Milton Keynes RSPCA support rescue of more than 100 guinea pigs from ONE home

A total of 120 guinea pigs were removed with four having to be put to sleep while a few remained with the owner and put into same sex-pairs to prevent further breeding.

Some of the pets are being cared for by the RSPCA Milton Keynes and North Bucks Branch which took 21, and RSPCA South Bucks which has taken 10.

The guinea pigs were kept in large groups and removed after the owner requested help with the animals getting vet and health checks before being placed in foster care or at centres.

The charity worked with the owner to reduce numbers as the pets had been breeding at a rapid pace. However the number in RSPCA care is expected to increase as many of the females were pregnant.

The owner is now working with a team at Woodgreen Pets Charity which been supporting the RSPCA following the rescue.

The rescue comes as Guinea Pig Awareness Week (October 26-30 ) urges owners to carry out Piggy MOTs to help prevent welfare problems arising.

RSPCA Animal Rescue Officer Maya Thakrar, who led “Operation Guinea Pig”, said: “I have been blown away by the support of my colleagues at our branches and centres who all offered to help take on these little ones at such short notice.

“This rescue is just one of those multi-animal rescues we are having to deal with and we are struggling and need help.

“The charity is desperately appealing for donations and adopters to come forward to help its under- pressure centres and branches, who have taken on the large number of small furries at short notice.

“We are getting amazing support from other animal charities and our brilliant network of RSPCA branches but we are all under immense strain. We would urge anyone that can help to please do so - either by adopting a rescue pet from us, or by donating to the branches and centres who are caring for these animals.

“As with many multi-animal rescues this was not a case of deliberate cruelty - but something we are seeing far too often when people are overwhelmed unintentionally by not neutering early enough. In many cases the best route is to offer advice and support such as neutering and rehoming some of the animals, so they are at more manageable levels.”

Karen Cruickshanks Head of RSPCA South Bucks Branch added: “We have some fantastic and very experienced guinea pig fosterers, who will slowly socialise them and build up their confidence and trust in people as they are currently very scared and hiding.

Some guinea pigs are available for rehoming and potential adopters can find more information online.