A warm welcome to Guinea Pig Helpline...

 

Guinea Pig Helpline, and all its associated services, is managed by myself, Laura Humphreys, on an entirely voluntary basis. I share my home with 9 guinea pigs: three boars and six sows, ranging in age from 1 year to 6+ years. I also live with the rest of the human family - my parents and five year old twin brother and sister - and two dogs. You can see more about myself, my guinea pigs and their setup on the "About Us" Page.

 

Please note that as of Monday 20th February I will be taking a six week break from the Helpline. 


Unfortunately due to recent events I have had to make the decision to take an additional six weeks leave from the Helpline, meaning it will be early May before I am able to return. 


All emails received by the Helpline in the meantime will receive an automatic reply providing the links and information needed to cover my absence. For any emails of a medical/health nature, please seek advice from a guinea pig experienced vet.



**APRIL LODGE GUINEA PIG RESCUE & REHOMING CENTRE**

 

The April Lodge Guinea Pig Rescue's website has unfortunately been hacked into, and as such is not currently operational.

 

Anyone who needs/wishes to get in touch with April Lodge should please use the following contact details:

 

Email - aprillodgeguinea@aol.com

Phone - 07790 684888

 

Fingers crossed for the team that the website doesn't take too long to rebuild. 



 Guinea Pig Helpline's Ethos

 

Guinea Pig Helpline does not stand for or against any aspect of the guinea pig world.

  • I aim to offer links and advice from reputable persons, choosing to include valuable contacts from all areas in respect of their excellence in their field.
  • I am aiming to provide an informational, educational resource about guinea pigs. Guinea Pig Helpline exists for owners of any kind.

 

I do not believe in discriminating against any part of the guinea pig community, to include pet owners, rescues, breeders and exhibitors. The aim of Guinea Pig Helpline is to provide detailed information and support to those requiring guidance with the care of their guinea pigs, for the good of guinea pigs.


As is the case with all carers, I am more confident about some subjects than others, and as such will be able to educate further on those subjects. I do not know enough on some subjects to be able to advise as thoroughly or put a Factsheet together with accurate information, but I aim to build a list of reputable contacts to whom I can refer people to if I should be unable to help myself.

 

Current Status

 

I currently hold the voluntary position of Contributing Editor of Guinea Pig Magazine, a very exciting venture undertaken by a friend. The first issue, featuring one of my own gang as the Cover Pig, became available for sale on 7 March 2011.

 

Issue 7: March/April 2012 has been available since:
14 March 2012.


Issue 8 is due for release in May 2012.
Copies of the first six issues are also available on request.

 

To buy a current copy, back copy, pre-order future issues, and/or take out a 3 or 6 issue subscription, visit www.guineapigmagazine.com and click on the Purchase/Subscriptions tab.

 

More information about the Magazine is also available at the Guinea Pig Magazine website: www.guineapigmagazine.com

 

As well as my involvement with Guinea Pig Magazine, I have frequented many online discussion forums over the last seven years. I am currently holding the joint position of Administrator on TKCC forum, and the Helpline is going from strength to strength. I was also a Moderator on Guinea Pigs World forum, and a Forum Buddy on The Guinea Pig Forum.

 

I am a qualified Reiki (energy healing) practitioner, trained to Second Degree, and I have also earned a diploma in Grief & Bereavement Counselling. The skills I learned from this, coupled with my experiences of many pet losses, has already provided many owners with much valued support.

 

I am also a qualified Rodent Health Advisor (RHA) rodentologist recognised by the British Association of Rodentologists.


 Why did Laura set up Guinea Pig Helpline?

 

I decided to start Guinea Pig Helpline as an entirely voluntary organisation to offer a number of services that can make a positive impact on guinea pig welfare, and provide some education to the public and those in need of some advice. 

 

I have had guinea pigs for eight years, since 2003, but due to my particular circumstances I have been able to dedicate my life to learning about and experiencing their care, more intensely than many. The past 8 years have been spent researching so many different opinions about their care, joining in with a wide variety of guinea pig internet discussion forums and learning from various sources, such as vets, rodentologists, other "guinea pig people", and - most importantly - guinea pigs themselves.

 

The guinea pig world is very opinionated. Some aspects in particular are highly debatable and often heated - despite best attempts you can never make everyone happy. I pride myself on being diplomatic, sympathetic and extremely thorough, and I never refuse to help someone who comes to me. I strive to explain my advice in detail to anyone who contacts me, often referring to my own experience with the subject. My personal aim is to provide practical advice to help improve as many areas of the welfare of guinea pigs whatever situation they are in.

 

If there is a question I do not feel confident answering, I seek out the advice of other reputable persons and either put the enquirer in contact with them or pass on the advice accurately.

 

Please do feel free to have a browse around the website, and to get in touch should you have any questions.

 

 

Laura

Text only: 07861 885297
Email: guineapighelpline@hotmail.co.uk

 

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"Home is Where the Weaver's Are"

 

emma3

 

Marsha Weaver, a fellow guinea pig lover in Alabama, had her home flattened by a tornado on 27 April 2011.

 

Marsha, her daughter and the family dog sustained injuries. Thankfully it seems her husband and son are ok. However it is in itself a true miracle that they all survived as they were directly hit by the tornado (believed to be at least an EF4).

 

Sadly many of the Weaver piggies and rats did not survive, and some remain missing even now, one month after the storm hit. But again, amongst the devastation, there were miracles.

 

Known Piggie Survivors: Emma, Jasmine, Holly & Allie-Belle.

 

Those animal companions that survived have been reunited with Marsha and are now living with her again, after a short stay with her vet in the immediate aftermath.

 

There is a fuller account of the family's plight in this link, as well as information on the fundraising drive in the guinea pig and rat community, which to date has collected over $14,000 to help Marsha and her family rebuild their home and their lives: http://dianastaresinicdeane.wordpress.com/2011/05/14/new-beginnings-for-little-miracles-the-littlest-tornado-survivors-acclimate-to-new-surroundings/#comment-90

 

UPDATE 9 AUGUST 2011:
Thanks go to Diana again who ran a follow up piece on her blog about Marsha's situation, with Marsha's approval: http://dianastaresinicdeane.wordpress.com/2011/08/03/alabama-tornado-survivors-three-months-later-home-is-where-the-weavers-are/

ALL text, Factsheets, HelpCharts, photographs and images are copyrighted to Laura Humphreys.
© 2009-12 Laura Humphreys @ Guinea Pig Helpline