Q: Can I adopt a pig as a single?
A: Generally no. Unless specifically indicated in the pigs description on the website, all pigs must be part of a pairing or more.
It is only rarely that we have pigs that are available as singles.
Q: Can I come to your location to just look at the pigs, so I can decide who to apply for?
A: No, MGPR is a network of foster homes, stretching from South-Central Pennsylvania to Northern Virginia.
We bring essentially all the guinea pigs to a central location once a month for an adoption meet for our approved adoption families.
Due to the large number of families attending these events, we have to limit them to people who are adopting that day.
Since your application allows you to adopt any of our pigs, it is not critical to apply for every pig you may be interested in.
Q: If I want to adopt a pair, can I create a pair from two MGPR singles?
A: Yes, but we highly recommend looking at the available existing pairs first.
That way you know you have a pair that gets along, and won't have the small risk of them not getting along after you get them home.
Q: How does it work if multiple families have applied for the same animal to adopt?
A: We give priority to the first submitted application indicating a preference for that particular animal.
Note that we've found that fewer than half the families adopt their original first choice--this is either because they met another animal at the
adoption meet that they liked better, or their current pig paired up better with another animal.
Q: Am I guaranteed to have the chance to adopt the pig(s) I applied for?
A: Not necessarily. We operate on first come, first served, and there may already be applications in on the pig you are applying for already.
This is especially true for females, and we often run a waiting listed to adopt single females. Also note that we've found over the years that even when a
family's first choice is available for them to adopt, fewer than half the time they actually adopt that pig. When they come to the adoption event and meet the animals,
they or their existing pig choose a different animal. There are also rare occasions when the animal is not available at the adoption meet due to transportation problems or illness.
We are adding newly available animals to the website weekly, so many times you will see new animals at the meet that you might want to consider. If you have questions on this
policy, ask the volunteer you are working with, or info@mgpr.org.
Q: I live far away, can I still adopt from MGPR?
A: We require that you live approximately a 2 hour drive or less from our adoption meet. Exceptions are rarely made to this rule.
Q: Can MGPR reduce the cost of adopting for me?
A: No, our adoption fees cover only a fraction of the cost of a well-pig vet visit and neutering/spaying. Note that we will occasionally have
special-needs pigs available at a reduced cost.
Q: I've adopted from MGPR before, do I need to apply to adopt again?
A: If you adopted within the past year, you still need to submit an application--although you only need to fill out your name, address, phone, email, and
pig interested in. If it has been longer than a year, please complete the entire application. In either event, please note on your application that you previously adopted.
Note the screening process is usually much faster for repeat adopters.
Q: If I'm interested in more than one pig, do I need to submit a separate application for each one?
A: No, submit only a single application. You can either put multiple animals in the "Is there a particular guinea pig you're interested in" field.
If you later see addition pigs you are interested, ask the volunteer working with you to add them to your application.
Q: Does specifying a pig in the "Is there a particular guinea pig you're interested in" field require you to adopt that pig?
A: No, you can adopt any available pig at the adoption meet you attend after you are approved.
Q: If I'm pairing my current pig with an MGPR pig, do I need to bring my pig to the adoption meet?
A: Yes, this is required. You will not be able to adopt at that meet if you don't bring your current pig.
Q: If I'm pairing my current pig, how many pigs will I get to try him/her with at the adoption meet?
A: Typically we limit it to 3, especially for females.
Q: I currently have a male, can I pair him with another male?
A: MGPR does not provide male/male pairings. As all of our females are spayed and male/female pairings tend to work much better, we highly recommend pairing with a female.
Q: I currently have a female, can I pair her with another female?
A: MGPR only provides female/female pairings in unusual circumstances. As all of our males are neutered and male/female pairings tend to work much better,
we highly recommend pairing with a male. We will consider pairing with another female only after pairing with males have failed.
Q: I currently have a pair, can I add another to make a trio?
A: MGPR does not adopt to those wishing to create a trio or a larger herd.
Q: I'm pairing my current pig with an MGPR pig, who gets to choose the pig I adopt?
A: Your pig and the new pig do. While you can select the pigs to try, how the pigs get along is the most important thing.
We will help you determine which pairing is working best. If you have children, you may want to explain to them in advance that their pig will
pick out their new friend, so they don't get set on adopting a particular animal from our website.
Q: I'm pairing my current pig with an MGPR pig, if the first pairing works well, should we try others?
A: We generally recommend strongly that you not do this. The animals will sometimes become more stressed, then not get along as well later.
Q: I had a pair of pigs, but one passed away. Now the other is acting very depressed and is losing weight. Can I quickly adopt from MGPR?
A: We will try to make adoption happen as quickly as possible. When you apply to adopt tell us this is the case on your application.
Q: Can I put the newly adopted pig with my existing pig right away, or will it need to be quarantined for a while first?
A: No quarantine is necessary. All our animals have already been through a quarantine period, and have been examined by an exotic vet. They are ready to meet
and live with your current pig(s) when you take them home.
Q: What happens if my newly paired animals start fighting when they get home?
A: We'll work with you to try to resolve the situation. They way we do introductions at the adoption meets minimizes this possibility, but it does occasionally happen.
When you adopt, please talk to our volunteers about what to look for, and how to mitigate the situation if it was to occur. Please contact your volunteer or
info@mgpr.org immediately if you see issues like this.
Q: What happens if the new pig becomes ill immediately after I adopt?
A: As all our pigs have had an examination by an experience exotic vet, this is rare. Any pig with a continuing health problem is considered special needs,
and will be adopted out only to experience pig owners who will be fully apprised of the health issues. Please ask at the adoption meet about past health issues.
If a problem arises immediately after adopting, please contact your volunteer or info@mgpr.org right away, and we'll work with you to resolve the situation.
Q: Can I foster a pig to decide if I want to adopt it?
A: While our foster families can decide to adopt any pig they are fostering, we discourage people from fostering for MGPR if they are only trying to
audition pigs for adoption. We are looking for long-term foster families if possible.
Q: Can I foster if I don't have access to a car?
A: Only if your are able to show before starting to foster how you will get your foster pigs regularly to adoption meets.
For more information on fostering, please email us at fostering@mgpr.org
Q: I need to give up my guinea pig. Will MGPR take them?
A: Only if originally adopted from MGPR. If the guinea pig adopted from MGPR is paired with a guinea pig from elsewhere, MGPR will take both to prevent the pair from being split apart. If you did not adopt either from MGPR, see our page on surrendering for more information on what you can do. Never release animals you no longer can keep
outside.
Q: I'm allergic to hay. Can I still adopt guinea pigs?
A: Hay is an essential part of the guinea pig diet. We suggest that you try to determine if you are allergic to all hays, or just certain varieties.
For example, we've found that some people allergic to timothy hay are not allergic to orchard grass hay.
Q: How can I find the answers to other adoption or care questions not listed on this FAQ?
A: If you can't find the answer here, or elsewhere on this site, please email us at info@mgpr.org
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