25th March 2014

There were 13 cages of guinea pigs at the auction today; the first 6 lots were single boars. No one was interested so I got 5 out of the 6 at minimum bids. I’m glad I went really, what would have happened to them otherwise? They all look related, Swiss types. I also got a cage of boys, again at minimum bid, and then heart ruled head and I bought two pairs because I didn't want the wrong person to obtain them. Two were Dutch type and are really gentle. The other two are a long haired dark lad and a satin 'rex' type. All are in reasonable health; one or two have scabby patches but nothing appalling, which makes a nice change. No one wanted the piggies today. This is why it’s so important for someone to be there every week to give the mistreated pigs some respite at Avalon, before being adopted into their ‘forever homes’.

18th March 2014

Arrived very late due to other commitments thinking the sale would be in full swing.... only to find it was nowhere near starting. There were not many pens in today, about 12 pens of guinea pigs and around 20 pens of rabbits. The first line up were guinea pigs, presumably from the same unknown seller, with plenty of weight on but with skin issues across the board and the older ones had horrific nails.

I think they were all boars, I'd suggest they have been kicked out from someone using them for breeding. I bought three of them for Avalon; the others received bids from known good homes. Next were 4 pens of extremely dodgy looking pigs. One pen was withdrawn from the auction due to its condition; the others went to known reliable buyers thankfully. I pestered the auctioneer and they agreed to sell the withdrawn pen to me on the understanding that the guinea in it had ringworm and needed treatment. Sale was agreed and I had a look. She is a white crested sow, a very pretty one. Or rather she would be if she wasn't ripping at her flesh and causing huge sores. It appears to be mites, no signs of ringworm. She is terrified and spends the whole time when picked up squealing in a very high pitch. She should have never been accepted in the auction, but well done to the staff for refusing to offer her to the public. If we pester to get these auctions closed down, these pigs will never get a chance in life. We need to educate and prosecute those who feel it is acceptable to have animals suffering in this way, not close down the outlet. There are a lot of healthy pigs sold each week; they have as much chance of finding good homes as they would if sold on an internet site, or pet shops!
I also brought back three other pigs for Avalon.

18th March 2014

Arrived very late due to other commitments thinking the sale would be in full swing.... only to find it was nowhere near starting. There were not many pens in today, about 12 of pigs and around 20 rabbits. The first line up were pigs, presumably from the same unknown seller, with plenty of weight on but with skin issues across the board and the older ones had horrific nails. I think they were all boars, I'd suggest they have been kicked out from someone using them for breeding. I bought three of them for Avalon, the others received bids from known good homes. Then came 4 pens of extremely dodgy looking pigs. One was withdrawn due to its condition, the others went to Mr Shiny Shoes and another reliable buyer thankfully. I pestered the auctioneer and they agreed to sell the withdrawn pen to me on the understanding it had ringworm and needed treatment. Sale was agreed and I had a look. She is a white crested sow, a very pretty one. Or rather she would be if she wasn't ripping at her flesh and causing huge sores. It appears to be mites, no signs of ringworm. She is terrified and spends the whole time when picked up squealing in a very high pitch She should have never been accepted in the auction, but well done to the staff for refusing to offer her to the public. If we pester to get these auctions closed down these pigs will never get a chance in life. We need to educate and persecute those who feel it is acceptable to have animals suffering in this way, not close down the outlet. There are a lot of healthy pigs sold each week, they have as much chance of finding good homes as they would if sold on an internet site. Or Pets at home!

I also brought back three others for Avalon, although unfortunately one big boar decided to cause trouble immediately and somehow I was forced to put him back in my boxes and he's here with me
Please look at the picture of the little white sow. She will take more money to get right than she will ever be worth, but she will have everything she needs from now on. If you feel we are doing the right thing by helping her and the others found suffering please consider Donating. 

Just £1 will help enormously if we all chip in. Help us to help them, they don't have many options.

11th March 2014

Not many lots in today, equal amounts of pigs and rabbits. During the auction two lots from one dealer were withdrawn by the auctioneer due to 'illness'. One of these lots was subsequently re-offered, probably rightly so. The other lot was a young rex type boar and he was huddled at the front and covered in fungal. We had already decided to bring him home with us. I bought him after the auction. I do begrudge having to pay for ill pigs that will need medication, but these are the pigs that desperately need help. I've had a skin infection recently. I know how painful and irritating it is. And fungal is so easy to treat. There was another pig covered in fungal, but she was lively and they tried to sell her anyway. I bought her afterwards for the same reasons. £10 for two pigs is probably more than they are worth, but they would not have been treated if they had returned home with the seller.
I bought a cage of young Himalayans. Not because they were unwanted, but because I have a soft spot for them and I didn't like the other bidder! This isn't what the rescue are here to do, this was my heart ruling my head. They can stay here is Shaz prefers, sometimes I make rash judgements and I apologise.
Some of the dealer lots didn't sell, some went for reasonable amounts. All looked healthy enough. There was a run further along of pigs, I bought three out of the four lots, two whiteish boys, two satins and two aby types. All look healthy, the two mainly white boys are very scared but in good condition.

4th March 2014

About 25 lots in today, all sold including those with reserves. There was a bottom cage right in the corner that it was difficult to see in, I got the torch app on my photo into action and found a brown sow and three young grey babies in. I checked it was ok to bid more than usual as I was worried the sow was either in pig again to the sire of these babies, or one of the babies was a boar
She's safe now though. The babies are sows (at a quick glance!!) and about 4 weeks old ish. The mum looks rather tubby, but I couldn't feel another pregnancy from the quick cuddle I had. She and her babies are, as you can understand, rather stressed. I also brought back the past pig sold as interest had waned by then. He's a himalayan rex boy, about 12 weeks old I'd say. Very sweet So only one box was needed, the others just go for the trip these days! There was one piggie that caught my eye but not until after he had been bought as he was buried in straw.... a chocolate coloured long hair that has gone to a good home now and will no doubt get the bath he needed....pooh!

25th February 2014

From the sublime to the ridiculous. About 20 pens of pigs in today, thinner crowd but still running alongside the bird auction. Thought the day might be strange when the first two pens of 2 had a £10 reserve on them, and didn't sell. Then a buyer asked to purchase them 2 lots later.... this buyer went on to buy another run of paired babies (unsexed) Then also bought all the dealers' at their reserves, and with a couple of exceptions they also had all the other lots A couple were close to minimum bid, some were several pounds more. Boars and sows alike.
Now, we go to the auctions to buy unwell or young stock, or those who appear in pig and also anything that is not wanted. So I came home empty handed. I have no opinion on the buyer today, I have seen them around before but not seen them grabbing so many. At first I thought perhaps they were buying babies for shop resale, but why so many older boars too? But they handled the pigs well, and seemed ok so I have to hope their intentions are as good as they can be.
Many thanks to my able assistants today who did little other than trot backwards and works watching for the start of the sales! But thank you very much for making the effort and joining me. Hopefully now you have seen what we try to do I can send you on any days I can't make it!

18th February 2014

No pictures this week i'm afraid. I ended up having no help at all, and with it being school holidays I knew I was going to be in trouble. The furries are still in the same area as the birds, and there was no way you could see into half of the pens as the crowd watching the bird bidding was too dense. I listed what I could though. Lots of rabbits, a run from the usual dealer, and some pigs from an unknown seller. Had a chat with the buyer known as Mr Shiny Shoes, as I thought he has grandchildren who help with the animals he buys, and his daughter helps and rehomes what is suitable. We were both down in the tat sale trying to buy run and hutches too! He's certainly not buying for bait, all good news.
Lots of bidders and buyers meant some of the dealers' lots went for silly prices.... one pair of baby sows went for £26! Last week they didn't get a bid I bought two beautiful satin baby sows cheaply and thought that would be it. Then a couple of pens held pigs, some of those it was impossible to see into (the bird auction was still going when the rabbits started...two lots of shouting in the same area. Chaos) I ended up with both lots, two ginger sows and a black very very funky boy.
I was ready to go and fetch the car down, then noticed the auctioneer had more paperwork, turned out there were more pens around the corner, and then even more in the old area the sales were previously held! Most of the buyers had moved off by then, so nothing was gaining bids. I followed the usual principle of buying guinea pigs that were not raising any bids at all. Tell me, those of you who feel buying is wrong, what do you think will happen to these animals? If they can't make £1 in the sales, are the sellers really going to take them home, care for them, ensure they have the correct diet and environment? Or just off load them anywhere they can so they don't lose more money. Abandon them there in the pens. Neck them. Harsh? It's the reality of life i'm afraid.
This way they have every possible chance to go on to live a good quality of life. You might think that donating £1 to the rescue will not help. It will help these guinea pigs enormously I can assure you. Please carry on helping us to help them.
I bought 9 lots, most had multiple pigs in, all for minimum bids. Boars and sows, mixed ages. Avalon don't 'choose' who to save, any that are in need will be welcomed.
Then even fewer buyers headed around the corner to the dozen or so pens stuck around there. Two had pigs in, one lot of two boars attracted a bid from another 'family' type buyer, I had the other pen.
So poor Shaz had to endure my arrival with boxes of pigs. Room was found, pigs were checked over and they were soon eating. I was also handed over 5 young boars from one of the dealers, a sweet chap with an eye issue and four other healthy boys that should be suitable for rehoming soon.
Again, sorry for the lack of photos, trying to do everything alone is a complete nightmare. If you can help in the future that would be great, most weeks it's easy but occasionally we get a manic one like that was. I do have a few friends I can call on, but unfortunately in this case I found out I would be alone too late to drag anyone in