Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue, Inc.

01/04/2025

Happy Friday! Tonight, Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue is proud to introduce our newest adoption program: Skinny Love Adoption Project.

Skinny or Hairless guinea pigs are very special to us and need extra care and support over our floofy piggies. They eat more, p**p more and need care to keep them warm and healthy. Since they are very special, we ask for a higher adoption fee than their hairy counterparts ($150 each)

To make sure you are ready to adopt these adorable piggies, we ask for you to read about their care from our friends at Kavee.com :
https://kavee.com/blogs/the-piggy-blog/hairless-guinea-pigs

And then answer an extra quiz to know that you have read all of the information at
https://www.classmarker.com/online-test/start/?quiz=m9t6620198aa4a12

We highly recommend you also purchase a piggie safe heating pad to have in their cage which can be found on Amazon:
https://a.co/d/7x2ncob

01/01/2025

🎉🐹 Happy New Year from Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue! 🐹🎉

As we welcome 2025, we’d like to update everyone on two very special boys, Waylon and Jesse! These resilient little guys came to us from our friends at Dekalb County LifeLine Animal Project late last year after being found outdoors.

✨ Waylon was discovered in a dumpster at a Dekalb County apartment complex. Thankfully, a kind person saw his carrier hidden beneath some wood and rescued him.
✨ Jesse was left beside a dumpster at another the very same week but luckily also found!

Today, both Waylon and Jesse are thriving! They've gained weight are still a little skittish but are ready to find their forever home together. 💛

Start your 2025 off with a little extra love and joy—adopt Waylon and Jesse and give them the happy ending they deserve. Here's to a year full of love, hope, and happily-ever-afters for all creatures, big and small. ❤

From our herd to yours, we send warm wishes for a Happy New Year! 🎉🎊🎉🎊🐹🐹🐹

12/31/2024

2024: A Year to Remember with Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue Inc.

As we wrap up 2024, we’re filled with gratitude for the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together! This year’s Year in Review video captures the heart of OGPR—our adoptions, community outreach, and the special connections we’ve built along the way. ❤️🐾

✨ Thank You to Our Heroes ✨

To our monthly donors and all of our supporters: Your generosity ensures we can continue providing top-notch care and support to guinea pigs in need.
To our foster families: Your dedication transforms scared, neglected guinea pigs into happy, loving companions, ready for their forever homes.
To our volunteers: You are the backbone of every event, adoption day, and rescue mission.

To Kerith, our tireless Adoption Coordinator: Your work has helped so many families and guinea pigs find their perfect matches.

To Erin and Catalina, our amazing Foster Coordinators: Your leadership and compassion ensure every guinea pig receives the individual love and care they need to thrive.

💫 Thanks to the combined efforts of our incredible community, 2024 was a year of growth and impact. We accomplished so much—both in the lives of guinea pigs and the people who love them.

Looking ahead to 2025, we’re dreaming big! With your continued support, we aim to take on even larger projects, help even more guinea pigs, and spread the joy of rescue far and wide.

💚 Thank you for being part of the OGPR family. Here’s to another amazing year of making a difference—together!

🎥 Watch our Year in Review video now! 🐹✨

https://youtu.be/trv8X0h0QQk
As we wrap up 2024, we’re grateful for the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together! This year’s Year in Review video captures the heart of OGPR—our adoptions, community outreach, and the special connections we’ve built along the way. ❤️🐾

As we wrap up 2024, we’re grateful for the incredible milestones we’ve achieved together! This year’s Year in Review video captures the heart of OGPR—our ado...

12/27/2024

We hope everyone is having a wonderful holiday season! Last weekend, we had an amazing adoption day, finding forever homes for six piggies!

First up were the incredible duo, Starsky and Stallion. Starsky, a sweet Abyssinian boy, came to us after his previous family realized they had too many piggies and wanted to ensure he received the proper care and attention. His buddy Stallion, a short-nosed hairless guinea pig, made the journey all the way from Indiana. His former family needed to rehome him due to personal circumstances and knew this was the best decision for his future.

Note: Hairless piggies require specialized care, so OGPR has a unique adoption process for them. This includes an additional test and a higher adoption donation to ensure families are well-prepared to meet their needs.

Next, we had Floof and Ploof! You might remember these two as part of the group we rescued from Douglasville a few months ago. After overcoming a tough start, we are thrilled they’ve found a loving home together!

Last but certainly not least, Noelle and Rudy, also part of the Douglasville intake, had a fantastic bonding session with Bubbles, a 3-year-old guinea pig who traveled all the way from South Carolina to meet them! We’re deeply touched by Bubbles’ family’s commitment, driving over three hours each way to find him some perfect companions.

Stay tuned—we have more heartwarming stories to share in the coming days, including an abandonment case we worked on last week.

From all of us at OGPR, we wish you and your families a joyful holiday season filled with love and happiness. Happy Holidays from OGPR and the piggies! ❤🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🎊🎉🎊🎉

12/25/2024

Happy Hanukkah from Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue! 🕎🐹

As the first candle of Hanukkah shines brightly, we're celebrating the season of light and love with two of our incredible senior ambassadors, Pikachu and Olive!

✨ Pikachu is just a couple of months away from her sixth birthday! While she’s semi-retired from school visits, events, and Brownie troop meetings, she still loves spreading the OGPR mission. These days, Pikachu enjoys a slower pace, spending her time snuggling with Olive and their little herd, but her passion for promoting guinea pig rescue is as vibrant as ever!

✨ Olive, our big chunk of love, is a little over six years old and came to us from Cobb Animal Services. She’s also been a proud representative at outreach events, sharing her story and showing just how special guinea pigs are.

Both of these remarkable ladies remind us of the joy and warmth that come from giving animals a second chance. They inspire us daily with their gentle spirits and love for life.

This Hanukkah, let’s honor the light these two amazing souls bring to OGPR and the world around them. May your homes be filled with warmth, love, and the same happiness these two bring to ours.

Happy Hanukkah from all of us at OGPR – Pikachu, Olive, and our entire guinea pig family! 💙✨

12/25/2024

🎄✨ Merry Christmas from Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue! ✨🎄

This holiday season, we’re celebrating two of our special residents, Saddle and MoMo, who remind us of the resilience and joy guinea pigs bring to our lives.

🎁 Saddle, a 2.5-year-old beauty, arrived with a broken back leg caused by a wire-bottom cage. Thanks to expert care from the University of Georgia Veterinary Hospital, her bone healed completely, and today she zooms around like a champ—small lump and all!

🎁 MoMo, a sweet 3.5-year-old girl, came to us as an owner surrender earlier this year. She faced a life-threatening ectopic pregnancy but underwent immediate surgery and has made a full recovery. She’s now thriving and enjoying life to the fullest!

As we gather with loved ones this Christmas, we’re grateful for the chance to give these guinea pigs—and so many others—a second chance at a happy, healthy life.

🐹💖 From all of us at Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue, we wish you a joyous holiday season filled with love, hope, and guinea pig wheeks!🐹🐹❤🎄🎄

12/21/2024

Meet Ethel and Lucy: OGPR Winter Solstice Sweethearts! ❤🐹🐹

Ethel and Lucy, a pair of inseparable best friends, are ready to light up your life this Winter Solstice! These two lovely ladies bring warmth and joy wherever they go, like the sun returning after the longest night of the year. Ethel, with her calm and nurturing demeanor, perfectly complements Lucy’s playful and adventurous spirit.

Whether they’re snuggling in their cozy hay beds or sharing a crunchy veggie snack, Ethel and Lucy remind us of the beauty of companionship during this festive season. They’re hoping to find a loving forever home where they can spread their solstice cheer all year round. Could it be with you? ❤🎊🎉❤❤☀️🐹🐹

12/21/2024

Happy Friday! 🎉

We want to extend a heartfelt thank you to our two Secret Santas for the SPS box of hay and the delicious pellets! 🐾 This generous gift couldn’t have come at a better time and is truly appreciated.

With love and gratitude,
Delgado, Mr. Brown, and everyone at OGPR ❤️

12/10/2024

We hope everyone is having a fantastic start to the week! We're excited to share that yesterday's adoption day was a huge success, with 12 guinea pigs finding their forever homes. We also reconnected with a longtime supporter and had the privilege of helping several families participate in our OGPR Forever Home for the Holidays program. Here's a recap of the day:

Cookie’s Reunion: Cookie, an OGPR alumna born at the rescue as part of the 2018 Mountain Lake rescue, was recently left without a buddy. Her mom, Laura—a devoted supporter, foster, and donor—reached out looking for a pair. We introduced her to sisters Rachel, Monica, and Phoebe, and after a successful bonding session, Cookie has new companions! It was amazing to see Cookie again after all these years.

Stark, Ester, and Matilda: Ester and Matilda, from the recent Douglas County rescue, found a home along with Stark, Ester's daughter. Stark decided to stay by her mom's side, and now the trio is thriving in their new forever home.

Barathe and Tarly: These two baby sisters from the Douglasville rescue also found a loving family.

Teddy and Chico: Chico, who came to us after losing his buddy, bonded with Teddy, another Douglas County baby. They were adopted together into a wonderful home.

Herman and Peewee: These two boys were rescued from a terrible situation but now have a loving forever family to call their own.

A heartfelt thank-you to everyone who participated in yesterday’s event! Special appreciation goes to Kerith for expertly coordinating with the families and ensuring they had everything they needed.

We’re so grateful for our fosters and community’s ongoing support—it truly makes all the difference! ❤️ 🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

Douglas County Animal Services - Georgia

12/04/2024

Meet Leela!

Last night, OGPR was contacted by a local emergency veterinarian about a wounded guinea pig brought in by a kind-hearted good Samaritan. Initially, the woman thought she had found a kitten in some bushes but soon realized it was a little guinea pig. Seeing that Leela was injured, she quickly took her to a nearby clinic for care.

At the clinic, Leela received fluids, which helped her perk up, but it became clear that her right eye was severely injured. After stabilizing her and starting antibiotics, the clinic reached out to us for assistance.

During our lunch break today, we picked up Leela and immediately noticed she was extremely underweight, and her injured eye looked worse than expected. We reached out to Dr. Ahearn at the Animal Hospital of Sandy Springs, and with her help, we now have a treatment plan in place. While we are hopeful, we’re uncertain if her eye can be saved, but we’ve seen miracles happen before, so we're giving her the best chance possible.

Today also happens to be GivingTuesday, and we want to express our deepest gratitude to Alden, Daryl, Lisa C., and Anna B. for their incredibly generous donations. With everything happening today, we haven’t been able to monitor as closely as usual, so if we missed anyone, please know how much we appreciate you.❤❤

Tonight, instead of focusing on whoever abandoned little Leela, we want to celebrate the incredible woman who found her and ensured she made it to a warm vet clinic before temperatures dropped to 28°F. We also want to thank our incredible supporters, donors, and volunteers.

Here’s to brighter days ahead for sweet Leela! 💕🐹❤

11/28/2024

Happy Thanksgiving from Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue!

As we gather to reflect on what we’re grateful for, we are overwhelmed with appreciation for the amazing community that makes our work possible. Our fosters, donors, and volunteers are the heart and soul of Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue. Your dedication, compassion, and tireless efforts have given so many guinea pigs a second chance at life; we are endlessly thankful for that.

A special thank you to our foster coordinators, Catalina and Erin, who go above and beyond to ensure every guinea pig receives the love and care they deserve while in the rescue, and to our adoption coordinator, Kerith, who answers hundreds of emails and helps families find their perfect match. Your passion and hard work is truly amazing!

We are deeply grateful to our veterinarians, Dr. Ahearn, Dr. Mayer, and Dr. Colby, whose expertise and compassion have saved countless lives and given hope to even the most challenging cases.

We also thank Lifeline Animal Project for providing a wonderful space for our weekly adoptions. It’s in this space that little lives change and where families meet their new furry family members.

To everyone who has supported us, whether through fostering, donating, volunteering, or simply spreading the word about our mission, you are the reason we’ve been able to rescue and rehome over 1,500 guinea pigs since we began.

This Thanksgiving, we’d also like to introduce two of our newest adoptable guinea pigs, Sandy and Chunky! These sweet one-year-old boys came to us from Cobb County Animal Services and have quickly stolen our hearts with their gentle nature and playful personalities. They are a bonded pair looking for a forever home where they can continue to thrive. If you’re looking to add some extra love (and a few happy wheeks) to your life, Sandy and Chunky might be the perfect match!

From all of us at Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue, thank you for being part of our family. Wishing you a joyful and peaceful Thanksgiving filled with love, laughter, and maybe a few wheeks of joy from your little sweet potatoes! 🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹❤❤

11/27/2024

Tonight, we are thrilled to share the Tale of Despereux and Truffles!

Last month, OGPR was contacted by a family from Asheville, North Carolina, who had to evacuate to Atlanta during Hurricane Helene. The family brought along their five-year-old guinea pig, Despereux, who had recently lost his companion. Heartbroken by his loss, Despereux spent most of his days hiding in his pigloo, only venturing out to eat. With the upheaval caused by the hurricane and the challenges ahead, the family wanted the best for Despereux. They reached out to OGPR, hoping we could help him find a new friend and a loving forever home.

When Despereux arrived at OGPR, we conducted a wellness check and introduced him to two of our calmest male guinea pigs, Ollie and Stanley. Though they welcomed him into their herd, Despereux was hesitant and spent his first few weeks retreating to a quiet pigloo. Gradually, we noticed small signs of progress—he began venturing out to take veggies from us, a big step toward regaining his confidence.

Once we saw Despereux thriving, we set out to find him the perfect forever family. Last Sunday, we had an incredible bonding session between Despereux and Truffles, a sweet little Abyssinian guinea pig. Truffles had been rescued after being found outside by his family, who also wanted to find him the perfect companion. The bonding session was perfect, with Truffles even grooming Despereux, which was a sure sign of affection.

We are overjoyed to share that Despereux and Truffles are now happily living together in their new forever home. To Despereux’s original family: please know he is safe, loved, and thriving. We hope things are improving for you as well! ❤️🐹🐹

11/26/2024

We hope everyone is having a wonderful Monday! Tonight, we want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Small Pet Select for their incredible donation of 31 boxes of hay and bedding! This generous gift couldn’t have come at a better time as the Douglasville moms continue to deliver their babies, and we recently took in four more females who were abandoned and are yet to be shared on our page. Thanks to this donation, we’re able to provide much-needed supplies to our amazing foster families during this challenging period.

Small Pet Select is an extraordinary company—not only for its high-quality products but also for its unwavering commitment to supporting the small animal rescue community. OGPR has proudly been part of their rescue program for years, and we cannot thank them enough for their partnership. Through this program, every family that adopts from us receives a certificate for a free box of Small Pet Select hay. This is a fantastic way for families new to hay to discover the superior quality of fresh, nutritious hay compared to what’s often sold in pet stores.

If you haven’t already, we highly encourage you to check out Small Pet Select’s website at https://shop.smallpetselect.com/ for the best small animal products. Don’t miss their incredible Black Friday deals!

We’re also deeply grateful for their past support, including a significant donation during the Macon Rescue in 2022. Their generosity over the years has made a world of difference. ❤🐹

On behalf of everyone at Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue—and all the piggies—we send a huge thank you and warm Thanksgiving wishes to the entire Small Pet Select team!🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

Small Pet Select

11/21/2024

This holiday season, Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue (OGPR) is thrilled to launch A Forever Home for the Holidays, which will run through November and December. This program helps families considering guinea pigs with advice, meet-and-greets, and guidance on essential supplies. The holidays are a great time to adopt, as the break from school and work provides extra time for bonding with new family members.

We caution against gifting guinea pigs as surprises on Christmas morning, as the noise and chaos can stress or injure them. Instead, consider adopting in advance and gifting an awesome C&C cage set up during the holiday. OGPR can loan an approved temporary cage to make this possible.

Our rigorous adoption process ensures a lifetime of happiness for piggies and families. Don't hesitate to contact us early to allow time for completion. Learn more about the steps here.

https://www.ogpr.org/adoption-1

Why Adopt from OGPR?

- All guinea pigs are vet-checked, including a complimentary follow-up vet visit.

- You’ll receive the OGPR Handbook with valuable care information.

- We provide ongoing support to answer any questions.

Sadly, we see an increase in surrenders by late February, often from holiday pet store purchases made without proper preparation. By adopting through OGPR, you’re making a thoughtful decision for your guinea pig's lifelong well-being.

If you’re considering a dog, cat, or bunny, we encourage you to adopt from a shelter or rescue, where your decision saves two lives—your new family member and the one that takes its place.🐶🐱🐰

Let us help you make this holiday season memorable for your family and some deserving guinea pigs!🐹🐹

11/20/2024

Tonight, we want to express our deepest thanks to Kelli for her amazing gift as part of The Guinea Pig Secret Santa Project! As you can see, Olive and Sammie are thrilled with the 50 pounds of pellets, Oxbow Simple Rewards treats, and even a box of hot chocolate mix for our human team!😍 This generosity couldn't have come at a better time, with over 150 guinea pigs in our care, including 19 babies from the recent Douglasville rescue.

Olive and Sammie are two of our cherished sanctuary ambassadors. Sammie came to us from Cherokee Animal Services with a case of E. cuniculi and ovarian cysts. After extensive treatment, she’s now thriving and looking fantastic! While her head tilt is permanent, it doesn’t slow her down one bit. Olive, rescued from Cobb County Animal Services, overcame a severe case of pneumonia and has fully recovered, ready to enjoy some tasty treats! 🐹🐹

Thank you, Kelli, for your kindness and for thinking of us. If you’d like to send us a PM, we’d love to send you a holiday card as a token of our appreciation! ❤️🎄

Thank you, Lauren & Jane, for this fantastic program!❤🐹🐹

The Guinea Pig Secret Santa Project

https://guineapigsecretsanta.com/

11/16/2024

Happy Friday! 🌟 Tonight’s post is one of our favorites, celebrating the happy moments that keep us going in rescue. It’s easy to lose sight of these stories amidst the constant care for sick piggies and handling emergencies, but last week, we received a wonderful reminder from the family who adopted Chop and Felix. 💖

Chop, the black and white Abby, and Felix, the white and tan Abby, are two sweet boys who were bonded at OGPR. Chop was surrendered after being misgendered and needing separation from his female companions. Felix was found abandoned at a local apartment complex but, fortunately, was in great shape when rescued.

Last month, this wonderful pair was adopted by an amazing family, and as you can see from the attached photos, they’re thriving and loving their floor time! 🐹💚 A huge thank you to Chop and Felix’s new family for providing them with such a loving home and sharing these joyful updates. We love seeing these happy endings! 🥰🐹🐹🎉🎊🎉

11/09/2024

Happy Friday! Tonight, Carmel Swirl and Eggy would like to wish everyone a Happy National Animal Shelter Appreciation Week! After being privately surrendered, these two came to us from the Dekalb County LifeLine Animal Project. Carmel Swirl has been on medication for an upper respiratory issue since she arrived, while Eggy, a sweet older girl, is thankfully in good shape!

honors the vital work of animal shelters nationwide. Every year, around 6.3 million companion animals enter shelters, and thanks to the dedicated shelter staff, volunteers, and foster families, these pets receive the care and support they need to find new homes or reunite with their families.

We don’t have full-time staff at Oakhurst Guinea Pig Rescue, but our small team of core volunteers, 28 incredible foster families, and 150 guinea pigs make up our community. Kerith, Catalina, and Erin are the heart of our rescue, working tirelessly to coordinate intakes and adoptions. Their dedication ensures that every guinea pig finds a loving forever home, even as we face challenging situations with frequent large surrenders and abandoned pigs. Their resilience and positivity keep us going strong!

We also have the best foster families! Whenever we need help, they’re there to lend a hand. Just last week, our amazing foster Jenifer noticed that Pauline, one of the guinea pigs found abandoned at a shopping center, was experiencing balance issues. She quickly took her to our vet, where Pauline was diagnosed and treated, likely for an inner ear infection from her time exposed to the elements. With prompt care, Pauline is improving and had a great checkup today.

THANK YOU to all the animal shelters, staff, volunteers, and fosters who make a difference for needy animals! ❤❤🎉🎉🎉🎊🎊🐹🐹🐹🐹🐹

10/31/2024

Adoptable guinea pigs Ember and Charcoal are here to wish everyone a Happy Halloween! Today, these sweet girls are busy brewing up cauldrons of cilantro. They joined us from DeKalb County LifeLine Animal Project after being surrendered and quickly won our hearts. As ambassadors at Oakhurst Porchfest this year, they had a fantastic time meeting new friends! At just about a year old, Ember and Charcoal are now looking for their perfect forever family. If you think it might be you, reach out and let us know! From all of us at OGPR, wishing you and the piggies a safe and spooky Halloween!! 🎃 🐹🐹🐹🐹🎊❤🎉🎃🎃🎃🎃