The Potteries Guinea Pig Rescue

07/03/2025

Rabbit advice

It’s a new month which means it’s the perfect time for us to give you an update on the RVHD2 vaccination 💉🐰

Here’s what you need to know:

All rabbits should now have TWO vaccinations per year:

Vaccine 1: The ‘Triple’ vaccine covering RVHD1, RVHD2 & Myxomatosis (available for years).

Vaccine 2: A new vaccine covering RVHD1 & RVHD2, including the highly virulent strain (available in the UK since Jan 2025).

These can be given 2 weeks apart, but we advise 6-monthly intervals for added protection and regular vet checks.

Please be aware that some vets may not yet be aware of the new vaccine or the increasing risk of RVHD2. If you’re told an additional vaccine isn’t needed, we encourage you to ask again. We’re working hard to ensure all vets have the right info!

RVHD2 risk is rising, and Myxomatosis increases with warmer weather. Please speak to your vet about stocking both vaccines and book your rabbits in ASAP!

Stay safe & protect your bunnies! 🐇 💙

Find out more here: https://rabbitwelfare.co.uk/rvhd2-highly-virulent-update/

02/03/2025

Excuse the long post but background info is necessary!
Evelyn and Edith are 20 months old and are looking for a special home! These girls need someone who can give them the time, patience and care they need to feel more comfortable with us humans! They came in very neglected and absolutely terrified. The poor girls screamed and darted frantically when being touched and even when they were aware you were about to touch them. They have gotten used to being touched once the initial pick up is out the way and will now sit on your lap and eventually relax and enjoy a stroke. They are more confident out and about and will potter around rather than just freeze. Evelyn (white and fluffy) is less frightened being picked up but then a little more timid once out of the comfort of her hutch. Edith (brown and ginger) still let's out some heartbreaking squeals when attempting to catch her but is then much more placid once that initial bit is over. Edith is very vocal and loud with all her noises though. Any noises towards each other and Edith is LOUD. Getting food out of wrapping in the kitchen and Edith let's out the LOUDEST wheeks for food she possibly can 😆. She's just a loud girl, both when scared and when excited.
They are beautiful girls that have come a long way. Best suited to indoor only set up to get them used to company, with adults and older children who are patient, calm, gentle, and willing to go at Evelyn and Edith's pace to help them recover. To remain as a pair. Not to be separated. Not to be homed with any other guinea pigs e.g. not to make up a trio or join a herd.
AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION.
Drop us an email if you have any questions: [email protected]
Please read our adoption policy before filling out an adoption form.
https://www.thepotteriesguineapigrescue.co.uk/page_2422863.html

26/02/2025

Oh my goodness 10 years !!!!

At 11-years-old, Underdog Woody has spent 10 birthdays with us 💔 Whilst we enjoy his company, we would love for his next birthday to be spent in a loving home 💛 Please share this post to help us get him there.

Dubbed 'The UK’s Most Forgotten Dog', Shih Tzu cross Poodle Woody hasn't lost hope. Described as ‘one of a kind’ and ‘the most intelligent dog we’ve ever worked with’, Woody is desperate for a family who can match his sharp mind and playful spirit.

He arrived in 2015 a worried dog, and it’s believed he might not have had the best start in life. Over the years, he’s done lots of training with his carers and has come on leaps and bounds. We believe Woody is likely overlooked due to some of his medical conditions, which are easily managed with regular medication.

Here is Woody's rather unique birthday wish list:
- An adult-only household
- A quiet, peaceful environment
- A private garden for sniffing
- No other pets, though he’s happy to walk with calm canine companions

Here's his profile for anyone who'd like to learn more: https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/dogs/poodle-miniature/1137429

[Image description: A medium-sized black fluffy dog is sitting on a comfy chair covered with colourful blankets.]

26/02/2025

Hello hoomans my names Coco and I'm looking for my forever home!!!! I like being front and centre and stealing the show!!!!

I have loads to offer like loud wheeks for veggies and yeah loud wheeks oh and I should mention my best friend Casper he has to stay with me even though he doesn't get a look in when the camera is rolling 🤣

There's a pic of him in the comments

If we sound like we are for you check out the adoption policy and submit an application

www.thepotteriesguineapigrescue.co.uk

23/02/2025

Hamish & Heather RESERVED 🥳❤️

23/02/2025

Great news
Monica,Rachel and Phoebe didn’t even make it to the web site !!
Rehomed today to a fabulous home xx
Be happy gorgeous girls ❤️

22/02/2025

It’s been a hectic week in the rescue receiving 13 Guinea Pigs but they are all doing really well and our just gorgeous !! Thank you to everyone who has helped this week, especially Heather Jenkins who did the collection trip to Harrogate and back your a star ⭐️ ###

Look at some of these beautiful Guinea Pigs ❤️
Full details on our web site
www.thepotteriesguineapigrescue.co.uk

19/02/2025

Thank you so much to our lovely supporters who have sent donations to help the upkeep of our new arrivals, it’s greatly appreciated as we are busy in the rescue !!!!! 🏅
Thank you
Helen xx

19/02/2025

Shannon George you all did it 🥳🤩🏅🏅🏅🏅 what amazing people you are.
Operation Stewart is complete ❤️
Here’s to you Stew thanks for everything you did to help me with our rescue.
X###x Helen. X###x

18/02/2025

Large intake of piggies today!!!

Massive thanks to Heather Jenkins for helping transport them to us.

These piggies have arrived from another rescue namely Tees Valley Guinea Pig Rescue that due to bereavement have had to close their doors. All are ready for forever homes so after a short period of monitoring we will share more details so watch this space.....

As always any help with upkeep is always appreciated

https://www.amazon.co.uk/hz/wishlist/ls/24CIE1HAO3M0S?ref_=wl_share

PayPal - [email protected]

❤️❤️❤️

17/02/2025

Our Tommy having his surgery !!
He’s nearly 7 weeks post op and ready for sow dating !!
Thanks Natalie for this great article x

Little 6 month old Tommy came in to be castrated this week. We ensure even our smallest patients have high standard anaesthetic monitoring and protocols 😊

17/02/2025

Neutering information.
This is an article kindly done for us by our vets.
(We now have all our boars neutered by the abdominal approach)

“Guinea pig castration – scrotal vs abdominal technique

Guinea pigs have traditionally been castrated through two incisions made over the top of the testicles as they sit within the sc***um. Recently it has been suggested that a single incision made further forward along the centre line of the abdomen might have advantages. A study (Guilmette et al 2015) has shown that the abdominal approach has significantly lower post operative infection rate (0% of 24 pigs) compared with the scrotal approach (42% of 24 pigs). This is probably because the incisions involved in the scrotal approach are in closer proximity to the perianal pouches which contain thick debris and secretions. It is also likely that the abdominal approach is quicker (though this hasn’t been proven) which means that the pig is anaesthetised for less time and potentially less likely to develop anaesthetic related complications such as gut stasis. Potential complications of the abdominal technique include infection of the abdominal cavity (peritonitis), post-operative gut stasis and scar tissue formation but none of these were found in the study. It has been found that controlling stress and pain allows the patient to recover faster and so providing pain relieving medication is extremely important.
Here at Willow Veterinary Clinic, Clive performs abdominal castrations and is training the other surgeons in the technique.
Feel free to ask us about it when you book in “

https://www.facebook.com/share/1FTKezsfsJ/?mibextid=wwXIfr

Willow Veterinary Clinic, owned and run by vets, providing modern high-tech medicine and surgery.

17/02/2025

Maybe halt it permanently and let all the unwanted Guinea pigs in the UK find home’s !!

16/02/2025

Great article

Neutering male guinea pigs.

Now that we have spoken about prophylactic sow neutering we may as well follow with castration of boars.

The neutering of boars is a much quicker procedure so is undertaken more routinely than females. We now most commonly do this via the abdominal approach to avoid scrotal infections and abscesses which used to be a very common complication.

Neutering obviously stops the production of more little piggies and means a male can be paired with one or more females (they must wait 6 weeks following the op to be paired for risk of potential pregnancy). In my opinion a male/female pairing tends to be a very stable pairing and would advocate for this more for people thinking of having just a pair of piggies. Boar pairs are notoriously hard to rehome at times due to people wanting female pairs but a male female pairing solves this issue.

The neutering of boars can also reduce scent, and reduce the chances of feacal impaction. The jury is still out on if neutering can help with two boars fighting. In my experience it can be hit and miss and if you have any chance of it working early neutering (before puberty or even earlier) is your best chance. The trouble is that even if the fighting is testosterone driven many of the behaviours seen may then be learned behaviours and removal of the hormones may not fix the problem. Regardless of this I would advocate for neutering of all boys where possible. As always finding a piggie savvy or exotic vet is essential for these procedures.

Here’s our most recent boy ‘Colin’ recovering from his castrate back in October. He’s now joined our herd of neutered sows.

12/02/2025

Our vets x

At Willow Veterinary Clinic we have veterinary surgeons with advanced certificates in a variety of fields, which means we can accept a wide range of referrals.

These include:
⭐️ Ophthalmology (including cataract surgery and glaucoma laser)
⭐️ Advanced imaging (CT, endoscopy, bronchoscopy, rhinoscopy, arthroscopy)
⭐️ Exotics
⭐️ Spinal imaging and surgery
⭐️ Laparoscopic (keyhole) surgery
⭐️ BOAS
⭐️ Advanced medical cases
⭐️ Advanced dental procedures
⭐️ Orthopaedics

If you would like further information about any of the above please email [email protected]

10/02/2025

🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏
Offers now being dealt with
Huge thanks ❤️

Is anyone is travelling from the
HARTLEPOOL area near Stockton on Tees
to the STOKE ON TRENT area in the next few weeks and could help transport Guinea pigs to the potteries Guinea pig rescue ST7 1DN.
Following the death of owner Stewart we have 18 of Tees Valley Guinea Pigs coming into our care. Even if someone could bring a pair that’s a start.
Petrol money can be paid.
Please WhatsApp me 07398108179 if you could help.
Helen
Rescue Manager

10/02/2025

Meet our sweet trio Wiggy, Brandy and Ginny, looking for a loving forever home! 🐹💖 These three little hearts are full of charm, personality, and love to give. Whether they’re snuggling together or popcorning, they bring endless joy to everyone around them.

Let’s give them the cozy, happy life they deserve. 💕
Please visit out website for further information and our adoption policy.

09/02/2025

Happy Sunday from Scarlett and Nala 🩷