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Post by Maravilla on May 17, 2013 16:12:11 GMT
Well, just to give you an idea how this will probably develop in the next couple of years. Here in Germany the situation right now is that there is an oversupply of degus (not everywhere but in general). There have been a couple of cases of animal hoarding or just excessive reproduction in the last years. Animal shelters and other organisations do not know where to place all the degus they care for. And big breeding organisations (those that breed all kind of at least small animals for pet shops) just kill degus (hundreds) as those are not sold in time. No matter what colour!!
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 17, 2013 16:22:04 GMT
Well, just to give you an idea how this will probably develop in the next couple of years. Here in Germany the situation right now is that there is an oversupply of degus (not everywhere but in general). There have been a couple of cases of animal hoarding or just excessive reproduction in the last years. Animal shelters and other organisations do not know where to place all the degus they care for. And big breeding organisations (those that breed all kind of at least small animals for pet shops) just kill degus (hundreds) as those are not sold in time. No matter what colour!! Sending shivers down my spine that they can do that..presumably legally..horrible horrible horrible!! I hope to god that doesn't happen here and that somehow it stops happening there.
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Post by ntg on May 17, 2013 16:42:40 GMT
It's truly terrible Maravilla and I pray we don't get to that stage, but the state of the adoption board at the moment suggests it's already started going that way. I wouldn't be surprised if the ones destroyed were used for snake food as at least they're "serving a purpose" then.
Don't get me wrong, I don't disagree with feeding snakes frozen food or the likes (they need food too and it's a d**n sight better than live feeding for both parties), I just disagree with killing them because they've grown too old and aren't as "cute" or sellable as before.
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Post by moletteuk on May 17, 2013 18:53:50 GMT
If you come across terrible conditions while you are looking for degus, you can report people to the RSPCA quite easily either online or by phone.
I wouldn't pay extra for blues and I would be hesitant to buy from a backyard breeder who is asking more money for blues, because they will all be more inbred because they have been trying for blues. I would be hesitant to buy from a backyard breeder at all - with creatures like degus, they are mostly doing it for the money with little regard for the animals. But you can say the same for petshops. Which all unfortunately doesn't really help you, Jacky, I'm afriad! I'm really sorry if we are coming on a bit strong, I'm sure you have realised from your reading that degus are very clever and have some particular requirements dietwise and so on, which leaves them more susceptible to psychological damage from small housing and poor conditions and so on, so we tend to get quite upset about the % of degus out there having a tough life.
Do you have any friends with a car who could help you collect the adoption degus in Leeds, for example. You could spend the money you were going to use paying for the degus on petrol money?
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 17, 2013 19:35:12 GMT
I did consider a report when I read they were outdoors and so young molette..but as I'm faaaaaar from being any sort of an expert..despite boring everyone who knows me with my new found knowledge lol..as I've discovered in this thread that reason wouldn't have been sound..although if I had perhaps they'd have found all the things ntg and Maravilla pointed out. I don't have any friends here with transport..I recently moved from Bristol and it's a very long way for my eldest or friends to come just to be my taxi service..so far I haven't really made any friends of my own..sigh sounding like Jackynomates.. but would have happily got on a train...rhinowoman hasn't been online since placing the ad and as it's her only post, and there's no email address.. I can only assume that the 4 boys have been rehomed..which is great for her and the goos, not so great for me tho..as they sounded perfect. Some of the posts/replies/debates here are a little intense, but I kinda like that..it shows passion and genuine concern for the wellbeing of these special creatures..admittedly I might avoid responding to some of the posts either from ignorance of the subject at hand or, for fear of making a fool of myself..or for repeating whats been said already..its hard when you're new to a group too..not knowing people's personalities, sense of humour etc..I'm starting to 'settle in' a bit though so hopefully that will change soon.
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Post by ntg on May 17, 2013 20:45:03 GMT
Don't worry about joining in hun, we were all beginners at some point or another, we know that and we just like to see people get involved, it's the best way to learn! Everyone is extremely friendly on here and our sense of humour is a bit eclectic at times - you'll probably find somebody who finds the same things funny I think the majority of us are big kids at heart! If you want to get to know people, try on the general chat board to find your feet and a few familiar faces! Also, I forgot to say, at the mention of your grand-daughter, I'm so glad your gut told you right on that one!
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Post by saddlers on May 17, 2013 21:04:42 GMT
Yes please do ask away.....if you search my posts it was not that long ago that this was all new to me too....I am just sooooo glad I found the forum....I have had some great advice from on here...and they are a nice bunch. Keep looking I am sure some will crop up in your locality soon. It may also be worth posting a wanted thread up in the adoption section detailing your approximate location.
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 18, 2013 9:26:46 GMT
Thanks ntg..she's fully recovered now and a proper handful..hopefully I'll see in her in June for her 2nd birthday I'll give general chat the once over see if I can do any csi type profiling and work some of you out a bit and I will try to relax a bit more about my ignorance and accept I can't be expected to know everything right away and that I won't be judged harshly for that.
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 18, 2013 9:32:08 GMT
Yes please do ask away.....if you search my posts it was not that long ago that this was all new to me too....I am just sooooo glad I found the forum....I have had some great advice from on here...and they are a nice bunch. Keep looking I am sure some will crop up in your locality soon. It may also be worth posting a wanted thread up in the adoption section detailing your approximate location. I did briefly consider an adoption post, I think I thought people would prefer to put their goos with experienced guardians..but perhaps it's worth a try. As for my questions..erm..I'd probably clog up the board, crash the system and cause a worldwide power failure!
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Post by ntg on May 18, 2013 9:47:46 GMT
I think as long as you show you are learning/willing to learn the experience part isn't so necessary, lets be fair there are some people who can own a certain type of animal for years but still remain fairly ignorant to their true needs!
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Post by saddlers on May 18, 2013 9:58:47 GMT
Yes please do ask away.....if you search my posts it was not that long ago that this was all new to me too....I am just sooooo glad I found the forum....I have had some great advice from on here...and they are a nice bunch. Keep looking I am sure some will crop up in your locality soon. It may also be worth posting a wanted thread up in the adoption section detailing your approximate location. I did briefly consider an adoption post, I think I thought people would prefer to put their goos with experienced guardians..but perhaps it's worth a try. As for my questions..erm..I'd probably clog up the board, crash the system and cause a worldwide power failure! I adopted one of our degus off someone on the forum, and I was a relative novice at the time, and the only thing I could guarantee was that I would do my best for the little fella and that he would definitely become part of the family. He is still with us and currently shares his cage with a couple of young females (he is neutered). Amie took a chance with me and it worked out well for Elliott, I know many people who have to put pets up for adoption would prefer their degus to go to an experienced owner if that was possible, but I would be just as willing to let them go to the "caring" home of a novice
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Post by Maravilla on May 18, 2013 10:09:50 GMT
I think as long as you show you are learning/willing to learn the experience part isn't so necessary, lets be fair there are some people who can own a certain type of animal for years but still remain fairly ignorant to their true needs! I fully agree! The most important thing is being willing to learn. I have seen long-term degu owners who have never learned anything new and who haven't gained any experience as their groups have been unproblematic. But those often do not even think about improving the living conditions. But the problem is that the knowledge has increased in the last couple of years and things that were considered as appropriate about 5 or 10 years ago are not okay any longer. We all have to start at a certain point. And with the help of a good forum or - even better - degu owners you meet in person (I had the luck to get to know some experienced degu owners at the very beginning) you can manage to be a good and responsible degu owner if you intend to be.
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Post by moletteuk on May 18, 2013 10:17:10 GMT
Please take it as a sign of respect that we have spoken so frankly, that's absolutely how it was intended All we hope for on here is a willingness to listen and learn, which you have already shown, so you've nothing to worry about. Have you had a look on the beginners board, it will make you feel better lol! I can promise you we all felt a bit dumb and overwhelmed in the beginning!! I'm sure most rehomers are only looking for a loving home, no experience required, so go ahead and place a wanted ad if you would like to And I just want to say that we won't judge you for buying degus rather than adopting if that is what is available in your area. I've asked a facebook friend of mine in your area who is really into all small animals if she knows any decent sources.
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Post by ntg on May 18, 2013 10:28:17 GMT
Another thing is, my OH and I have plans to come down to yorkshire for a short break, probably in late June, so if you find something between tyne and wear and hull before then there's a good chance I can act as a taxi service for them if you have no transport and the owners/rescue are happy with that.
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 18, 2013 20:57:02 GMT
I think as long as you show you are learning/willing to learn the experience part isn't so necessary I hope you're right..I'll never be experienced otherwise
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 18, 2013 21:04:47 GMT
I did briefly consider an adoption post, I think I thought people would prefer to put their goos with experienced guardians..but perhaps it's worth a try. As for my questions..erm..I'd probably clog up the board, crash the system and cause a worldwide power failure! I adopted one of our degus off someone on the forum, and I was a relative novice at the time, and the only thing I could guarantee was that I would do my best for the little fella and that he would definitely become part of the family. He is still with us and currently shares his cage with a couple of young females (he is neutered). Amie took a chance with me and it worked out well for Elliott, I know many people who have to put pets up for adoption would prefer their degus to go to an experienced owner if that was possible, but I would be just as willing to let them go to the "caring" home of a novice It's good to hear of a positive experience..with luck I'll be able to share one of my own..and like you I will absolutely do my very best to care for them properly.
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 18, 2013 21:19:52 GMT
@molette You've been more than kind and very helpful, (I have my fingers crossed for Leeds) I took your advice..and read every beginners post..you're right I feel lots better!
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 18, 2013 21:20:55 GMT
Another thing is, my OH and I have plans to come down to yorkshire for a short break, probably in late June, so if you find something between tyne and wear and hull before then there's a good chance I can act as a taxi service for them if you have no transport and the owners/rescue are happy with that. Thank you ntg I shall definitely keep that in mind
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Post by deguconvert on May 18, 2013 23:34:24 GMT
NO WAY, Jacky!! That is terrible!! I'm assuming you didn't just accept that diagnosis, but encouraged your daughter to take her to another Doctor? Did you inform the greatly mislead Doctor of his huge error?
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Jacky
Foraging Degu
Posts: 68
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Post by Jacky on May 19, 2013 0:16:47 GMT
NO WAY, Jacky!! That is terrible!! I'm assuming you didn't just accept that diagnosis, but encouraged your daughter to take her to another Doctor? Did you inform the greatly mislead Doctor of his huge error? It was my daughter in law dc..bless her she was so worried knowing they were wong but not knowing how or what to do..my son was away on a course for work and she couldn't get hold of him, and I was 'diagnosing' via Skype as I was spending the weekend 200 miles away..luckily we have a good relationship and she often calls me for advice..I rushed back and dragged them both to hospital..I can be quite formidable when I'm riled, I was so angry they'd fobbed her off..suffice to say she saw a senior paediatrician and was receiving the correct treatment within 6 hours of her first call to me. We made a formal complaint..though what, if any action was taken I don't know. I'm just grateful we both followed our instincts and that there was no lasting damage..but its ridiculous that a one year old infant wasn't seen by a paediatric specialist in the first place!
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