A Growing Rescue Effort for Hundreds of Guinea Pigs in South Los Angeles
A local animal rescue group has been working tirelessly to save dozens of guinea pigs that were found in a South Los Angeles home where hundreds of the animals were discovered last week. According to the Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue (SCGPR), most of the animals are slowly beginning to relax and are showing signs of improvement.
The group reported that between 400 and 500 guinea pigs were present at the residence when they arrived on Thursday night. Volunteers from SCGPR, along with other rescue organizations, managed to remove 33 of the animals. The decision to prioritize certain individuals was based on their vulnerability, including heavily pregnant females, nursing mothers, young babies, and those with visible health conditions.
Valerie Warren, CEO of SCGPR, shared that one of the youngest guinea pigs, a baby only hours old when taken from the property, passed away over the weekend. However, she emphasized that the rest of the animals are doing well.
Warren explained that the guinea pigs were left behind by a previous tenant, and the landlord reportedly instructed the current tenant to find homes for them or risk eviction. She said that the previous tenants moved out, leaving behind an already large group of guinea pigs that continued to breed uncontrollably in the following months. Despite this, Warren noted that the residents were trying their best to care for the animals.
SCGPR is collaborating with several other rescue groups, including Rescue Garden, Wee Companions Small Animal Adoption in San Diego, and Vegas Friends of Guinea Pigs Rescue. The goal is to find fosters or adopters for the remaining guinea pigs once more are successfully rescued.
According to Warren, Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) is expected to visit the home soon to take possession of the remaining animals. She expressed hope that once the guinea pigs are in the hands of animal control, the rescue efforts can continue. Warren also mentioned that many small animal rescues across the country have reached out offering assistance.
However, there have been concerns about the initial response from LAAS. On Saturday, Warren expressed disappointment after the agency visited the home and concluded that all the animals’ needs were being met. This statement conflicted with what SCGPR witnessed firsthand, leading to criticism of the agency’s approach.
“Given that our rescue team witnessed firsthand the situation’s severity, LA Animal Services’ statements are deeply troubling and antithetical to animal welfare standards,” SCGPR stated. The organization added that LAAS may return to the property next week to attempt removal of the remaining animals, but officials have indicated they lack the resources to accommodate such a large number.
During their visit, SCGPR volunteers documented serious issues, including:
- Deceased animals on the property
- Widespread medical issues, such as ringworm, head tilt, tumors, open wounds, and hair loss
- Overcrowded and unsanitary living conditions
- Countless pregnant females and newborns
- A diet restricted to cornhusks
- Insufficient water sources, with only one bottle for 80-100 animals
Warren highlighted that female guinea pigs can be bred immediately after giving birth, and male and female babies need to be separated between the ages of three and four weeks to prevent further breeding. “It’s a vicious cycle that can quickly get out of hand,” she said, adding that the breeding was evident during the visit.
In an effort to expand their capacity, SCGPR is exploring opportunities to safely transport some of the animals across the United States to trusted, ethical rescues and sanctuaries. These partnerships could significantly help in saving more lives, and the group encourages the public to follow their social media pages for updates.
Experts emphasize that guinea pigs require specific care and diet, and they are not ideal pets for children. However, for those willing to invest time and resources, they can become loving companions. The average lifespan of a guinea pig is between 5 to 7 years.
For more information or to reach out to SCGPR, you can visit socalguineapigrescue.org or email [email protected]. Rescue Garden can be contacted at [email protected].
