So you want a guinea pig....

Well, what kind do you want? Where do you get one? How do I know I'm getting a healthy animal?...

First of all let's decide your reason for wanting a guinea pig.
Do you want a pet? A show animal? A 4-h project? A breeder animal? The most logical place to start out is to get to a cavy show, to talk to breeders to find out what the ins and outs of cavy care are. Many breeders have kept guinea pigs for 10 or more years. They know what make their animals tick, and they know how to keep them healthy. You can see the different colors and breeds of animals available in your area. While you may not come home with an animal from a show you've started to make some contacts that can help you find your ideal animal. A breeder can provide a pet animal- adult or pup, a show animal or a breeding stock animal.

Now, what kind of care do you want to provide for your pig?
It's a given that you want to provide the proper housing, food and vet care that your pet needs, but in terms of grooming and extra care, that's another issue. A longhair is going to need frequent grooming, as well as regular haircuts. Texels can get matted in the wink of an eye, smooth coated longhairs take a little longer. A teddy can get skin issues more easily than other breeds, and skinnies and baldwins need a more consistent temperature than other cavies because of their lack of hair.

Okay, so where do I get one?
There are several options when it comes to finding your ideal pet. Remember these are general facts about these different sources, there are always exceptions to the norms.

Breeder	Pros: Often knows a lot about their animals, including the genetic backgrounds. They may have animals of many ages available, as well as other animals that need to be rehomed. They also know where to get quality supplies in the area and will know if there is a cavy knowledgeable vet around. The animals also will usually cost less than at a pet shop or rescue. Cons: Often they will only raise a limited breed/variety of animals.
Shelter	Pros: Animals who need homes, or they may be put down. Cons: Very little knowledge of temperament or age. Health also may not be known.
Rescue	Pros: Often have observed the pig for temperament, and have evaluated it's health. These animals usually are either owner surrenders or pulled from shelters. Cons: Often there are restrictive "adoption" applications and agreements that must be signed. Some will not adopt out to families with children and require home visits. Very little background knowledge of most animals.
Petshop	Pros: Sometimes the only source for animals in an area. Can be well run or poorly run. Usually health guarantees mandated by law. Cons: little to no background info on an animal.