There is a great site below that list all guinea pig and rabbit breeders in your state or anywhere you want to look. I suggest buying from a breeder because they know so much about them. I have gotten most of mine from breeders. You can also look up cavy shows in your area, they almost always have them for sell at shows. Good Luck!

Definetly go to your nearest rescue centre, there are lots of loving guinea pigs who are very friendly and need someone to look after them after having a hard life or neglect or abuse. Pet shops encourage people to breed animals for profit. Bring an animal into your life for the right reasons – to love them. Try not to encourage more animals being bred for our use, as we are “overrun” by animals being bred, then unloved and abandoned. The more animals bought from pet shops, the more will be abandoned etc.

I agree with tough mutt…shelters are an excellent place to look. Most people don’t realize that animals other than cats and dogs get brought to shelters all the time.

If you are going to get a guinea pig, try to find a small one, this usually means they are young. If a pet shop thinks they are going to make a sell, they will tell you anything. the guinea pig you get may be on its last life, but the pet store tell you its a baby just to be able to get rid of it. try to find one that is small, that looks young, and be sure its not to skiddish, it needs to be use to being held. Alot of pet shops have animals that are completely wild. It may help to decide what the pet shop is? is it a big companay like petco? or a small town pet shop?

Just watch what they tell you, because if they are gonna make a few bucks, they will tell you anything.

Try your local rescue organizations first. There are plenty of people out there giving up their guinea pigs. Also petfinder.com lists classified ads for your area, and you can see if someone near you is looking for a new home for their guinea pigs. Petfinder also has a nifty little shelter finding feature where you only have to type in what you want and they’ll give you the list of adoptable guinea pigs in your search range.

Ask them questions. I work at PetSmart and I breed them at home and our pigs at the store are just as good as mine for half the price… as far as buying at supply stores, no not the best but ask the staff some odd questions to find out if they do know what they are talking about. As far as pigs go I say that a rat is a better pet or even gerbils for pigs are fat lazy and **** all day long. I love mine but I am sellig all of them after 5 years of breeding… Rabbits are real nice…

You should go to your local County or State Fair, where you will find breeders of Cavies, they also show and sell them, or check the web for Cavy breeders, there are many organizations, also try ARBA (American Rabbit [and Cavy] Breeders Association)