Tiny guinea pigs left abandoned under thorn bush as animal charity makes plea (2025)

Six guinea pigs including two adults and four tiny youngsters were discovered cowering beneath a bush in Edinburgh by a dog walker.

Six terrified guinea pigs have been found abandoned underneath a thorn bush in Edinburgh prompting concern from an animal welfare charity. In a heartbreaking discovery, two adult guinea pigs and four tiny youngsters were found cowering in the underbrush on the edge of a city path.

A dog walker stumbled upon the scene on Monday, just off Dumbryden Road, after hearing desperate squeaks coming from the bushes. The six guinea pigs were discovered in the undergrowth huddled together for warmth.

The four guinea pig pups were clinging to each other, frightening and exposed to the elements. The dog walker quickly called the Scottish SPCA's animal helpline.

After arriving, Animal Rescue Officers Chris Hawkes and Aileen Maybury worked quickly to catch all six of the terrified animals.

Hawkes said: “This is a stark reminder that there is absolutely no justification for abandoning an animal.

"Help is always available, and abandonment should never be the answer.

“These guinea pigs were incredibly lucky. Had they not been discovered when they were, the outcome could have been tragic.

“Thankfully, we reached them in time. They were examined by a vet and are now safe and being cared for at one of our animal rescue and rehoming centres.

“They were left in an extremely vulnerable state, exposed and frightened.

"We urge anyone who feels they can no longer care for their pets to reach out to us. Support is here – we’re just a phone call away."

He added: “If anyone recognises these guinea pigs or has any information about how they came to be abandoned, we ask that they contact our confidential animal helpline at 03000 999 999.”

The animal welfare charity last week announced an expansion of its community support schemes, including new community animal behaviour support and the launch of Pet Aid Community Hubs.

The new hubs will bring the SSPCA's services into high streets and community centres across the country through ‘pop up’ events.

At each event the public can get free health checks for their pets, access support for pet food, speak to an animal behaviourist, the adoption and fostering team, and more.

Scottish SPCA’s Head of Rehoming, Fostering and Community Engagement Jennie Macdonald said: “We know that services like Pet Aid are providing a vital lifeline to thousands of people and their pets, and we are going much further in 2025 to bring this kind of early help and preventative support into communities across the country.

“No one should have to choose between feeding themselves or their pet or struggling with their pets’ health or behaviour because they are frightened about having to give up their much-loved companion.

“We can already see that our community services are better for animal welfare and better for local communities.

"Expanding our community services, reaching more animals and people than ever, is also the best use of our supporters’ money – every penny we receive is donated by the public.

"We are pleased to be bringing more of these services into communities this year to help keep more pets and people together where they belong.”

For those who want to help struggling pet owners and their companions, information about how donations can be made is available on the Scottish SPCA's website. Details about the new community hubs can also be found there.