Vanellope Guinea Pig Sanctuary

11/19/2024

Let's talk.

The season of giving gifts is upon us. Please do not give pets as gifts. Do your research, work with your doctor to rule out allergies, set realistic expectations, and never ever put children in a position of accountability for a pet (let's face it, you're still caring for them, it's up to us as the adults to be accountable!)

We receive surrender requests on a daily basis. We can't make accommodations for every single request, or we couldn't provide quality care for any of the animals we take in. Due to the increasing costs of care, we are forced to implement a fee for surrenders. Items included with a surrendered pet do not cover things like vet visits, medication, spay/neuter, bedding, cleaning supplies, food, or transportation costs. All VGPS board members and staff are unpaid volunteers who donate their time and resources on a daily basis to ensure each animal receives proper care. With that, the board has implemented the fee schedule as follows:

Surrender Fees:

Guinea pig - $50, $20 for each additional guinea pig ($10 off total if one or more are spayed/neutered, vet verification is required, burden of proof falls on surrendering party.)

Rabbit - $100 per intact rabbit, $80 per sterilized rabbit (vet verification is required, burden of proof falls on surrendering party.)

Any surrendered animal may be:
-given permanent sanctuary status
-placed in a foster home or for adoption
-transferred to another organization
-euthanized as deemed appropriate upon exam by an actively licensed veterinary professional, at the discretion of VGPS.

Completion of this form is mandatory for intake consideration. This does not guarantee placement with our organization. Surrender Fees: Guinea pigs - $50, $20 for each additional guinea pig ($10 off total if one or more are spayed/neutered) Rabbits - $100 per intact rabbit, $80 per sterilized rabbit...

11/19/2024

Commonly requested forms are linked here!

Adoption Application:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSc3_C62EPHPJjHjJz8O2LEaHU-ByjTlbSC7O6e5W5La_wIWHg/viewform?usp=sf_link

Surrender Request:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScmRQ6qHkydYKPPleiQoZLpAL3LPGMITyKEAeUo3RYqFAZIYw/viewform?usp=sf_link

Completion of this form is mandatory for intake consideration. This does not guarantee placement with our organization. Surrender Fees: Guinea pigs - $50, $20 for each additional guinea pig ($10 off total if one or more are spayed/neutered) Rabbits - $100 per intact rabbit, $80 per sterilized rabbit...

11/15/2024

💕💕💕 Thank you again to Avalon Microsanctuary for your assistance on the Oregon hoarding guinea pigs' journey to bigger and better things!

Paulie hanging out at the vet and looking derpy as ever.

He was rescued from a large hoarding case thanks to

Vanellope Guinea Pig Sanctuary

10/28/2024

In the life of rescue, mental health matters.
You cannot pour from an empty cup. You matter.

Hello everyone, it's Nikki. Locally known as "The Guinea Pig Lady" by many, I'm also a mom, wife, daughter, and friend. You may remember I lost my father in July. The grief has proven to be more immense than I could've imagined. Many of us struggle with mental health, anyone in rescue definitely has at one point or another. I am struggling. I have for nearly my entire life. I want all of our donors, supporters, followers, adopters, prospective adopters, even those that have surrendered animals to our organization to know - you matter. You're definitely not alone. We - myself and the amazing board of directors - are not here to judge anyone's circumstances. Every person has unseen struggles, some burden they quietly carry with a brave face. Until you break. I reached my breaking point recently. I looked around at all we have done but still felt empty. Nothing mattered. I couldn't bring myself to care.

I've been there before, as a teen in terrible life circumstances. The difference now is I know better. I learned it's ok to feel, ok to reach out and ask for help. Ok to not be ok. I made it through the first time because of my dad.. He's the unsung hero of this entire organization. How many lives will we save because of him? Over 200 so far. Thinking about the path from then to now is overwhelming. Losing him is a weight that, lately, has been unbearable. Thankfully, it's now all of you that are the heroes in this story.

So, thank you. Thank you to every single one of you. Every adopter, every donor, every word of mouth referall, every question asked and guinea pig placed, every friend made. Thank you. You matter. And thanks to you, I am reminded, I, must matter too;

10/28/2024

10/21/2024

ADOPTION PENDING 😍😍😍😍

10/20/2024

Hi everyone! 🌟 You can support us by sending Stars - they help the rescue earn funding here on Facebook!

Whenever you see the Stars icon, you can send us Stars!

10/20/2024

We had a great time during the adoption event at PetSense in Chehalis today! We met lots of people, answered questions, and 3 guinea pigs found their furever homes!!!
We also collected a total of $198 in donations 😍 THANK YOU 🥰

Grizzy wasn't adopted - but he wants to be! Our policy is no guinea pig should have to live alone. Grizzy is a bit unique - he has been tried over a dozen times with potential matches, without success. If you have a single boy that's the same way, or would like to have only one guinea pig, Grizzy is the exception to the rule. The decision to allow one of our own to be a single guinea pig isn't taken lightly, but we feel it's the best situation based on his behavior. This little king 👑 is looking for someone that wants to devote their love and attention to him alone!

His adoption fee is WAIVED!

10/15/2024

Check out our updated listings on PetFinder to see some of the furry friends that will be at our adoption event this Saturday at PetSense in Chehalis! Each pet profile has a link to our adoption application!

Learn more about Vanellope Guinea Pig Sanctuary in CHEHALIS, WA, and search the available pets they have up for adoption on Petfinder.

10/07/2024

When it comes to our bunny friends, we couldn't agree more 🤣🤣🤣

The CORRECT way to use a playpen: 🤣

10/06/2024

Salem, the *hopefully* last momma from the Big Oregon rescue trip in August, has a fully seperated p***c symphysis and is ready to deliver at any moment! Can you guess how many pups she's carrying? Make a guess and donate that many dollars! Stay tuned for the big reveal and a chance to help us name her babies next week!
Don't forget to check out our Amazon & Chewy wishlists - the piggies could really use some new toys, dishes, and litter boxes!
Also - ADOPTION EVENT OCTOBER 19TH AT PETSENSE IN CHEHALIS 💓


Make an impact when you donate to support the residents of Vanellope Guinea Pig Sanctuary:

https://www.paypal.com/fundraiser/charity/5253221

Venmo.me/VanellopeGPS

https://www.amazon.com/registries/gl/guest-view/3JOXS02WMKNU1

https://www.chewy.com/g/vanellope-guinea-pig-sanctuary_b123237942

09/29/2024

09/28/2024

Astoria update!
Earlier this month, the sweet Astoria from the big Oregon Rescue we did underwent enucleation surgery. We're thrilled to share her recovery is coming along very well! She has a recheck with Pine Tree on Wednesday Oct. 2nd. With that, I have shared the latest update of our current invoice at Pine Tree, $720.. If you can help us, even $5 makes an impact. Thank you to every donor that's contributed so far, we cannot do this without your support 💜

QR Codes for Venmo & PayPal are included!

Thank you Kelli, Katie, and Lisa for your PayPal donations!!! Thank you Rebecca for the food donation thismorning!!!

09/27/2024

We want to address a common misunderstanding: surrendering your pet is not a "donation" to us.

We receive surrender requests referring to unwanted rabbits as “donations” all the time. The most recent wasn’t even 20 minutes ago and read, “This little guy doesn't get the attention he needs here. I'd like to donate him to your rescue. Please get back to me ASAP.“

When a bunny is surrendered to Dolly’s Dream Home Rabbit Rescue, it involves much more than a simple handoff and adoption. We don’t make money off of your rabbits, regardless of their breed, if they’re pedigreed with papers, or if they’re healthy.

Each time a bunny is surrendered, we spend a minimum of $350 each spaying/neutering, vetting, microchipping, deworming, and on foster supplies. Most of the cases we’ve been intaking are medical cases as well, that cost significantly more. There is no money to be made in rescue.

Our adoption fees are $100 for a single bunny and $150 total for a bonded pair. We lose money on every single intake. It’s worth it to us, but you’re not doing us a favor by “donating” your bunny unless you donate the $350 minimum they will cost us as well. That doesn’t cover the time for socialization and litter training, space, or other resources we use either.

So, if you find yourself in a situation where you have to surrender your pet, please understand that it comes with real costs for our rescue organization. It is not a “donation.” It is not helpful for them.

We are always happy to help and receive nearly 200 requests per week, but recently tons of owner surrenders have acted like they’re doing us a HUGE favor by bringing in their unwanted bunny. In reality, we’re putting in all of the money, time, and energy to make sure your unwanted responsibility is healthy, loved, and well taken care of.

Our team has spoken with many other rescues who are seeing the same problem from owners.

Surrendering an animal is not a donation. It does not help the rescue. We cannot write you a donation receipt for your bunny, no matter how many times you ask. Each intake costs time, money, and space that our volunteers donate - not the previous owner.

09/27/2024

🐹 Understanding Guinea Pig Behavior 🐹

It's Day 1 of Guinea Pig Awareness Week 2024, and we're starting off with an exploration of guinea pig behavior!

Guinea pigs are expressive little creatures with many unique behaviors. From popcorning (jumping for joy) to "rumble-strutting" (a sign of dominance or courtship), understanding their behavior is key to providing proper care.

Guinea pigs communicate through a range of vocalizations. These include wheeking for food, a soft "chutt-putt" while exploring, purring when content, and squealing or screaming when painful. Their sounds are key to understanding their emotional state. 🎶

Keep an eye out for signs of stress, such as hiding or excessive vocalization, which could indicate health or environmental issues. Encourage their natural behaviors by offering safe spaces to explore, nibble, and play. 🧡

Burgess Excel