* Mario and Luigi found their forever home with lovely people! *

Mario and Luigi came into Toronto Animal Services as “strays.” They’re such cute little pigs, and they’re very bonded to each other, so we’re asking that Mario and Luigi be adopted together. A single pig is a lonely pig!

Mario and Luigi will run and hide in their house when you come into their room, but once they are sure you mean them no harm, they’ll come out and chat with you. They aren’t fond of being picked up (like most guinea pigs) but once they’re comfortable in your lap or on the floor, they don’t mind some scritches. Luigi is the more friendly of the pair. He’ll let you pet him in his cage quite easily…whereas Mario will take his time to come visit.

They enjoy a variety of snacks, including romaine lettuce, carrot, celery, cucumber and strawberries, just to name a few. These guys also take great pleasure in playing in, and gobbling up their timothy hay.

A few months ago, Mario and Luigi had a serious episode of fighting, that landed them at the vet to get medication for their wounds. Their foster home put them into separate cages that were placed right next to each other. After their medication was done and their wounds were healed, many attempts were made to re-unite them, but it always ended with more fighting. Fearing not being able to place them back together, we had both boys neutered so they could be adopted separately. Neutering would give them more of a chance to find a forever home, since they could be placed with another male or an un-spayed female needing companionship. A couple of weeks after their neuter surgery, Mario and Luigi’s foster home began slow and patient introductions again, and after a few of these re-introduction sessions, Mario and Luigi were finally getting along! We were thrilled to be able to put these guys back together, and they’re happy to be sharing the same cage again.

We’re still asking that they be adopted together, but now that they’re neutered, they can be adopted to a home where there are female guinea pigs. Proper introductions will still need to be done to prevent any issues.

Wondering if a guinea pig is the right pet for you? Check out this website for some of the basics of guinea pig care. They’re not the simple “starter pet” they’ve been made out to be for many years…

Guinea pigs need much more room than the typical pet store guinea pig cages offer. Here are some websites that have great examples of the type of cages pigs can live happily in, so that they have lots of room to move around and explore:
GuineaPigCages.com
Midwest Guinea Habitat
Guinea Pig cage ideas on Pintrest

Can’t adopt but want to help? Monetary donations are always needed, but donations of Oxbow Guinea Pig food, Oxbow “Natural Science” Vitamin C tablets, timothy hay, small animal chew toys and fleece cage liners and fleece blankets are very much appreciated! Donations can be dropped off (and some purchased in store) at the Pet Valu in Dundas – 86 Main Street, Dundas.
Or you can donate from the comfort of your home and have items delivered right to us by using our Amazon Wish list, or the Hamilton and area pet food and supply delivery business called A Bone’s Throw