please don't get a guinea pig just because your kid loved G-Force
The gist is that guinea pig rescue volunteers watched the previews for the new movie G-Force shaking their heads, because it's going to mean more work for them, and more homeless/neglected guinea pigs. Like 101 Dalmations, a million kids are going to see the movie, beg their parents for a guinea pig, and then get tired of it as soon as the next Disney movie is out and they're tired of feeding the hungry little bugger who poops all the time.
This shouldn't happen. A guinea pig, however small, is a life. A fragile, cute little domesticated life. It shouldn't be starved to death or dropped off a couch or kept in a tiny cage because it's the victim of a latest trend.
If you read my journal you'll know that we have four guinea pigs, all adopted. There are already guinea pigs without homes... mostly because people buy them without thinking, or worse, breed them because they think cute guinea pig babies would be fun and don't realize that litters can be up to eight and it only takes three weeks for a male to be able to impregnate another female pig (little buggers are made for rapid breeding). And suddenly they're overloaded and have to decide whether to cram too many guinea pigs into a tiny space, or put them out on craigslist for the next bad owner.
So spread the word... a guinea pig is not a pet to get on a whim. It needs the care and supervision of an adult, it has a 5-7 year lifespan. So if your 10-year-old thinks getting one would be a great idea, think hard about whether she's going to still think it's a great idea when she's 17.
If a guinea pig is right for your home, go you! Be sure to read up on how to build a proper cage and health care requirements, and then please do not buy one at a pet store! There are lots up for adoption.
Brainy agrees.