New operators of N.S. guinea pig rescue say shelter need never stops

In this week's Pet Talk, we chat with the co-founders of a guinea pig rescue organization.

These little piggies are hoping to go all the way home – and stay there.

The Higglety Pigglety House is a non-profit rescue for guinea pigs based out of Hammonds Plains, N.S. The non-profit has been around for eight years, but five months ago, friends and coworkers Junqueira Veinotte and Emilia Lampkin took over the organization.

“The lady who ran it before could no longer run it and we just didn’t want it to go away ‘cause there are a lot of guinea pigs in need,” explains Lampkin. “It’s quite surprising actually. We have an average of 20 at all times and they come as quickly as they go.”

It’s a volunteer position for the women, who also work together full-time at Pampered Paws Inn, a doggy daycare in the Halifax Regional Municipality. The facility also serves as a shelter for the guinea pigs when they’re not in a foster home.

“This is another full-time job,” explains Veinotte. “We spend 40 hours a week with the guinea pigs. We care for them before work, on our lunch breaks, and after work. And luckily our boss who owns Pampered Paws is really supportive of it. If we need to take a couple extra breaks because we have meetings or medications to administer, cages to clean, she’ll let us do that.”

Both women grew up with guinea pigs as pets and their love for the rodents continues to this day. Guinea pigs end up in their care through word of mouth or from other rescue organizations.

“We work with two rabbit rescues as well,” adds Veinotte. “Honey’s Bunnies Rabbit Rescue and 10,000 Carrots Rabbit Rescue. They send guinea pigs our way and we’ll send rabbits their way. It’s kind of a team we built.”

While smaller than other pets, carrying for 20 critters at a time comes with a cost.

“We need to buy them fresh veggies constantly. They each get half a cup a day,” says Veinotte. “We do have to bring them to vets quite often as sometimes they’re not in the greatest condition before they come to us.”

They say there are number of reasons why guinea pigs are put into their care.

“We see all sorts,” adds Lampkin. “The biggest one is just either people developed allergies or didn’t realize they had allergies, or they got it for their kid thinking it was very simple and not realizing that it takes a lot and then their kid loses interest. We’ve had guinea pigs just found in a box in the woods.”

They do have advice for anyone considering bringing a guinea pig into their home.

“Guinea pigs need to be in pairs,” says Lampkin. “So, if you’re going to get a guinea pig you have to get two. They’re very social and will get quite depressed if they don’t have a friend with them.”

The two are hoping to increase the non-profit’s digital presence and say they’re always looking for volunteers and donations.

For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page