a couple of snakes i have here, i just need to get out of reptile keeping, i had a couple of pets, but 90% were unwanted or rescues, often ill etc...it wasnt a hobby, it was a chore...we....now i, had them come from all over the country...just saw me as a way of getting rid of them..

im sat here, crying my frigging eyes out, knowing what i have lost, all the work i had done, which i enjoyed, even with the cost and stress...and finding it hard to cope, and all i see is people wanting to breed staffies, ferrets, getting rabbits, pigs etc etc....

i have a cat here, schroedinger, im not a cat person, had her since oct, when we nicked her off a neighbour who neglected her....i know nothing about cats but shes happy...

i see it often, people buy things thinking its cool...then others are left to clean up after them..

i had to get rid of the chickens last week, it was hard for me to go in, feed and water them, clean them...and that makes me feel like a failure, like i let them down....

I could show you some of the worst abuse of animals ever, that i have seen with my own eyes....and i see now, rabbits and pigs, bought as pets, stuck ina hutch, never let owt etc etc..soon as the novelty wears off, or when its dark and wet....

well im ashamed to say, i failed....i couldnt keep the animals i have had here for some over 10 years easy, and some not so long....

Im sat here with my dog, whos been with me for god knows how long...hes the only thing thats keeping me here now, i really really wish i wasnt

OMG,I'm so sorry to hear your sad news.You've done such a wonderful job over the years.People just put on you and don't realise what pressure they put you under. You need to take care of yourself now and get through this low period in your life.I wish you luck and hope your health starts to improve soon.

Oh Jules, you should have said something! I'm not sure what little old me could have done but I'm sure I could have tried...

I know what you mean about the sickening sights, I've seen some in my time I still have nightmares about to this day.

I just hope you can have time off, and recover fully.

Remember we're all here if you need us

x

i should have seen it coming....we were trying for a baby, but in the living room, was huge tanks full of meat eating turtles, would have had a finger off in a second, rows of vivs 8' high, out of space...wasnt a child friendly room, lorna couldnt wallpaper or do stuff...like she kept asking me, she kept saying for a few month, we had to stop taking stuff in, we were getting overrun...but i couldnt turn any animal away and she knew that..she was trying her best, and to make the house nice....we were just about to have some sucess with breeding animals that are caught in the wild in asia, and sold here for a few quid, yet most die onroute in the thousands, i really loved tokays and had a 7 year project planned....thats all gone now..

we couldnt afford to do anything, or make the house nice, we had to spend everything on the animals...she didnt complain, she knew what it meant to me, but it took its toll...the animals were coming 1st, second and third..as us a couple right at the back...

She learnt so much about reptiles, the right way to keep them, how to respect them, how to enjoy them, but when its all day everyday, feeding, cleaning etc etc...it becomes a nightmare...

i came accross this song last week, never heard it before, but i just play it over and over now...

We even got help to work in the garden, i had planned to repair the old shed, and use that for some reptiles....get them out of the house, but no....i didnt try hard enough.

i have lost the most wonderful person, i had ever met, who put up with me so much, with my health, and being grumpy etc...i lost that, my own fault...all because animals before the person i loved, i couldnt say no, i couldnt listen to her.....yet as it turns out, she was right all along..i just never took any notice

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdDt74eH6z4&NR=1

You did what you thought was right but unfortunately did it at the expense of your relationship. We all make mistakes. Is there any chance you could win Lorna back now a huge amount of animals have gone.Don't give up on her if you love her so much. Put the same amount of effort and commitment into her(if not more) than you did with the animals.

Oh cooljules - I almost cried reading that - people don't realise how much pressure it puts you under taking in all the rescue animals - the amount of work and cost invloved - I can only say how much I admire you for dedicating your life to these wonderful creatures. You need a break now to look after yourself - keep your chin up and stay strong - even though it will not be easy. There are many people on this forum who will all support you if you need any help - please just ask :)

You did what you thought was right but unfortunately did it at the expense of your relationship. We all make mistakes. Is there any chance you could win Lorna back now a huge amount of animals have gone.Don't give up on her if you love her so much. Put the same amount of effort and commitment into her(if not more) than you did with the animals.

not been able to see her since it happened 3 weeks ago...been hell
never had a soulmate before....didnt know what one was that people talked about, but i do now....

just the day before she left, someone offered us a sofa and chair, was nice but i said we had no room for it, cos of all the animals vivs etc..well there not here now, and had a message there bringing it tomorrow.............but its too late.

when i met her, she had always wanted a 'meleon', ie a chameleon, but i said they were not good for beginners, and maybe one day in the future when she knew more, and we could afford one really as a pet...she was fine with that...never complained...then sods law, 3 days after we split up, once turns up...mr meleon i call him...nice guy...hes off to a new home this week...i just cant have any reptiles here now...but dont worry, the ones still here are being cared for until they go.
been to wales, up north lots of times in the last 2 weeks getting good homes, done over a 1000 miles and im off to essex this week with the tokays...we had put so much hard work into saving some really sick ones, hard work, care and effort...but now i just cant bear to have them here
http://www.julianhales.co.uk/

Jules, it's never too late. Go after her and convince her it will be better second time round as you'll have more time for each other.Tell her you've got the 'meleon' and just explain to her how much she means to you and that's why you're rehoming the reptiles. Go for it now while you can, if you leave it you could be too late. She's probably missing you just as much but can't bear the thought of coming back to all the reptiles.

So sorry to read about the way that things have turned out for you cooljules, your doing the right thing by sorting out your life to make it more manageable for you...no way have you let the animals down, you have saved them and been there when they needed you most, got them well and now your making sure that they go to lovely new homes where they will be well cared for.

All I can say is listen to Helenasq's advice and once you are sorted out at home and ready go and find Lorna, tell her how you have sorted things out for her and you and that you still want to be with her.

Good luck to you cooljules ((HUG))

its too late now to save it, i cant see it happening..i even got someone to help me shift my old computer junk she hated..tons of huge old computer books i never read, taking up space .day before my BD last week but she never got to see it

this is what we had to put up with, so many animals coming in like this....not always neglected or not wanted, some genuine reasons...but when you get people knocking on your door, dumping turtles, snakes etc etc..
i was lucky, i could run up a tab at the local rep shop, and got stuff at cost, but still a huge cost....

this was so hard, having to give up this guy....like the rest.
http://www.reptileforums.co.uk/lizard-classifieds/293906-male-bd-adult-very-special.html