The RSPCA is tackling a big rise within the numbers of guinea pigs who’re being given up by their homeowners or cruelly deserted.
Overbreeding of guinea pigs and the continued impression of the cost of dwelling disaster, in addition to a lack of information concerning the species by inexperienced homeowners, is hitting the small creatures exhausting – leaving RSPCA sources at breaking level.
The latest figures from the animal charity exhibits there was a 37% enhance within the numbers of guinea pigs taken in by its animal centres in the course of the first eight months of this yr in comparison with the identical interval in 2022.
In all 237 guinea pigs arrived into the care of the charity as much as August, which is already almost as many as had been taken in throughout the entire of 2022. This worrying development appears effectively established – with final yr’s consumption of 253 marking a 77% rise on the earlier yr, mirroring an increase within the numbers of rabbits and different small furry animals that the charity has been left to take care of and rehome – together with huge rises within the numbers of rats (193%) and mice (191%) over the identical interval.
As it goals to cope with the disaster, the RSPCA is backing Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW), which runs from September 25 to 29 with the goal of training the general public concerning the welfare wants of the small animals.
This yr’s theme for GPAW is ‘Rescue and Rehome’ with the main focus additionally on discovering without end properties for the hundreds of guinea pigs who’re being cared for at animal centres throughout the nation, with each RSPCA and people run by different animal welfare organisations.
Dr Jane Tyson, the RSPCA’s small animals welfare knowledgeable, stated: “Pet possession rose considerably in the course of the pandemic and folks typically suppose that guinea pigs will make good starter pets for his or her youngsters.
“But, like other small animals, they actually have complex needs and they are not easy or cheap to care for well. Owners don’t always correctly sex small animals either, so a pair can quickly spiral into double figures and beyond.”
Guinea pigs are sociable animals and homeowners are suggested to maintain two or extra collectively. But that may result in undesirable litters if there are unneutered men and women. Breeding can quickly get uncontrolled – and moms can get pregnant once more inside hours of giving beginning with pregnancies lasting solely 9 to 10 weeks.
Swelling the numbers within the care of the RSPCA not too long ago had been 45 guinea pigs who had been signed over to the RSPCA Sussex North & Brighton Branch together with 38 rabbits. The pets had been being stored in overcrowded situations within the yard of a property in Bognor Regis by an proprietor who turned overwhelmed after beginning with solely a handful of pets.
The RSPCA labored with the proprietor to take away round 15 extra guinea pigs who had been positioned with an authorised foster carer.
The charity’s officers at all times supply recommendation and schooling to homeowners to deal with instances of overbreeding – and knowledgeable steerage in a downloadable digital pack is being made available as a part of Guinea Pig Awareness Week.
It contains recommendation on ensuring guinea pigs are stored in an appropriate surroundings with sufficient area inside their properties and enclosures to train and discover.
Guinea pigs also needs to have a spread of toys, tunnels and hiding locations readily available to allow them to exhibit their pure inquisitive behaviour.
GPAW can also be being supported by Woodgreen Pets Charity, Blue Cross and Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare.
A spokesperson for GPAW stated: “Given the rising variety of guinea pigs in rescues and in want of loving properties, it’s actually vital that we educate as many house owners as attainable in order that these fantastic creatures can reside the blissful life they deserve.
“We know that rescue centres play a vital role in ensuring that owners have access to the right information about guinea pigs, which is why we would love to see more rescues than ever downloading and sharing our free digital packs in support of this year’s GPAW.”
There is a wealth of data and recommendation on the RSPCA website to information current homeowners and anybody who could also be contemplating including guinea pigs to their household.
Before making the dedication of possession it’s price realizing that:
- Typically guinea pigs can reside for 5 to 6 years and a few could reside longer
- Guinea pigs are energetic as much as 20 hours per day, solely sleeping for brief durations
- They are extremely social creatures – within the wild they reside in household teams of 5 to 10
- They get lonely and shouldn’t be stored alone – they’re happiest in pairs or small teams
- Guinea pigs want a excessive fibre weight loss program supplemented with vitamin C
