Pictured above are over 29 guinea pigs found in a dumpster, next to their 15 already deceased friends in the freezing cold temperatures of November in Philadelphia. It was 45 degrees outside that Saturday when they were found. Only 22 of those guinea pigs are still alive from the original 29 found.

They are only a few of the thousands of guinea pigs that are abandoned each year. 

Guinea pigs are being abandoned, surrendered, and rehomed at alarming rates. We have taken in guinea pigs left at train stations in October, left in parks in the summer heat, and rescued them from large breeding groups of twelve or more from the homes of people who only wanted the "beginner friendly", "family pet" they were promised at the pet store. And of course, the endless stream of people who purchased one or more from the pet store and then soon realized they were "too much work" and not suited for their lifestyle, and are unable to return them to the very pet store they purchased from, because they wouldn't be sell-able. The production and sale of these creatures like objects are akin to puppy mills selling to pet stores. It has to stop, and the time is now.

At seventeen years old, I became quite fond of a class pet guinea pig named Thomas, having not known much about guinea pigs at all prior. My dream had always been to own a dog rescue, but life had other plans. I began researching and was quickly immersed in learning about these incredible little creatures––who knew there was an entire community dedicated to caring for, learning about, and spreading knowledge of their care?

It turns out they are vastly misunderstood and mistreated, but on this little corner of the internet, there are passionate and absolutely devoted people who have spent countless hours of work toward creating a better and more understanding future for guinea pigs. I was astonished to learn about such a niche community that I felt was so deeply important that others knew about. It had only been a few weeks of learning of all the lies and mistreatment that completely changed my perspective, and it was soon that I adopted my first two from my local SPCA and began my own guinea pig rescue.

My passion––and truly, life's mission––started just over three years ago now, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic. Over the years, I grew with these animals and worked with over 260 of them. I helped countless families in dire situations, and at first, admittedly––I blamed the people.

It was easy to just say that people were so often callous in their commitment to these furry little beings, continually mistaking their care requirements and needs to be "easy", only to give them up when they realized they needed more than what was advertised. But over time, after seeing these desperate people in these situations time and time again, receiving the same reasons for needing to rehome them, and seeing these innocent animals tossed in the street... it dawned on me. People are not the problem. 

When it comes down to it, why are these people in these situations? Is it, perhaps, that they were wrong to believe what they were told (or not told!) by the very place they purchased them from? Are people wrong for entrusting the place they purchase their pets from with having and providing all of the necessities and information in order to give them the best life possible? Are people at fault for believing that the guinea pigs they purchased are not sick, pregnant, or the opposite sex of what they were told? The answer? Because the general public are not the ones responsible for these animals, the places that sell them for profit are.

These people and innocent animals have been systemically failed.

Shelters and rescues in Pennsylvania are overwhelmed constantly with an overflow of animals––we have taken steps to ban puppy mills. Why do we allow pet stores to sell guinea pigs when there is an overpopulation crisis? The mills guinea pigs are bred in are no different than a puppy mill. There are hundreds of guinea pigs listed for "sale" or rehoming, often being given away for free from desperate people on sites like Craigslist. Go see for yourself. Seriously––look up your city/county + "Craigslist" (ex. Philadelphia Craigslist) and search "guinea pig".

We must ban guinea pig sales in Pennsylvania to put an end to the needless suffering––we are sick of the mistreatment of these animals, the false advertising, and the zero regulations for selling them. It has all led to a devastating number of innocent guinea pigs in situations they never should have been in, with people, and children, suffering for selfishness and greed. 

Help us help them. It is getting colder. They cannot speak for themselves––it is now or never.