Guinea pig rescue to close for six months after viral outbreak
A GUINEA pig rescue sanctuary will have to remain closed for six months, following a deadly outbreak of illness, and the charity's founder has said changes will have to be made.
Sarnia Guinea Pig Rescue has helped more than 150 guinea pigs since it started two years ago, as well as tortoises, aviary birds, chinchillas, chipmunks, rabbits and chickens.
However, an illness swept through the guinea pig herd last month and the animals failed to respond to antibiotics.
Charity founder Leo Thomas said the last few weeks had been a very difficult time for the charity.
'To prevent the guinea pigs from suffering and to put a halt to the spread of this horrific disease it was on the recommendation of specialist advice that the kindest thing to do would be to put them to sleep,' he said.
He has now met with the States vet about the outbreak and some changes have been put forward.
The rescue site will have to close for six months.
