An RSPCA animal centre is interesting for assist to rehome practically 100 cute guinea pigs.

Staff and volunteers on the charity's Leybourne Animal Centre have been caring for the small pets for the final three months. Earlier plans to search out new properties for them needed to be placed on maintain when the guinea pigs sadly contracted a contagious ringworm an infection - now they're prepared to search out their loving new homeowners.

The pets, who're all aged from three to 6 months, wanted to be quarantined and nursed by workers sporting PPE. It proved to be a significant operation as half of the preliminary consumption of 63 guinea pigs who arrived on the Kent centre in November have been pregnant females, who've since given start to litters and numbers have risen to 93.

Happily, the entire animals, who have been faraway from a farm within the East Midlands, have been given a clear invoice of well being. Leybourne has already hosted visits from potential adopters however is interesting for extra small animal lovers to get in contact. 

Leybourne supervisor Darren Parrish says it might be most well-liked if individuals may tackle blended female and male pairs.

"Our workers have labored extraordinarily exhausting as not solely have the numbers of guinea pigs soared over the past eight weeks however once we took them into the centre they examined constructive for ringworm,” defined Darren. 

"We'd deliberate to place them with foster carers in a short time as a part of the rehoming course of. But they've wanted medical remedy, which has meant quarantining the guinea pigs and our workers have worn PPE when dealing with them. They have been medicated every day and we adopted a strict cleansing regime which has meant throwing every part away and stripping out all their bedding.

"But we had had an enormous response from the area people in Kent, who've helped us make life comfy for the guinea pigs. There have been beneficiant donations of hay and newspapers for bedding in addition to feed and veg. It's superb what we will obtain collectively for animal welfare.

"Now we have been given the all-clear to rehome them and we have quite a bit to search out properties for. Rehoming is such an essential a part of our work to create a greater world for each animal. The RSPCA turns 200 years old this yr - and discovering all these guinea pigs loving new properties can be an incredible approach to rejoice.”

The centre is searching for homeowners who can make investments time and sources into taking care of their guinea pigs. The small animals have advanced wants and they don't seem to be simple or low-cost to take care of nicely. 

Potential homeowners should be prepared to supply appropriate sized lodging, with a minimal measurement of 5 x 2ft ground area they usually should reveal a long-term dedication. The pets' cages also needs to comprise a variety of enrichment toys and tunnels to allow them to exhibit their pure inquisitive behaviour.

They'll additionally want a excessive fibre weight loss plan and because the guinea pigs have been raised indoors it's most well-liked they go to indoor properties or heated sheds at the moment of the yr.

Guinea pigs are very social animals and must dwell in pairs/teams. Darren says there have been requests to tackle the feminine guinea pigs, however the centre is primarily taking a look at functions from individuals who need blended female and male pairs.

Darren added: "Although some individuals would possibly suppose guinea pigs are a simple pet to take care of, that's removed from the truth, and folks do must do a little bit of analysis to allow them to take care of their new pets correctly.

"We advocate particular lodging sizes as usually it is the case individuals do not suppose guinea pigs want a lot residing area, which they do, they usually additionally want an excellent sized run to train. They additionally want a relentless provide of greens and greens as their our bodies are completely different to rabbits, for instance, who can tackle board vitamin C."

Anyone occupied with taking up blended pairs of guinea pigs from Leybourne can electronic mail images of their lodging to [email protected] and fill in a perfect match form.

Prospective homeowners may also discover skilled steerage on taking care of guinea pigs on this downloadable digital pack and on the RSPCA's web site.

This yr the RSPCA celebrates its two hundredth birthday. To mark this particular anniversary the animal welfare charity needs to encourage a million individuals to hitch their motion to enhance animals' lives.

Find out extra about rehoming

• Start your seek for a particular pet at the moment.
• Help and help for adopters
• Find out who's eligible to rehome a pet