Pig Notes

Another Option For Easy Cage Cleaning

Not so long ago, we discussed a number of good cage cleaning products. Judging from our traffic stats, it's proven to be our second most popular post of the last year. Realizing how interested everyone is in this topic, we wanted to add one more that was inadvertently left out of the first roundup.

Critter Fresh is another good enzyme-based cage cleaner and deodorizer that does its job without harsh ingredients and without leaving behind strong fragrances. It can be purchased in 8- and 16-ounce bottles. While it would be nice if this product was sold in spray bottles, it's a nitpicky point and certainly not enough to dissuade future purchases.

Easily found online, it's a product you'll have better luck finding at independent bricks-and-mortar pet supply stores than at the big chains.

Odor Control For Critter Cages

Ah...mid-summer. The temperature climb high -- and stay there. The air conditioners get turned on -- and stay on. We and our critters drink more and more water to keep our skin from feeling dried out and itchy, keep our mouths and throats from feeling parched.

And so we drink...and drink...and drink. And, well, what goes in must come out. As our critters drink more, even the most diligently maintained cages can develop a faint odor. Having good cleaning supplies when you're changing bedding is one way to keep ahead of the situation. Having a good odor control product under the bedding is another, especially if you have multiple critters.

Ammo-Litter, from Aquarium Pharmaceuticals, is one such odor control product. Fragrance-free, chemical-free, and non-toxic, Ammo-Litter's granules absorb ammonia smells before they have a chance to become airborne. Sprinkle one cup (more or less, depending on the number of critters you have and how big they are) over the cage bottom before putting down a layer of whatever bedding material you use. No matter how much your critters scamper around, the granules stay under the bedding, doing their job.

(I have seen a number of other deodorizing products, but am leery [and so is my vet] of products that are sprayed or sprinkled on top of bedding. Nature's Miracle Litter Treatment can be dusted on the cage floor under the bedding, but it has a scent of its own that I wasn't wild about.) 

I've had no trouble finding Ammo-Litter at independent pet supply stores (like Pet Super-bowl in Stratford, CT), but have yet to see it at any of the big chains. It is easily found through online retailers, and the number of pet sites carrying it has grown in the last few months.

Looking For A Few Good Foster Homes

Over the past 3 years, the rescue has worked on several large cruelty cases and hoarder situations -- including the pigs from the Catskill Game Farm and the Pennsylvania seizure. The pigs who came out of these situations had serious health issues upon their arrival. Happily, many were treated and rehabilitated to a full recovery and adopted out to good homes.

Some pigs, though, had tougher conditions to treat. Their quality of life is now very good, but they have chronic health issues that will require careful ongoing attention for the rest of their lives. These health issues, though entirely manageable, make the pigs difficult to adopt out to permanent homes. It's unfortunate, because these pigs are all sociable, affectionate, and adorable -- in spite of the living hell they've been through. As Cindy often says, "they're really great pigs". They're all living, breathing testimonies of what love and great care can do for animals.

Because we are a no-kill rescue, we keep these guinea pigs with us and give them the best food and medical care available. In absence of finding other homes for them, they will remain with us for the rest of their lives.

As we approach the milestone of 600 guinea pigs rescued, we are running out of room in the rescue and are seeing our financial resources being drained as we care for adoptable and sanctuary pigs. Some of the sanctuary pigs would benefit tremendously from living in a private home where they would get a lot of one-on-one attention and affection. We do our best to give each pig "snuggle time" on a daily basis, but with 24 sanctuary pigs and varying numbers of adoptables, it gets difficult.

The ideal situation for some of our special friends is for them to go to homes as permanent foster pigs. This means that the rescue will take care of any medical bills that might (we stress might) arise as a result of their health conditions. The foster homes must be located close to or be willing to travel to our veterinarian in Middletown, CT.

Some of the guinea pigs currently available are Sedona (pictured here), and Moxie and Trax (pictured earlier). Several others will be added in the near future. If you'd be interested in becoming a permanent foster home, please e-mail us at info[at]ctguineapigrescue.org (replace the [at] with the @ symbol when copying the e-mail address into a mail message). Be sure to include "permanent fostering" in your Subject line.

If you'd like to help the pigs, but fostering just wouldn't fit into your household routine, donations of any amount will be very helpful and greatly appreciated. You can make donations through the PayPal button on our Web site or by sending checks to The Critter Connection, Inc. at P.O. Box 371, Durham, CT 06422.

The rescue pigs thank you in advance for your help!

From The Mouths Of Babes

When you work in animal rescue, you get used to public appearances. You create your presentations in long and short versions, for adults and for kids, for solo talks and for crowded adoption open houses. You hone and you hone and you become convinced you're prepared for anything, have covered all the bases.

Then you get in a room with little kids. 

Last Wednesday, I participated in the Hartford Public Library's summer youth series, in a joint appearance with Ann Gruden from the Ferret Association of Connecticut (F.A.C.T.) and Jessica Nunn of Hopalong Hollow rabbit rescue. There were two or three adults, but the room was primarily occupied by kids under 10 and one apparently pre-teen boy. These urban kids, several from immigrant families, had only ever seen dogs and cats up close, so meeting guinea pigs, rabbits and ferrets up close was, for them, a big new thing.

With a guinea pig snoozing in my arms, I talked for about 12 or 13 minutes, then decided to open the floor early to questions. While I'd tried to keep my points simple and at an age-appropriate level, their questions quickly made me realize I should have taken some cues from the late Steve Irwin or my own hero, Jack Hanna.

• What colors do they come in?
• Is their hair always short?
• When their hair is long, can you put bows in their hair?
• Do you think boy guinea pigs would mind pink bows?
• Why are their ears like that?
• What color are their ears? Do they match their fur?
• Why do their noses wiggle?
• What colors are their noses? Are they always pink?
• Where do they go to the bathroom?
• Do they go to the bathroom a lot?
• What would they do if a spider got in their cage?
• In the wild, in the caves they live in, do they see spiders there? What do they do then?

Although I was very briefly thrown by the first spider question, I had a blast answering whatever questions came to their young curious minds. And thanks to them, I've rethought the presentation for the next group of young kids I meet.

The Rescue Says Good-bye To Swish

The rescue takes in so many guinea pigs that have been abandoned, abused, neglected, and totally disrespected. When one of these guinea pigs arrives at the rescue, they are welcomed with open hearts; I know, though, that some may not make it because of the difficult life that they have had.

Each and every one of these guinea pigs is special in their own way, and strive to get to know each one, to see their uniqueness. Yet there's always ones that stand out from the rest. Swish was one of these pigs who completely wrapped me around his paw, entertained me with his antics, and greeted me with his precious look. He never had much to say but always had the look of “life is good.”

Swish had been dumped off at a local humane society about 8 months ago with a horrible infection in all four feet. He was underweight, his eyes were listless, and his coat was dull. That changed quickly with proper medical treatment, a good diet, and lots of TLC. Watching him thrive was a gift that kept on giving time and time again. I melted when he gave me his “look” and immediately bonded with him.

Then one day recently the “look” disappeared. Swish didn’t feel good and no matter what we and our vets did for him just didn't turn things around. His little body had already been through a major battle, and the fight hadn't left enough strength for another one. It was time for him to leave, to go to a place where there was no pain. And with him went the “look” that I had come to know and, along with it, a piece of my heart.

Rest peacefully, Swish, my dear sweet boy.

(This post was written by Cindy Kuester, the rescue's owner/founder.)