The Pigloo Forums

[GuineaPinny]

Sponsor A Guinea Pig features a new sanctuary pig each month in need of support and care. As most of you already know, sanctuary pigs are a rescue's own forever pigs, and they often wind up being the most expensive pigs due to chronic medical conditions, complicated medical conditions, or their length of stay with the rescue. Increased funds on sanctuary pigs decrease the amount available to spend on adoptable pigs still needing rescues in area shelters.

That's where rescue supporters can help, and the purpose behind my site. I know that money is low right now for everyone, but my thought process was that every little bit adds up. That's why Sponsor A Guinea Pig follows a "Pig of the Month" format, encouraging people to donate even a little with the hopes that others will do the same.

The pig of the month for August is Piglet from All Creatures Rescue and Sanctuary. Please click on Piglet's name to read her story.

There are also a bunch of guinea pigs in the wings waiting to be posted, so visit the main site to see the other special needs pigs who will soon be featured!

If you aren't in a position to financially donate, maybe send your rescue a thank you email, or an update on your pigs. It would be nice between all the Nigerian ambassadors I bet!

--cross posted-- Please do the same! Forward on to listserves, cross post away, please, please! Here is a text for convenient cross posting:


Help homeless animals with just a dollar! Visit Sponsor A Guinea Pig ( http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/), featuring national guinea pig rescues' neediest members-special needs pigs and senior pigs who can never be adopted, and rely on the rescue volunteers for their ongoing and extensive care. Each month one pig is highlighted for donations, and the many visitors contribute collectively toward its care. Sponsor A Guinea Pig-Where a Dollar Makes a Difference!

[GuineaPinny]

If anyone can't donate but would like to promote the site, please consider adding this html code to your MySpace page or other website. People can click on the logo and go to the Sponsor a Guinea Pig Page!


<a href="http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/guineapinny/Piglet-4-2.p ng" alt="Sponsor A Pig!" width="320" height="240" /></a>

[Erin]

Error message with the image saying it was moved or deleted.

[GuineaPinny]

<a href="http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/guineapinny/Piglet-4-2.p ng" alt="Sponsor A Pig!" width="320" height="240" /></a>

Fixed! Thanks for the catch :)

Huh. No, not fixed. When I look at it in preview it looks fine but when I press submit there's a space between the p and ng "png"

[GuineaPinny]

Sponsor a Guinea Pig has raised $60 for Piglet's care! I am trying to shoot for a total of $100 (or over!) by the end of August, so I'm doing another publicity push for a last $40.

Piglet was left at her vet's to be euthanized by her owners, but the vet knew she could still make it. She contacted the rescuers of All Creatures Rescue and Sanctuary to see if they could help with this forlorn little pig.

Piglet proved to be born without incisors, and was suffering from severe scurvy, as well as malnutrition and neglect. She had never had hay. ACR&S provided her with very beneficial dental surgery, and provides her with a daily diet of critical care. Piglet is their most expensive resident (and one of their most loved!).

The cool thing about Sponsor a Guinea Pig is that everyone is donating to the same guinea pig at the same time, so you can donate in small increments and know it will make a difference. And if you can't donate, please just pass the site on!

(Please let me know if this type of promotion is not okay, I will cease immediately!)

[GuineaPinny]

In case people wanted to add banners to their sites, here are a couple of banners I made pretty quickly. I put the code below in brackets [] instead of <>, as it looks like the board doesn't support html. Please replace [ with < and ] with > it when entering the code :)



[a href="http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/"][img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/guineapinny/Peachesmilli on-1.jpg" alt="Sponsor A Pig!" width="269" height="261" /][/a]



[a href="http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/"][img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/guineapinny/boots-1-1.jp g" alt="Sponsor A Pig!" width="250" height="211" /][/a]



[a href="http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/"][img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/guineapinny/Piglet-4-4.p ng" alt="Sponsor A Pig!" width="320" height="240" /][/a]



[a href="http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/"][img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/guineapinny/Piglet-4-3.p ng" alt="Sponsor A Pig!" width="320" height="240" /][/a]

[DaCourt]

Yay...Bootsie. So cute with his naked self.

[GuineaPinny]

I am so excited to feature Boots. He is going to have so many fans! There are people already in love with him on GPH.

CP:

Here's a new feature: Sponsor a Guinea Pig now has a listserve! You can visit the website to join: http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/ scroll down under the main picture.

The email will feature the new month's guinea pig, as well as fundraising facts about the previous month's pigs. They'll be great for forwarding on to other guinea lovers.

six days left for Piglet!

[GuineaPinny]

Hey DaCourt tell me what you think of the main picture for Boots during September, I haven't posted this anywhere yet. It's what goes up at the top of the blog. I'm just getting ready for Boots's month:

[GuineaPinny]

Ahh, DaCourt, it debuts tomorrow and I don't know if you hate it! Too 80s?

Anyway,




http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/

Then it will be dear Bootsie!

[GuineaPinny]

cross posted:



So there are only 11 subscribers to the Sponsor a Guinea Pig newsletter, which seems weird since that's less even than the number of people who donated!

The newsletter is just a once a month email (promise) with a thank you letter from the previous month's rescue, a break down of the fundraising from the last month, and information about the new month's piggie. There's more information than is available on the site, and it's convenient for forwarding to other guinea pig lovers.

If you'd like to be added to the listserve, email Sponsoraguineapig-subscribe @ googlegroups.com (remove the spaces). Or email me at Sponsoraguineapig @gmail.com to add you, or by contacting me through the mailer.

You don't have to donate to be on the listserve! If you would like to have the emails to read about the piggies and see the pictures, please sign up! And you might want to forward the emails on to someone who will donate.

[GuineaPinny]

Below are the photos and the blurb for Boots turn on Sponsor a Guinea Pig, but it is hard to sum up this adorable guy! He is just such a cutie. DaCourt you're going to have to keep us blessed with Boots photos.

September begins! It's Boots's debut!

Boots is a sanctuary pig being cared for by Orange County Cavy Haven. He is a sweetheart five year old skinny pig who suffers from kidney disease and bladder sludge, and so has to take daily medication. He is on Alternagel, which costs $7 a month, and Polycitra, which costs $30 dollars a month. The goal is to raise enough money for a six month supply of Boots's meds-$222. And, knock on wood, if Boots gets sick, he will have these funds available as an emergency medical trust.

Here is his full story, along with donation buttons. An abridged story reads below*. Remember, Sponsor a Guinea Pig is where A Dollar Makes A Difference. You can donate a small amount knowing others will do the same, and that it will add up!*



Boots was rescued from a backyard breeder who was raising skinnies to sell to Petco. He contacted OCCH because his whole herd of 40 was diseased with ringworm, and since he didn't have the money to treat them, he was going to destroy the skinnies.

OCCH contacted animal control for aid, which euthanized half the herd before the rescue was able to arrive. The rescue also saved a number of skinnies that were sent to a local vet and were doomed for euthanization. Rescue volunteers treated all the skinnies for ringworm, despite the high contagion risk.



After Boots was rehabed he was adopted out once, but never again. The adopter returned him and his friend in terrible condition. His nails were long and curling, and his coroplast had chew marks out of it, as though Boots had been starving. Boots has remained with the rescue since then. Now he is the last of the surviving skinnies from this rescue.

He now lives with two other pigs who are widows as well, and the three get along great. Bootsie is now finally getting to lead a calm life in his old age.

Donating will both help OCCH afford his meds, and allow them to free up money to help other pigs waiting in the shelters.



*worried about PayPal fees? Send a check to the mailing address listed on this page. Please write either Boots or SAGP in the memo line.

[GuineaPinny]

An update on Bootsy Boy! We are halfway to our September goal!



We've fundraised $117 for Boots, isn't that great? The goal is $222 for a six month supply of his medicine. Boots is a five year old skinny with kidney disease and bladder sludge.

As a reminder, Sponsor a Guinea Pig is the site where a dollar makes a difference (are people sick of that yet? haha) so any donation is great, from one dollar to a hundred. By featuring one guinea pig a month, a number of small donations can add up cumulatively to make a big difference for one guinea pig (and its rescue).

If you can't donate but like the idea, here are some great ways to promote it:

Facebook, MySpace, Twitter, Stumble It, Craigslist, or good old fashioned word of mouth!

Or if you're on another forum that has nothing to do with guinea pigs, and they have a general chat section, why not post about it there? You'd get the word out about homeless guinea pigs and promote a worthy cause all at once.

Here's something to copy and paste for cross promotion:

<a href="http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/guineapinny/Peachesmilli on-1.jpg" alt="Sponsor A Pig!" width="269" height="261" /></a>

<a href=http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/>Sponsor a Guinea Pig</a> is the site where a Dollar Makes a Difference! One special needs guinea pig from a different rescue across the country is highlighted each month for fundraising, and small donations from numerous donors add up to make a big difference. These guinea pigs take the largest financial toll on animal rescues, and by assuring funds for their care rescues are then free to devote themselves to adoptable animals. Every donation is appreciated immensely.

Here are more banners you can choose from: http://groups.google.com/group/spons...t-on-your-site

[Chad]

I am making this a "sticky". Carry on.

[GuineaPinny]

Oh gosh, thank you! That's so nice of you Chad!!

[GuineaPinny]

Just five days left for Boots! Donations have been sort of low for the guy so I made the hopefully heart tugging:

We are currently at 3/4ths of our goal of $222 (a six month supply of medicine, or an emergency fund in case Boots gets sick). We've raised $170.49, which is great, but I would love to make our goal!


As a reminder, Boots was rescued from a backyard breeder. He is a senior skinny with kidney disease, bladder sludge, and an enlarged heart. He is just a love. We are trying to fundraise six months worth of medicine for him-$222.00. Boots takes Alternagel, which costs $7 a month, and Polycitra, which costs $30 dollars a month.

Here is a link to the blog: http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/ and here is a link to Boots's entry: Boots! September Guinea of the Month! There is a lot more info there, including a mailing address and pay pal button for donation info.

Thank you for the privilege of posting!

[GuineaPinny]

Good news! A very generous person donated the last $51.51 we needed to reach Boots's goal Any funds received that go over the $222 goal will be used for a vet visit-$60.

Don't forget that October's pigs will be up soon.

Thank you so much to everyone who helped make September's fundraising a success!!

[GuineaPinny]

OH NO I'm late!

Hey Hey! It's October! I'm so excited at the great success these last two months have been at Sponsor a Guinea Pig. I really hope it continues for our two October cuties.




Cinnamon and Salizar are a bonded pair of 6 year old pigs with Wee Companions, a CA Rescue. They are just an adorable pair who has been there and done that and now is happy to be retired and living the comfy life, sanctuary style.

Both pairs began as young pigs with the rescue, and were adopted out with other pigs. Cinnamon was returned when her mom had terminal cancer. Her mate shortly passed away. Around the same time Salizar was returned when his mom moved to New Zealand, and his mate passed away as well. Both pigs were lonely and depressed, but then they found each other! The rescue can chalk this up as a very successful pairing-these two are super in love.

The two do have some medical issues-Salizar only has one eye from an old dominance battle in his youth, so that has to be dealt with daily. Plus they need their critical care of course! But the main things we are hoping to fundraise for are the day to day expenses of caring for piggies.

The fundraising goal is just $200! That's for two months of supplies. As always, a dollar makes a difference! but here are some other ideas too:

Bedding, $20 per month.
Pellets $20 per month
Hay $10 per month
Critical Care $20 per month
Veggies $30 per month

For more donation information please visit their listing at Cinnamon and Salizar from Sponsor a Guinea Pig!

[GuineaPinny]

I did want to give an update on October piggies-we're over halfway to the goal! So far we've raised $115 dollars, thank you so much!



We're hoping to fill in Cinnamon and Salizar all the way! Here's a link to their story.

And just a little sample from the second SAGP newsletter: "Everyone's minds are on the economy right now, and charities are often the first to suffer. Guinea Pig rescues are definitely feeling the crunch right now--animal rescues and animal shelters always are hit hard in times of crisis, and smaller animals are often passed over first. But Sponsor a Guinea Pig is a charity people can still donate to with comfort, and refer to others looking to find philanthropic outlets. Remember-Sponsor a Guinea Pig is Where a Dollar Makes a Difference! Just donating one buck will help needy pigs--there are enough people doing the same."

[GuineaPinny]

Latest update! Six days to go and we are close to our goal of $200. We have $137 so just $63 left to raise!! Please read about Cinnamon and Salizar's story here at the Sponsor a Guinea Pig website.

As an added incentive, here are some new photos of these adorable pigs in need:

[GuineaPinny]

Hooray! Another successful month! We've reached our goal and surpassed it, raising $227 for these guys-that's over two months of supplies covered for these special needs piggies! Way to go everybody.

Sponsor a Guinea Pig has now raised $727.26 for needy piggies in just three months!

Get ready for November--remember, whether $1 or $100, your donation will make a difference in the life of a needy pig.

[GuineaPinny]

Sponsor a Guinea Pig wishes you a safe and happy Halloween!

[Erin]

I'm glad to see your project has been a success!

Any idea how to get the picture to change for the thing you did for Myspace? Or do I have to redo the code every month? My page still has the August pigs up... ooops.

[GuineaPinny]

Thanks Erin!

Here's a code for the general Peaches one. I'm going to make a new banner for Nov.

[a href="http://sponsoraguineapig.blogspot.com/"][img src="http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj246/guineapinny/Peachesmilli on-1.jpg" alt="Sponsor A Pig!" width="269" height="261" /][/a]

But that doesn't specify a month and it's really cute :)

[GuineaPinny]

Okay, people, I messed up. I am a week late posting November. I have had midterms and have been procrastinating with everything on my to-do list and that unfortunately and who knows why extended to Sponsor a Guinea Pig and I'm so sorry.

I really don't want this to affect the Critter Connection's fundraising total, so please donate if you've been thinking of it-this is the time to!

And the slogan "where a dollar makes a difference" really isn't a joke. Totally welcome. A dollar, five dollars, three dollars, enough people doing it and it all adds up. Balancing your checkbook and there's $2.23 left? Send it Sono's way! We can really make a big difference with small donations.

So here's the sweetie who my procrastination has delayed you all from meeting:



And here's a bit of her story, more of which can be found here:

Sono was a stray guinea pig brought to animal control, where she was then picked up by the Critter Connection. Sono was malnourished, dehydrated, and suffering from vitamin C deficiency. An x-ray showed that metabolic changes were occuring in her spine, either from an injury or the severe malnourishment. She suffered from infections in three out of four of her footpads. Sono was in such pain when she first arrived at the rescue that she couldn't walk.

Sono now has a daily medication schedule, as well as daily food and vitamin supplements. She also needs daily physical therapy. Despite all her woes, Sono remains a plucky pig, always happy for attention.

Our fundraising goal is $240 for three months of vet visits and nutritional supplements (vet visits are $50 a month and nutritional supplements are $30)

[GuineaPinny]

With a new Sponsor a Guinea Pig Announcement must come a new picture:



There are ten days left in Sono's month, and so far we've raised $150.00! That's great!

So if each day until the end of November someone donates $9.00 we'll reach our goal of $240!

Or if nine people donate $10, we're set! And of course, the site is as always where a dollar makes a difference. Please consider making a donation of any amount.

To read about Sono's story, click here. She was a stray picked up in such pain that she couldn't even walk, but the Critter Connection pulled her through. We're fundraising for three months of vet care and food supplements to keep this survivor thriving.

[CF#5]

This is the rescue where all my pigs come from. Everyone should donate!

[GuineaPinny]

It seems like a lot of people are :D Thanks for the endorsement!

Sono update! With just seven days left in November, we are just $7 short of our total at $233 raised!

Sponsor a Guinea Pig: Where a Dollar Makes a Difference!

And with just a dollar a day donated for the rest of the week, we can reach our total for Sono.

[GuineaPinny]

We've reached our total! Final figures aren't in yet, but we've raised at least $250 for Sono! That means that three months of vet care and her food supplement are paid for. Hooray Sono! Another successful month for Sponsor a Guinea Pig. Way to go guys!

[GuineaPinny]

Sorry for the delay on December's pig! I've been swamped with finals. December's pig is a very special sweetie! Her name is Peaches, and I actually foster her myself, while Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue funds her care. She is a five year old sanctuary pig who wasn't supposed to live through her first night in rescue-and she's been here over a year!




Peaches has a ton of medical issues. She has a fused spine from malnutrition, severe arthritis, heart issues, reoccurring ear infections, and when she first arrived at the rescue she was too weak to stand! She was nursed around the clock and now she is a thriving piggy, but she has to take five medicines in order to maintain her health.



Each month Peaches's medical care costs the rescue $134.50-we are trying to raise enough for two months of her medical care! That's $269. This includes the office exam ($22.50) an incisor trim ($15), her Meloxicam ($23), critical care ($28), Cosequin ($11.50), Benazapril ($11.50), and Metronidazole ($23).

Visit sponsoraguineapig Peaches for more of her story.