Hamlet and Shaw came into Toronto Animal Services as “strays.” Let’s be real here – guinea pigs generally don’t bust out of their houses and wander the streets together until they’re found. Guinea pigs found as “strays” are either abandoned outdoors by their owners when they’re no longer wanted, or they’re brought to a shelter by their owners who lie and say they “found” the guinea pigs as a way to get around a surrender wait list and/or paying a surrender fee. Both of those actions are deplorable. Dumping guinea pigs outside is extremely dangerous. They are not equipped to live in the wild, and if the elements, vehicles, or starvation/dehydration don’t get them, predators will. And lying to shelter staff is just bad karma.
When you take on a pet, that pet is your responsibility for THE LIFE OF THE PET! Not just until they become inconvenient. If you can truly no longer care for your pet, do the right thing and find them a home through family and friends, or contact a shelter/rescue that accepts owner surrenders. Sometimes there will be a wait list, and sometimes there will be a surrender fee, but please be a good person and do the right thing. It’s the least you can do when expecting someone else to care for a living being you chose to take responsibility for.

That said, nobody came forward to claim Hamlet and Shaw, and we were happy to take them in when a foster home opened up. They’re doing well in their foster home so far, and they’ll have a vet visit soon to make sure their health is on track. Hopefully Hamlet and Shaw will get a clean bill of health and they can be made available for adoption soon.

Welcome to Ladybird, Hamlet and Shaw! We’re so happy you’re here!

Wondering if guinea pigs are the right pet for you?
Check out the many informative videos by Skinnypigs1 for lots of pig education!

Guinea pigs need much more room than the typical pet store guinea pig cages offer. Here are some examples of appropriate cages pigs can live happily in, so that they have lots of room to move around and explore:
C & C Cages

Midwest Guinea Habitat (1 cage per pig)

Can’t adopt but want to help? Monetary donations are always needed, but donations of Oxbow Guinea Pig food, Oxbow “Natural Science” Vitamin C tablets, timothy hay, small animal chew toys, and fleece liners are very much appreciated!
Options for donating items:
🐾 Dundas Pet Valu – 86 Main Street, Dundas, Ontario. Purchase items in-store and leave in the donation bin.
🐾 Amazon Wish List – Purchase items and have them delivered directly to us!
* SUPPORT SMALL ONLINE BUSINESSES *
Order items from any of these Ontario based businesses, let them know your order is for Ladybird and they’ll send your donation to us!
🐇 JAX’S BUNPORIUM
🐇 GREEN BUNNY STORE
🐇 ZOEY and LILO’s TOYBOX
🐇 MISCHIEF STITCHES
🐇 HOPPY’S HAY
🐇 PROFESSOR FLOP’S BUNNY SHOP