| |
the Boston Pignic has been CANCELED.
Note that there is NO RAIN DATE
for the Fall Pignic. But we're happy to field ideas for a get-together!
| date |
will be held in October/November; dates TBA |
| coordinator |
Jessica, Australian Cavy Sanctuary
|
| location |
Teralba Park, Everton Park, QLD. Cnr of Pullen Rd.
|
| time |
10am - 3pm |
| rain
plans |
--- |
activities/
bring: |
The ACS ‘Pignic in the Park’ is a fun filled day to raise animal awareness and much needed funds for the organisation. The Australian Cavy Sanctuary is a guinea pig rescue and awareness organisation and our focus for the day is brought in particular to raising awareness of small companion animals.
The 'Pignic in the Park' is also an event to raise some much needed funds for the organisation, as we struggle each year to cover the ongoing costs.
ACS shelters are overseen by Brisbane shelter manager and ACS Founder Jessica Proietti. ACS is completely non profit and non funded and all managers of ACS shelters pay for all costs of managing their shelters from their own pockets - including medical and vet bills, general care and feed bills, and other funds which may be spent on awareness displays and events. The long term goal for the ACS is to expand and eventually raise enough funds to purchase land in order to build a fully operational large-scale small animal shelter.
|
| directions |
Map and driving directions via WhereIs.com |
2 times a year, usually in early June and mid-September
| date |
Sunday, 27 September.....CANCELED due to rain. |
| coordinator |
Tammy
Rao (CavyMadness), and Sally
Hurley
|
| location |
Wellesley
Town Hall lawn ("the bowl"), Wellesley MA. Parking
is in the Town Hall parking lot, directly across the street
from the Library. (The
town of Wellesley does not treat their grass. This
link explains the town's policies on pesticides and
treatments.)
|
| time |
12 PM
to 4 PM |
| rain
plans |
NO RAIN DATE. |
activities/
bring: |
Come
and meet your pig-loving neighbors! No alcohol allowed,
and restrooms are at a nearby Peet's Coffee. Bring your own pen if you do not wish to put your pig(s) in the large community pens. Bring
blankets and chairs, and keep in mind we have some new rules for our growing Pignic: you must check in with one of the Experts to make sure your pig(s) are free of lice or mites, and please refrain from picking up pigs without speaking with their owner first.
|
| directions |
525
Washington Street, Wellesley, MA 02482
we
are in the grassy area next to the Town Hall building in
Wellesley. There is parking right next to the building,
and the commuter rail is next to us as well. Coffeeshops
and pizza places are nearby.
via
T: Commuter Rail to Wellesley Square. Head toward
the post office, and the Town Hall is a large pink-stone
building to your left. We will gather in the shady
area with a large depression (its called "the bowl").
Its hard to miss...
via
car: Directions are available at the Wellesley
City Website. Parking is available. From Route 16 west,
turn into the Town Hall drive, and park on the far side
of Town Hall. Directly in front of you will be a large grassy
area, with a huge bowl formation. |
| date |
Sunday, June 14, 2009
|
| coordinator |
Rose, info@crittercorral.org
|
| location |
Bemis Woods Park, Grove #5, Western Springs, IL 60558 |
| time |
12
PM to 3 PM
|
| rain
plans |
|
activities/
bring: |
Potluck
Pignic with fun and games for piggies and friends. A great
opportunity to network with fellow piggie lovers. There
will be piggies looking for forever homes.
Bring: A potluck dish to share and an item from The Critter
Corral Wish List. [some suggestions: AA batteries, large
garbage bags, stamps, hay, food, bedding, colored pocket
folders, gift certificates to Jewel or office supply stores,
etc]
Don't
forget blankets and/or chairs and of course, your adorable
piggies!! Please bring your own enclosures. |
| directions |
Take
I-294 (Tri-State Tollway) to Ogden Ave (U.S. Rte 34). Exit
East and proceed to park entrance on the left (north). Follow
signs to pignic grove. |
(usually held in November)
| date |
2009: tbd |
| coordinator |
Rose
Pooler, zoo357@crittercorral.org
|
| location |
The Willard Wood Park Center
515 1st Street, Crete, IL 60417 |
| time |
1:30
PM to 4 PM
|
| rain
plans |
Be
there rain or shine
|
activities/
bring: |
SAME FUN EVENT AT A NEW LOCATION FOR 2007!!!
Indoor at the center will be games, contests, silent auction,
drawings and pig related items for sale. Food and fun for all!
Piggies are welcome. Wonderful piggies looking
for wonderful homes will be guests of honor. |
| directions |
Take Route 394 (Bishop Ford Fwy) south of I-80-294 to Exchange
Street (approximately 9.5 miles) turn right (west) on Exchange and
proceed 3.0 miles to Main St (aka IL Rte 1 or Dixie Hwy), turn right
(north) and proceed two blocks to 1st St. Turn left (west), proceed to 515 1st Street. The Willard Wood Center is approximately 2 miles from the previous
location. |
| date |
Inaugural Pignic!
Saturday, 28 February, 2009 |
| coordinator |
Crazy Cavies: crazycavies@hotmail.com;
954-547-3201
|
| location |
East Lawn at Humane Society of Broward County,
2070 Griffin Rd., Fort Lauderdale, FL
|
| time |
10 AM
to 1 PM |
| rain
plans |
none - we're keeping our fingers crossed!!!! |
activities/
bring: |
Come and celebrate the kickoff for Adopt-a-guinea pig month (March) with Crazy Cavies Guinea Pig Rescue and other fellow guinea pig owners. There will be raffle prizes along with other exciting contests for the piggies. No human food or drinks will be provided so please bring your own chairs, food, drinks (non-alcoholic), and cubes or playpens if you have them.
|
| directions |
|
Hosted by Atlanta Metro Guinea Pig Rescue
| date |
Saturday, 30 May 2009
|
| coordinator |
Christina (no email address provided)
|
| location |
Heritage Sandy Springs, 6110 Bluestone Road, Sandy Springs GA.
|
| time |
12 to 3 PM
|
| rain
plans |
|
activities/
bring: |
|
| directions |
From I-85, exit going west on I-285.
From I-75, exit going east on I-285.
Either way, from I-285, take the Roswell Road exit, (exit 25) and go north, outside the perimeter. Drive approximately ½ mile, then turn left on Hammond Drive. Go one block and turn right on Sandy Springs Circle. If you're headed for the Historic Site, go one block and turn right onto Sandy Springs Place. The park entrance will be immediately on your left, and parking is available in the lots on your right. |
| date |
Sunday, 14 June 2009 - $5.00 donation per guinea pig attending
|
| coordinator |
Carol Ann MacKinnon, Events Coordinator
|
| location |
Animal Refuge League, 449 Stroudwater Street, Westbrook Maine
|
| time |
11 AM to 2 PM
|
| rain
plans |
|
activities/
bring: |
Animal Refuge League's 1st Annual Pignic
cost: $5 per guinea pig
other guinea pig rescue groups are welcome to join us (for free)!
We're planning a salad bar for humans as well as guinea pigs; pens for the pigs to play; and tours of the shelter. We will make any pigs we have available for adoption, and there will be raffles, contests, and we're also hoping to have the shelter's exotic vet there to answer any basic medical questions. Each guinea pig will need to go through a cursory flea and mite check prior to being introduced to play groups, but we're expecting a wonderful turnout! |
| directions |
Animal Refuge League is located at 449 Stroudwater Street in Westbrook, Maine. Visit Mapquest for a map and directions.
Any questions about the Pignic can be directed to Carol Ann MacKinnon, Events Coordinator, at cmackinnon@arlgp.org or (207) 854-9771. |
| date |
Sunday, September 27, 2009
|
| coordinator |
Metropolitan Guinea Pig Rescue, info@mgpr.org
|
| location |
Sandymount Park,
2222 Old Westminster Pike, Finksburg, MD
|
| time |
12:00 to 4:00 PM
|
activities/
bring: |
his is a fun-filled day for all--including your piggies. Our Fall PIGSTRAVAGANZA! Pignic is held under a pavilion, and next to a grassy area. There is plenty of room for piggie playpens. However, the grass at Sandymount is treated, so you will need to bring towels or blankets to put under your cavies' playpen to prevent them from eating the grass.
If you don't want your pigs to mingle with others, be sure to bring your own playpen. Refreshments, both for you can your cavies, are highly recommended. For our human guests, will will be selling baked goodies; handmade pillows, blankets, and beds for piggies; and general guinea pig supplies like pellets, Carefresh, and hay. Bring your wallet, and feel good knowing that all proceeds are going to the rescue. |
| directions |
http://www.mapquest.com/mq/7-ltf*gFIJ |
Sponsored
by Twin
Cities Guinea Pig Rescue
| next date |
2009: target date of June
|
| coordinator |
Allysse
at tcgpr@comcast.net
|
| location |
Cherokee
Park, St. Paul. Located
on Cherokee Boulevard, between Annapolis and Baker Streets.
Visit the Cherokee Park website for more information.
|
| time |
11
AM to 5 PM
|
| rain
plans |
|
activities/
bring: |
Information will be posted on jpgpr.com (hopefully they'll update this listing, but just in case...). |
| directions |
Available
on the
Cherokee Park website |
| next date |
tbd
|
| coordinator |
Angel,
isaacshaven@comcast.net
|
| location |
Settler's
Cabin Park, Oakdale, PA
|
| time |
1
PM. We will be there by 12:30 pm to set up, so anyone staying
at the hotel the night before the pignic is welcome to come
meet with us while we set up.
|
| rain
plans |
|
| activities/
bring: |
|
| directions |
Settler's
Cabin Park is located at 1225 Greer Road in Oakdale, PA.
Mapquest
Directions and helpful information are available on the
park's website. |
| next date |
tbd |
| coordinator |
Dana,
dfhakes@aol.com
or Deb, debg43@ij.net
|
| location |
Largo SPCA Education Building
9099 130th Avenue,Largo,FL
view
map
|
| time |
11
AM to 2 PM
|
| rain
plans |
|
| activities/
bring: |
|
| directions |
Largo
SPCA Education Building
9099 130th Avenue,Largo,FL
view
map |
| next date |
May 31, 2009 |
| coordinator |
Selina,
arabandme@hotmail.com
|
| location |
Pinafore Park
St. Thomas, ON |
| time |
1
pm to 4 pm
|
| rain
plans |
Pignic
is on, rain or shine! Hoping that no rain comes (close call the last couple of years)
|
| activities/
bring: |
There will be signs posted to show the way to the pignic. Please bring chairs or blankets to sit on. There will be some drinks and food, but don't hestitate to bring some food and drinks for people and cavies. Washrooms are nearby. There is a silent auction of a couple of items and the money raised will be donated to London Humane Society (where I got two of my guinea pigs). I will be constructing a large sow's and boar's pens (separate of course).
|
| directions |
from Windsor:
401 East, exit off Col. Talbot Road South (Hwy 4),
turn right on Sunset Drive, left on Elm Street and Park
is on right hand side
from Toronto: 401 West, exit off Wellington Road South in
London
(turns into Sunset Drive), left on Elm Street and Park is
on right hand side |
| next date |
tbd |
| coordinator |
Stephanie, stephpellatt@hotmail.com
|
| location |
Trinity Bellwoods Park
(by the logs, north of the children's play area) |
| time |
12
pm to 3 pm
|
| rain
plans |
tbd
|
| activities/
bring: |
your own pen/cage, as well as old towels or blankets to place under
your pens. There will be no spare cages, so you must bring your own! Best thing to bring are linking cubes for pens.
You will also need to bring a cavy water bottle. Hay and pellets are a good idea, too. If you have any cavy related items to sell, bring them along!
|
| directions |
Trinity Bellwoods Park (Wikipedia) |
I get a lot of emails on how to start
a Pignic. It only requires a little bit of work at the
start -- you must find a gathering place that is easily accessible
to everyone, and is free of chemicals if you are outside. The
area should not be a popular dog-playing place, either. Having
shade is essential; for many Pignics, people meet near trees.
Bathroom facilities should be nearby. State Parks are a great
option.
For some parks, you must obtain a permit to meet.
This can easily be obtained through the park's governing authority.
Generally, these are the people who could tell you if the grass
is free of chemicals and generally dog-free as well. Once you
have chosen a date and have your permit, all you have to do is
get the word out! Some Pignics have planned activities, and others
are just a casual picnic gathering. Look at the Pignics featured
above for ideas.
You will definitely want to suggest that people
bring materials to help set up and expand pens. In the photo above,
white wire shelving has been used to create a boys' pen, while
Creative Cubes border the (much more crowded) Girls' Pen. At the
very top of the photo, you will notice that a cage top has been
used - this is a "solitary confinement" idea for pigs
that do not get along well with others. Twist ties are essential,
so bring a lot.
Another essential item is "wet" veggies
and fruits, like cucumber and melon, that will help prevent the
piggies from becoming too dehyrated in the sun. Make sure your
spot has some shade and/or dappled sunlight, for both people and
pigs.
Once everyone arrives at your Pignic, it is a
great idea to get a general consensus of how often you would want
to meet, and whether the location you chose is ideal. Then, just
plan on returning to that spot the next time! The New England
Pignic, the original, has been happening since 1996 at the same
place -- Stanley Park in Westfield, Massachusetts. The location
was chosen to accommodate people coming from upstate New York,
Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, and New Hampshire. Many people
will drive a couple of hours to spend a day with fellow piggy
fanatics. :)
Pignic Rules and EtiquetteBefore you attend the Pignic, check your piggies for lice or any disease. If your pig shows signs of lice, please do not take him or her to a Pignic. If you are unsure about checking for lice, have the Pignic Coordinator check your pig upon arrival - and of course, if your pig is contagious at ALL, keep him or her in a separate pen!
Pens are for pigs, not for people. Please stay out of the pens. People stepping into the pens pose a huge risk of injury to the pigs. If the pens are set up to be long and narrow, people should be able to reach into the pens to retrieve guinea pigs if needed.
Label the pens. Signs clipped on the pen walls indicating Girls and Boys will help new arrivals get placed in the right pen.
Keep chairs/kennels/bags/etc a few feet away from the pens. People are by the pens all the time, and the less clutter around the pens, the less likely an accident will happen. And on that thought....
If you are next to the pens: kneel or sit. We love to chat about our piggies, and we all love to be right next to the pens. Keeping low while next to the pens allows everyone to have a clear view, and minimizes the risk of tripping over the walls of the pens.
Handle piggies with care. If you are still a novice, ask before you pick up ANY pig. Guinea pigs have different personalities, and people can be bitten if they hold guinea pigs incorrectly. Even worse, startled pigs can (and many have!) jump out of laps. Some more thoughts on handling pigs:
- Use towels to pick up and hold pigs. Many guinea pigs are nervous at being picked up. Having a hand towel available to wrap them up will give you a better handle on the pig, and give the pig a little more security. Towels are always available at Pignics.
- Do not hold a boar next to the sows' pen, or vice versa. The scent of the opposite sex can cause stress, or worse - cause fights! Keep boys and girls separate, and make sure you return the pig to the right pen!
- Be aware of stressful stimuli. Car horns, trains, and other ambient sounds can startle piggies and cause them to bolt.
- Finally, keep handling to a minimum. Children, especially, get excited about holding pigs, and often try to pick up many pigs during a Pignic. Try to be gentle, calm, and aware that Pignics are for relaxation - for piggies and people alike!
Pigs do not always play well with others. Observe your pig(s) throughout the Pignic. Even docile piggies can get aggressive, and many Pignics have seen some pretty angry fighting. Small "timeout" pens should always be available, and known aggressive piggies should be kept separate from the main pens.
Don't be afraid to ask questions. There is a wealth of knowledge at these pignics. People come from a variety of backgrounds and have a ton of hands-on experience with a bunch of different issues. How to trim nails, clean anal sacs, what to look for illnesses, where to find good hay and pellets, where to find a good vet. If you are skilled in nail trimming, bring your tools and teach beginners how to trim nails!
Photos from past Pignics are
available on the CavyMadness Photo Gallery
page.
|
|
