RSPCA Friends of West Hatch Newsletter Autumn-Winter 2018 | issue 15 | Page 7

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When RSPCA Inspectors attended a property
where a number of guinea pigs were
reported to be kept in unsuitable conditions,
it was unlikely that they expected the sheer
scale of neglect and suffering.
The small residence was caked in filth
from over 200 guinea pigs which were
roaming free, left fighting to survive on
scant resources. Sadly, many lost this
battle and were left where they lay, but
ultimately around 180 were rescued and
were distributed to RSPCA Centres across
the country.
West Hatch was able to accommodate 10
guinea pigs, and they were in a sorry state
when they arrived, with dirty matted fur
crawling with mites, long curling toenails,
infected feet and respiratory disease. They
were immediately assessed by our vet on
arrival and we worked hard to make them
comfortable by getting them onto necessary
treatment, grooming them, clipping their
nails, housing them on soft towels, and
providing them with food, water, hay
and vegetables.
It wasn’t long before they were looking
and feeling much better and we were able
to make them available for rehoming.
Thankfully they were all quickly snapped
up in pairs or groups by several lovely
families who were willing to adopt rather
than purchase from a pet shop. These lucky
guinea pigs, who were rescued from a true
house of horrors, will now go on to live out
the rest of their lives in luxury in their new
forever homes.
Thank you!
We would like to say
a big thank you and
well done to Amber
(pictured with her
sister Poppy) who
held a cake and sweet
sale for us back in
May and raised a
fantastic £13.96
for the Centre.
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