Am I a bad person for wanting to surrender my guinea pig?

[lavendercream]

I feel so guilty right now, I feel like I failed, and I just need to vent somewhere.

I'm a young adult, just about to start college. I've had guinea pigs for 8 years of my life, since 5th grade.

My guinea pig story is a sweet one, as when I was in 6th grade, we adopted 2 adult guinea pigs, a male and a female, estimated to each be a year and a half old, who we thought were neutered/spayed. They weren't, and 2 guinea pigs turned to 6. I did ALL my research on how to care for baby piggies as a little 6th grader. And with my family paying for it, we made them a safe, spacious, loving home to care for everyone and tend to their needs. I kept one of the babies, the only female, and made sure the other 3 found loving homes. We also got the male neutered so that way they can all live together peacefully. So for the longest time, I had a family of 3, a dad, Rocky, a mom, Caramel, and their daughter, Pumpkin, living happily under my care.

Rocky passed 4 years after I got him. I believe it was a sickness that he had been hiding, because when I noticed his lethargy, we rushed him to the vet, and he passed on the drive there. I was heartbroken, and a month later, after grieving, I found a new baby to fill in the void he left behind. She was just a baby when I got her, her name is Oreo. And she's the guinea pig that I have to let go of soon.

Caramel passed just last year, 6 years after I got her, meaning she lived a long life of about 7 years. And Pumpkin passed just short of 3 weeks ago, my baby that I raised since birth, who passed at 7 and a half. I'm still grieving her loss to this day.

My guinea pigs have lived long, beautiful lives under my care. Oreo is all I have left. She's 3 and a half now. But I can't take in another piggie, as I'll be starting college soon, and my time and money will be dedicated to that. It was easy in high school and middle school, as I'd tend to them every day before and after school, but with college and work I don't think it'd be feasible. Not only that, but she's so lonely now that Pumpkin is gone. So I've made the heartbreaking decision to let her go, and take her to a shelter for guinea pigs.

I've cried every day for 5 days straight now after making this decision. I've had guinea pigs for about half of my entire life. They're my babies. And in a few short days I won't have that anymore. Not for a long time at least.

I know this is the best decision I could've made. She will find a home with someone who will have the time, money, and dedication to take care of her. But I feel like letting her go will be like losing a piece of myself.

I'm enjoying the time I have with her to the best of my ability. But I feel so guilty. I'm crying right now as I write this post. But I'm glad I got a chance to vent.

I don't know what replies to expect on this post, but I only want honesty if you do reply. I can take it, whether negative or positive. Thank you for reading.

[ItsaZoo]

It sounds to me that you are a kind person and a good piggy parent. Life is going to get hectic for you in college, as you already know. This is a difficult decision, but if Oreo is showing signs of loneliness and won’t do well as a single piggy with you, then your options are limited.

I have had single pigs that do very well on their own. In fact, right now I have two single females that I thought would be friends. They don’t like each other so they’re singles.

I wish you the best at college and I hope Oreo finds a good home.

[Lynx]

"It sounds to me that you are a kind person and a good piggy parent. "
I couldn't agree more. It sounds like you are agonizing about this decision. I wish a friend or relative had guinea pigs and could take her in to live with them. I too hope she finds a good home.