GUINEA PIG DENNIS FOUND DUMPED BY THE BINS

RSPCA COME TO RESCUE OF GUINEA PIG FOUND ABANDONED IN CARDBOARD BOX

A FRIGHTENED guinea pig survived days dumped in a cardboard box by the bins outside a derelict Salvation Army hall by eating rotten sunflower heads.

The little tri-colour, long-haired guinea pig – now named Dennis – was found in the box, which had been hidden from view, by workmen at the site, in Uxbridge Road, Uxbridge, on the morning of Saturday October 21.

A man discovered the little guinea pig, dumped in a dirty, sodden cardboard box alongside two rotten sunflower heads and wet leaves.

RSPCA inspector Becky Timberlake attended to collect the frightened rodent, whose coat was very matted.

“From the state of the box, I’d say he had been there for a few days with just rotten sunflower heads to nibble on,” she said.

“I understand the hall is closed and he’d been left tucked along the side of the building by some bins.

“To anyone passing, it just looked like another box left out for the binmen.

“He’s so lucky he was spotted or he could have ended up being tossed into a refuse lorry.”

Inspector Timberlake collected Dennis and took him to the charity’s Hillingdon branch nearby. If he isn’t claimed, he will be rehomed.

“If you stand on the pavement outside the hall where Dennis was aban- doned, you can clearly see the RSPCA’s clinic and two charity shops nearby,” Inspector Timberlake said.

“What I can’t understand is why someone would leave him here instead of going into one of our properties and asking for help?

“Owning a pet is a huge responsibility and commitment both time-wise and financially – guinea pigs are no different and they need lots of care and attention.

“I understand that sometimes people’s circumstances can change or they may need help caring for their pet but we’d urge anyone who’s struggling to contact a charity and ask for help.

“There’s no excuse for leaving an animal like this. Dennis could have easily succumbed to the weather or starved to death.”

New statistics released by the RSPCA last month show that more guinea pigs have been abandoned during 2017 than last year.

The figures revealed that between January 1 and August 31 this year, 338 guinea pigs were abandoned and collected by RSPCA officers.

That’s more than the whole of 2016, when just 112 were abandoned.

Anyone with information about where Dennis may have come from or who saw anything suspicious in the area is asked to contact the RSPCA’s appeal line on 0300 123 8018 and leave a message for Inspector Timberlake.