Guinea Pig Donations
My name is Saskia Chiesa and I live in Los Angeles. I started LAGPR some 20 years ago. My love of guinea pigs began when when I held a little piggie in my hands for the very first time. It was love at first sight I started LAGPR after arriving here in 1998 from The Netherlands. I was blown away by the lack of rescue support and resources for guinea pigs here in LA. I learned there were not just dog rescues but breed specific dog rescues even. There were rat rescues, turtle rescues, pigeon rescues and tons of bunny rescues but nothing at all for guinea pigs. I haven't looked back from that first day I opened the doors.
"Guinea pigs are such gentle, humble and innocent little beings. Each one of them has a unique personality with endearing and quirky traits"
If I have learned anything in the years of doing this work is that there is a tremendous need for the services we provide. Surrender request come in every day, usually between 2 - 6 daily. We have a waiting list for intakes and not a day goes by that guinea pigs show up at some of the 12 local animals shelters we cover. We offer free wellness checks and nail clips for all guinea pigs regardless of whether they were adopted from us. We have a phenomenal team of volunteers who donate all their free time who assist with anything from adoptions, medicating, feeding, cage cleaning and guinea pig bubble baths.
Each year we rescue thousands of guinea pigs from private parties and the local animal shelters here in Los Angeles. People find them on hiking trails, in cages in or by the trash bin, in backyards and in boxes discarded by the roadside. We work with law enforcement when our assistance and expertise is needed for a neglect and or hoarding case. We specialize in getting sick pigs healthy and back on their feet. I make educational YouTube videos on everything guinea pig to freely share all I have learned in my many years of caring for these humble and gentle creatures.
"More than 2000 guinea pigs were rescued
and adopted out last year alone"
I think we are doing a good job servicing our local community but my ambitions go beyond that. My goal is to open up a low cost guinea pig specific teaching clinic. A place where guinea pig and their owners can get low cost treatment and veterinaries from all over the world can come and learn the intricacies of guinea pig medicine. We will also be able to initiate studies to learn more about common illnesses, their causes and treatments. A very exciting project that I am so very passionate about. Estimation is that we will need $150,000 to get the project going and hope is that the clinic will pay for itself.
"At any time we have as little as 120 and as many as
350 guinea pigs in our care"
Guinea pigs are such gentle, humble and innocent little beings. Each one of them has a unique personality with endearing and quirky traits. They are so very depended on their care takers which makes them so very vulnerable. I am so blessed and so very thankful that the universe conspired to make me the voice of these precious little fur-balls. It is very humbling to be able to do this work and I am deeply grateful to be in a position to do so.
Will you donate?
Your donation today will allow us to buy pellets and hay, pay the veterinary bills and all the other many expenses that come with operating a rescue shelter.
It costs over $150,000 a year to run the rescue at its current capacity and without funds from fellow guinea pig lovers we would not even get close to making the impact we make today.
Our donors
VW
vernon ward
donated
$26.27
AE
Ann Etheridge
donated
$25/M
TS
Tawny Schmidt
donated
$100
In memory of Bean/ Rehabilitation for Harold. Thank you for your caring effort and support during this difficult time. Thank you comforting Bean when he passed. Thank you for continuing to care for Harold on his healing journey so he may find a new best friend and loving home. He will miss Bean very much. We are very grateful for everyone at the rescue and the many years of support with our piglets. Harold and Bean will always be in our hearts and memories. Much love, The Schmidt Family
VY
Virginia Yapp
donated
$50
Thank you so much for all the great info. It helps me with my 5 piggies.
H
Hillary&Jarom
donated
$10.70
Thanks for all your do xo
T
Tiffany
donated
$21.23
Hi. I’m from Norway and work at a pet shop. Ive been watching and subscribing for a while. Keep up with what you’re doing and saving Guinea pigs!! I have 2 pigs myself and 5 pigs until now!! I will keep supporting you!!
MN
Michele Nufer
donated
$25
D
Dawn
donated
$100
Hope this helps with anything you need for all the wonderful work you do.
K
Anonymous
Thank you so much for doing such a wonderful thing for these lovely but vulnerable creatures.
M
Martina
donated
$52.32
In memory of Baby Patel. Much Love to Claire and Saskia and all the other wonderful LAGPR members and volunteers. You care when many would give up. This makes all the difference 💖
R
Randy
donated
$100
Thank you for everything you do. My guinea pig Coco sadly passed away at an old age and I never had the opportunity to bring her here for a bath. I can't work up the courage to visit your shelter now because I know I will end up in tears. Thank you for everything you do on behalf of all of the guinea pigs everywhere and on behalf of my beloved Coco who was so tiny but made such a huge impact in my heart and in my family. Your work is very much appreciated, thank you.
K
Ken
donated
$208
For the care of Minnie & Penny and all their little friends from uncle Ken and family
E
Eliza
In memory of Buttercup (~2017-2022) who passed peacefully today. She was a rescue from LAGPR who brought joy to her 3 sisters and paw-rents until the very end. We would like to thank LAGPR for bringing her to us and she will be forever in our hearts.
V
Vilma
FN
Anonymous
This donation is made on behalf of The Edge of the Wild's Wildlife Community to help continue the important work of the LA Guinea Pig Rescue!
MS
Monica Shinn
JH
Judy Hill
donated
$100
In memory of our sweet Montague April 2015 - Jan 26, 2022
CD
Carolyn Dundee
donated
$150
KT
Karen Tenhundfeld
donated
$21.08
H
Henry
donated
$52.23
FOR THE PIGGIES!!!!
V
Anonymous
donated
$26.27
JV
Anonymous
donated
$10
My daughter loves you all on YouTube! Keep up the good work.
BB
Brigitte Brunette
donated
$5.50
Sorry I don't have more than this to give you but I had other things come up this month, at least I finally got my invoice and paid for it. Sorry this isnt much but next month I can send in a bigger donation. Hopefully my cube stones come here in the mail since nothing else ever did, I Never got anything letters or post cards from you but I ordered from the live sales in hopes this being tracked will stop it from getting lost in the mail. No matter who packs my order and ships it off. I don't expect any notes and sorry for asking you to do that. Not your fault If the post office lost it. I just want to see if anything arrives here since this should be tracked. Thank You 🐹❗
CR
Chelsea Rodriguez
donated
$10.87
You guys do amazing work. Thank you for helping all the little piggies!
GD
Groundhog Day
donated
$10
It's everyone's favorite rodent-themed holiday! Happy Groundhog Day!
MP
Magali Philippin
donated
$100
A
Allison
donated
$10.70/M
My beloved Brittany was a victim of homicide at 27 . She had 2 skinny pigs I took care of them after her death now have added 3 more hairy pigs . rebuilt a super large cage 6ft by 4ft with a loft. Love these beautiful animals.
H
Harper
Happy Birthday McKenna! Hope this money helps the guinea pigs!
M
Marisa
Happy Birthday to McKenna who instead of gifts wanted donations made to the Guinea Pig Rescue of California.
M
Malina
Thank you for all you do. Patel's short life was full of love. Can't do much more than that.