Bramble Berry Cavy Refuge

05/14/2024

Hello everyone! I am here to announce some big changes with Bramble Berry Cavy Refuge. This has been in the works for a few weeks but we are ready to announce publicly: BBCR is merging with another local rodent rescue, Tiny Whiskers Animal Rescue. I am now the Guinea Pig Coordinator for TWAR. Any inquiries for adoptions, surrender, fostering, and more should be directed to my new email: [email protected]

I know this is a major change but this will enable us to help more piggies more efficiently. Tiny Whiskers is an all-species rodent rescue, so having a dedicated, experienced guinea pig coordinator will free up the rest of the team to focus on other species. Tiny Whiskers is a 501c3, which means access to discounted veterinary care, ability to apply for grants, and more ease in working with other shelters and rescues, so this will aid in my mission to help as many guinea pigs in need as possible.

In the day to day, not much will be changing. The guinea pig adoption process is the same, and I am still the same point of contact for all of the current BBCR fosters and adopters. We are hoping we can add some new foster homes over the summer and increase our intake abilities- currently we have space for roughly 30 pigs at a time, give or take a couple, but would love to see that number grow.

A little about the new team I’ve joined.. Tiny Whiskers Animal Rescue was founded in 2020 by Christy Reese, originally taking in exclusively hamsters, mice, and gerbils. In 2021, Asterisk Citrine joined the team. In 2023 they began taking in other species, first guinea pigs and rats and now all species as space allows. Since the rescue began they have taken in nearly 400 animals of varying species, and have been growing consistently. TWAR is projected to take in twice the number of animals this year compared to last year, having already surpassed last year’s intake numbers with 8 months left in 2024. They have around a dozen foster homes, so with my crew joining the team we will have a combined nearly 30 homes open to critters in need,

I am very excited about this new chapter, I will be gaining some much appreciated support with the operations of running a rescue and we will be able to increase the number of animals helped beyond what any of us could do separately. Teamwork really is SO important when it comes to rescue.

Thank you for all of the love and support each and every one of you has shown to Bramble Berry Cavy Refuge and please follow us over at Tiny Whiskers Animal Rescue on Facebook and Instagram to continue supporting us!

Of course, I will still be monitoring this page and the BBCR email for the next few months to make sure the word is spread, but I will be primarily active on the TWAR pages and under my new TWAR email address (which as a reminder is [email protected]!)

(If you are a foster home, you should have received an email from me already!)

04/13/2024

For those of you unaware of what’s going on in the piggy community right now- the Colorado 500 is a big topic. Cavies and Canines Animal Rescue is the ringleader in this operation, and many other rescues are taking in handfuls of those 500. If you have a chance, check out their story as well as Cavies and Canines page. Donate to them if you can!

02/20/2024

Low Cost Piggy Enrichment! 💡

If you want to switch up your piggies enclosure but don’t have the budget for new hideys- stop by Aldi!
Aldi is a no-plastic bag store, so they provide lots of boxes for you to take for free! I find that they have the best sizes for little piggy houses too!
These are fun for your pigs to chew, and easy to throw out when they get too used up.
Your piggies will get SO excited when you come home with 2-3 new boxes for them to play in and chew 😆

02/09/2024

Bingo and Flo working on their socialization and taming with their lovely foster helper! They’re making such amazing progress so far!

02/07/2024

At long last! Our lovely little “Julius” had a successful meet and greet with a new friend “Chewy” tonight in Burnsville MN!
The new piggy parents will monitor their behavior over the next week together, then we will make it official! 🥳

I was so impressed with our little Julius tonight! He has always been a more energetic male, and I really thought he would be stubborn and dominant. BUT he surprised me by being SO patient and letting his new cage mate do what he needed to do to establish his dominance. I’m really hoping they continue to do so well together over this next week! 🤞🏼

02/05/2024

Two new girls in their new foster home!
Bingo (L) and Flo (R)! They are outgoing but not used to being touched, held, or picked up. They’ll be working hard on this to be ready for adoption!

Thank you so much to ALL of our lovely foster homes for making BBCR what it is! I couldn’t do it without you!

02/03/2024

By popular demand here is an update of our three little baby brothers that were born this fall!

They’ve been growing like weeds, and have been growing into their personalities! They’ve had some interested adopters but are doing well in their foster home too!
As you know, three males often do not work well together and we RARELY recommend they ever stay a trio, but these three boys have been doing great together so far! We will continue to monitor their behaviors and assess if adopting out a single to be paired would be best for them long term; which may end up happening, but we will see!

Their current foster has a single male piggy who absolutely adores these baby boys, and it’s so cute how he watches over them with amazement, and likely some entertainment- ha.

If you’re interested in adopting these boys, please email us at [email protected] for more information!

02/02/2024

DONATE TOWARDS A VET VISIT 🚑🩺

Update! Winston is doing much better! We will use any remaining donations towards future vet visits or paying off other vet bills! You are all welcome to continue to donate towards any future bills! Thank you to all of you who were so generous 🥰

Winston originally came to us a year ago from someone who no longer had time for him and his cage mate. He has been healthy since his original surrender, but now Winston has shown a loss of weight and some diarrhea at his foster home. We are looking for donations to fund his vet visit!
Luckily, Winston is acting himself and hasn’t lost his personality and happy attitude!

If you’re interested in donating, please direct them to:
Venmo (abby_clarin)
or PayPal (brambleberryCR)

For any other ways to donate please contact me directly via email or PM.

Thank you for helping us care for pigs in need!

12/25/2023

Happy Christmas to all of our adopters, fosters, and piggy supporters! 🎄🎁

Here’s a photo of two lovely girls who were able to receive their new foster piggies! They are first time owners, and are up to the challenge of discovering and learning about a new species!

I’m always so proud of families who decide to foster and teach their children about the proper care of animals rather than impulsively buy as gifts.

These two boys (Archie and Winston- available for adoption on Petfinder soon!) have some adjusting to do in this new home, but I know they’ll be well taken care of because of the training mom and daughters have received.

12/11/2023

With the holidays right around the corner, let’s remember what a Guinea pig truly needs to thrive.
If you plan on treating them as a product, which commercial pet stores often promote as acceptable- then plan to get a stuffed animal instead! 😊

11/06/2023

HELP NEEDED!

Saint Paul MN and any surrounding suburbs!
(We have fosters as far as Marshall, MN!)

We are need of more volunteer foster homes here at BBCR. We have Guinea pigs waiting to receive more 1 on 1 attention that a foster home can provide.
Some of the Guinea pigs we have that need foster include:

3 baby male brothers (also adoptable-photos featured below!)
Male Pair
3 Females (together or seperate)
1 Single Male

Please reach out via email at [email protected] to learn more, and to start our three step process to becoming a foster home.

We NEED you!

10/19/2023

Sign up to become a donating Santa!

This is the official sign-up form to be a donating Santa for this year's Secret Santa Project, donating a gift to a guinea pig(s) in rescue. If you have any further questions, please email us on [email protected] , or contact our page www.facebook.com/GuineaPigSecretSanta

10/18/2023

Babies need a foster home/adopter!

Our three little boys born at the end of September (Kermit, Gonzo, and Fozzy) need a foster home! They are also now available for adoption in a pair or individually! (Will not adopt out as a trio)

Please reach out to us if you’re interested in fostering some babies for us, or even adopting one or two of these boys!

Twin Cities MN

10/02/2023

Early on September 28th our other pregnant mama welcomed three lovely baby boys into the world!
These babies will be looking for a foster home as soon as they are weaned from their mommy!
Everyone meet Kermit, Gonzo, and Fozzy! 💚

09/28/2023

The Babies are getting so big!

Our three babies born on September 14th are growing into their adult faces!
We have one girl and two boys 💞
Everyone meet Willie (Beige Agouti Aby), Dolly (Beige/Grey Agouti American), and Glenn (Brown Agouti, Cream, and white American)
They will be up for adoption once they turn three weeks, along with their lovely mommy!

09/16/2023

The three babies born last Thursday got a clean cage and some fun toys!

09/15/2023

Welcome to the world little ones!

This evening between 6:30-6:45pm one of our foster mommas on pregnancy watch (being fostered in Fargo ND) welcomed three darling babies into this world!
We are happy to report that they all have fabulous weights (all over 100g!) and are active and alert. Momma is doing great and being very attentive as well!

We will keep you all updated on their growth, genders, names, and eventual adoption. 🥰

If you would like to donate for the care of these babies as well as other piggies at our rescue, here are some ways to donate!

PayPal: brambleberryCR
Venmo: brambleberrycavyrefuge
Amazon Wishlist: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3OY5JWA0D8VCF?ref_=wl_share

09/14/2023

Sponsor a Vet Visit!

Last week we had a medical scare with one of our foster piggies, Clarabelle!
She was at her foster home when she started to display difficultly walking, and laying in strange positions- not wanting to move like normal.
To say she scared the crap out of me is an understatement! The fosters rushed her to Como park animal hospital, and it was determine that she had injured herself (we aren’t sure how) overnight.
She had no breaks or fractures shown on the X-ray, but the discomfort was originating from her back.
Clarabelle was sent home with antibiotics and pain meds, and she is doing so much better.
We are so thankful this wasn’t a life or death scenario.

Clarabelle’s vet bill was $400, if you would like to contribute to this bill, you may donate to:
PayPal: brambleberryCR
Venmo: brambleberrycavyrefuge
GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/clarabelles-er-visit?utm_source=customer&utm_medium=copy_link&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheet-first-launch

09/01/2023

Happy Adoption Anniversary Abe and Ted! Becky Krasno Peterson

In celebration, The Peterson family has generously offered to cover the next two adoption fees for BBCR adoptions!

Thank you so much for your generosity!! 🥳

08/31/2023

Our very special BBCR adopted Carmy gained his wings this week.🪽

Carmelo “Carmy” and Bustelo “Boo” were adopted by our own lovely Becky Krasno Peterson in January of 2023.
Their original owners had them for about 5 years and were not allowed to bring them with when they moved to Japan.
After being in a foster home or two with us, they found Becky and their family, who promptly foster failed, ha. We couldn’t have been happier with that scenario.

Being older, the Petersons knew they may not have these boys for years, so they prioritized photos, treats, enrichment, and lots of snuggles and love.
Like every old piggy, Carmy slowly started losing his pep, and had more health issues. The Peterson’s kept me updated almost daily on his condition and how he was doing.
This week, he finally told them he was tired, and ready to go.

I meet lots of piggies and can see into each and every one of their hearts. While all pigs are very different in personality from each other, some have a certain sweetness to them. Carmy was one of those pigs.
The moment I met him, I immediately felt so protective of him. I fell in love with this Guinea pig.
He was so gentle, so kind, so content, so happy. He was in a good mood almost every single day of his life.

I am so pleased that Carmy and Boo have been able to spend their final days in such a great home. Yes, it breaks my heart to lose them, especially ones that I connect with so deeply, but I am very happy that I was able to bring them to the place where they were able to feel loved and find peace.

Comment a photo of one of your angel piggies who met Carmy in piggy heaven 🤍

08/31/2023

Tomorrow is September! 🧁

This months activity is called Cupcake Garland, and it involves using paper cupcake liners and veggies for your piggies to find and chew!
Have fun, and don’t hesitate to comment some photos of your pigs having fun with this activity! We would love to see it.

08/26/2023

It’s very true. Many say “I’m not able to give them the attention they deserve” but it’s okay! Just like this post says- they would rather spend all day alone and only see you a little bit rather than be in a shelter.

08/21/2023

HELP NEEDED!

Saint Paul MN and any surrounding suburbs!
(We have fosters as far as Fargo, ND, to Marshall, MN!)

We are need of more volunteer foster homes here at BBCR. We have Guinea pigs waiting to come into our care, and some waiting to receive more 1 on 1 attention that a foster home can provide.

Please reach out via email at [email protected] to learn more, and to start our three step process to becoming a foster home.

We NEED you!

08/18/2023

I agree with Vegas Friends of Guinea Pig Rescue !
I will never understand why it’s so easy for people to just give up on their Guinea pigs. They’re just “done” or have these minor excuses. They don’t realize that we probably go through those same things, but now have 10x more responsibility since everyone reaches out to us to take their Guinea pigs. Get it together for your animals. They aren’t the inconvenience- the situation is.

08/16/2023

Check out or Petfinder page!

https://www.petfinder.com/member/us/mn/saint-paul/bramble-berry-cavy-refuge-mn512/

This page has almost all of our active adoptable Guinea pigs!
I am constantly updating the photos and bios of these piggies! Go check them out!

08/14/2023

Thank you for coming to visit us at the Eden Prairie Pet Fair!
A few of you made dedicated trips to come and meet me and the pigs, get nail trims and health checks, or bring your own pigs to come and say hi and I appreciate you! Becky Krasno Peterson and Allan Besner thank you for bringing your piggies by. I loved seeing Carmy and Boo, and Sylvie and her friends 🥰
I love talking about all the pigs, and spreading education about this species.

There was a handful of pet breeders there, some good, some not so much.
The only breeder at the event that I would actually recommend to people would be Priceless Farms Caviary. Martha Price-Panda takes very good care of her pigs, and they’re all very happy, healthy, and good weights. She is a breeder who cares for her pigs, their well-being, and has a return guarantee for all her pigs. I was able to take home a little baby from her, and he’s adorable, gorgeous, healthy, and very well bred.

Other than breeders, there’s many amazing local makers. Yesterday there was some vendors who made amazing paper chews and handmade toys, some who made beautiful quality fabric hammocks and hides (I got two myself!), and some who made crocheted stuffed animals and others who made fleece pet toys and snuffle mats!

I was very blessed to have my booth right next to two other rescues, Twin Cities Parrot Rescue and Tiny Whiskers Animal Rescue! They were all very kind and it was nice to be able to chat with them about the breeding and rescuing side of these animals. I’m hoping one day these fairs will have more rescues and less breeders!

My booth was right across from a group of pretty unethical breeders. They where giving a poor example to new pet owners by having no hay in the bins that their Guinea pigs were being displayed in. I also noticed they were providing some incorrect info on the pigs they were selling. I had an individual who purchased a baby female tell me the vendors told them the baby was 12 weeks old! No. She was only 249g (we weighed her!) and was very little. She was definitely 4 weeks.

On the bright side, by being so close in proximity to these breeders I was actually able to educate some of the people who were being misinformed by these breeders, not to mention give a much better example on an appropriate living enclosure for a Guinea pig!

Our pigs did great, lounging around and letting people pet them! We also brought our ambassador piggy, Chip, who loves people and attention.

We hope to see more of you next time we are at an event!

08/09/2023

We don’t normally share negative thoughts on Guinea pig owners, but this farm came up on my for you page and I was appalled by what I saw and had to share. (Please note that I tried to comment on this individuals page, but was blocked immediately).

This is Sweet Clover Farm in Michigan. This owner is hoarding and irresponsibly breeding for NO REASON other than because she can.
I absolutely do not agree with this type of care and living environment.
Guinea pigs living in a “livestock” type of environment, breeding uncontrollably only to have babies over and over again and not be cherished for who THEY are.
The owner of this herd on a farm in Michigan doesn’t even know the total amount of Guinea pigs they have, and have stated as such.

Much less knowing how many you have, you would never be able to let each guinea pig have their own name, and give them individual health care if you need to. How do they all get nail trims? Teeth checks? Parasite prevention? How would this owner ever know if one of the pigs in the herd was struggling and losing weight until it’s too late?
I don’t know why I’m not seeing anyone else saying this. Comments about this are definitely being deleted, as the owner of this page immediately blocked our account after commenting. It’s clear this owner doesn’t want to hear the criticism of the way they are keeping these animals, and ultimately don’t care about a better way they could be caring for these Guinea pigs.
It’s so sad for me to see them in this condition. I know how amazing they are, and not being able to snuggle them and get to know them as INDIVIDUALS is so heartbreaking. That’s what every piggy deserves.

The owner has said that they have so many Guinea pigs because they “like them” and that they’re “like flowers- pretty to look at”. That is absolutely ridiculous to compare them in that way. It’s like saying all they are is their color and visual pleasure they provide. They’re SO much more than that.
Are they being put into this environment just because of their colors?

These owners can absolutely be Guinea pig lovers, absolutely, but also need to be aware of the BEST way to care for these Guinea pigs. If they can’t provide that, then this owner should NOT have this many.
Please reconsider your support of this page. If you are defending the way these Guinea pigs are living, do more research on how Guinea pigs should be cared for.
They are meant to be in-home, loving pets. Not kept in a barn and left to breed and fend for their own health.

08/05/2023

Amazon Wishlist Items Needed!

Hi all! We are in need of some items from our Amazon wishlist. The items we are most in need of are these:
-carriers
-water bottles
-Midwest cages

If you would be willing to donate one or more of these items (or any other item on our wishlist) we would be so grateful!

https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3OY5JWA0D8VCF?ref_=wl_share

(Photo of Octavia, one of our adoptable girls in foster!)