WHAT TO DO IF YOU FIND A GUINEA PIG

California is facing a CRISIS with unwanted guinea pigs being dumped at alarming rates. We are receiving messages weekly now from people who have found guinea pigs in dumpsters, hiking trails, abandoned homes, sidewalks, public parks, behind banks, in the middle of streets, you get the idea!

Domestic guinea pigs CANNOT survive in the streets of your neighborhood much less the wild. They are susceptible to heat stroke, they have little to no survival skills other than hiding, and are at risk of being killed or harmed by predators. Due to their specific dietary needs, they usually cannot find anything to eat when dumped to fend for themselves .

80% of a guinea pigs diet is hay! They can eat fresh grass if that is their only option BUT they need hay!

If you have found guinea pigs and have taken the action to try and save them, congratulations, you are one of the good humans on this planet, we need more of you!

PLEASE NOTE: This is not a comprehensive guide on how to care for guinea pigs. This is a quick guide for anyone who has just found guinea pigs and needs to know what to do immediately to keep them alive while you seek assistance and work on a long term plan.

For more in depth information - See our complete Guinea Pig Care Guide here

Guinea pigs are prey animals and naturally run and hide. If you are having trouble catching the guinea pigs, try these techniques:

Block off their escape route and set up a box or open crate with a towels inside
Place veggies like cilantro, romaine and carrots inside the box/crate
Crinkle a plastic bag
Play sounds of guinea pigs making noise, this is called WHEEKING
Try to coax them from behind so they run into the box/crate
You can also use a pool net to GENTLY catch them.
Raccoon traps can work, cover the trap with a towel and place a towel and veggies inside, the more inviting the better.

GUINEA PIGS ARE DOMESTICATED ANIMALS, THEY DO NOT WANT TO BE OUT THERE FENDING FOR THEMSELVES, THEY WOULD RATHER BE IN A SAFE COZY CAGE WITH ALL OF THE HAY, PELLETS AND COMFORTS THAT THEY NEED.

You Caught Them! Now What?

First off, don't be afraid to pick them up. They are more afraid of you, than you need be of them.

Gently look them over, do you see any open wounds, missing hair, heavy breathing, anything alarming about their condition?

If you are at all concerned about injuries or their medical condition, please seek veterinary care as soon as possible

Scotty's Animals has a good nationwide VET LIST

If you think they need medical care and you cannot take them to a vet, you NEED to take the guinea pig to your nearest animal control or humane society. At the very least, the animal shelter will be able to humanely euthanize them if their condition is so bad that recovery isn't possible.

Don't wait for a reply from a rescue like ours. Rescues are often entirely volunteer run and like you, we have no access to after hours veterinary care. City and County shelters usually have a veterinarian on staff.

If in Los Angeles. You can find 24 hour emergency care HERE

Make a Temporary Cage

Feed Them

So What's Next?

You need to set them up in a temporary safe spot. An empty bathtub with towels,

a cat carrier or dog crate down makes a great temporary pen.

A large plastic tub with the lid off and a towel on the bottom works well in a pinch. If you have nothing else, a large open cardboard box with towels down will do for the night.

Guinea pigs like to have a place to hide, if you have space in their temporary cage you can make a hidey house for them. Take a box and cut out the bottom off and cut a doorway for them.

How to video here

Guinea pigs need to eat hay, that's the most important part of their diet. You can pick up a box of hay at your local pet store in the small pet department.

You can also get Orchard or Timothy hay at a tack and feed, or equestrian supply store if you have one near you.

They also need pellets and a water bowl or bottle.

PLEASE get the guinea pigs hay the same day you take them in.

THEY NEED THESE THINGS ASAP!

You'll need to figure out if you have male or female guinea pigs. If you have multiple pigs of both sexes, the girls are likely pregnant and will need to be separated. This video can help determine the sex of a guinea pig.

Can you foster? If you are in LA, OC or Ventura County and can foster these guinea pigs that you have found, we will set you up with a proper cage and get you up to speed on all care info.

If you can't care for them, your nearest shelter may be their only option. You can also post on your local Nextdoor group and ask all of your friends and family members if they would like to adopt some adorable guinea pigs.

Thank You For Stepping Up And Saving Their Lives

If you've found an abandoned guinea pig and have taken the above steps to make sure they are safe, secure and fed, please contact us.

Sadly, we cannot take in every guinea pig in need, but we will help in any way we can.

Pregnant mamas and young nursing babies are urgent, and we will do our best to make room for them. We are a small foster based rescue made up of dedicated people just like you! If you can foster the guinea pigs that you have found or know someone who can, we will be able to set you up with all supplies and guidance you need.