Surrendering a Guinea Pig to North East Guinea Pig Rescue

The important points

• There may be a waiting list for a space.
• NEGPR is a small, home-based, self-funded rescue. Most guinea pigs stay at our family home, in the kitchen, where they receive lots of attention and become part of family life.
• During busy periods, some guinea pigs may stay with our approved foster homes. Foster homes must meet our adoption standards and all guinea pigs are kept indoors.
• Guinea pigs are only rehomed to homes that meet our adoption criteria.
• Guinea pigs need company of their own species. Lone guinea pigs will be bonded with a suitable companion before or as part of adoption process.
• I do not rehome guinea pigs to live outdoors, with rabbits or to breeders.
• All NEGPR adopters receive lifelong rescue back-up. 
• There is a suggested surrender donation of £15 per guinea pig. This is a donation, not a compulsory fee, and helps towards the cost of caring for the guinea pigs in rescue. This is not expected for abandonment or neglect cases.
• Please provide as much information as possible when contacting us, including the guinea pig's age, sex, health, companionship, living arrangements and reason for surrender.

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Please contact us before bringing a guinea pig to the rescue

I have limited space at the rescue to ensure the guineas in my care have their needs met fully and receive the attention and interaction they deserve.

There may be a waiting list for a rescue space, particularly when the rescue is full or I have a number of guinea pigs requiring additional care. 

I will always help urgent cases (abandonment, neglect, pregnant and mixed-sex groupings) as soon as I can with no wait list required. 

If your guinea pig is in an urgent or unsafe situation, please let me know when contacting me. 

Where do the guinea pigs stay?

Most of the guinea pigs at NEGPR live here at the rescue base, which is my family home. They are generally based in the kitchen, where they are around the family throughout the day and receive lots of attention and interaction.

They become part of our family while they are here rather than simply being kept somewhere separate. We get to know their individual personalities, needs and behaviours, which helps me to find the right future companion and home for them.

If I have a particularly high number of urgent cases requiring additional care, some guinea pigs may be placed with one of our approved foster homes.

Our foster homes are must meet the same standards I require for adopters. Guinea pigs in foster are always kept indoors and remain under the care and responsibility of NEGPR.

What happens after surrender?

Every guinea pig is assessed according to their individual needs.

Where needed, I will arrange veterinary treatment, health checks, neutering or other care before they are rehomed. I will also consider their temperament and social needs when looking for a suitable companion and future home.

I do not rush guinea pigs into new homes simply to create space. Some may need more time than others, particularly if they have health or bonding needs.

Guinea pigs need guinea pig company

Guinea pigs are social animals and require the company of their own species.

A guinea pig who arrives alone will therefore normally be bonded with a suitable companion before adoption or as part of the adoption process. 

I will not rehome a guinea pig to live alone.

Guinea pigs will not be rehomed to live with rabbits.

Guinea pigs will not be re-homed in schools or similar settings.

Adoption requirements

All guinea pigs rehomed through NEGPR are placed only with homes that meet our adoption criteria.

This includes appropriate indoor accommodation, suitable care, companionship, diet and ongoing commitment to their welfare.

I do not rehome guinea pigs to breeders or for breeding purposes.

I also do not rehome guinea pigs to live outdoors.

My aim is to find homes where guinea pigs will be properly cared for and treated as part of the family.

Rescue back-up for life

When a guinea pig is adopted from NEGPR, they come with rescue back-up for life.

I understand that circumstances can change. If an adopter's situation changes in the future and they are no longer able to care for a guinea pig adopted from me, then I ask that they contact NEGPR.

Guinea pigs adopted from NEGPR should be returned to the rescue rather than being passed on, sold or advertised elsewhere.

This lifelong back-up is an important part of our adoption process and means that I remain responsible for the guinea pigs we have rehomed.

Surrender donations

NEGPR is completely self-funded. I do not receive regular funding to cover the costs of running the rescue, so I rely on donations, adoption donations and my own funds to keep going.

There is now a suggested surrender donation of £15 per guinea pig. This is not expected for abandoned or neglected guinea pigs.

This donation helps towards the costs of caring for guinea pigs while they are at NEGPR, including food, hay, bedding, supplies and veterinary treatment. Donations also help me to continue taking in other guinea pigs who need our help.

The £15 is a suggested donation and is not a compulsory surrender fee. I understand that circumstances vary and that not everyone will be able to contribute.

Being unable to make a donation will not prevent your guinea pig from receiving a space at the rescue.

Please include as much information as possible

When contacting me about surrendering a guinea pig, please provide as much information as you can. This helps me to understand their circumstances and work out when I can offer a rescue space.

Please include:

• Your name and contact details
• The guinea pig's name
• Sex
• Age or approximate age
• Whether they are neutered
• Whether they are currently living with another guinea pig
• The sex and details of any companion
• How long you have had them
• Any known health problems or previous veterinary treatment
• Their current living arrangements
• Their temperament and personality
• The reason you need to surrender them
• How urgent the situation is
• Your general location

Please also let me know if there is anything else about the guinea pig that you think I should know.

Please be completely honest about health, behaviour and circumstances. This information is not used to judge you. It helps me make appropriate decisions about their care and, most importantly, helps me find the right future companion and home for them.

Please email me with the information above and I will discuss the situation with you and let you know what options are available.

Thank you for considering NEGPR and for taking the time to find a safe and appropriate future for your guinea pig.