Guinea Pig Welfare UK brings together veterinary insight, husbandry experience and nutritional expertise to tackle widespread welfare issues affecting the UK’s pet guinea pig population. With a stated mission to “advance the health and welfare of all guinea pigs in Great Britain and Northern Ireland through education and ethical research,” the charity aims to become the recognised UK experts in guinea pig welfare.
Chair of trustees John Chitty has been instrumental in bringing the charity into being, with support from animal nutrition brand Burgess Pet Care. He said: “There are some significant knowledge gaps around guinea pig care identified at last year’s Guinea Pig Welfare Forum, and we hope that Guinea Pig Welfare UK will support pet owners, rescues, the pet industry, veterinary professionals and anyone who cares for guinea pigs with evidence-based education and resources. With many general practice vets receiving limited training on guinea pig-specific health issues, an authoritative voice for guinea pig welfare standards is sorely needed.
“The Guinea Pig Welfare Forum was the perfect venue to launch this charity, in a room packed with some of the leading minds in guinea pig care and welfare.”
Guinea pigs have complex social, dietary, and housing needs that are frequently misunderstood, leading to compromised quality of life. The charity’s launch represents a significant milestone for guinea pig welfare in the UK, providing a dedicated organisation to champion these pets, often denied the same welfare standards afforded to other animals.
Guinea Pig Welfare UK will focus on four core strategic areas: education, vet support, research and advocacy. This comprehensive approach encompasses owner education covering housing, nutrition, companionship, and enrichment; veterinary professional development and continuing education; ethical and non-invasive research to advance clinical understanding of guinea pig health conditions; and advocating for improved welfare standards and policies.
Joining John Chitty, a former president of the British Small Animal Veterinary Association, are three further trustees with a broad range of experience in animal care. Mary Coles is a PhD researcher at the University of Liverpool, whose work on understanding the welfare challenges guinea pigs face will provide an evidential base for the charity’s work. With 25 years of experience in small animal care, Rae Walters also brings expertise in campaigning for animal welfare, from her work as director of the Rabbit Welfare Association and Fund. Ellie Parkes, nutritional adviser at small animal nutrition brand Burgess Pet Care, rounds out the team.
The charity’s first Patron is Dr Sean Wensley, former president of the British Veterinary Association and Honorary Lecturer in animal welfare. He commented: “I was delighted to hear of the founding of Guinea Pig Welfare UK, following the success of last year’s inaugural Guinea Pig Welfare Forum, and am honoured to be the charity’s first Patron. With some 400,000 guinea pigs kept as pets in the UK, there is a clear need for an evidence-based understanding of their welfare needs and the extent to which these needs are being met.
“I look forward to supporting Guinea Pig Welfare UK in their mission to advance this knowledge and to drive up care standards to ensure all pet guinea pigs enjoy a good life.”
Guinea Pig Welfare UK is seeking support and collaboration from veterinary practices, rescue organisations, pet industry businesses, and guinea pig owners across the UK. The charity offers membership opportunities for those who want to support UK-wide guinea pig education and help fund ethical research, with members receiving access to exclusive content and a digital newsletter.
More information can be found here, or by following Guinea Pig Welfare UK on Facebook and @guineapigwelfareuk on Instagram.
