Guinea Pig Awareness Week returns!

31 August 2023

The organisers behind Guinea Pig Awareness Week (GPAW), the UK’s largest campaign dedicated to improving guinea pigs’ welfare, have announced a wealth of initiatives around this year’s theme, Rescue & Rehome. For 2023, it’s all about throwing the spotlight on the many guinea pigs in rescue centres in need of their forever homes, as well as touching on other key aspects of guinea pig care.

GPAW, which is endorsed by the British Veterinary Association and British Small Animal Veterinary Association, will run from 25-29 September this year. Its organisers, Burgess Pet Care, are urging veterinary professionals to get behind the latest campaign by accessing online resources including free downloadable veterinary packs, to help them organise and promote their own digital events.

Recent data shows that following a surge in guinea pig abandonments after the pandemic, which has continued this year during the cost of living crisis, there are hundreds of guinea pigs across the UK looking for homes. Figures from the RSPCA show it had taken in 235 guinea pigs by mid-August this year, which is almost as much as the charity’s total intake (253) for the whole of 2022.

Dr Suzanne Moyes MVB, MRCVS, Deputy Managing Director and In-house Vet at Burgess Pet Care, says:

“We are so thrilled that GPAW is returning for a third year. We’ve filled our digital GPAW vet packs will lots of ideas and advice on how practices can host their own digital events and engage with guinea pig owners in their region. GPAW is a great opportunity for vets to get raise the profile of their practices, showcase their guinea pig expertise and actively engage with their clients, communities and fellow practitioners online.

“As vets’ practices are often the first port of call for owners seeking help and advice, it would be fantastic to see as many as possible getting involved and downloading GPAW packs. The more we can all help owners understand and learn about guinea pigs, the happier and healthier the nation’s guinea pigs will be!”

Any veterinary professionals interested in getting involved in this year’s campaign can sign up to receive notification of when the GPAW digital packs will be available to download here: https://guineapigawarenessweek.com.