A significant rescue operation is currently taking place in South Los Angeles where reports have indicated that between 400 and 500 guinea pigs were discovered in deplorable conditions at a residence.
The Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue (SCGPR) reported on Sunday that their volunteers have begun the painstaking process of caring for these small animals after removing dozens in an initial effort.
Last Thursday, SCGPR, along with a coalition of private rescue groups, managed to rescue 33 guinea pigs, focusing particularly on the most vulnerable,
including heavily pregnant females, nursing mothers, and young babies.
Valerie Warren, CEO of SCGPR, informed City News Service that despite the difficult circumstances, most of the rescued guinea pigs are slowly starting to relax and appear to be doing well, albeit with some distressing exceptions.
“A baby only hours old when taken from the property did die on Saturday,” Warren stated, underscoring the urgent conditions from which these animals were rescued.
According to Warren, the overwhelming population of guinea pigs had been left behind by a previous tenant, and the current tenant was pressured by the landlord to either rehome the animals or face eviction.
“They moved out and left behind an already rather large group. This group continued to breed out of control in the months leading up to our intervention,” she explained.
Warren went on to express that the current residents were genuinely trying to care for the animals given the challenging situation they encountered.
In collaboration with other rescue organizations such as Rescue Garden, Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption, and Vegas Friends of Guinea Pigs Rescue, SCGPR aims to foster or adopt out these guinea pigs, should they be able to secure the remaining animals from the property.
Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) is scheduled to visit the site on Wednesday or Thursday to confiscate the rest of the guinea pigs. “Once LA Animal Services has possession, we can continue our work on finding homes,” Warren noted.
She also emphasized that they have received inquiries from numerous other small animal rescues across the country eager to assist in this rescue effort, but stressed that the organization must wait for animal control to handle their procedures before proceeding any further.
On Saturday, Warren expressed disappointment over the initial response from LAAS, which had reportedly visited the location and concluded that the animals’ needs were being sufficiently met.
“Given that our rescue team witnessed firsthand the severity of the situation, LA Animal Services’ statements are profoundly troubling and contradict the animal welfare standards we stand for,” SCGPR asserted.
Warren indicated there are plans for Animal Services to return next week to reassess and possibly remove the remaining animals, although representatives have also mentioned resource limitations preventing them from accommodating such a massive influx of guinea pigs.
During their Thursday visit, SCGPR volunteers observed numerous distressing conditions, which included:
– Deceased animals on the property
– Numerous medical issues, such as ringworm, head tilt, tumors, open wounds, and hair loss
– Overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions
– An alarming number of pregnant females and newborn babies
– An improper diet limited to cornhusks
– Insufficient hydration sources, with a single water bottle available for 80 to 100 guinea pigs
Warren explained the urgent breeding cycle, stating, “Female guinea pigs can be bred immediately after giving birth, and male and female babies must be separated by the age of three to four weeks, or they can breed.”
She added, “It’s a vicious cycle that can quickly get out of hand. We witnessed the breeding happening right before our eyes on our visit.”
The SCGPR is exploring options to safely transport some of the animals across the country to reputable rescues and sanctuaries, which, if successful, could considerably increase their capacity to save these lives.
“We urge the public to follow our social media pages for updates as we develop this effort,” Warren said.
Experts remind potential pet owners that guinea pigs require specific care and diet, which makes them less than ideal pets for young children, but for those prepared for the commitment, they can be warm and loving companions.
The average lifespan of a guinea pig ranges from five to seven years, underscoring the long-term responsibility involved in adopting such a pet.
For those interested in helping or adopting, SCGPR can be reached at socalguineapigrescue.org or by email at [email protected]. Rescue Garden can be contacted at [email protected].
image source from：patch
