Dedicated to rescuing the abused, unwanted & abandoned
A Guide to the Re-
Declaration and Re-
Overview
Most of the guinea pigs that come here are "in a poor state" when they get to us.
After a while and with the correct care they often end up sociable, healthy, well-
Key Points
The following points on our care will give you some idea of what our expectations
are on re-
- Our animals are kept in a secure brick built building or indoors. Their habitat is draft-
proof but lets in daylight - They are accommodated in "off-
the- Accommodation Guide for further detailsfloor" hutches and are cleaned out at least every three days and disinfected when the hutch is empty. See - Subject to weather conditions, during the day for as long as possible, they go into secure grass runs with floored nest boxes and shade. If going into their run all day is not possible they go out for an hour or two. They are brought in well before dark. Or if being kept indoors, an indoor run is used
- They enjoy a daily, chemical colourant-
free dry food, mixed with a colourful diet of fresh vegetables and fruit, which is removed from the hutch/cage after 24 hours if not eaten - Dry feed dregs in heavy ceramic food dishes are tipped out and fresh dry food is put in daily. Dry feed is not "topped up". If there is a lot of wasted dry feed, feed less. When the dish is looking grubby it is replaced with a clean one and the other one is well washed (dried faeces around the edge of the dish indicates a digestive problem)
- Water bottles are replenished daily and kept clean with a bottle brush. We do not "top up" water bottles. The bottles and screw tops are sometimes left in a mild bleach solution for cleaning in which case a spare bottle is used.... Always rinse thoroughly (avoid melting your bottle in boiling water or the dishwasher)
- Good-
quality farm hay is always available for eating in a large hayrack, which is kept off the floor. Unused rack hay is rotated into the bedding when the hutch is being cleaned - They are health checked by April Lodge on a 3 monthly basis. This includes nail
clipping, weighing, worming etc. We are also checking for lumps, respiratory problems,
eye, genital and skin abnormalities etc. This is a free service for all ex-
April Lodge rescues. Members of the public are welcome to bring their guinea pigs for a health check and payment is by donation - Guinea Pig's are handled every day. They relish being wrapped up in a towel and fussed over. You will never know if there is anything wrong with your guinea pig if you never pick him up
- The Reward = Once he has regained his confidence, there is usually no going back
The Commitment
There is no doubt owning a guinea pig is a commitment of perhaps up to seven years
and maybe longer. You are responsible for his health and well-
Food For Thought
Here are a few things to think about before you take the plunge.
- A guinea pig is small and often cuddly, if he is handled correctly from an early age
- He is fairly simple to care for if all his needs are met
- You don't have to have him vaccinated at regular intervals
- A guinea pig can become very much part of the family, especially if he is kept indoors
- A guinea pig is an ideal child's pet, as long as there is adult supervision at all times
DO have serious reservations when your children promise to do all the caring and cleaning. We have more unwanted guinea pigs here because the children have lost interest than any other reason.
DO not adopt a guinea pig if you are going through relationship, financial or housing problems.
DO ensure you have time. Your guinea pig will need care 7 days a week, every week.
DO ensure you feed the correct diet. INCORRECT diet or care could mean costly vet bills.
DO consider that a pair of healthy guinea pigs will probably eat your grass down to the roots on a daily basis as well as turning the grass yellow.
DO consider if you are going through personal problems, such as a separation or divorce this may not the right time for you to be adopting a pet which will put extra strain on an already stressful situation. The guinea pig cannot wait for you to feel better to receive adequate care and attention.
Our Unwanted Guinea Pigs
Most of our residents have had a bad start in life, whether they have been neglected, abused, abandoned, dumped or just no longer wanted for whatever reasons. One of our jobs is to protect guinea pigs from the same fate happening again.
When admitted to April Lodge, the guinea pigs are documented by means of a health record a copy of which is passed on to the new owner. When you make an appointment to see our animals, you need to remember that they are often traumatised and probably not suitable as 'show material'. If that is important to you, maybe you should be visiting a breeder or a pet shop.
We are looking for quality homes where our animals can live a stress free, "happily ever after" life. In return people that adopt or foster from us are held in the highest esteem and we will endeavour to support you and help you look after your guinea pigs with advice and free health maintenance checks for the rest of their lives.
Guinea pigs with 'special needs' could be mobility problems, hearing disabilities, impaired vision and other physical and mental defects. These are often permanent disabilities.
A Guide to the Re-
1. We send you or you can down load the Adoption / Foster-
2. If you still wish to go ahead, a home visit will be arranged to ensure your home is suitable and to discuss any concerns you may have
3. The home visitor will expect to talk to the main carer who must be over 18 years of age and see secure and protected accommodation and run. Our Charity Shop can supply new and used hutches, new runs, feed dishes, bedding hay, bottles, hayracks as well as houses, beds, accessories and gifts
4. Subject to the home visitors decision, you and your family are invited to April
Lodge where we hope to find a suitable match. At this stage we must mention that
we cannot have noisy children or crying babies on site. We reserve the right to home
check after the re-
5. We reserve the right to take back the guinea pigs if we feel adequate care has or is not being provided
6. We provide FREE welfare checks for life for all our ex-
7. We aim to support you take care of your guinea pig. Their welfare is of paramount importance
ADOPTION FEES
1 Guinea Pig (Male or Female) ￡15.00
1 Pair of male Guinea Pigs ￡30.00
1 Pair of female Guinea Pigs ￡30.00
1 Castrated Male Guinea Pig ￡40.00
1 Castrated Male Guinea Pig paired with a female ￡40.00
All proceeds go direct in to the charity
Declaration & Re-
To be signed at the point of adoption
- I am over 18 years of age
- I will read through the Guide to Adoption & Care
- I will read through the Fostering / Adoption Application & Declaration form paying special attention to this section
- I understand that a post-
home visit may be made - I will not allow my adopted Guinea Pig(s) to be used for breeding purposes
- I understand the adoption fee is non-
refundable - I will not let my Guinea Pig(s) co habit with any other species, i.e. Rabbit, chickens etc.
- April Lodge would expect a prospective new owner to have made suitable healthcare arrangements OR arrange a health check appointment every three months with April Lodge
- If I am unable to keep my Guinea Pig(s) any longer I will return it / them to April Lodge Guinea Pig Rescue or the aforementioned will collect it / them
- If in the opinion of April Lodge Guinea Pig Rescue my Guinea Pig(s) have not or are not receiving proper care, I will return it/them to the aforementioned or April Lodge Guinea Pig Rescue have my permission to recover the Guinea Pig(s)
We stock new and used runs and hutches as well as feed, bedding and accessories. Our
on-
Adoption Enquiries
click here to download the Adoption Guide
click here to download Adoption Application Form
Rehoming and
Adoption Guide
