Furry Friends Guinea Pig Rescue is a 501(c)3 organization which was formed in order to save helpless guinea pigs, primarily from shelters where they may be euthanized, and find them loving forever homes. The rescue also works to educate the public and promote larger cages and the highest level of care. If you are interested in adopting a guinea pig, please read our 'adoptions' page and fill out our adoption application.
UPDATE: On 3/3 we had to make the very difficult decision to put Moses to sleep. After his teeth surgery, he stopped eating and for four days, he had to be handfed. Still, he lost more weight each day and was unable to eat solid food. Instead of letting him continure to suffer, we took him to the vet to be humanely put to sleep. Moses will always be missed and loved.
Moses is a very special guinea pig who came into the rescue on 12/30/06. He was originally a classroom pet in a Hebrew Dayschool, but was rescued by a wonderful woman who cared for him as long as she was able to.
When Moses came into the rescue, he was taken to the vet for a well check-up because he was an older guinea pig at 4 years old. Sadly, Moses is not a very healthy boy. Although in good spirits, Moses has been living with very long, overgrown back molars for a while, making it uncomfortable and difficult to chew food. Even in guinea pigs that recieve unlimited hay, it is not uncommon for teeth to overgrow for no apparent reason. They need to then be ground down by a veterinarian every few month, which requires anestesia. His overgrown teeth have caused an abcess on the left side of his mouth as well. The vet also reported that his jaw was apparently fractured at some point, which may partly be the cause of his overgrown teeth.
Moses also has a chronic case of impaction, meaning that because his anal sac is very large and his muscles are not as strong, the sac holds debris such as shavings and poop. If not cleaned weekly, the impaction can cause serious uncomfort. Finally, Moses has a harmless condition called Pea Eye where there is extra skin around the eyes. Drops need to be applied to his eyes daily to prevent dryness.
Because of Moses' condition and his need for daily medication and care, he will live out his life in the rescue with the company of the other piggies waiting for homes. Moses may potentially live another 2 to 3 years with bi-monthly trips to the vet for surgery to grind down his teeth and constant medication. He has a healthy appetite and will to live! Please, if you can donate $50 to pay for one of one of Moses' teeth grinding surgeries, we would be so appreciative! We want Moses to be alive as long as possible, but bi-monthly surgeries will become very expensive, not including all of his medication. If you donate even a few dollars, you will be keeping this beautiful piggy alive and healthy. All donations can be made through paypal. If you would like your donation to go specifically to Moses, please specify so.
After adopting 6 guinea pigs from a New Jersey guinea pig rescue, Grace Spring recognized the growing guinea pig overpopulation problem and the dire need for more rescues. When Grace, who was 14 years old at the time and a freshman in high school, convinced her parents to let her start a guinea pig rescue, she began making preparations, planning, and saving money. She built several cubes and coroplast cages in the basement, where the rescue would be located, and started buying supplies. Grace received support in starting her rescue from Glenolden Animal Hospital and Back to Nature Feed Store.When all preparations were finished, including starting a website on Petfinder and making adoption applications and contracts, Grace and her family went to the Delaware County SPCA to rescue three female guinea pigs. Furry Friends Guinea Pig Rescue was started on December 9, 2005!
Since its start, FFGPR has grown from housing 3 guinea pigs to an average of 30! Many more cages were built to accommodate all of the cavies. The rescue continues to take in guinea pigs from local SPCAs where they are in danger of being euthanized and from private owners who can no longer care for them. Furry Friends is now in the last step in receiving its 501c3 non profit status!
Goals
In the future, Furry Friends Guinea Pig Rescue wants visit a local nursing home monthly to share the joy that guinea pigs bring with the residents.
The rescue also wants to visit elementary schools in the area more frequently in order to promote proper guinea pig care and education.
By the summer of 2009, FFGPR hopes to have saved over 500 guinea pigs.
