Recently, an elderly community member reached out to Columbus Humane asking for help. What began as a small number of guinea pigs in her care had, over the course of two years, grown into nearly 80 animals, many of them pregnant.
She loved her guinea pigs as family and had done everything she could to care for them. But as her health declined, keeping up with daily feeding, cleaning and care became more than one person could manage alone.
After struggling to find help and without reliable transportation, she contacted Columbus Humane hoping someone would listen.
“Our Field Services team immediately stepped in to help,” said Aleah Brady, chief humane agent and director of Field Services. “It was clear from the moment we arrived that she loved her animals and truly wanted the best for them.”
Situations like these can happen gradually and often during times of personal hardship. Our focus was on helping both the animals and the person who cared about them.
Together, our team safely brought approximately 78 guinea pigs into our care while also helping stabilize the remaining animals in the home. Because many of the guinea pigs were pregnant, our shelter teams quickly prepared for the influx of baby guinea pigs that would soon arrive.
Veterinary and animal care staff worked tirelessly to examine and treat each guinea pig. Pregnant guinea pigs were placed in foster homes where they could be monitored closely and cared for in a calm environment. Staff and volunteers provided daily feeding, cleaning, enrichment and socialization while our adoption team worked to find loving homes for every animal.
Today, thanks to the support of our community, every guinea pig has been adopted.
During a final check-in, the woman hugged our humane agents and thanked them for treating both her and her pets with kindness during one of the most difficult moments of her life.
At Columbus Humane, we know many calls for help involve more than animals alone. Families may be facing illness, financial hardship, aging or unexpected life changes. Our role is to meet those moments with compassion, resources and support whenever possible.
Every day, Columbus Humane provides care for animals across our community through sheltering, adoption, cruelty investigations, humane education, veterinary care and programs that help keep pets with the people who love them.
None of this work would be possible without the support of our community.
Your generosity helps ensure that when animals and families need help most, compassionate care is there.
If you would like to support animals and families in need, please consider making a gift to Columbus Humane today.
