Animal lovers in guinea pig hunt
ANIMAL lovers in Peterborough are keeping a round-the-clock vigil in a bid to save an abandoned guinea pig.
ANIMAL lovers in Peterborough are keeping a round-the-clock vigil in a bid to save an abandoned guinea pig.The kind-hearted Samaritans launched their rescue operation after seven guinea pigs were dumped by their callous owner in a hedge behind St John's Church, in Stanground.
And one young resident, Josh Scott-Bell (10), has been so moved by the furry creatures' plight that he has been searching for them before he goes to school and rushing home to continue the search after the bell rings for hometime.
Tragically, five of the guinea pigs were killed by foxes before they could be rescued leaving just two and having managed to catch one of them, dubbed Elvis, they are now desperately trying to corner the remaining guinea pig, named Rita.
Josh's mother, Helen Scott-Bell, said it was outrageous that somebody could be so cruel to abandon the animals and said her son had been worried sick about the well-being of the guinea pigs.
Ms Scott-Bell said: "He didn't want to go to school he was so upset about them being out on their own.
"We named the one we caught Elvis as he has a big, black quiff and the other one Rita, after Rita Fairclough, in Coronation Street, as she is a bit of a large red-head.
"How anybody can dump animals like that, it's disgusting."
Now Elvis is being cared for by pensioner Joan Woolley at her Ridge Way home, and she said, that after a week in care, he is thriving.
Mrs Woolley added: "Considering he was loose for a week he is now fine, very timid, but squeeking away.
"I don't really want to part with him, but I am sure we can find a good home for him now he is eating like a trooper. He is smashing.
Mrs Woolley has vowed to continue trying to catch Rita as it us unlikely she will live much longer in the wild.
She added: "I really hope they catch whoever has done this, its disgusting it really is and very upsetting for people, especially after the foxes had got to them.
"Elvis will be going to Pets at Home, but we are hoping to send Rita with him as they should be reunited."
RSPCA spokeswoman Sophie Wilkinson, confirmed they had visited the scene to try to capture the guinea pigs and praised residents for their efforts.
She said: "People should remember there are large fines for dumping pets. Guinea pigs have no way of surviving in the wild, and are most likely to fall victim to predators such as foxes and rats.
"We often find owners neglect to get their pets neutered and mix the males and females, which results in the breeding, and then they just dump them.
"There is no excuse to dump animals when shelters and organisations such as ourselves can take them."
n Anyone with information about this incident should call the RSPCA in confidence on 0300 1234 999.
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Weather for Peterborough
Friday 19 March 2010
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Sunny spells
Temperature: 10 C - 13 C
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Wind direction: South west
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