Elizabeth Mack, president of Austin Guinea Pig Rescue, has successfully converted her kitchen into a full-scale animal intake center. Numerous pins containing wood shavings and litter cover the table and the floor. “Watch this,” she says as she slowly opens the refrigerator and ruffles a head of lettuce. A symphony of chirps and squeals instantly fills the room. It’s 7 p.m.—snack time for the foster pets.
It wasn’t long ago that Mack realized there was a serial guinea pig dumper in Austin. In August, the first pair of abandoned pets were found in a park. “When the rescuer brought them in, I thought ‘Wow, that’s weird… these are Satin guinea pigs,’” Mack says. “I haven’t seen a Satin in years.” Known for their incredibly soft fur with a glass-like sheen, the type is highly coveted yet illegal to breed in Texas; a Satin is only a Satin if it’s inbred. The consequence of this? One in five are born with a painful disease that shortens their lifespan to two years.
A month later, five more guinea pigs were found malnourished and pregnant in the woods. By the time she took them in, even more were discovered a few miles from the last park. The breeder shows no signs of stopping; while visiting Mack’s home to write this story, a woman rang the doorbell. “I found these in a Sam’s parking lot,” she said, holding out a box. A bonded pair were huddled together.
The hypothesis is that the serial breeder is in over their head. With guinea pigs able to become impregnated at six weeks old, it’s easy for the situation to get out of hand (which would explain why so many of the abandoned pets are found nursing with babies). But because they’re Satins—and what the breeder is doing is illegal—dumping and protecting their identity would be a safer bet.
But Mack isn’t looking to prosecute. “I’m begging them to come forward, no questions asked. It would make my life a lot easier,” she says, pointing to the scars and scrapes she’s collected from trying to catch the loose guinea pigs through brush and thorns.
Along with donating to Austin Guinea Pig Rescue, locals can help by staying on the lookout for the animals. Recent dumping spots include under bridges, in neighborhood parks, and in wooded areas. If spotted, the best thing to do is keep your eyes on them and call 311. While some of the “piggies” will forever be sanctuary pets (usually because of disease or to keep them with their bonded partner), most of the guinea pigs will be available for adoption or foster within the next month. Until then, Mack will continue to take in and make room for the next abandoned pets that come her way.
“I’ve had guinea pigs since I was a child and I always wanted a guinea pig farm,” Mack says. “So, God gave it to me at a very late age—in my kitchen.”
Learn more about Austin Guinea Pig Rescue and how you can help here.
