ABOUT THE RESCUE
Dougal who I shall never forget
The Wheek & Squeak Guinea Pig Rescue and Boarding is based in Bishops Waltham, Southampton, Hampshire.
I take in unwanted guinea pigs and care for them until a suitable home can be found. If the guinea pig is very elderly or needs ongoing medication or care then they will stay at the Rescue permanently in the Retirement Section. No guinea pig is ever put to sleep because a home could not be found, only pigs whose pain cannot be alleviated would be pts.
If you are thinking of getting a guinea pig, please read 'Thinking of getting a Guinea Pig' page. If you still decide that guinea pigs are the pet for you and you would like to adopt some from the Wheak & Squeak you will need the following:
Hutch/cage at least 4ft x 2ft for 2 guinea pigs, 5ft x 2ft for up to 3 guinea pigs and 6ft x 2ft for up to 6 guinea pigs.
Hutches to be made out of tongue and groove and off the ground. Preferably with no ramp and no direct access to an outside run at all times.
There should be a separate secure run, to protect them from predators, with a shaded area to keep you piggies out of direct sunlight. 100s of guinea pigs are killed each year by being attacked by birds (magpies, sparrow hawks etc), dogs, cats and ferrets, where they have been allowed to run free in the garden. They cannot put up a fight and their only defence is to run, so against predators such as these they do not stand a chance. I hear on a weekly basis of piggies being killed like this so they really need to be kept safe.
There should be a place to bring your piggies in during the cold winter months, either indoors in a separate cage or an outbuilding to bring their hutch into. Please do not keep them in a dark damp shed, they need somewhere light and free from draughts and damp.
They should also not be bedded on shavings or sawdust.
PLEASE NOTE THAT I DO NOT REHOME GUINEA PIGS AS CHILDRENS CHRISTMAS PRESENTS. This is not an ideal time to take on any pet when the household is very busy and noisy.
LATEST NEWS
URGENT help needed. I have had a call to take in over 100 guinea pigs by Sunday (29th August) or they will be killed. I am contacting other rescues to see if they can help but the situation is desparate as the majority of the sows could be pregnant. First of all I am trying to find a safe haven for them. Does anyone know or have a large shed or garage, free from rats, that we can put them all in while we assess and get them forwarded onto another Rescue. Hopefully this could be done in four weeks. Also do you know of a small rescue near you that can help. I fear there will be alot more than 100. There are also 50 rabbits. I really hope I can help these poor little souls but I do need help as I do not have enough room here to take them all in. Sadly I cannot rehome any of the sows direct to new homes because of the chance of them being pregnant.
INTRODUCTION TO GUINEA PIGS FOR NEW, PROSPECTIVE NEW GUINEA PIG OWNERS AND NOVICE OWNERS
Throughout the year I will be holding afternoons on how to look after your guinea pig. For example, feeding, bedding, bathing, illnesses, behaviour. It will be informal so you can ask questions as we go along or you can suggest a particular topic you would like covered.
Also there will be afternoons on how to bath your guinea pig. You are welcome to bring your pigs along or bath one from rescue and there will be step by step instructions. You will get wet so please bring waterproof apron or wear older clothes. Remember your guinea pigs will need to stay in that night so an indoor cage for that night will be required.
Please contact me for dates
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
.JPG)
This is Speedwell (back left), Parsley (back right) (NOW BEEN HOMED),
Bramble (front left) (NOW BEEN HOMED) and Bluebell (front right) having a lovely day out on the grass
.JPG)
.JPG)
This is Bluebell born on the 9th May 2010 (NOW BEEN REHOMED) This is Bramble born on the 7th May 2010 (NOW BEEN HOMED)
The Wheek & Squeak Woolly Pigs have arrived. The are all handknitted and all very individual. They are approximately 6 inches long and 3 inches wide. They are all named and come with a Wheek & Squeak Adoption Certificate. Although they all have safety eyes I would not recommend them for very small children. They are £7.50 each plus £2.50 for p and p.
Homechecks are carried out when rehoming the guinea pigs. I also do a bonding service to pair up single boars. Alot is said about boars not being able to be paired up when they are adults. I have not found this the case and am happy to see if your boar will get on with any of the single boars here. If one looks promising then I would ask that your boar is left here for a few days in an indoor cage with his prospective new friend so I can monitor their behaviour to make sure they continue to stay friends.
We have a good team of volunteers to help at the Wheek & Squeak if you would like to join us please let us know. There are many jobs to be done eg cleaning out, feeding, water bottles, bathing, handling, painting, putting cards in vets, shops etc.
.JPG)
Above outdoor hutches by Above indoor hutches by
www.rehutches.com www.animalhousing.biz
If you need any advice, your guinea pigs nails trimmed at no charge, or your piggy needs a trim and bath then please contact Anna on
Tel 01489 894996
Mobile 07776 303019
Because of the number of emails received they do take a few days to reply to