Two guinea pigs abandoned in a box at a Caerphilly park

RSPCA Cymru is appealing for information after two guinea pigs were found abandoned in a box at a Caerphilly park. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The two long-haired guinea pigs – one ginger and one grey – were found at Skomer Island Way Park yesterday (Monday 15 February). The duo were found in a box near the children’s play area. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Guinea Pigs Caerphilly Feb16 pic2 Guinea Pigs Caerphilly Feb16 pic1RSPCA inspector Simon Evans said: “These two guinea pigs were found in a box, which suggests they were just dumped, rather than they accidentally escaped from their owners. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“The two guinea pigs – both male – were taken to RSPCA’s Merthyr Tydfil Clinic for a health check. They are both in a good body condition, although the ginger one is slightly underweight. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Unfortunately neither is microchipped so we don’t know who they belong to. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

“Anyone with any information should contact the RSPCA inspectorate appeal line on 0300 123 8018.” ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

The RSPCA would like to remind people to get their pets microchipped to give lost animals the chance of returning home. It is also important to register the chip with a national database and update your contact details if you move or change phone number. More information can be found at www.rspca.org.uk/allaboutanimals/pets/general/microchipping ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you spot an animal in distress, please call the RSPCA’s 24-hour helpline on 0300 1234 999. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

If you would like to help the RSPCA, you can give £3 now by texting HELP to 78866 (text costs £3 + one standard network rate message). We are a charity and rely on public donations to exist. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​

Guinea pig Factfile
Guinea pigs, or ‘cavies’, are social animals with a compact, rounded body shape, short legs and no tail.
They originate from the grasslands and lower slopes of the Andes Mountains in South America. Guinea pigs are active up to 20 hours per day and sleep only for short periods.
Guinea pigs are social animals. In the wild they live in close family groups of 5 – 10 individuals, though several groups may live in close proximity to form a colony.
Guinea pigs’ diet needs to be supplemented with plenty of vitamin C, as they lack the enzyme needed to synthesise vitamin C and can only store vitamin C for short periods. ‌​‌​‌​​​‍‌​‌​​‌‌‌‍‌​‌‌​​‌​‍‌​‌‌‌​‌‌‍‌​‌‌‌‌​​