Appeal after 37 abandoned guinea pigs found at Coventry allotment

The herd were taken in by Small Animal Rescue Coventry after being found by a member of the public

Thirty-seven abandoned guinea pigs have been found at an allotment in Coventry, an animal rescue centre has said.

The "severely malnourished" animals were found on Saturday alongside bread and water that had frozen in cold temperatures.

The herd was taken in by Small Animal Rescue Coventry (SARC) after the discovery by a local resident.

The RSPCA had been alerted to the find, the centre confirmed.

The BBC has contacted the RSPCA for comment.

Many of the guinea pigs were "severely malnourished" and suffering from skin issues, the centre said

Seven baby guinea pigs were found dumped in a box at the same allotment in June 2023.

A spokesperson for SARC said two of the animals among the latest group were found dead alongside three cats, which had all been "dumped in a pile outside".

Some of the surviving guinea pigs were suffering with neurological or skin issues and bloat, they added.

The herd consists of 11 males and 24 females, with some thought to be pregnant

The shelter said the herd varied in age from days to a couple of years old, and included 11 males and 24 females, with some thought to be pregnant.

"Its hard to think what may have happened if they weren't found for another few days or if a fox had found [them]," SARC said in a post on Facebook.

"They are [now] safe, warm, clean, watered and surrounded by hay and fresh food. "

The abandoned animals were found in a polythene tunnel with "nothing but bread to sustain them"

The centre is appealing for online donations towards supplies for the new herd, including hay, food and shavings.

Amy-Leigh Romeril, who runs the centre, said there were 104 guinea pigs currently waiting to be rehomed.

The new intake will be monitored before being made available for adoption.

"If you are interested in adoption please contact us about our piggies who are ready and waiting patiently," SARC added on Facebook.

"The boys who were dumped in June are still waiting for their special homes."