Support the Guinea Pig Sanctuary Expansion

WE NEED YOUR HELP! PLEASE SHARE WITH EVERYONE!

We are outgrowing the space we are in! The piggies are coming in quicker than we can find homes for them. So, we are taking on our biggest fundraiser event in the history of the Sanctuary! We have found a few land options in Salisbury. So please keep reading!

The purpose for this Go Fund Me is to:

- Purchase Land

- Build a Boarding Building

- Build an Adoption Building

- Create a Full Petting Zoo Area

- Water / Sewer and Permits

- Electric and Permits

- Anything else deemed necessary to be compliant

We are working on a few things. One of those things is acquiring land to build and create a true Sanctuary. There is so much we would love to accomplish but since we do not receive funding, we rely on our Village and boarding to raise funds. With your help, we know we can make this a reality. We truly need to make every effort to save as many animals as possible. They did not choose the life people have thrown them into. We will continue to make a difference!

On any given day we have between 200-500 guinea pigs on site, with another 1,500-2,000 in hospice and foster homes. We work with many Animal Control Officers, Police Officers, Fire Department Officers, DCYF staff, and other rescues that are finding guinea pigs everywhere. Literally, everywhere…abandoned in apartments, in the woods, in parks, in dumpsters, in the trash, in fields, on playgrounds, under houses, on sidewalks, in the road, on the side of the road, and many other unimaginable places.

Technically, it is not illegal to toss out a guinea pig. Changing the laws takes more money and time than it does to save them though. Vet bills run from $1,000-4,000 a month because guinea pigs do not fare well when tossed out or abandoned. The initial intake costs us $85, and it just goes up from there.

Guinea pigs are sold at livestock auctions to be slaughtered and sold in specialty meat shops. This just makes our jobs that much harder. There are also several places in New England that do “free adoption weekends” and “clearance sales” of guinea pigs. This means that backyard breeders and hoarders can potentially ‘collect’ guinea pigs for any purpose. Even though some pet stores have stopped selling guinea pigs, there are hundreds more that still sell them without any type of screening process.

Most people who buy or get free guinea pigs, don’t have a clue what they are getting into. Accidental litters, exotic vet bills, and the time it takes to care for guinea pigs are nothing less than the same time it takes to train a puppy. Guinea pigs are NOT STARTER PETS. They require so much time and attention to give them the best life possible.

Along with rescuing those thrown away, we have also helped provide medical care for those who couldn’t afford it. Many families and groups utilize our ‘emotional support guinea pig’ program to help deal with spectrum issues, anxiety, depression, or going through rough times. Over the years, we have helped over 10,000 guinea pigs find new homes.

Donations cover all expenses including:

Electric bills - $300-1,000 a month.

Hay - $240-720 a month.

Pellets - $150-400 a month.

Bedding - $500-1,200 a month.

Replacing Kaytee cages is $130 each.

Replacing the 24” dog cages is $45-60 each.

Vegetables - $400-750 a month.

Trash bags - $140-280 a month.

That doesn’t even include the rest of the items needed such as disinfecting wipes, dish soap, sponges, paper towels, and daily things needed to keep the Sanctuary running.

Yet, each month we get the bills paid and the guinea pigs fed and cared for. This is all done 100% by volunteers and donations. For seven years we have been up and down, but we always manage to get through because of the volunteers and the donations. The Guinea Pig Sanctuary clearly runs on miracles, blessings, faith, and generosity.

Did you know these Sanctuary facts?

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary was started in 2017 by a 12-year-old burn patient.

The Sanctuary burned down in February 2019.

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary moved to Salisbury MA in March 2020.

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary is the ONLY guinea pig rescue fully licensed in Massachusetts history.

The Sanctuary holds and participates in events to help families.

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary is a 100% volunteer run organization.

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary is a fully licensed 501(c)3 non-profit rescue.

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary is a community resource, emotional support rescue.

The Sanctuary takes in guinea pigs that are put on euthanasia lists due to the numbers or due to the other shelters and rescues closing in other states.

The Guinea Pig Sanctuary is a TRUE no kill shelter. Euthanasia is used only as a last resort due to quality-of-life issues. It takes three people to agree on crossing a piggy over and it is never a quick decision.

If you are donating towards day-to-day necessities, please use our Donations Page on our website: http://guineapigsanctuary.org as that is a different type of funding.

We are open to ALL SUGGESTIONS for this major group of undertakings! If you have an idea about raising funds, please email us.