Last page update - Sun 27 January, 2008 1:43 AM
*Squeak!* Welcome to Ruby & Kirsty's hideaway on the interweb! :-)
I adopted my lovely little guinea pig girlies from The RSPCA Medway West Branch in Chatham, Kent on the 12th January 2008. Their age is unknown, but they are under 1 year old. They were brought in from a woman who was breeding guinea pigs with the idea of selling them. Well, as fate would have it she couldn't sell them and became over run with guinea pigs. My girls come from a large batch taken from this woman. The RSPCA branch suspected they were pregnant at first, but then realised they must have each had a litter before they came to them.
I'd been contemplating rescuing a couple of guinea pigs for a while. I had, while living in the Philippines over 3 years ago had a guinea pig there. I decided that I would not buy my piggies from a pet shop, as there are so many lovely piggies that need new homes, just like my girls.
So, first things first! I made a indoor cage myself, as I had made my own in the Philippines. The idea and design is from the wonderful website www.guineapigcages.com. Far too many piggies are kept in ridiculously small pet store bought cages. Cavy Cage (the above link) promotes building your own spacious cage. My two girls love their cage.
My girls are still timid, but we're slowly making progress! They enjoy being brushed and Ruby especially likes Spinach!
- Sun 25th Jan 08 - Check out Ruby and Kirsty's new improved cage in the video section! Man what a headache making it was, but it appears to be worth in as Ruby is 'popcorning' around it as I write this!
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Mon 24th Jan 08 - Added a new video. I've bought fleece, padding, 'play stix' and another set of grids. I'm too sleepy to explain though. I shall reserve for next update!
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Sun 20th Jan 08 - I have updated the photos, and all the larger versions now work.
I had the first major cage clean today. I spot clean everyday, but today was the first complete clean out. It did take a while. I used a dust pan to scoop up the sawdust etc. I sprayed the cage with a white vinegar and water mixture and rinsed off with water and a cloth, it works well. I've placed fleecey type pad/cloths I purchased from Wilko under the girls pigalo's. I figured this would work better, as I can replace the fleecey dirty cloths everyday with new ones and handwash the other ones having them dry for the next day.
I put the girls in the bathroom while I cleaned the cage out. I laid some hay and their little ball with a bell in it on the floor for them. However it appears they spent their whole time hiding behind the toilet u-bend, doh! I'm looking to use some spare grids (I'm extending the cage soon) cable tied together in a circle to place them in for some 'floor time' while I clean the cage. I'll just put old towels on the floor. That way they will become more accustomed to my presence while cleaning!
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Sat 19th Jan 08 - While constructing a flat-pack wardrobe in my bedroom (where my piggie's are housed) they actually plucked up the courage to venture out of their pigalo's with myself in close proximity to their cage. Not only that, but Ruby later on started running around the cage like mad and doing what is known as 'popcorning', which is a sign I have happy piggies! Horray, progress :-)
It's a week today when I brought my girls home :-)
Ruby & Kirsty (Guinea Pigs) - New Improved C&C Cage
Ruby (Guinea Pig) - Having A Cuddle
Ruby & Kirsty (Guinea Pigs) - The Elusive Pigalo's!
Ruby & Kirsty (Guinea Pigs) - Veggy Time!
