Cage Space: Provide a spacious cage of at least 5ft by 2ft (or in meters) on a single level. Avoid multi-level cages, as they can restrict movement and discourage natural behaviors.
Indoor Environment: Guinea pigs should live in a cozy indoor environment throughout the year. An outdoor run can be an enriching addition, but it should not be their primary living space.
Safe Bedding: Protect your guinea pigs' delicate respiratory system and skin by avoiding woodshavings or sawdust as bedding. Opt for safe alternatives like Megazorb, Fitch, Carefresh, fleece, or Vetbed, and provide plenty of hay for foraging and playing.
Child Interactions: Children are welcome to meet our guinea pigs at the rescue. Ensure that they can interact calmly and respectfully with these gentle creatures. Guinea pigs should be considered family pets, with the ultimate responsibility for their care falling on adults.
What we Don't Do
School or Non-Private Environments: To ensure consistent and high-quality care, we do not rehome guinea pigs to schools or other non-private settings.
Outdoor Overnight Accommodation: Guinea pigs are sensitive to temperature extremes and should not be exposed to outdoor conditions overnight.
Single or Rabbit Housing: Guinea pigs are social creatures and thrive in the company of their own kind. Living alone or with rabbits can lead to loneliness and behavioral issues.
Breeding: We prioritize finding loving homes for guinea pigs and do not rehome them for breeding purposes.
Bonding with Existing Guinea Pigs
Expert Supervision: If you already have guinea pigs, we carefully facilitate the bonding process at our rescue. This involves a 24-hour observation period to ensure compatibility and a successful group dynamic.
Personalised Matching: We closely observe your guinea pig's interactions with our guinea pigs to determine a suitable match. Not all guinea pigs are compatible, and we prioritise their personalities to ensure a harmonious pairing.
Consider Neutering: In some cases, we may recommend neutering male guinea pigs if we have exhausted other options for successful pairings.
Respecting Bonds: We value the strong bonds that guinea pigs form and never separate them. Introducing a new guinea pig to an existing pair can be challenging, and we generally advise against it.
Expanding Your Herd: Expanding your guinea pig family requires careful consideration. We recommend starting with a group of single guinea pigs or introducing larger groups together.
Adoption Process
Initial Contact: Reach out to us via our contact form (link provided below) to express your interest in adopting a guinea pig.
Home Assessment: Share insights into your home environment and provide pictures of your setup. We may schedule a home visit to ensure your home is suitable for guinea pigs.
Meet Your Match: Visit us at our rescue in Richmond to interact with our available guinea pigs and find the perfect companion for your home.
Adoption Forever: Once you've found your furry friend, complete the adoption process and welcome your new guinea pig into your loving home.