Latest news with #SouthernCaliforniaGuineaPigRescue
USA Today
2 days ago
- General
- USA Today
'Hoarding situation': 400 guinea pigs saved from California property
A Southern California nonprofit announced it rescued around 400 guinea pigs this week from a Los Angeles property where they slept outside "with improper food, water, and care." The Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue (SCGPR) said in a July 21 Facebook post that it received a request from the Los Angeles Animal Services (LAAS) on July 15 regarding "a hoarding situation" in South Los Angeles involving up to 200 guinea pigs in need of rescue. The LAAS told the nonprofit that the owner of the guinea pigs was facing eviction from her rental property unless all the animals were removed by July 19, according to the social media post. At this point, the SCGPR made contact with the tenant, who allowed them to come by the property on July 17 to begin removing the guinea pigs. USA TODAY contacted the LAAS and SCGPR on Saturday, July 26, but has not received a response. Guinea pig removal process begins While removing the guinea pigs, the SCGPR said in the Facebook post that "it became immediately clear that the situation was critical." Rescuers noticed "pervasive medical conditions" in the animals, including ringworm, pregnancies, open wounds and neurological issues, the post continued, adding that the guinea pigs also "lacked access to adequate space, bedding, water, and food." The number of guinea pigs may have increased without intervention due to the males and females not being separated, or fixed, according to the SCGPR. Guinea pigs can reproduce at 3 weeks of age and can become pregnant within hours of giving birth, the nonprofit added. The SCGPR managed to rescue 33 guinea pigs from the property, while the nonprofit said the LAAS would remove the remaining animals. Remaining guinea pigs removed from LA property In a July 24 Facebook post, the SCGPR wrote that LAAS removed all remaining guinea pigs from the property that afternoon. "We know that females and young babies went to (Los Angeles Guinea Pig Rescue and Adoption Center), and the remaining boys were booked into LAAS to be split up between the 6 city shelters," the post reads. The post also contains SCGPR Co-founder and CEO Valerie Warren's written reaction to the entire situation, "The last week has been one of the most draining ones of my rescue career. The emotional toll of being on that property a week ago with my 4 rescue colleagues has been a heavy one, but tonight I will be able to breathe a sigh of relief and sleep much better than I have in a week." According to Warren, LAAS does not have the exact headcount for the rescued guinea pigs, but she said the SCGPR's early estimate of 300 to 400 animals appears to be correct. "We are SO relieved these pigs are out of that situation," Warren wrote.
The Independent
20-07-2025
- General
- The Independent
More than 400 guinea pigs found in hoarder's Los Angeles home, says animal charity
Animal rescue volunteers made a shocking discovery at a home in south Los Angeles; more than 400 guinea pigs were being kept in a hoarder's home in "unsanitary and overcrowded" conditions. The rescue group, Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue, is asking for the public's help adopting or fostering the animals or for donations to fund their recovery and care. The owner of the home where the guinea pigs were found was facing eviction if she did not remove the animals from her house. A Los Angeles Animal Services coordinator emailed the SCGPR to alert them to the situation, hoping they could help. The coordinator believed the woman had approximately 200 guinea pigs in her home, but when volunteers arrived to collect the guinea pigs they found the real number was double the coordinator's estimate. Valerie Warren, chief executive and co-founder of SCGPR, told the Los Angeles Times that they were told the guinea pigs belonged to a previous tenant who moved out but left the animals behind. 'They just continued to breed and breed and the rest of the people in the house were just overwhelmed,' Warren, who visited the home, said. Some of the animals were found sick, injured, dehydrated, malnourished, or dead, but many others were found alive and in need of a home and care. The animals, which typically eat grass hay, vegetables, or animal pellets, were living primarily off of corn husks. Animal shelters are already struggling for space. After the pandemic, many people gave up pets they'd adopted during lock down. Now, the rescue has hundreds of guinea pigs to care for — and it's taking steps to make sure they don't have any more to deal with by separating the male and female guinea pigs. Warren said the animals could number nearly 1,000 by November if they're allowed to continue breeding. 'This is a dire situation,' she said. 'This is just a cycle that's not going to end until these guys are all taken in.' In the meantime, it's unclear if the animals are actually going to be removed from the home. They were reportedly told that an LA Animal Services lieutenant visited the home and determined the animals were healthy and had proper food, water, and shelter — a view the SCGPR does not share. They put out a press release asking the city to take action to protect the animals. 'We urge City officials and the animal welfare community to fully investigate this case and improve systemic response protocols. Shelter officials must be accountable if anything happens to these animals,' the group said in a press statement.
Los Angeles Times
20-07-2025
- General
- Los Angeles Times
‘Distressing and alarming.' More than 400 guinea pigs found at a South Los Angeles home
Animal rescue volunteers this week found more than 400 guinea pigs at a South Los Angeles home, living in 'unsanitary and overcrowded' conditions. Now they're asking the public to help foster or adopt some of the rescued animals or to provide donations that will fund medical support and supplies. Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue said volunteers found hundreds of guinea pigs on Thursday evening in what they described as a 'distressing and alarming' scene. Some of the animals were dead. Others had medical problems including ringworm and open wounds. The guinea pigs, some pregnant or newborns, didn't have enough water or proper food. 'As the tenant had stated, she was unable to feed the population of guinea pigs, the rescue team's initial objective was to provide food, evaluate potential health issues, and begin to source overflow rescues and responsible homes,' the group said in a press release. A group spokesperson could not be reached for comment Saturday. The guinea pigs, which eat grass hay, vegetables and pellets, were living off of corn husks. A video posted on YouTube showed guinea pigs scurrying around the residence, some hiding in beer boxes or crowded in a cage without food. The group contacted the tenant after learning from an email from a Los Angeles Animal Services coordinator that she had hoarded 200 guinea pigs at her home and faced eviction if she didn't relocate them by Saturday. But it turned out the woman had a lot more guinea pigs than was described. The group said they're concerned after being told that a Los Angeles Animal Services lieutenant visited the property and determined the guinea pigs were healthy and had enough shelter, food and water. A representative for Los Angeles Animal Services could not be reached for comment Saturday. 'We urge City officials and the animal welfare community to fully investigate this case and improve systemic response protocols. Shelter officials must be accountable if anything happens to these animals,' the press release said. The group along with the Rescue Garden, Wee Companions and Vegas Friends of Guinea Pigs Rescue removed 33 guinea pigs. They prioritized animals that were pregnant, newborns, those suffering from health conditions and others that were the most vulnerable. The Southern California Guinea Pig Rescue group can be reached at socalguineapigrescue@ or through its website. Contact information for other animal rescue groups is also listed in the group's press release.
