Individuals want to know guinea pigs higher, says the RSPCA, which has seen a 40% improve within the variety of guinea pigs going into care at their nationwide centres.
| Two guinea pigs on the RSPCA’s West Hatch Animal Centre close to Taunton, England. Photograph: RSPCA. |
Guinea pigs make wonderful pets as a result of they’re enjoyable, social creatures. However some guinea pigs within the UK are having a tough time, with the RSPCA seeing a 40% improve within the numbers of guinea pigs going into care of their nationwide centres. The figures have been launched for the UK’s Guinea Pig Consciousness Week which runs from 20-24 October. The week is a nationwide marketing campaign geared toward growing consciousness of those beautiful pets.
RSPCA figures present that up till the tip of September this yr, 373 guinea pigs had been reported deserted, a rise of 34% on final yr. And a complete of 287 had been taken in to RSPCA nationwide centres in England and Wales, 81 greater than in the identical interval final yr.
There are a number of causes for this improve, based on the RSPCA. They embrace the price of dwelling disaster, the over breeding of guinea pigs, and other people’s lack of knowledge about what guinea pigs want.
Deserted guinea pigs
Among the many instances investigated by the RSPCA this yr had been two guinea pigs who had been discovered deserted in an unzipped pet service, hidden in a nature reserve in Kent. One was aged and unresponsive. A vet made the troublesome resolution to place him to sleep to finish his struggling. The opposite, now named Hedwig (pictured), was rescued and efficiently rehomed by the charity.
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| Hedwig the guinea pig. Photograph: RSPCA. |
RSPCA Inspector Kirsten Ormerod, who led the investigation, stated:
“Abandonment is a really merciless solution to deal with defenceless animals. These guinea pigs had been left to fend for themselves in a public place, uncovered to every kind of risks. It’s heartbreaking that one couldn’t be saved, however ending his ache was the kindest possibility.”
Again in June, 5 guinea pigs had been found dumped in a nappy field at a cemetery in Herne Bay. In Might greater than 100 guinea pigs had been faraway from the identical property and had been taken into animal centres throughout the nation.
The charity is urging members of the general public to take any discovered or deserted guinea pigs to the closest veterinary follow to allow them to obtain quick care.
What guinea pigs want
Guinea Pig Consciousness Week highlights the 5 key welfare wants of guinea pigs: surroundings, weight-reduction plan, behaviour, companionship, and well being. This yr’s focus is on guaranteeing guinea pigs are saved snug, obtain correct care, and are given the companionship they should thrive.
Guinea pigs are social creatures and can’t be saved on their very own. Within the wild, they stay in teams of 5 to 10. So in order for you a guinea pig as a pet, you want not less than two of them.
Dr Sam Gaines, Head of Companion Animals on the RSPCA stated:
“Guinea pigs have wonderful and distinctive personalities and may make fantastic pets – it is unbelievable to rejoice them throughout Guinea Pig Consciousness Week.
“But it surely’s additionally important that homeowners perceive and meet their welfare wants. Offering an acceptable surroundings, the suitable weight-reduction plan, and alternatives to specific pure behaviours is essential to making sure their wellbeing.
“Enrichment – equivalent to toys, tunnels and loads of hiding locations – helps stop boredom. As a result of guinea pigs are prey animals, they’re typically delicate in how they present ache or misery, so homeowners needs to be conversant in their regular behaviours so as to spot when one thing isn’t proper.”
Sam added that companionship is commonly ignored:
“Guinea pigs ought to by no means stay alone. Ideally, they need to be saved in single-sex pairs or teams, or a neutered male with a number of females. Neutering males is strongly suggested earlier than housing them with females to forestall breeding. Feminine neutering is feasible however extra advanced.”
As prey animals, guinea pigs could be cautious. Their response to a menace is to freeze, after which they could run to a burrow or different protected place. It’s necessary to supply burrows, tunnels, and different locations to cover of their surroundings.
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| Guinea pigs Rafaello and Ferrero. Photograph: RSPCA |
Think about getting guinea pigs from the RSPCA
As they take care of the inflow of guinea pigs, the RSPCA would love individuals to know that they will undertake guinea pigs (and different animals, together with rabbits) from their centres and branches.
Among the many guinea pigs presently in RSPCA care and in search of a brand new house are eight-year-old Raffaello and four-year-old Ferrero (pictured above) at the RSPCA’s Bryn-y-Maen Animal Centre – a bonded pair faraway from unsuitable lodging in very poor situation.
Additionally on the centre is 5 month outdated Enzo (pictured beneath). The RSPCA say that he’s somewhat on the shy facet, however is rising in confidence each day. He’s inquisitive and likes to discover his environment, and hunt down tasty treats! He’s searching for a brand new house with a bunch of guinea pigs to bond with.
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| Enzo the guinea pig beneath a shelter. Guinea pigs have to have burrows and shelters. Photograph: RSPCA |
Guinea pig info
- Guinea pigs sometimes stay for five or 6 years, however some stay for for much longer
- Guinea pigs are energetic for as much as 20 hours a day. They solely sleep for brief intervals.
- Guinea pigs are extremely social creatures and will by no means be saved alone. Companionship is crucial for his or her psychological wellbeing.
- Excessive-quality hay ought to make up 85-90% of guinea pigs’ weight-reduction plan, alongside recent greens and meals supplemented with vitamin C.
- Guinea pigs don’t have the enzyme that synthesizes vitamin C and may solely retailer it for brief occasions, which is why their weight-reduction plan must be supplemented with it.
- Hay and/or grass is crucial to assist put on guinea pigs’ tooth down, as a result of their tooth develop on a regular basis.
- Within the wild, their territory can cowl 1500 sq. meters.
Guinea Pig Consciousness Week
Guinea Pig Consciousness Week is organized by Burgess Excel and supported by 5 UK animal welfare charities: RSPCA, Wooden Inexperienced, Blue Cross, Raystede Centre for Animal Welfare, and Guinea Pig Welfare UK.
You will get the RSPCA’s information to the right way to handle your guinea pigs right here.
You may additionally like: Guinea pigs and domestication.
