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One scene from the Monday, July 20 rescue in Southern Oregon (Source: PGPR Facebook)
Portland Guinea Pig Rescue and Wee Companions for the win!
On Monday, July 20, a group of volunteers from The Portland Guinea Pig Rescue rented a van and rescued a mind-boggling 65 guinea pigs from a private residence in Grants Pass, Oregon. Over this past weekend, they returned to rescue the remaining 25, which had to be left at the property.
The rescue effort, from logistics to resources spent, is impressive. And, the need for money and donations of supplies, is even greater.
Kate Brownlie, of The Portland Guinea Pig Rescue, explains how it all started:
Tiny Tim: One of PGPR’s rescue “patients”,
with two broken legs (Source: PGPR Facebook)
“A caretaker for a woman in Grants Pass posted a message on our Facebook page. She explained that she is the caretaker for an individual whose mobility was rapidly deteriorating. This caretaker went on to explain that she was dealing not only with an ill client, but also with an outdoor herd of about 90 guinea pigs freely roaming a huge property.”
The condition and health of the guinea pigs was described as all but neglected. Broken bones, various illnesses, skin problems, and a myriad of other health issues were expected when the volunteers arrived.
The Rescue
Volunteers of The Portland Guinea Pig Rescue responded quickly – within just 3 days – and assembled a team to rent a van and collect the supplies from PGPR supporters. They made the 492 mile round-trip from Portland, Oregon to Grants Pass twice.
This endeavor couldn’t be done alone, says Kate Brownlie. Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption, Inc. in San Diego, California funded the entire trip and agreed to transport the guinea pigs from Portland to San Diego in late August, once they had been rehabilitated.
At the rescue site, 65 guinea pigs were surrendered to the rescue volunteers. Twenty-five had to be were left behind due to space limitations; they were retrieved over this past weekend.
The PGPR rescue van,
packed & ready to
hit the road (Source: PGPR Facebook)
A Facebook update from PGPR summarizes the first trip below:
“Our volunteers left around 10 a.m. Monday, and returned around 1:30 a.m. Tuesday morning. After an emergency stop at the Emergency Veterinarian Hospital in Springfield, the trip was a success. A couple of pigs were too far gone for us to help, but almost all were able to make the journey.”
The guinea pigs — now being dubbed “The Oregon Trail Guinea Pigs” — are now being rehabilitated at Southwest Animal Hospital in Beaverton, Oregon.
In late August, the herd will be transported to Wee Companions in San Diego, California.
“Donations Desperately Needed”
In the meantime, there are 90 guinea pigs in need of help!
Brownlie estimates that there has been “at least $2,000 spent so far by all the non-profits involved, with at least another $2,500 needed to see them through to adoption [Editor’s note: Emphasis added.].”
Money is needed for the extensive medical attention almost every individual guinea pig requires: from mending broken bones, to assisting with multiple pregnant guinea pigs, to assessing and treating skin conditions.
One of the baby guinea pigs rescued on July 20 (Source: PGPR Facebook)
In addition to money, volunteers familiar with caring for guinea pigs are asked to consider fostering some of the guinea pigs until their return to California. Those interested in donating time and/or money may contact the Portland Guinea Pig Rescue, or use the links below:
- The Portland Guinea Pig Rescue
- Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption, Inc.
- Wee Companions on Facebook
You can also follow the story of The Oregon Trail Guinea Pigs by visiting The Portland Guinea Pig Rescue Facebook page.
Update, 8/27/2015, from PGPR’s Facebook page:
IMPORTANT Oregon Trail Pigs UPDATE:
Rescue work is truly that: rescuing those who are in dire situations, and trying everything possible to raise the struggling life to its full potential. Rescue work, on the best of days is extremely taxing; on the worst of days, it is heart breaking and crushing. When you are dealing with large numbers of rescued animals, these emotions multiply ten-fold. When you are dealing with large numbers of sick animals it can be overwhelming and bring one to the point of heartsick tears. And yet we strive on! It is what we do. We rescue.
Recently, Portland Guinea Pig Rescue, a relatively new group, took in close to 100 guinea pigs from a single owner in south east Oregon. Not yet having established their 501(c)(3) status, Wee Companions offered to stand in partnership with PGPR by receiving donations for guinea pig husbandry care while awaiting the guinea pigs transfer to WC for adoption in Southern California. Through the generosity of many, over $2000 has been donated and sent to support these guinea pigs, now dubbed The Oregon Trail Pigs.
So all our faithful friends are aware, these sweet guinea pigs are ill. Very ill. Testing has not yet proved conclusive as to the cause of some of these animals’ symptoms. Samples are presently being processed at UC Davis. Because of this inconclusive cause, WC is unable to transfer this group until health is confirmed and a transfer is considered “safe”, not only for the Oregon Trail Pigs but for the WC piggies too!
In the meantime, the burden of piggy care is mainly on the shoulders of a few guinea pig lovers in Portland. Vet bills and husbandry needs continue while we hope for an all clear sign soon. Please, we ask you to support them in any way possible: in prayers, messages of support, and of course, financially. If we can work together to help relieve the worry of fundraising, then the volunteers can concentrate on taking care of the guinea pigs, which is really what it’s all about when you are deep in the trenches! Watch for special fundraising details coming soon!
With thanks. — with Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption.
[Editor’s note: Make a donation at weecompanions.org/donate, or use the button below], and note “Oregon Trail” pigs on the notes/memo line.
Make Your Donation Now!
Click the button below to make a much-needed donation to Wee Companions, 100% of which will be used for supplies and medical care for The Oregon Trail guinea pigs.
Instructions on how to make your donation:
1) Click on the button below
2) Type in the amount you want to donate
3) Now, sign into your PayPal account
4) On the next screen, it asks you to review your donation. Click the 
link, which is bottom right of the “Purpose” column.
5) Once you click that link, a box will open for you to type a note. Type: “For the Oregon Trail guinea pigs”.
Bravo for you! Good luck young piggies!
Omgosh I hope you all find a good home soon and live life lil pigs!!!!!