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Three rescued baby guinea pigs.
Happy National Adopt a Guinea Pig Month! Every March, guinea pig rescues and cavy caretakers across the country celebrate Adopt a Guinea Pig Month by highlighting the good work done by rescue organizations that shelter, care for and adopt out thousands of guinea pigs each year.
This March, lend a helping hand to these amazing rescues and shelters that are taking care of so many forgotten guinea pigs. What can you do? We’re so glad you asked!
#1. Volunteer Time ⏰
Estella the special-needs cavy.
Source: Harvest Home Animal Sanctuary
Guinea pig rescues everywhere are staffed by caring people just like you who want to make the world a better place for every cavy. These organizations need help with just about everything: cleaning cages, coordinating events and even fielding inquiries from people wanting to adopt or surrender guinea pigs.
Guinea pig rescue directory near you and see what you can do!
#2. Become a Foster Parent 💪🐹
Because guinea pig rescues are run by volunteers on limited schedules and even tighter budgets, many rescues don’t have a central location where rescued or surrendered guinea pigs live while they wait to be adopted into a forever home.
So these de-centralized guinea pig rescues rely on volunteer “foster parents” that house rescued guinea pigs in their homes. Foster parents care for rescued guinea pigs just like they were their own, but with the understanding that one day, the rescued pig will finally find a home to call its very own.
Feebee the guinea pig shows off her fancy bling
#3. Donate Money 💸💳
If you can’t volunteer or foster, then donate! In fact, even if you CAN volunteer and foster, still donate!
Donations don’t have to be in the hundreds – even $10 or $20 a month can go a long way in providing food and care supplies for a rescued guinea pig.
#4. Raise Money While You Shop 🛍️
What could be better than marrying your love of shopping with your love of guinea pigs?
iGive.com is a “charitable shopping” service. But instead of just working with one online retailer, they work with over 1,700 online retailers (think Etsy, Walmart.com, Target and so many more) to donate money to charity for qualified purchases. There are many guinea pig rescues and shelters to choose from. The next time you’re shopping Etsy for that perfect guinea cozy, check out iGive.com before you buy.
Complimentary nail trimming at an event
hosted by Orange County Cavy Haven
#5. Attend an Event 📅
Get out, meet your local rescue volunteers and staff and make a new friend or two! Many guinea pig rescues host events where they offer guinea pig nail trimming and “boar spa” services. So by attending an event, not only will you be showing your support and making friends with like-minded folks, you may be able to go another week or two without having to trim nails.
#6. Get the Word Out 💬
One of the most effective ways to support the work of guinea pig rescues is to share the word about the importance of adopting instead of buying guinea pigs. Follow your favorite rescue(s) on Facebook and Twitter, and share their posts with your friends. When you tell friends and family that you own guinea pigs, remember to include “rescued” in that conversation.
Meet someone who is skeptical about the importance of rescuing over buying? Share with them The Case for Adopting (Not Buying) Guinea Pigs.
Guinea Pig Secret Santa
#7. Be a Guinea Pig Secret Santa 🎅
The Guinea Pig Secret Santa project is a volunteer-run project that connects rescued guinea pigs with anonymous donors who sign-up to send a care package around Christmas. Care packages usually include care supplies, toys, cavy cozies and anything else the guinea pig needs.
Learn more and mark your calendars to sign up this December to be a Guinea Pig Secret Santa at facebook.com/guineapigsecretsanta.
What’s Your Favorite Guinea Pig Rescue?
What’s your favorite guinea pig rescue, and how do you enjoy supporting it? Share your ideas with us in the comment section below!
