If you’re visiting this page, you may be facing a difficult time where you’re unable to care for a pet you love. Choosing to rehome is difficult and we know you have not come to this decision lightly.
Although our rescue is currently full and unable to accept new surrenders, we still want to ensure anyone in a desperate situation is able to get the guidance they need to find the right home for their beloved pet.
In this Blog we will go over several important topics
Where to rehome your guinea pig
Family & Friends
When it comes to rehoming your guinea pigs, one of the best-case scenarios is placing them with a trusted friend or family member who already has experience with guinea pig care. Not only will your piggies be in familiar, loving hands, but you might even get the chance to visit them from time to time!
Before beginning the search for a new home, we recommend starting by asking around—sometimes the perfect caretaker is closer than you think. Reach out to people in your circle who may be interested and capable of giving your piggies the love and attention they need.
If a family member or friend is willing to take them in but isn’t familiar with guinea pig care, don’t worry—it can still work out! Just make sure they understand the level of commitment involved. Take the time to walk them through the basics of guinea pig care, help them set up a safe and suitable cage, and provide any helpful resources to get them started on the right foot.
Guinea Pig & Small animal Rescues
Guinea pig and small animal rescues are often one of the safest and most reliable options when it comes to rehoming your piggies. Unlike large chain shelters, these rescues usually specialize in caring for "exotic" pets and often have the experience, knowledge, and resources needed to meet their unique needs.
Finding a rescue that suits your situation is often just a quick Google search away. If you’re having trouble locating one nearby, try searching for adoptable guinea pigs on sites like Petfinder—this can help you identify which rescues in your area are actively taking in small animals.
That said, not every small animal rescue is equally prepared to take on guinea pigs. It’s important to do a little research to make sure your piggies are going to the right place. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask questions about their adoption process, how they screen potential adopters, and what kind of setup they provide for their animals. If possible, request a tour of the facility or foster home to ensure they have clean, safe, and appropriately sized enclosures.
While small animal rescues are often the ideal option, it’s important to remember that many are small, donation-based organizations with limited space and resources. They may not be able to accept every guinea pig in need, so be prepared with alternative plans just in case.
Rehoming Websites
Rehoming your guinea pig online is another available option to owners. Several websites are designed specifically for connecting individual pet owners with potential adopters who truly care!
One great option to explore is Guinea Pig Finder. This platform focuses on helping guinea pigs find loving homes. It’s a much safer and more focused alternative compared to general classified sites, offering peace of mind that your piggies are going to someone who understands their needs.
We strongly advise against using Craigslist, Facebook Marketplace, or similar platforms when rehoming your guinea pigs. While they might seem convenient, these sites often lack proper safeguards and attract individuals who may not have the best intentions or knowledge of guinea pig care. The safety and well-being of your pets should always come first.
Facebook can actually be one of the easiest places to rehome your guinea pigs—if you know where to look. While Facebook Marketplace is not a safe option (and often against their pet policies), private guinea pig rehoming groups are a completely different story.
There are hundreds of active groups dedicated specifically to guinea pig adoption and rehoming, many filled with experienced owners who are genuinely looking to welcome a new piggy into their home. These communities are usually moderated, which helps ensure that both adopters and rehomeing families follow ethical practices and prioritize the well-being of the animals.
To find a group near you, try searching Facebook for terms like “Guinea Pig Rehoming [Your City]” or “Guinea Pig Adoption [Your State].” You’ll likely find a few options to choose from, and many of these groups allow you to post detailed information about your piggies and screen potential adopters yourself.
As always, be sure to ask questions and vet anyone who expresses interest. The goal is to find someone who not only wants a pet, but who understands the care, time, and commitment guinea pigs need.
Large Animal Shelters
Many guinea pig owners are hesitant to reach out to large animal shelters when it’s time to rehome, and understandably so. Larger shelters often don’t have the same level of expertise with small animals, and their adoption processes may not be as thorough as those of small animal-specific rescues.
That said, it’s still worth giving your local shelter a call.
Some larger shelters do have staff or volunteers with small animal experience, and many are working to improve their care standards for animals like guinea pigs. At the very least, they may be able to refer you to a trusted foster, rescue partner, or small animal coordinator in the area.
While it’s not always the ideal route, a quick conversation could open up new options you hadn’t considered—and might just lead to a safe and loving new home for your piggies.
How to make a rehoming post for online rehoming?
Use Clear, Attention-Grabbing Photos !
Good photos make a big difference! You don’t need professional photography skills—just make sure the pictures are well-lit, in focus, and show your guinea pig(s) in a clean, cozy environment.
Try to include:
- Photos that clearly feature your guinea pigs
- A few close-up shots of your guinea pig’s adorable face!
- A picture of all your guinea pigs together (if rehoming more than one)
- A moment of them doing something cute- Like eating or lounging
Examples of Good photos ✅
Bonus Tip: Adding a short video can really boost engagement. A quick clip of your guinea pig munching on veggies or interacting with you helps show their personality and increases your chances of finding the right match!
Examples of Bad Photos ❌
Avoid using photos that are blurry, dark, or taken inside dirty cages. These kinds of images can turn potential adopters away or give the wrong impression about how your guinea pig has been cared for.
Write a Clear and Detailed Rehoming Post
Photos are important—but they’re only half the story. A strong rehoming post should include all the essential information someone needs to seriously consider adopting your guinea pig(s). It’s the details in your post that will truly connect you with the right adopter. A well-written post shows potential adopters that you’re responsible, thoughtful, and committed to finding your guinea pig a loving home.
Be sure to include the following essential information:
- Your city or area code - So potential adopters know if they are close enough to adopt.
- Rehoming fee - A small fee not only helps your guinea pigs but it helps you get more serious inquires
- Genders- So potential adopters know if your guinea pig is what they are looking for. Most families look to adopt to bond to an already existing heard
- Ages
- Whether they are bonded - Lets adopters know if the guinea pigs need to stay together
- Behavior - As families are typically looking to bond to an existing heard its important to share a little bit about them and their relationship to humans or other guinea pigs so they know if they are a good fit.
- Health- it's important to disclose if your guinea pig has any physical disabilities or major health conditions. Although you may think this may deter families, there are lots of wonderful homes ready & willing to give their heart to a guinea pig in need.
Need Help Getting Started?
We’ve created a helpful template you can use for your rehoming post. Feel free to personalize it with your guinea pig’s personality, favorite snacks, or funny habits—those little touches can go a long way in helping them find the perfect home!
| [Clear photos and a video] |
| It’s with a heavy heart that we are seeking a new forever home for our sweet guinea pig, [Name]. This little one has brought so much joy and laughter into our lives, but unfortunately, we are no longer able to provide them with the care and attention they deserve. We are hoping to find a loving family or individual who can offer them a safe, happy, and forever home. |
| About [Name]: |
| [Name] is a [adorable/funny/affectionate/etc.] that is around [age estimate] . guinea pig who loves [mention their favorite activities, snacks, or quirks—such as “tunnels,” “popcorning,” or “cuddling in cozy spots”]. They have a sweet personality and enjoy [getting petted, playing with toys, interacting with other animals, etc.]. Whether it’s [describe something endearing, like “wheeking for veggies” or “snuggling up with a fleece blanket”], [Name] is sure to bring a smile to your face every day. |
| [Name]’s Story: |
| We found [Name] [briefly describe how you got your guinea pig, e.g., “at a local pet store” or “through a rescue group”] and instantly fell in love with their [mention what made them special, e.g., “gentle nature” or “playful energy”]. They have been a beloved member of our family, and while it breaks our hearts to part with them, we want to make sure they find a family who can provide them with all the care, love, and attention they deserve. |
| [Rehoming fee: always have a fee of at least $15 to avoid the attention of reptile owners] |
| [Zip code/ city] |
Questions to ask before adopting them out to a new home
Interviewing potential owner's is the best way to ensure your beloved pet is going to a home that will love & cherish them as much as you. Questions will help you know your guinea pig is going to a safe home that will care for them. But what questions should you ask? We have created a list of questions to help you with this process
- Who will be the primary caretaker? ( If a family adopt's ensure that an adult will be the primary caretaker and responsible for the pet's wellbeing in the case a child is unable to care for them)
- Will this be your first guinea pig? If not, could you tell us a little bit about your experience with them?
- (If they currently have a guinea pig) Will this guinea pig become bonded to the guinea pig you have? What do you plan to do with them if the bond doesn't work out?
- Do you already have a cage? ( it's important that any potential family is prepared for a new guinea pig, one of those important preparation's is a cage. ask them what they have. Ensure that its at least 8sqft for a pair + an additional 4sqft for any exta piggies.)
- What diet do you intend to feed these guinea pig(s)? ( Food is extremely important to the future wellbeing of your guinea pigs health. Make sure they know a guinea pig should have access to hay 24/7 and at 1/8 cups of pellets a day. Recommend them high quality feed like Oxbow or Sherwood)
- Does your household have any children or other pets? ( it's important to ask if new owner's have proper safety measures in place to prevent tragic accidents. Baby gates, Lids and raised cages are excellent precautions.)
- Does anyone in your household smoke, light candles or spray air freshener in the room your guinea pigs will be in?
- Does anyone in your household suffer from guinea pig related allergies ( Rehoming is often due to allergies, request the owners buy a bag of hay to make sure they are not allergic before taking them home!)
These are all essential questions we recommend asking all potential owners! Feel free to ask more to ensure your piggy is going to a safe & loving home. We hope these questions will help you!
Things to watch out for when you are rehoming & how to avoid them
Avoid Surrendering to Pet Stores
Although it may seem like a convenient option, never surrender your guinea pig to a pet store. Pet stores often have no control over who buys the animals, and unfortunately, many reptile owners purchase small animals like guinea pigs to use as live feed for their snakes. This is not only dangerous for your guinea pig, but it’s also a heartbreaking situation you can easily avoid. Always seek out responsible adopters through trusted platforms and rescues.
Interview Potential Adopters
Taking the time to interview potential adopters is one of the most effective ways to ensure your guinea pig goes to the right person. By asking questions about their experience with guinea pigs, their knowledge of guinea pig care, and their plans for providing a proper environment, you can get a better sense of whether they’re a responsible owner.
This process also serves as a subtle way to discourage those with ill intentions. They will often be unwilling to engage in a detailed conversation about proper guinea pig care. On the other hand, responsible adopters who truly want to offer a good home will happily take the time to discuss how they will care for your piggy.
Have a Rehoming Fee
One of the simplest ways to avoid attracting the wrong kind of adopter is by charging a rehoming fee. This helps weed out those with bad intentions, who are often looking for cheap live food or breeding stock.
We recommend setting a rehoming fee of at least $15. This helps ensure that potential adopters are serious and committed. However, avoid setting the fee too high—fees over $50 (unless you’re rehoming a special breed, like a skinny pig) might deter responsible adopters and limit your pool of interested, loving homes.
Check the Post History of Adopters on Facebook
If you're using Facebook groups to rehome your guinea pig, you can do a little research on potential adopters to make sure they’re legitimate.
When someone messages you expressing interest, click on their name and check their post history. Review their previous comments and posts in the rehoming group. If you notice that they frequently rehome guinea pigs or have a history of posting about breeding, this could be a red flag. Breeders typically adopt and rehome guinea pigs on a regular basis, which is not a good sign if you’re looking for a loving pet home.
By taking these precautions, you can confidently find a safe, loving home for your guinea pig while minimizing the risk of them falling into the wrong hands. Always trust your instincts and don't rush the process—your guinea pig deserves a great future!
A final note before You Begin the Rehoming Process
Before you move forward with rehoming your guinea pig, take a moment to revisit the earlier steps and ensure you’ve explored all available options. It's important to be certain that rehoming is your last resort, and that you've exhausted every resource at your disposal.
You might be able to find support through local Facebook groups by searching for terms like "helping guinea pigs in need" or "guinea pig support" followed by your city or region. There are many compassionate people out there who are willing to donate supplies or even help with temporary fostering, giving you the time you need to get back on your feet.
However, if there truly are no other options, we sincerely wish you the best of luck in finding a loving, forever home for your guinea pig. We hope you are able to connect them with a family who will cherish and care for them as much as you have.