The RSPCA is caring for a staggering 12 guinea pigs including some babies which were found abandoned in a cardboard box in Leicester.
The box which was taped up was found outside a shop in Humberston Road, Leicester, on Tuesday 25 July at around 10am.
The shocked member of the public – found the box and rushed it straight to the RSPCA Woodside Animal Centre.
Staff discovered there were 12 guinea pigs inside – five male and seven female. Some of the female guineas are also pregnant.
The incident comes as the RSPCA launches its Cancel Out Cruelty fundraising campaign which calls on the public to help support our frontline teams so they can save more animals during the busy summer months.
As Woodside does not have the facilities for small furries the guinea pigs were transferred to a private boarding facility until space is available at another centre.
RSPCA Inspector Herchran Boal, who collected the guinea pigs said: “It is heartbreaking and shocking to think so many guinea pigs have been abandoned all at once.
“It’s likely that this is a result of accidental pregnancies and the numbers of guineas just kept growing. But leaving them all in a box with no food or water is just unacceptable. They were all terrified and it’s so sad that they were just left in this way.
“They were left down a very busy road in Leicester so I would ask shop owners in the area to check their CCTV to see if they can see who was responsible for leaving these guineas.
“Anyone who saw anything suspicious in the area or who has any information that could assist the RSPCA’s investigation should contact the charity appeal line, confidentially on 0300 123 8018.”
