The number of guinea pigs entering the shelter far exceeds those leaving by way of adoptions and because of this I ask for a surrender fee of $25 for each guinea pig. If you have a large number you are needing to surrender I am prepared to discuss a reduced rate. I regret having to impose this fee but the costs involved in running the shelter are rising and I am left with no choice. There are few alternatives on the Gold Coast for people needing to surrender their guinea pigs and since our inception in December 2005 we have accepted over 8,000 with most going on to new homes. Those who aren’t adopted have a home at the shelter for life.
If you have guinea pigs you can no longer care for, apart from handing them in to a shelter the options for finding them a safe new home are few. Advertising them on Gumtree or other classifieds is risky (especially if advertised as free) as some are acquired for live snake food. Others are impulse buys and are grown tired of after a few weeks. Many are purchased by people who cannot afford to correctly care for them. Please do not dump your guinea pigs, they have many predators and will not survive. Euthanasia is a kinder alternative to dumping and while this may seem cruel it is often better for the animal as death is peaceful and swift as opposed to how they may meet their demise if they fall into the hands of a dog, cat, fox, snake or unkind human being.
If you have guinea pigs you can no longer care for, apart from handing them in to a shelter the options for finding them a safe new home are few. Advertising them on Gumtree or other classifieds is risky (especially if advertised as free) as some are acquired for live snake food. Others are impulse buys and are grown tired of after a few weeks. Many are purchased by people who cannot afford to correctly care for them. Please do not dump your guinea pigs, they have many predators and will not survive. Euthanasia is a kinder alternative to dumping and while this may seem cruel it is often better for the animal as death is peaceful and swift as opposed to how they may meet their demise if they fall into the hands of a dog, cat, fox, snake or unkind human being.
