Rescue News

January 2006

Helping Abandoned Animals From Brooklyn

In January, we brought eight guinea pigs from Brooklyn, New York, into our rescue. They were part of a group of 67 abandoned guinea pigs that had been taken into custody by Brooklyn's Animal Care & Control. This group had some of the most difficult and tragic health issues we've seen, including infections, partial facial paralysis (that is likely due to an act of cruelty), and an inner ear infection that spread to one guinea pig's brain (because the infection had not been detected until the animal came to us). The seriousness of the health problems in this group made it the single most expensive rescue we've ever done, with total vet bills (for surgery, antibiotics, office visits, and other treatments) reaching $1000. One of the males in this group, Cheech, still needs (non-emergency) surgery.

February 2006

Critter Connection Takes In Expectant Mothers

In late February, at the request of the MSPCA in Springfield, Massachusetts, we brought two pregnant guinea pigs and one new mom and her two newborns into the rescue. All babies will live at the rescue until they are old enough to be adopted in the spring, and the mothers will remain with us until after the babies are weaned.

March 2006

Adoption Event At Petco In Southington

On March 18, The Critter Connection was at Petco in Southington, CT. It was a very busy three hours as we talked to a number of potential adopters and discussed our rescue's mission with people who just stopped by to visit with the guinea pigs we brought with us. Two previous adopters even drove up to say "hi" and catch us up on how their furkids are doing in their new homes.

The Critter Connection Rescues #400!

As of March 3, Critter Connection has rescued 400 guinea pigs since it was founded nearly two years ago. This is a tremendous milestone for us, and we want to thank everyone who has donated money and supplies, fostered animals while they wait for new homes, and adopted guinea pigs into permanent homes with loving and adoring families. We would not have been able to reach this milestone without your help and support.

Update On Baltimore & Brooklyn Pigs

We've received inquiries from people wondering how the abandoned pigs from Baltimore and Brooklyn are doing and where they are now. We're happy to report that 13 of the Baltimore pigs and three of the Brooklyn pigs have been adopted into good homes. Of the nearly four dozen guinea pigs we have awaiting adoption, there are seven that remain from the Baltimore rescue and four from the Brooklyn group.

Tragically, we lost little Tico, one of the eight guinea pigs who came from Brooklyn. Despite a monumental effort between us and our veterinarians, the health problems caused by the neglect he suffered under his previous owner proved to be more than he and we could beat. He died peacefully in our founder's arms on March 4.