When Is Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month 2024? What it Is & How it’s Celebrated
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It’s a sad beginning for animals that are turned into rescue shelters, though contrary to popular belief, shelters aren’t just for cats and dogs. Many shelters across the U.S. take in abandoned guinea pigs and other unwanted rodents. Adopt A Rescued Guinea Pig Month is in March of every year, so if you’re looking for a guinea pig, check your local shelter before going to a pet store.
In this article, you’ll learn ways to celebrate Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month and what the holiday month is about.
About Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month
Did you know guinea pigs don’t originate from Guinea and that Guinea has nothing to do with actual guinea pigs? Guinea pigs inhabit the grasslands of the Andes in South America. While guinea pigs were domesticated in 5000 BC, they found their way to North America and Europe in the 16th century. By 1961, the first guinea pig went to space provided by the Russian biosatellite.
In 2002, The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals started Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month in March. Since then, owners who could no longer look after their pocket pals could bring guinea pigs to a shelter for readoption. The celebration was created to bring awareness to small mammals needing homes.
Ways to Celebrate
You can celebrate Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month by checking shelters and volunteering or adopting one yourself. However, you should adopt two or more guinea pigs, as they are social creatures and will not thrive alone.
- Donate to local shelters for guinea pigs
- Print and hang flyers to bring awareness to guinea pigs in shelters
- Say no to animal testing
- Celebrate your guinea pigs by getting them new toys, clipping their nails, and spending quality time with them.
If you adopt a guinea pig (or two), ensure you know what you’ll need and are committed to looking after them. Like most animals from the shelter, you’ll be taking the risk of adopting a guinea who has been abused, neglected, or abandoned. Bonding may take longer and be more challenging for you and your guinea pigs. However, patience and consistency will go a long way.
Fun Facts About Guinea Pigs
In case you didn’t know, guinea pigs are very social and friendly creatures. They thrive around people and the company of other guinea pigs. Here are some essential facts you should know when you adopt a guinea pig:
- One guinea pig needs 7.5 square feet of space. For each added guinea pig, you must add 3 square feet more.
- Guinea pigs can eat most vegetables and fruit, so don’t throw away your leftovers.
- Guinea pigs need adequate exercise daily to prevent them from getting ill, bored, or depressed.
- Guinea pigs require attention and care to thrive and stay healthy.
- Guinea pigs and rabbits don’t get along.
- Guinea pigs are prey species.
- They scent-mark their belongings.
- Male guineas are dominant.
- The best matches are between a fixed male and a female. Or two fixed males.
- Guinea pigs will sleep three to 6 hours a day, half an hour at a time.
- They cannot make their own vitamin C, so vitamin C-fortified food is best for guinea pigs.
Guinea pigs live up to 8 years. Before adopting a guinea pig, you must be able to commit to them for their lives. While there are pros and cons to owning a guinea pig, it’s up to you and your household whether you can handle both the pros and cons.
Final Words
Adopt a Rescued Guinea Pig Month begins March 1st and lasts the entire month. The best thing you can do to support and celebrate this month is to commit to the responsibilities of owning a guinea pig (or two) for 8 years. If this is not a viable option for you and your household, you can print flyers to bring awareness to rescue more guineas from your local shelter.
Featured Image Credit: Dmytro Vietrov, Shutterstock
