News release:  For immediate release 8-28-2006

15 Guinea Pigs Rescued From Walnut Creek Apartments Fire

Thursday, August 17, a fire burned several apartments on Lincoln Avenue in Walnut Creek.  Many people lost their homes, but luckily, no people were seriously injured. Many apartments filled with smoke but escaped further damage. 

One of these apartments was home to 15 guinea pigs, who couldn’t be evacuated.  Thankfully,  they survived. The fire caused the guinea pigs to suffer from smoke inhalation problems and injuries that may have occurred during the fire.

The owner of the guinea pigs was unable to keep them and asked for rescue assistance. Cavy House, of the AVA/The Rabbit Haven, had staff available to assist immediately and all 15 guinea pigs are now safe at Cavy House.   Many of the guinea pigs are in need of veterinary attention. 

The caretaker of these pigs was one of the unfortunate well-meaning people who adopted 2 “male” guinea pigs from a pet store and before he knew it was overwhelmed with litter after litter.  His original pair was a male and female. Now there are 15 and many females are likely pregnant as they were housed with males.

One rescued baby has a broken leg with an open wound.  Another has vaginal bleeding.  Others look listless, likely suffering from smoke inhalation illness and dehydration.   Many are probably pregnant because the males and females were all together in a large cage. 

Cavy House is in need of donations to help defray the upcoming veterinary costs and cages to house and feed them.  We also need adopters or people who can foster for the 10 healthy guinea pigs we had before the blaze. Donations will also help!   If you are able to help with tax-deductible donations, please go to the following website and scroll down to the Donations section. http://www.therabbithaven.org.

Please mark any donations for the guinea pigs as “Guinea Pig Fund” or “Cavy House”. Receipts provided.

If you are interested in fostering or adopting please contact Sue DuHamel at sbduhamel@sbcglobal.net or Heather Bechtel, director AVA/the Rabbit Haven at director@therabbithaven.org.  Learn more at our website:  www.therabbithaven.org.

AVA/the Rabbit Haven is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit education organization.

Contact:  Heather Bechtel, director AVA/the Haven.  831 239-7119