| WHERE TO GET YOUR CAVY |
| Pet stores would seem to be the logical answer, but there are far better (and cheaper) ways of getting a cavy. Pet Store: Pet store cavies are common pets. However, you don't know anything about the parents of these animals. Many pet stores keep cavies in poor conditions (young females with males, cedar shavings, etc.) and know little about them. I know of a friend who was told her pet store cavy was a female--she was a HE. Many pet stores carry diseased cavies as well. Respiratory infections, mites, lice, young pregnant females, etc. Pet stores also charge a lot of money for cavies. Shorthairs cost $15-$20 at a pet store. Longhairs, abyssinians, and teddys cost $20-$25. Classified Ads/A Friend: Another place to find a cavy. However, most of these cavies probably resulted from a male mating with a female by mistake. Caveat emptor (buyer beware). Breeders: All of our cavies have come from breeders. Breeders prices vary depending on the 'quality' of the animal. Most cavies cost around $10 but some may cost over $50. It all depends on what you're looking for. If you are just looking for a pet cavy and not a show cavy, you will spend less money. Cavy Rescue Groups: Some people just can't take care of their cavies and they may end up in a shelter or cavy rescue group. These cavies are in need of loving owners. To locate a cavy rescue group, contact your local shelter, look on my links page, or search the web. When you get your cavy, he/she should be at least 6 weeks old. Cavies can leave their mothers at 4 weeks, but it is actually much better for you and the cavy if the pigger is at least 6 weeks old. They are usually less skittish then as well. |