Special Thanks
Since we started our guinea pig rescue in April 2006, we have rescued over 180 guinea pigs (as of 8/9/07), mostly from local shelters. We have had the joy of working with many wonderful adopters - families, single people, couples, of all ages. Almost all of our adopters come well prepared and have done their homework before coming to us. (This may have a lot to do with our remote location - it weeds out the casual "window-shopper" people who adopt on a whim..). Many of the guinea pigs come to us in need of a lot of veterinary care and it's hard sometimes to handle the realities of the conditions some of these guinea pigs endured before they arrived at the shelters. So when we are able to rehabilitate the guinea pigs and place them with great adopters, it makes it all worth it... So thanks to everyone who has given our given guinea pigs wonderful forever homes.
A few people stand out....
Heather Bechtel... The Director of Rabbit Haven, our parent organization. She has been incredible in her support and help she sends our way... No matter what the problem, no matter how busy she is, she always has time to help us with whatever problem.
Lauren of North Star Rescue. Along with great comedy relief and entertaining stories, she has been a great support. She has been instrumental in getting many of our guinea pigs transported to Rabbitears Pet Supply store, where many of our guinea pigs have potential adopters waiting for them. In times of "Guinea pig over-load", she has stepped in and fostered many guinea pigs for us (although she was the one that got us involved in the rescue of 15 guinea pigs left homeless after an apartment fire in the summer of 2006). It's great when rescues can work together to get even more animals re-homed.
Judy Hardin of Rabbitears Pet Supply Store in Berkeley, Ca. Judy runs a very rescue-friendly pet supply store and participates in rescue herself. She has a great pet store that carries products that are actually healthy for your pets (including theOxbow brand of guinea pig feed and Marchioro cages)... So if you're in the area, check her out! Her prices are quite reasonable too. Judy hosts adoption fairs featuring our guinea pigs and rats, hamsters etc from other rescues and usually has a couple pens featuring adoptable guinea pigs - usually from our rescue.
Lynn of The Pet Place in Menlo Park. Lynn has graciously opened her store to many rescues, including ours, to hold adoption fairs. She is very supportive of rescues and runs a wonderful store. Please support her wonderful store if you can!
Wee Companions of San Diego - they stepped up and took in 12 of our guinea pigs when our numbers swelled to over 50 guinea pigs after a dumping case that resulted in 28 guinea pigs coming to our shelter when we were already full.
My kids - for putting up with their home resembling a barn at times and instead of complaining when the refrigerator has more food for the guinea pigs in it than for them, Trevor will go shopping and restock the fridge for people and the piggies . My kids (Trevor and Tyson) both help out a lot in the socializing of our guinea pigs. Trevor re-decorated the caviary (aka The Pig Pen) to give it a fresh new look and has done a fair share of guinea pig transports for me.
Our great exotic veterinarians (Dr. Susan Johnson at Santa Clara Pet Hospital and Dr, Curt Nakamura at Adobe Veterinary Hospital) for providing great care and advice for us.
Dr. Janet Lawson of Coastside Veterinary who has always given us a lot of support with all our species of animals.
Cathy Whitney of Whitney Ranch in La Honda. Cathy has donated hay and veggies to help feed our critters. She has even taken our used bedding off our hands to be turned into compost for her farm. Thanks Cathy!
We have had many people donate advice, cages, supplies, money, feed, hay, etc. Thanks to all of you!