GSPCA focuses on Guinea Pigs for awareness month

Sunday 04 March 2018

During March each year, animal rescue centres around the world celebrate and promote "Adopt a Rescue Guinea Pig Month."

With 14 currently being cared for by the GSPCA, the charity is hoping to find new homes for more of them.

The 14 guinea pigs are male and two are already awaiting rehoming, while 12 more are needing a "loving new owner". The GSPCA has named them all with Yertle, Terrific Whatzit, Raphael, Mudface, Morla, Moriarty, Michelangelo, Mack, Filimore, Filigree, Donatello and Alderman Ptolemy all sharing similar social natures.

Guinea pigs are among one of the animals most currently seen at the animal shelter in St Andrews. Last year staff and volunteers cared for nearly 100, and on average they treat more guinea pigs than cats and dogs.

The animal welfare charity says anyone considering adopting a guinea pigs - or Cavia porcellus to give them their Latin name - has to consider a few things first:

• Guinea Pigs live on average around five to seven years, sometimes longer
• Guinea pigs are very social animals and will be happiest living with other guinea pigs but you should keep a same-sex pair to ensure you don't have any unwanted litters. Females can be kept together, as can males without any issues, but personality issues mean some may clash
• Guinea pigs need a lot of floor space, and most cages marketed as guinea pig cages are much too small, especially for a pair
• Guinea Pigs are mainly quiet but they do make a distinctive wheeking or whistling type sound
• Guinea Pigs may be nervous or skittish at first, but with consistent gentle handling, they usually become tame very easily but careful handling is a must
• Guinea Pig require Vitamin C and need to get it from their diet

Beckie Bailey, Animal Care Assistant at the GSPCA, said “To celebrate Adopt a Rescue Guinea Pig Month we have been taking some pictures of our lovely guinea pigs. We have 12 in need of homes at the GSPCA and it would be lovely to rehome them all during Adopt a Guinea Pig Month to lovely new owners.”

Helen Holmes, Admininstration Manager at the animal shelter added, they have been quiet this week due to the wintry weather so they spent some time with the guinea pigs: “Due to the snow we didn’t have many visitors to the GSPCA so after the morning clean we created a photo studio and gave our guinea pigs some extra warm cuddles and treats while they enjoyed their circus piggy photo set.”

Steve Byrne GSPCA Manager insisted the guinea pigs enjoyed their photo shoot! “We certainly don’t promote or advocate wild animals at all in a Circus but we have some lovely props that we used yesterday for a bit of fun to take pictures of some of the guinea pigs looking for loving new homes at the GSPCA.

“They seemed to enjoy the attention although it was their first professional photo set.”

For more information call the GSPCA on 257261 or email admin@gspca.org.gg