For the Love of Guinea Pigs in Hillsborough is in desperate need of help.
Shelter owner Jennifer Maybee recently learned she was losing her home insurance because of the large number of guinea pigs, “Our homeowner’s insurance decided that they were dropping our policy due to having too many animals in cages in the home. They said that it was a liability.”
Maybee says their homeowner’s policy stopped on June 4th and they weren’t offered an extension.
She is hoping someone can help with the donation of a new building that would go right on her property, or assist with the costs of constructing a building.
Maybee had a few leads last week from the community who offered help, but unfortunately, she says they fell through.
She runs the Guinea Pig rescue on her own, and she is also hoping to see others volunteer so she can expand the shelter.
She is currently caring for 57 Guinea Pigs and has around 30 others on a waiting list, that are to be surrendered, “The New Brunswick SPCA has been sending people to me, and there are some that were abandoned in apartments or abandoned houses. 90 percent of them though are from people who either don’t do their research prior to getting them. On a whim, they realize they’re allergic or their kids lose interest and they end up being surrendered to me,” Maybee adds.
Maybee says it costs about $6000 a month to run the Guinea Pig rescue, and she relies on donations.
“We have an ongoing bottle drive with the Riverview Bottle Exchange, they have an account set up for us. We charge $30 to adopt a guinea pig, or you can get a package, that comes along with a cage and starter package,” Maybee adds.
For the Love of Guinea Pigs is the only shelter of its kind in New Brunswick.
“I’d like to have one building that can house everyone. The dimensions needed would be 10×16 with a wall with an entrance so that it would be two rooms one room at 10×10 and one 10×6,” Maybee adds.
If you are interested in helping, Maybee suggests reaching out on the ‘For the Love Of Guinea Pigs’ Facebook page. A GoFundMe page has also been set up.
