A ROLY-POLY guinea pig named Pixie shuffles between Sue Baker’s arms, and occasionally stops for a cuddle or a curious sniff at the camera.
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Sue is the Australian Cavy Association New England branch manger and has a room in her home for rescue guinea pigs.
She told Pixie’s story.
“Pixie came here from Gold Coast Guinea Pig Rescue. When she got here, she was skin and bone and completely hairless,” Sue said.
She said as Queensland has a ban on rabbits as pets, guinea pigs fill that gap and are often neglected, abandoned or mistreated. She said the Queensland guinea pig and cavy rescues are inundated.
Sue had the space and time to provide Pixie with the intensive care she needed.
Pixie’s recovery was touch and go.
“In the middle of last year, it was looking like we’d have to euthanize her. But she’s proved us all wrong,” Sue said.
Pixie grew a new coat and put on weight after a year of treatment, and became an engaging little pet. Sue said it is precisely because of their size guinea pigs have become a throw-away pet, often malnourished and forgotten.
Some are literally thrown away. Two were found last year in an Inverell rubbish bin. Guinea pigs are easy to keep, provided owners understand their unique set of health and nutritional needs.
Sue kicked off the Inverell guinea pig and cavy shows to give fanciers a more frequent chance to meet each other, learn, and show off their beloved pets. Sue said shows are the easiest way to educate owners about guinea pig care.
“Because people ask questions because they’re in a relaxed environment, and you can give them the right information,” she said.
“When I got my first guinea pig, I had no idea, and I was looking in books and on the internet, and everybody’s contradicting each other all the time. “So I just want to get the right information out.”
The show is Saturday, July 4 at the Inverell Benevolent Society on Evans and Vivian Street.
Doors open at 9am for a 10am start. Members’ pet entry to show is $3 for the first, then $1 for additional guinea pigs. Non-member cost is $5 for their first guinea pig, and $3 for each additional pet.
Spectator entry is free.
There will be tea, coffee, Milo, cold drinks and snack foods for purchase and a raffle on the day.
For more information, phone Sue on 0458 796 137.