*Please note we have made some changes to our requirements for suitable sized cages for our guinea pigs*
Adoption Requirements and Process
Please do not be put off adoption by the prospect of a home visit and our requirements. Adopting a guinea pig from the NEGPR is a very friendly process and the rescue supports potential adopters to meet the requirements. The requirements are simply what guinea pigs need to be happy and to ensure that their basic needs are met. As a responsible rescue, we will only re-home our guinea pigs to Animal Welfare Act compliant homes. If you do not currently meet the adoption criteria, please do still get in touch as we may be able to help you to meet the requirements.
Home Visit
A home visit will usually be carried out prior to adoption to ensure that the guinea pigs are going to a loving forever home and that your set up meets the minimum standards set by the Animal Welfare Act (2006). This visit is very informal and friendly. The volunteer will need to see the cage/hutch, playpen or run, bedding and provision to keep the guinea indoors during the winter. We will happily answer any questions you have about the care guinea pigs require during this visit.
Re-homing Area
The main rescue centre is based in North Shields but many of our guinea pigs are in foster homes across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. We are able to facilitate adoptions to good homes within these areas and further afield, if transport can be arranged. Our guinea pigs have gone to homes in Durham, Darlington, Middlesborough, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Chester-le-Street, Boldon, Gateshead, Hexham, Rowlands Gill, Newcastle, Whitley Bay, and Morpeth. We are also able to consider homes based in the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas.
Donation
We kindly ask for a donation of £15 for per guinea pig (£20 for a neutered boar). This donation is a contribution to the rescue and helps us to continue caring for the guinea pigs in our care (e.g., veterinary treatment, food, hay and mite treatments). Without this we would not be able to carry on taking in and treating abandoned and neglected guinea pigs.
New Home Requirements
New homes must be Animal Welfare Act compliant. Therefore adopters must meet the following requirements:
1. The cage or hutch for a pair needs to be a minimum of 140 cm x 70 cm on one level (4 x 2 panel C&C). If you plan to house your guineas outdoors they will need to be in a heated and insulated shed or brought indoors between September and April each year.
2. A proper diet, including fresh water. This means that the guinea pigs must be given unlimited fresh hay. Hay is an essential part of their diet, and therefore should make up most of what they eat. In addition to this they should be given a range of fresh fruit and vegetables twice daily, and good quality guinea pig nuggets (not mixed dried food) to prevent selective feeding.
3. The ability to express normal behaviour. This is very important. They must have a good-sized hay area on the ground for them to burrow, nest and forage in, even if you are choosing to use vetbed or fleece to line the cage. They need to have a run or play pen (this must be in place for home visit) and they need to have a shelter to hide in. They need to have same species company and to be living in the right sized cage or hutch.
4. To be housed with or apart from, other animals. Guinea pigs are hugely sociable and must be housed with at least one other guinea pig. They should not be housed with rabbits or other animal species.
5. Protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury. To the best of your ability the guinea pig should be kept in a safe environment (e.g., protected run and not left loose without supervision). You must seek veterinary treatment for your guinea pig if it is unwell or injured.
In addition to these requirements:
Exclusions:
Adoption Requirements and Process
Please do not be put off adoption by the prospect of a home visit and our requirements. Adopting a guinea pig from the NEGPR is a very friendly process and the rescue supports potential adopters to meet the requirements. The requirements are simply what guinea pigs need to be happy and to ensure that their basic needs are met. As a responsible rescue, we will only re-home our guinea pigs to Animal Welfare Act compliant homes. If you do not currently meet the adoption criteria, please do still get in touch as we may be able to help you to meet the requirements.
Home Visit
A home visit will usually be carried out prior to adoption to ensure that the guinea pigs are going to a loving forever home and that your set up meets the minimum standards set by the Animal Welfare Act (2006). This visit is very informal and friendly. The volunteer will need to see the cage/hutch, playpen or run, bedding and provision to keep the guinea indoors during the winter. We will happily answer any questions you have about the care guinea pigs require during this visit.
Re-homing Area
The main rescue centre is based in North Shields but many of our guinea pigs are in foster homes across Tyne & Wear and Northumberland. We are able to facilitate adoptions to good homes within these areas and further afield, if transport can be arranged. Our guinea pigs have gone to homes in Durham, Darlington, Middlesborough, Hartlepool, Sunderland, Chester-le-Street, Boldon, Gateshead, Hexham, Rowlands Gill, Newcastle, Whitley Bay, and Morpeth. We are also able to consider homes based in the Edinburgh and Glasgow areas.
Donation
We kindly ask for a donation of £15 for per guinea pig (£20 for a neutered boar). This donation is a contribution to the rescue and helps us to continue caring for the guinea pigs in our care (e.g., veterinary treatment, food, hay and mite treatments). Without this we would not be able to carry on taking in and treating abandoned and neglected guinea pigs.
New Home Requirements
New homes must be Animal Welfare Act compliant. Therefore adopters must meet the following requirements:
1. The cage or hutch for a pair needs to be a minimum of 140 cm x 70 cm on one level (4 x 2 panel C&C). If you plan to house your guineas outdoors they will need to be in a heated and insulated shed or brought indoors between September and April each year.
2. A proper diet, including fresh water. This means that the guinea pigs must be given unlimited fresh hay. Hay is an essential part of their diet, and therefore should make up most of what they eat. In addition to this they should be given a range of fresh fruit and vegetables twice daily, and good quality guinea pig nuggets (not mixed dried food) to prevent selective feeding.
3. The ability to express normal behaviour. This is very important. They must have a good-sized hay area on the ground for them to burrow, nest and forage in, even if you are choosing to use vetbed or fleece to line the cage. They need to have a run or play pen (this must be in place for home visit) and they need to have a shelter to hide in. They need to have same species company and to be living in the right sized cage or hutch.
4. To be housed with or apart from, other animals. Guinea pigs are hugely sociable and must be housed with at least one other guinea pig. They should not be housed with rabbits or other animal species.
5. Protection from, and treatment of, illness and injury. To the best of your ability the guinea pig should be kept in a safe environment (e.g., protected run and not left loose without supervision). You must seek veterinary treatment for your guinea pig if it is unwell or injured.
In addition to these requirements:
- We strongly recommend that guinea pigs are NOT kept on wood shavings. Wood shavings can be toxic to guinea pigs and can cause breathing difficulties, skin problems, tumours and ulcerated feet. There are many alternatives to wood shavings that do not pose these risks.
- All homes will need to be able to offer the guinea pig/s indoor accommodation during the winter months, either inside the home, or in a heated shed/conservatory.. The recommended temperature is 10 - 15 degrees Celsius.
- Guinea pigs will only be re-homed to a responsible adult (over 18 years old). We will re-home them as family pets, but NOT as a child’s pet.
- If you are ever unable to look after the guinea pig(s) for whatever reasons, the guinea pig(s) should be returned to the rescue; the guinea pig(s) must not be passed into anyone else’s care.
- The guinea pig(s) will need to be returned to the rescue if the conditions of adoption are not being met.
- Adopters will need to sign an adoption contract stating that they agree to the above.
Exclusions:
- Our guinea pigs will not be re-homed to owners who intend to use them for breeding.
- We do not re-home our guinea pigs to schools or petting farms.
